Martha A. Cheves's Blog, page 72

Microwave Safety

This was sent to me by a friend who is a Chemist.  I couldn't not share something this important. At Panair Laboratory we refer to this water event as bumping. It often happens on containers with a particularly uniform, smooth bottom. A bubble will actually form across the entire surface of the bottom of the container (cup, dish, etc.) and when released, push all the liquid upward ahead of it.  Another lab event is when we safely heat, ash, boil or distill petroleum products that may contain water. The water lays at the bottom and the petroleum ( which is lighter than water). So, the oil or petrol lays OVER the water. Often, the petroleum fractions we might be heating (kerosine, fuel oil, etc) will boil at a temperature HIGHER than water. This is dangerous, as the water will turn to vapor at the bottom of the heating vessel and quickly try to escape to the surface, thus pushing all the petroleum product out the the way, and often, out of the container. Testing must be stopped immediately and petroleum dehydrated.   
 A 26-year old man decided to have a cup of coffee. He took a cup of water and put it in the microwave to heat it up (something that he had done numerous times before). I am not sure how long he set the timer for, but he wanted to bring the water to a boil.  When the timer shut the oven off, he removed the cup from the oven. As he looked into the cup, he noted that the water was not boiling, but suddenly the water in the cup 'blew up' into his face. The cup remained intact until he threw it out of his hand, but all the water had flown out into his face due to the build-up of energy. His whole face got blistered and he has 1st and 2nd degree burns to his face which may leave scarring.
He also may have lost partial sight in his left eye. While at the hospital, the doctor who was attending to him stated that this is a fairly common occurrence and water (alone) should never be heated in a microwave oven. If water is heated in this manner, something should be placed in the cup to diffuse the energy such as a wooden stir stick, tea bag, etc, (nothing metal).
 
General Electric's  Response:
Thanks for contacting us; I will be happy to assist  you. The e-mail that you received is correct.   Microwaved water and other liquids do not always bubble when they reach boiling point. They can actually get superheated and not bubble at all. The superheated liquid will bubble up out of the cup when it is moved or when something like a spoon or tea bag is put into it.
To prevent this from happening and causing injury, do not heat any liquid for more than two minutes per cup. After heating, let the cup stand in the microwave for thirty seconds before moving it or adding anything into it.
Here is what a local high school science teacher had to say on the matter: 'Thanks for the microwave warning. I have seen this happen before. It is caused by a phenomenon known as super heating. It can occur any time water is heated and will particularly occur if the vessel that the water is heated in is new, or when heating a small amount of water (less than half a cup).
What happens is that the water heats faster than the vapor bubbles can form. If the cup is very new, then it is unlikely to have small surface scratches inside it that provide a place for the bubbles to form. As the bubbles cannot form and release some of the heat  that has built up, the liquid does not boil, and the liquid continues to heat up well past its boiling point.
What then usually happens is that the liquid is bumped or jarred, which is  just enough of a shock to cause the bubbles to rapidly form and expel the hot liquid. The rapid formation of bubbles is also why a carbonated beverage spews when  opened after having been shaken.'
If you pass this on, you could very well save someone from a lot of pain and suffering

How To Buy - Artichokes

The globe artichoke is the large, unopened flower bud of a plant belonging to the thistle family.  The leaf-like parts making up the bud are called "scales." 

When buying look for plump, globular artichokes that are heavy in relation to size, and compact with thick, green, fresh-loking scales.  Size is not important in relation to quality.

Avoid artichokes with large areas of brown on the scales and with spreading scales (which is a sign of age, indicating drying and toughening of the edible portions), grayish-black discoloration (caused by bruising), mold growth on the scales, and worm injury.

Beef Brats and Ravioli

This is another one for the book and boy is it good.  This idea came to me after a visit to Sams Club where I sampled the brat and had earlier sampled some spinach 3 cheese ravioli.  Turned out to be a great idea for a new beef dish.  Watch for this one this winter when Think With Your Taste Buds - Beef hits the stores.  Until then, don't forget to order your copy of Think With Your Taste Buds - Desserts.

Beefy Mac & Cheese

If you like mac and cheese you'll love this one... but... it's just gone to the manuscript for Think With Your Taste Buds - Beef.  So make a note to look this one up when it comes out this winter.  As always, go ahead and get your copy of Think With Your Taste Buds - Desserts. 

Senior Discounts - Grocery

Albertson's:  10% off first Wednesday of each month (55+)
American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday (50+)
Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
Food Lion: 6% off every Monday (60+)
Fry's Supermarket: free Fry's VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday (55+)
Great Valu  Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
Harris Teeter: 5% off 1 day a week (day varies by location) (60+)
Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday (50+)
Publix: 5% off every Wednesday (55+)
Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
Uncle Guiseppe's Marketplace:  5% off (62+)

Senior Discounts - Travel

Airlines:
Alaska Airlines: 10% off (65+)
American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)


Rail:
Amtrak:  15% off (62+)


Bus:
Greyhound:  5% off (62+)
Trailways Transportation System:   various discounts for ages 50+


Car Rental:
Alamo  Car Rental: up to 25% off for AARP members
Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members Best Western: 10% off (55+)
Budget Rental Cars: 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members (50+)
Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (50+)
Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members
Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members Holiday Inn:  10%-30% off depending on location                                 (62+)
National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members

Kielbasa Beef & Potatoes

Another one for the book.  This simple dish is so easy yet so delicious.  Mark it for a dish to try when you order your copy of Think With Your Taste Buds - Beef when it comes out this winter.  Until then, keep cooking from Think With Your Taste Buds - Desserts.

Senior Discounts - Retail & Apparel

Banana  Republic:  10% off (50+)

Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month (50+)
Belk's: 15% off first Tuesday of every month (55+)
Big Lots:  10% off
Bon-Ton Department Stores:  15% off on senior discount days (55+)
C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
Clarks : 10% off (62+)
Dress Barn: 10% off (55+)
Goodwill:  10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kmart: 20% off (50+)
Kohl's: 15% off (60+)
Modell's Sporting Goods: 10% off
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+)
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off  (55+)
Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month (55+)

Ground Beef Potato Soup

Another one for the book.  I don't normally make soups during the summer but it's been raining so I thought that would be a good excuse to play around with a good soup recipe.  This one can be made in a slow cooker or on top of the stove.  Either way it's simple to make.  Watch for this one this winter when Think With Your Taste Buds - Beef comes out. 

Pepper Beef & Mushrooms

This simple yet delicious recipe has gone to the manuscript file.  Watch for it when Think With Your Taste Buds - Beef comes out this winter.  Until then, don't forget to get your copy of ThinkWith Your Taste Buds - Desserts through Amazon or Barnes & Noble.