Microwave Coloring Pages

A machine that warms up food

Microwave is a machine that warms up cold rice and side dishes in no time.
All you have to do is put the dish inside and press the button.
In the past, Microwave made a "ding" sound when it finished warming up. That's why many people in Japan still say "ding it" today.

How Microwave works

Microwave shoots out invisible radio waves called microwaves.
These waves shake tiny drops of water inside the food really fast. That movement creates heat and warms up the food from the inside.
That is why it gets hot without using any fire.

Oven Microwave

A Microwave that can also act like an oven or a grill is called an Oven Microwave.
It does not just warm things up. You can also bake cakes and gratins with it.
In the second coloring page, a girl is opening the door of an Oven Microwave.
Be careful not to burn yourself when you use it. Always use it with a grown-up.

In the past, people used wooden steamers

When there was no Microwave, people warmed up cold rice and sweet buns by steaming them in a seiro.
A seiro is a container made of bamboo or wood. People put it on top of a pot of boiling water and warmed up food with the steam.
Even today, people use it to steam meat buns and shumai dumplings.

Rules for using Microwave

Plates just taken out of Microwave can be very hot.
Use oven mitts, or ask someone in your family to take the plate out for you.
When you warm up food with plastic wrap, hot steam comes out when you open the wrap. Be careful not to put your face too close.

Steam from the seiro

When you steam food in a seiro, it gets warm, soft, and moist.
Microwave is fast and easy. The seiro makes food fluffy and yummy. They both have great points.

Countries without Microwave

Almost every home in Japan has a Microwave. But in some countries, many homes do not have one.
The kitchen tools people use most are different depending on how they live and cook.
In Japan, people warm up cold rice very often, so Microwave is super helpful.

3 Coloring pages

There are 3 coloring pages: Microwave, a girl using an Oven Microwave, and an old-fashioned seiro.
Try coloring them while comparing how people warm up food now and in the past.

Colors of the Microwave

Most Microwaves are white, black, or silver.
The Microwave in the first picture is white. Color just the side in light gray to make it look 3D!

Use bright, warm colors for the inside

When you use a Microwave, a light turns on inside and makes it glow light orange.
If you color the inside with light orange or light yellow, it will look like it is warming up food!

The door window

Color the door window in dark gray and leave some white diagonal lines. It will look just like real glass!
If you color a few buttons on the control panel in light blue or orange, it will look super fun!

Color the bamboo steamer like real bamboo

Color the bamboo steamer in the third picture with light yellow-ocher or light brown.
Color the parts where the woven pattern overlaps a little darker to make it look like real bamboo!

Draw something to warm up

Try drawing food you want to warm up inside the Microwave in the first picture, like gratin or a steamed meat bun!
It is also fun to draw squiggly lines for hot steam!

The girl's apron

Try coloring the girl's apron in the second picture with gray and white stripes.
Color her long tied-up hair black and her shirt white to match the picture!

Draw food inside the bamboo steamer

Try drawing steamed meat buns or shumai dumplings inside the bamboo steamer in the third picture.
Leave the meat buns white and color the shumai dumplings light yellow to make them look yummy!

Made by Chance with Chocolate

The Microwave was born when a researcher in America noticed something cool! He was standing near a radar machine, and a chocolate bar in his pocket melted.
That is how he found out that radar waves can heat up food.

Things You Must Not Put Inside

There are some things you should never put in the Microwave.
If you put in aluminum foil or metal dishes, sparks will fly and it is very dangerous.
Raw eggs in their shells can puff up from the inside and explode!

The Spinning Plate

A while ago, the Microwave had a spinning plate inside.
It turned the food around so everything warmed up evenly.
Today, many have a flat bottom inside, and the plate does not turn anymore.

Snacks You Can Make in the Microwave

When you use the Microwave, you can make tasty treats without using a stove fire.
There are lots of fun recipes, like steamed bread in a mug or treats made with melted chocolate.
Try making some with an adult!