In a microwave oven, the stirrer fan is a component designed to help distribute microwave energy evenly throughout the cooking chamber. The main purpose of the stirrer fan is to ensure uniform heating of the food being cooked or heated, reducing the occurrence of hot spots and cold spots.
Here's how it works:
Even Distribution of Microwaves: Microwaves are electromagnetic waves that excite water molecules and certain other polar molecules present in food. These excited molecules generate heat, cooking the food. The microwave generator, typically located on one side of the oven, emits microwaves into the cooking chamber.
Rotating Antenna: The stirrer fan usually consists of a metal blade or antenna, placed near the microwave emitter. The antenna is mounted on a motorized rotating shaft.
Continuous Rotation: When the microwave oven is operating, the stirrer fan starts to rotate. The rotation causes the antenna to move as well.
Scattering Microwaves: As the antenna rotates, it scatters the microwaves in various directions. This scattering ensures that the microwaves reach different areas of the cooking chamber, preventing the formation of standing waves and areas with excessively high or low energy levels.
Even Cooking: By distributing the microwaves uniformly throughout the cooking chamber, the stirrer fan helps achieve more consistent and even cooking of the food. Without the stirrer fan, certain spots in the microwave could receive more energy than others, leading to unevenly cooked food.
It's important to note that not all microwave ovens have a stirrer fan. Some microwaves use alternative methods to achieve even cooking, such as a turntable or rotating tray that moves the food around the cooking chamber. However, in models that do have a stirrer fan, it serves as an effective means to promote uniform heating and improve the cooking experience.