This class is a really good idea. Microwaves are very helpful for folks who don't have access to regular cooking resources.

The biggest advantages are:
Low energy cost
Doesn't heat up the house
Shuts itself off
Extra fast cleanup with no pots or pans!
Easy to cook fresh or frozen vegetables
Cooks great steamed fish without odor

Microwaves can be used to scald milk, or partially pre-cook potaoes for augratin rotatoes, to spead up the baking in the regular oven.

Microwaves are't very good at pork or beef, but good for fish and chicken. Ground meat is OK, but cooks better in a flat donut shape than a regular patty- the very middle is never quite right.

The biggest risks are:
steam burns- open cover away from your face, and keep your hand back from the opening
spilling hot liquids or food- Buying one or two microwave-safe bowls with very wide rims (1") or more, and 1-2" deep-- or glass pie plates with wider rims and handles-- is a good safety idea, the bowls and plates really do get hot near or under the food, and make steam, and stuff does slosh or bubble up.
Uneven cooking- A dish that is not stirred/rotated or not left to stand covered as directed can have very hot spots and cold spots. Not safe and most people hate this. microwaves penetrate only about 3/4 of an inch, so even-sized pieces and fairly thin layers are important. Also, since the inside of the oven does not get hot, you have to wipe up spills- unlike a regular oven, they WILL spoil.

If purchasing a microwave, selecting one with a turntable or carousel is very helpful and a 1000 watt oven is much more versatile than a lower watt one. This takes 8 minutes to boil a quart of water.

Covering while heating is important for even, safe cooking and also keeps the microwave cleaner.

Caution that eggs must ALWAYS be out of the shell and have the yolk pierced with a fork, or they blow up. Same for sausages, whole potatoes, or anything with a tight, whole skin. Beans and peas do pop and explode some, too, be sure they are covered.

Introduce them to the idea of checking the watts/power on their machine, the new ones are up to 1100 watts and the oldest are 600. Using a 1000 watt oven, show them how to set the power range down to 600 watts and demonstrate how a single boneless, skinless chicken breast takes 5 minutes covered if medium size, 6 minutes if large. It is tender and juicy at 600 watts, dry and tough at 1000.

To cook a cup of regular long grain white rice, you put the cup in a glass measuring container, add water to the 3 cup mark, cover with a plate (IE not tight). Cook 8 minutes at 1000 watts, full power, then 12 minutes at 600 watts.

Vegetables in largish chunks take about 4 minutes per cup, covered.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All cooking is adding energy to food to begin the process of cellular breakdown or digestion. All cooking causes some chemical changes, such as beginning to breakdown starches to sugars. These changes add flavor and change texture in ways people like.

Microwave cooking is just cooking done in a special oven which uses energy in the microwave range. It was a side development of radar technology, which is why the very first ones were called Radar ranges.

Because microwave energy is a little different from radiant heat such as in our regular ovens, you have to learn some new techniques. Also, just as some foods taste better roasted than boiled, some foods such as pork and beef don't taste as good to us microwaved- they get too tough!

Since microwaves cook by being absorbed into the food and agitating the moisture or water moleculkes, you have to add more time for each additional item. So one potato may cook in 6 minutes, but 2 takes 10-11, and 4 takes up to half an hour!

Microwave ovens are designed especially to keep the waves inside the oven. Just like you can get burned on a regular stove, microwaves may have some effect on YOU while they are working!