How Hot Does It Get in a Microwave

When I was little, I was fascinated by electronics and kitchen gadgets, I had so many unanswered questions in my mind this led me to tinker with them a lot.

I did a lot of experiments, and read a lot of electronic books seeking answers; one of these gadgets that intrigued me was the microwave oven.

Truly, we can all agree that microwaves have become an indispensable kitchen appliance but lurking behind the convenience lays a fascinating question: just how hot does it get in a microwave oven?

With the power of transforming cold leftovers into piping hot meals and making mealtime a breeze for millions around the world all in the blink of an eye, we can’t deny the fact that the microwave is a scientific marvel.

So, buckle up and prepare to have your appetite for knowledge cooked to perfection as we unravel the mystery of just how warm it gets when you cook or reheat meals in a microwave.

DO MICROWAVES GET HOT?

We must begin by stating that people sometimes inter use the term “hot” to mean “temperature”.

To know if an empty microwave gets hot, we will need to first understand how the microwave operates. 

Microwaves are a form of electromagnetic radiation similar to radio waves but with a higher frequency.

Therefore microwaves can cause other objects and materials inside a microwave oven to get hot by exciting water, fat, and sugar molecules.

This molecular motion generates heat as the molecules rub against each other.

It is this action that provides energy that gets absorbed by polar molecules in food to produce heat but the inside of the empty microwave don’t become hot themselves.

Another reason why an empty microwave doesn’t get hot is because the air itself does not heat efficiently in a microwave, the oxygen and nitrogen molecules are non-polar so there is nothing for the microwaves to excite rotationally.

Rather, it is the glass, ceramic, or bone china plates that become hot in the microwave due to a heating effect while reheating food.

HOW HOT DOES IT GET IN A MICROWAVE?

The exact heated temperature inside a microwave varies depending on the microwave’s wattage, the type of food being cooked, and the cooking time.

However, the interior of a microwave can attain temperatures ranging from 100 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (38 to 121 degrees Celsius) during normal use.

It is also vital to pay attention to the microwave’s outer surfaces, as they might become hot, particularly when cooking for an extended amount of time.

So in summary, while microwave ovens can heat food and liquids rapidly, the air temperature inside them remains quite moderate and the exterior also stays much cooler than a traditional oven.

The key exception is hot food/liquid which can make the interior very hot.

WHAT IS THE HIGHEST TEMPERATURE IN A MICROWAVE?

Remember that we have different microwave wattage, and power settings, and users have various durations of heating.

Therefore, for a microwave oven that operates between 600 to 1200 watts, the highest temperature ranges from 100°C (212°F).

However, the temperature can vary based on the type of food and its water content.

Wondering how we arrived at this answer? Here are a few reasons:

The microwave is designed with a temperature sensor that cuts off when the temperature exceeds 100°C during normal operation.

Let’s say, for instance, when all the moisture or water boils away, the temperature of the microwave would only rise for some time but will shut itself off.

Our kitchen electrical outlets provide between 15-20 amps at 120 volts which has already set a limit to high-end microwave wattage like 1500 watts safeguarding your device.

Heating empty containers is highly prohibited in a microwave as this could lead to a fire hazard that’s why 100°C is considered a reasonable limit for consumer device safety and intended usage.

HOW HOT DOES A 1000-WATT MICROWAVE GET?

As I have always stated, there is a lot to consider while heating food in the microwave.

Just as the exact temperature is determined by some specific cooking conditions, so is the weight of the microwave, which varies.

Therefore, food and beverage containers can reach temperatures of around 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius) or beyond when heated for sufficient time at 1000 watts of microwave power.

Kindly note that the temperature reached depends on factors like how much and what kind of food is being heated, how long it’s heated, and the nature of the container holding the food.

In addition, I’ve covered how hot a 1100 watt microwave can get in another blog article; be sure to check it out!

HOW HOT DOES A MICROWAVE GET IN 1, 2 AND 3 MINUTES?

To answer this question, we must first realize that microwaves do not heat themselves.

It is the electromagnetic waves generated that make the water molecules in the food vibrate rapidly thereby heating the food.

Microwave on its own doesn’t have a temperature. However, to ascertain how hot a microwave can get in 1, 2, and 3 minutes, we would use a typical home countertop microwave that ranges from about 600 – 1200 watts.

So, depending on the cooking time, most foods heat to around 60 degrees Celsius/140 degrees Fahrenheit or somewhat more within the first 1, 2, and 3 minutes of a normal microwave if there is enough moisture to absorb the waves.

In all of this, some factors still make a difference that’s why it’s difficult to get an exact temperature range or number because a lower wattage like a 700-watt microwave will generate less heat in 3 minutes compared to a 900-watt microwave or a 1200 watts microwave.

The type of food you reheat or cook also contributes to the temperature, take for instance, food high in fat and sugar will get hotter faster while a larger portion of food will take longer to reach the required peak temperature.

Food with moisture heats faster and dense dry foods heats slowly.

Finally, we can also say that if you use a high-end microwave oven, within 3 minutes, the food could realistically get as hot as 80°C to 100°C (175°F to 212°F).

HOW TO KNOW TEMPERATURE IN MICROWAVE OVEN

It is no secret that microwave ovens do not have custom built-in temperature probes or displays like conventional ovens but do not worry below are a few ways to know the temperature in your microwave oven:

One quick and best way to know microwave temperature is to simply use a specialized microwave thermometer probe.

Second, you can insert an instant-read thermometer into the food itself. For example, inserting a meat thermometer into a piece of chicken or other meat lets you determine when an internal temperature like 165°F is reached.

Some microwaves have specialty probe thermometers made for use in microwave cooking. You insert the probe into the food before microwaving and it will alarm when a set internal temperature is reached.

Lastly, using an infrared thermometer gun pointed at the food surface right after microwaving can give you a surface temperature. But this won’t tell you accurate internal temps.

HOW HOT DOES A MICROWAVE GET IN 30 SECONDS?

It is hard to give an exact temperature a microwave can reach in 30 seconds because 30 seconds is not long enough to cook or heat most food in a typical home microwave.

Take for example; a large casserole dish might barely even get warm in 30 seconds even a bowl of soup.

HOW HOT DOES A MICROWAVE GET IN 1 SECOND?

In just 1 second, there is typically not enough time for a measurable amount of heating to occur within food or other items placed in a microwave.

While the power output level determines the intensity of the microwaves, it still requires some duration of exposure time for any appreciable heating effect.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO MICROWAVE 165 DEGREES?

To adequately determine an exact microwave heating time to reach 165 degrees, you would have to consider the type and quantity of food you are heating, the wattage of the microwave, and other parameters.

For example, as a rough estimate, it might take about 3-5 minutes to bring an average portion of refrigerated leftovers or a frozen meal up to 165 degrees Fahrenheit in a typical 900-watt microwave.

However, cooking periods vary greatly depending on the elements listed above, and keep in mind that the container used while heating, as well as stirring and flipping, all add to the final temperature.