Microwave ovens heat food using a form of electromagnetic radiation called microwaves. Inside the microwave oven, there is a magnetron, which generates these microwaves. The microwaves are then directed into the cooking cavity, where they interact with the food.
Microwaves work by exciting the water molecules present in the food. These excited water molecules generate heat, which then cooks the food. The microwaves penetrate the food and cause the water molecules to vibrate rapidly, creating friction and generating heat. This heat is transferred to the surrounding food, heating it from within.
In terms of heat distribution, microwave ovens generally provide relatively even heating compared to conventional ovens. However, there can be some variations and hot spots within the cooking cavity. Most microwave ovens are equipped with a rotating turntable or a rotating plate to help mitigate these hot spots. The rotating motion ensures that the food receives more uniform exposure to the microwaves, leading to more even heating.
Despite these efforts, it's still possible to experience some uneven heating in certain cases. To compensate for this, it's recommended to stir or rotate the food during cooking to ensure that the heat is distributed more evenly. Additionally, some microwave ovens have features like multiple power levels or even microwave distribution systems that help enhance the overall evenness of heating.