Can I bake in my Microwave?

Well,yes and no.Depends on the kind of microwave you have.If it is a Solo microwave with no
other features,you cannot bake in that.But you sure can try microwave baking like Microwaving
Cakes and Brownies using appropriate microwave safe baking pans.

If you have a Convection oven,you can bake in it the same way as you would in an electric
oven.The Convection feature in the Microwave enables the features of a regular oven when you
choose the option.In simple terms,when you set the temperature of the oven in Convection
mode,the Microwave literally transforms itself into a regular baking oven.

Can I make grills in my Microwave?

If the Microwave comes with a Grill feature,yes you sure can.The same process applies here as
Convection.Set the temperature and time for grill and it will work exactly like a regular
oven.You can make /Paneer Tikka and grills in this mode.However,in many Microwave
ovens[like mine]there is no option of preheating for Grill.It doesn’t make any difference to the
final product though.

What kind of Baking utensil should I use for baking?

In the regular Microwave mode,use microwave safe bowls,plates and spoons.But when you
activate convection or grill mode,you have to use metal/aluminium/non-stick pans the same as
you would use in a regular oven.However,some ovens have combination cooking modes like
Microwave-Grill or Microwave-Convection,here you have to use Pyrex/Borosil utensils as they
are safe for Microwave as well as Convection/grill mode.

Preheating in a Microwave.

Some recipes ask for preheating of the oven for few minutes.But in Microwave,it works
differently[as far as I know].

In electric oven,after the set time,the oven beeps and you could continue with the recipe.But in
microwave convection ovens,you do not have to set any time,just set the temperature you would
want to bake the stuff and press start-For example,if the recipe requires 180C heat,set that
temperature and press start.The microwave would start preheating and beep when it is of the
required temperature and it usually takes only 3-4 minutes.So even if your recipe requires the
oven to be preheated for 10 minutes,you could continue using this method as it works out well.

I have also had people ask me whether the microwave can be preheated empty.When you are
using the Convection mode,the microwave ceases to be one and becomes like an electric oven.So
there is absolutely no problem if you run it empty.In solo microwave mode,it should not be used
if it is empty.
 Can I use the Microwave immediately after I have baked something in the Convection
mode?

No,you shouldn’t.The reason being,the oven would be quite hot after baking and if you use the
microwave mode with micro proof utensils,there is a risk of the food as well as the utensils
getting burnt[I am speaking from experience here;)]

However,if you are baking a Cake/Cookie in two tins,you can immediately place the second
cake/cookie tin inside to bake in the hot oven.No need to preheat.

Can I use the utensils which came with my starter kit to bake?

Starter kit usually consists of Micro-proof bowls,plates and baking tins.It should be used only
for Microwaving,using it in convection mode would burn it.

How to set the temperature for baking in Convection mode?

In most Microwave[Convection] ovens,there is a button which says Convection and when you
press that,it displays temperatures starting from 110C to 200C as and when you press it.If you
want to bake in 180C,stop pressing when it reaches 180C and press start-It will start preheating
and will beep when it finishes preheating-usually after 3-4 minutes.At this stage,you can open
the MW and put the stuff inside for baking and again start from setting the temperature.Enter the
time you want it to be baked for and Voila..it would start functioning..rather baking!!

Can I use Aluminuim Foil,Paper muffin cups in my Microwave?

Aluminium foil should[ideally] not be used in Microwave and Convection mode as there is a risk
of burning.However,in grill mode,you could use a minimal amount,ie place it below the grill
plate/tray to collect drippings etc,but not more than that and not anywhere near the heating coil.I
have seen some cake recipes calling for covering with foil after a few minutes and to think of it,I
have followed that method too.But do it at your own risk..:)

Paper muffin cups can be used in Convection mode,place it in muffin moulds and pour the batter
inside it.But in Microwave mode,it is advised  not to use but I have seen people using it with
success.Can’t say for sure.

Why is my Cake,Cookie not browning evenly?

Every Microwave oven differs from each other.IFB MW has a heating coil on top which helps in
browning evenly.However,many Mw’s do not have a heating coil on top and that is why the
browning is not even.I would suggest baking in higher temperature for a while and when it is
browned ,you could cover the top with a butter paper and then continue with baking and you
could get desired results.
One more advantage of baking in Microwave convection is that since the baking tin keeps
rotating[as the microwave tray rotates] the food[in this case,the cake] cooks evenly.There is no
need to rotate the pan in between and absolutely no necessary to open the oven in between.

Do Cakes/Baked stuff prepared in Microwave taste as good as those baked in electric

oven?

This is a tough question to answer.I have baked only in my MW and till date I haven’t felt that it
lacks taste when compared to the ones baked in regular oven.There is no reason why it shouldn’t
taste similar.If you follow the recipe and use fresh ingredients and set the temperature and time
and bake,I don’t know how the taste can differ.However,some people still tell me that I should
bake in Electric oven and see the difference for myself.Try it Vice-versa I say and I bet you
wouldn’t know the difference!![DK,sorry if I sound like a snob here,couldn’t help it:)]

I hope I have answered your queries correctly.My next post would be about Baking in
Microwave mode and general Microwave queries.If you still have questions,please post it in the
comment section and I would try my best to answer them.