Rule of thumb for cooking multiple things in a microwave at the same time?
Is it possible to cook multiple things at the same time in a microwave and how do I adjust the cooking time?
What if the two items are identical, do I double the time or multiply it by some other factor?
What if the two items are different and have different individual cooking times?
Best Answer
For different food types there is no single correct answer, as it is very dependent on the specific microwave energy absorption and reflectance characteristics of each item (food and container) in the microwave oven
It's possible to put one item in which has a high absorbency and one with a low absorbency, and to have one fully cooked and the other still cold
e.g. A potato placed in a ceramic bowl, and a sausage on a glass plate, would result in a hot sausage, and a cold potato (assuming the sausage and potato are of the same weight)
For similar food types a general multiplication is required, but not exactly by weight, as each microwave oven has an 'efficiency to food and weight' exponential curve. You will find the result of this out by experience with the oven. This rule applies somewhat to normal thermal convection ovens too
e.g. 250 g of potato takes 6 minutes in your microwave oven, then 500 g may take 9 minutes not 12 minutes, and 1 Kg may take only 12 minutes, until you reach the equilibrium point of no further improvement (about 1 Kg for my domestic microwave oven)
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Can you cook two things in the microwave at the same time?
It's easy. Put your first bowl in the microwave, then put a coffee mug upside down next to it. Next, place your second bowl on top of the coffee mug and voila\u2014a multi-level microwaving system. Now just heat until your heart's content (no more struggling to keep one bowl warm while you wait for the other one to finish).Do I need to double microwave time for 2 items?
We enjoy pot pies and when we are in a hurry sometimes put two in the microwave at the same time. Usually it takes 7-8 minutes per pie. If two are in the oven at the same time (same size too) I multiply the time times 1.5. Generally it works out well.How do you evenly distribute heat in a microwave?
Instead of placing food in the center, spread it in a circle around the outer edge of the container or plate. The more you spread it out, the better. This makes it easier for the microwaves to reach in and create enough friction to heat the food evenly.How do you calculate microwave cooking times?
To convert microwave cooking times:10 Tips On Using Your Microwave
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Answer 2
We enjoy pot pies and when we are in a hurry sometimes put two in the microwave at the same time. Usually it takes 7-8 minutes per pie. If two are in the oven at the same time (same size too) I multiply the time times 1.5. Generally it works out well. Happy cooking.
Answer 3
It's best not to cook two items together because the amount of energy Vs time taken had been worked out by the manufacturer for the given power rating. Remember that temperature can be a factor, and getting to that temperature may take a significant amount of the cooking time to reach. So cooking 2 of the same item together might take longer than doing one after the other. This is probably more obvious with things that are steam cooked as it's going to take longer for the extra mass to heat up. A simple side by side wattage comparison shows that a conventional oven might be rated at 3000 Watts Vs 700 Watts of a microwave
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