Chef reveals 'most underrated microwave button' that you never even knew about

A chef has revealed a lesser known tip which could completely change the way that you use your microwave.

The air fryer may have sent the internet into a frenzy and taken the top spot as the kitchen gadget of choice, but it seems that the humble microwave still has some tricks up its sleeve.

Unlike the air fryer, which works like a convection oven, the microwave uses electromagnetic radiation to cause the molecules start to rotating and the energy from that generates heat.

The principle behind the microwave was discovered in 1945 when Percy Spencer walked past a magnetron tube and found that it had melted a chocolate bar in his pocket.

Since then, it's become a staple of the kitchen and is hugely useful.

Now a chef has revealed one way that you can use the microwave which could be a game-changer.

A staple kitchen gadget (ruelleruelle/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

This is using the power setting on the microwave - something many of us never even knew existed.

Speaking in a video shared on the Epicurious YouTube channel, which focused on a number of 'microwave hacks', chef Shilpa Uskokovic explained that this could be particularly useful when cooking food in the microwave from scratch.

"The power button is similar to adjusting the heat on your stovetop," she said.

But how does the power level work?

"By adjusting the power level, it doesn’t reduce the output; it simply controls how many times the microwave cycles on and off," explained Shilpa.

She added: "If I set the microwave at 50% power for one minute, the microwave will be on for 30 seconds and off for 30 seconds at intervals."

So it's not just about turning up the intensity and blasting whatever it is you're cooking.

This could be a microwaving gamechanger (George Frey/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Turning the intensity down a little could help to get a more consistent result.

Shilpa said: "Cooking at 50% power really helped me get a nice, even cook. You could see when I dug in that it was evenly cooked from edge to centre.

"For ultra-precise cooking, use the power button. It is the most underrated button on your microwave."

That said, if you're cooking a packaged product, always go with what the instructions tell you.

But it's not just in getting better results on your cooking either.

Using the power button to vary the intensity could also extend the life of your microwave.

Andrew Wright, founder of kitchen appliance brand Cookology, said: "Microwaves are brilliant tools when used properly, but we see the same mistakes over and over.

"People often treat them like a one-button solution, but a little know-how goes a long way in improving results and extending the life of the machine."

So there you have it - use the power button on your microwave!