Microwave safety for college students
Nearly every college student will face their first few months of college with cafeteria meals and the "freshman 15" weight gain. Soon, these students will learn the importance of cooking in their rooms for added time and nutrition. Unlike traditional microwaves and refrigerators, the dorm room version is much smaller and much less powerful which can lead to food borne illness if the proper steps are not taken to ensure food safety.
From Frozen to Frozen?
When using a small microwave for cooking frozen meals, it is important to understand the power structure of the dorm. There are many other microwaves, computers and electrical appliances fighting for the electrical current in the dorm. When a microwave is in use, the power levels being fed to the microwave can be less than required to perform at optimal cooking wattage. The best choice is to cook foods in a cold microwave and cover foods whenever possible. Using the maximum time on the cooking instructions can also increase the chances of foods being cooked through. When in doubt, a food thermometer can be used to prevent food borne illness.
If the mini refrigerator has a freezer, the college student may choose to defrost a food item before cooking the food in the microwave or the community stove. In order to safely thaw frozen foods in the microwave, the foods need to be removed from their outer packaging. Styrofoam plates or plastic that is not approved for microwave use should not be used in the microwave. Foods can be defrosted slowly using a lower than 100% power setting. Most of the time 20% to 30% are ideal for the defrost cycle. After the foods are defrosted, they need to be cooked immediately. An alternative to defrosting frozen foods in the microwave is the overnight defrost in the refrigerator.
Stay Away From Highly Perishable Foods
There are some foods that must be kept cold in order to maintain food safety. These foods include melons and dairy products. The mini refrigerator fights the same current battle as the mini microwave and can perform at below average temperatures during times of peak electrical use in the dorm. Highly perishable foods should be eaten immediately after purchase in order to maintain food safety.
Food safety for college students is not difficult to learn, but is something many college students never think about discussing with their parents before leaving for college. It is vitally important that you have a fire and smoke alarm installed in or near your kitchen or microwave area.
From Frozen to Frozen?
When using a small microwave for cooking frozen meals, it is important to understand the power structure of the dorm. There are many other microwaves, computers and electrical appliances fighting for the electrical current in the dorm. When a microwave is in use, the power levels being fed to the microwave can be less than required to perform at optimal cooking wattage. The best choice is to cook foods in a cold microwave and cover foods whenever possible. Using the maximum time on the cooking instructions can also increase the chances of foods being cooked through. When in doubt, a food thermometer can be used to prevent food borne illness.
If the mini refrigerator has a freezer, the college student may choose to defrost a food item before cooking the food in the microwave or the community stove. In order to safely thaw frozen foods in the microwave, the foods need to be removed from their outer packaging. Styrofoam plates or plastic that is not approved for microwave use should not be used in the microwave. Foods can be defrosted slowly using a lower than 100% power setting. Most of the time 20% to 30% are ideal for the defrost cycle. After the foods are defrosted, they need to be cooked immediately. An alternative to defrosting frozen foods in the microwave is the overnight defrost in the refrigerator.
Stay Away From Highly Perishable Foods
There are some foods that must be kept cold in order to maintain food safety. These foods include melons and dairy products. The mini refrigerator fights the same current battle as the mini microwave and can perform at below average temperatures during times of peak electrical use in the dorm. Highly perishable foods should be eaten immediately after purchase in order to maintain food safety.
Food safety for college students is not difficult to learn, but is something many college students never think about discussing with their parents before leaving for college. It is vitally important that you have a fire and smoke alarm installed in or near your kitchen or microwave area.