What if the plate in the microwave doesn't rotate? Discover the surprising consequences of this common issue.

Many people have wondered why the plate in a microwave rotates and what happens if it doesn't? This is important for the even distribution of heat, explains a blogger and author of the popular YouTube channel "Museum of Science." She conducts an experiment with cheese that visually demonstrates microwaves and clarifies the role of the rotating plate in the microwave.

Why does the plate in the microwave rotate - the necessity of rotation in microwaves

The blogger explains that a microwave operates thanks to an electrical circuit that generates microwaves, which bounce off the metal walls and form a standing wave.

“This wave consists of nodes, where the energy is low, and antinodes, where the energy is high,” the expert explains. “These nodes create 'cold' zones, while antinodes create 'hot' zones, which is why food can heat unevenly.”

This effect is particularly noticeable with cheese.

“Place the cheese on a plate without rotation,” the channel's author recommends, “Then you will be able to see the 'hot' and 'cold' spots on the cheese's surface.

The distance between two 'hot' areas or two 'cold' areas corresponds to half the wavelength, helping to assess the characteristics of the waves inside the oven.”

What happens if something doesn't rotate in the microwave

So why is it necessary for the plate to rotate? The expert explains: “The rotation of the tray allows food to pass evenly through the nodes and antinodes, reducing the risk of uneven heating. It also prevents the formation of overheated or insufficiently heated zones in different parts of the dish.”

This is especially important for meat products, which need to reach a certain temperature to ensure safety during consumption. If the plate doesn't rotate, food may remain insufficiently warm in some areas, compromising both the quality and safety of the dish.

“If your microwave plate has stopped rotating, make sure to fix it or turn the food manually,” the blogger advises. “This will ensure more even heating and help avoid undesirable problems.”

How to conduct an experiment at home

For those who want to see the waves for themselves, the expert recommends a simple cheese test.

“Just lay the cheese on a plate, turn off the rotation, and observe the result,” he shares.

This allows one to understand how essential the rotation of the plate is for ensuring the even distribution of microwaves and heat in the oven.