Mince Pies and Microwave Myths...

With Christmas just around the corner, there will no doubt be several mince pies heated up in microwave ovens around the country...

So... Do microwave ovens heat food from the inside out?

Many people insist they do, but the fact is that the microwaves will only penetrate a centimetre or two into the food, and the centre of large items will only be cooked by conducted heat in the same way as in a conventional oven...

So, how come you burnt your tongue when you bit into the searing hot mincemeat in the middle of your pie, while the crust barely seemed hot at all?

Well... The rate at which something heats in a microwave oven is very dependant on it's "dielectric" properties. Microwaves will happily pass right through some substances having very little effect, while they're easily absorbed by others which causes a heating effect... The wet, sugary, fatty filling of a lot of pies will heat a lot more efficiently than the pastry crust, making it seem as they're heating from the inside!!!

Now, there's no excuse for burning your mouth over the holiday, so have a great Christmas...

Just to be doubly sure that you don't burn yourself, try a generous helping of ice cream with your mince pies... Well... That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!!