Microwaves are not designed to cool food; their primary function is to heat food by generating electromagnetic waves that excite water molecules, creating heat through friction. However, there are ways to use a microwave to help speed up the cooling process for certain foods indirectly.
Here are some techniques you can use to cool food more efficiently with a microwave:
Microwave in short intervals: If you have a large portion of hot food, you can use the microwave in short bursts to reheat smaller portions at a time. This allows the rest of the food to cool down faster while you reheat what you plan to eat immediately.
Stirring or flipping: Stirring or flipping the food during reheating in the microwave helps distribute heat more evenly. After reheating, this also helps cool the food faster by allowing the hot and cooler parts to mix.
Use a microwave-safe container: Choose a microwave-safe container with good heat conductivity to help the food cool down faster once you've taken it out of the microwave.
Transfer to a cooler surface: After microwaving, transfer the food to a cooler surface, like a plate or a shallow container, rather than leaving it in the hot microwave-safe dish.
Remember that microwaves are not as effective at cooling as they are at heating. If you want to cool food quickly and safely, it's better to use other methods like refrigeration or placing the hot food container in a cold water bath, which will conduct heat away from the food more efficiently.
Never use a microwave to cool down perishable foods like meat or dairy products. These should be promptly refrigerated to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.