Reheating food is a daily ritual for many of us. How to reheat it so it tastes fresh? Microwave, oven or the recently fashionable air fryer – each of these devices has its own advantages and uses.
Who among us does not face the dilemma of reheating yesterday’s dinner? At a time when more and more people are planning meals in advance, and leftovers from the family dinner become another dish, it is worth knowing how to do it right.
Microwave – speed and convenience
This is what we most often reach for on the run. And no wonder – it only takes 2-3 minutes to make yesterday’s dinner fit to eat again. Although many are still afraid of radiation (completely unnecessarily, if we follow the basic rules), it is the microwave that is the most convenient way to quickly reheat a meal.
It will do a great job with soup, sauce or rice. It is also very helpful when reheating boxed catering – just prick the foil in a few places and you’re done. However, you need to be careful with meat – heating for too long can turn juicy chicken into a rubber sole. Therefore, it’s a good idea to cover the dish with a damp paper towel to prevent the dish from drying out.
Oven will always work
This is the slowest method, but in some cases worth the effort. The oven has the advantage of evenly distributing heat, so the food retains its texture. It is also indispensable when you need to heat up a larger amount of food for a family dinner. The disadvantages are the long heating time and considerable electricity consumption.
Air fryer – a new quality of heating
The fat-free air fryer is still a novelty when it comes to reheating food, but it is quickly gaining popularity. Thanks to the rapid circulation of hot air , reheated foods regain their freshness without adding fat.
Unlike the microwave, the air fryer makes food crispy, not rubbery, and it uses less electricity than the oven. It does a great job of reheating pizzas, nuggets or even bread. The only downside? Most models will hold little more food than a microwave.
Which method should you choose?
It all depends on what you want to reheat and how much time you have. The speed of operation wins the microwave, which is most suitable for reheating soups. For dishes that require preserving crispness it is worth reaching for the air fryer, and for larger portions the oven will prove indispensable.
