When it comes to cooking, microwaves are known for their speedy cooking advantage, while conventional ovens are known for their even distribution of heat.
But how long is 2 minutes in a microwave oven equivalent to in a conventional oven?
This text explores this question and more, discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each appliance and providing alternatives to a microwave oven.
2 minutes in microwave is how long in oven
Microwaves operate at a much faster speed compared to conventional ovens. As a matter of fact, a microwave can cook in as less as one-fourth of the regular oven’s cooking time.
So, to find out how long 2 microwave minutes is in an oven, we multiply 2 minutes by 4. This will give us 8 minutes.
So, basically, 2 minutes in a microwave oven is equivalent to 8 minutes in a conventional oven. Keep in mind these are just estimates.
Microwave vs oven: Which is better
Straight out, this is not a fair comparison. Each of the appliances has its own strengths and downsides.
For instance, a microwave oven takes pride in its speedy cooking advantage. A conventional oven, on the other hand, is known for its even distribution of heat, resulting in even cooking.
A microwave is your to-go-to appliance when you’re looking to cook/heat a wide variety of food quickly. These include veggies, leftovers, and frozen meals. The appliance uses microwave radiation to cook. Its heating principle is based on the vigorous vibration of the water molecules inside the food.
However, when it comes to reheating baked items, you might want to reconsider using a microwave if you don’t want to end up with a soggy pizza.
The traditional oven is designed with heating elements that generate heat that is distributed inside the cavity. The heat is what’s typically used to bake, roast or broil a wide variety of food, including steaks and pastries.
Conventional ovens are indeed a bit slower than microwave ovens. But, they are the best choice not only for even cooking but also for reheating baked items.
What can I use instead of a microwave
If you’re not into microwaves or cannot afford one at the moment, there are a number of alternatives that could work just as well.
Here’s a list of some of them:
- Toaster oven- A toaster oven uses a similar heating technique as a microwave, but is often more efficient and requires less space.
- Air fryers- this is another option of surviving without a microwave. The added advantage with air fryers is that they give your food a crispy finish. It is safe to say that they are the healthiest option as they use low two relatively oil-free cooking.
- Dutch oven- Dutch ovens are made from durable materials such as cast iron, aluminum, or ceramic, and have extra-tightly fitted lids to lock in heat
- Oven- Ovens can also be used as a substitute for microwaves to reheat food, and are much better for large dishes
- Stove tops- this is the simplest and best alternative to microwaves. You can cook anything on your stove top, from soup to popcorn; absolutely anything
How to convert microwave time to oven/baking time
Before you convert microwave time to oven time, it is vital to note that microwaves are generally faster at cooking than conventional ovens. A microwave only needs about one-fourth of the time that a traditional oven needs to cook a similar dish.
To convert microwave cooking time to oven/baking time, multiply the given time by 4.
To give you an example, if the microwave oven recipe calls for, 5 minutes, the traditional oven will take 5*4 minutes’ which is equivalent to 20 minutes.
What’s the difference between a microwave and an oven
Generally, the main difference between a microwave oven and a conventional oven is their cooking and heating principles.
A microwave oven uses electromagnetic waves that causes the water molecules in the food to vibrate, generating heat in the process. The generated heat is what cooks the food in return.
An oven on the other hand uses heat to cook. Whether gas, wood or electricity all ovens work by heating the air inside the oven cavity which in turn cooks the food.
Can a microwave be used as an oven
Yes, a microwave can be used as an oven, but it doesn’t always work for everything.
If your microwave oven has a convection setting, you can use it to bake and roast, the same way an oven does.
The convection feature allows for even distribution of hot air inside the food compartment, resulting in even cooking.
Conclusion
To sum up, a microwave oven is suitable for quickly cooking a wide variety of food, while a conventional oven is best for baking, roasting, and even reheating.
If you don’t have a microwave, there are a number of alternatives such as toaster ovens, air fryers, Dutch ovens, ovens, and stove tops.
Furthermore, to convert microwave cooking time to oven/baking time, simply multiply the given time by 4.