There are many different kinds of cheeses and some of them have specific requirements in terms of time, heat level and added ingredients. Let’s take a look.
At What Temperature Does Cheese Melt
If you are looking for the science of things, here’s how it works. Cheese contains solid milk fat which begins to melt at around 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes it soft and the melted fat comes to the surface.
Now, once it starts to heat up, casein proteins which are the main proteins in all kinds of cheese break and the block of cheese turns into liquid. For different cheeses, this happens at different temperatures.
- Mozzarella: 130 degrees Fahrenheit (high-moisture cheese)
- Cheddar and Swiss: 150 degrees Fahrenheit (low-moisture cheese)
- Parmigiano-Reggiano: 180 degrees Fahrenheit (dry grating cheese)
How to Melt Feta Cheese in Microwave
The best way to do this is to get crumpled cheese and not blocks or cubes. The surface area is much smaller, which makes it easier to melt in a microwave. Make sure it is at room temperature before you place it in the microwave, but don’t leave the cheese at room temperature for more than two hours.
Crumble the cheese into pieces so that it is easier to heat it. Place the microwave in medium heat and to keep the cheese from becoming lumpy. Get a container that is microwave safe and add a little water or acid once every 15 seconds and stir it till you get the consistency you were looking for.
How to Melt Gouda Cheese in Microwave
This one is made from cow milk and has a coating of red wax so that it does not become dry. Gouda cheese also has a higher fat content and lots of moisture which makes it a great cheese to melt.
Remove the coating of wax and slice or grate the cheese. You can also shred or dice it depending on the shape in which you got it. Take a container that is microwave safe and place the cheese in it. Place the microwave in medium heat and nuke the cheese every 15 seconds. Stir it till you get the consistency right.
How to Melt String Cheese in Microwave
String cheese is a collection of thin strips that gets stretchy when you heat it. So, when you reach the temperature of about 140 degrees Fahrenheit, you will see that it changes its alignment a bit. The milk proteins start to become horizontal and the cheese starts to stretch.
When you put it in a microwave, you must pull them into thin strips and ideally place them over crackers or crisps. You can even place them in soup if you’d like. Set the microwave to high for about a minute or a minute and a half till you see the cheese melt.
How to Melt Cheddar Cheese in Microwave
Get a block of mild or sharp cheddar cheese which is an indicator of how the cheese aged. This determines the texture of the cheese. The mild and sharp ones are a bit more smooth and creamy and are relatively easy to melt.
They also have a higher content of moisture. Shred the cheese and bring it to room temperature. Place it in a bowl with enough room for melted cheese. Set the microwave to low and heat it for about 15 seconds. And you’re done.
How to Melt American Cheese in Microwave
To melt American cheese in a microwave is the easiest way to do it. Get a dish that is microwave safe and chop the cheese into small quarters. Place them in the dish and add a little milk to it. Just about a teaspoon for each slice.
Place the dish in the microwave and let it cook for about 30 seconds. If it hasn’t melted to your liking, do the same for another 10 seconds.
How to Melt Mozzarella Cheese in Microwave
One of the most popular types of cheese, mozzarella is melted best in a microwave. Slice the cheese or shred it to bits before you place it in a bowl that is microwave safe. Add about 1/5th of a teaspoon of cornstarch and just a touch of milk. This keeps the cheese from separating when it starts to melt. Add an acidic item like vinegar with a mild flavor. But nothing strong like wine or beer.
Place the microwave on high and heat it for about 30 seconds. Stir the cheese once it is done and check for consistency. If you find lumps, place it back in the microwave and try again for a few more seconds.
How to Melt Velveeta Cheese in Microwave
Take the cheese and cut it into small pieces. Before placing it in a bowl, make sure it is coated with a little butter. Add some shreds of cheese on top of your Velveeta slices. Set the microwave on medium and heat it for about two minutes. Make sure you keep an eye on it so that it does not burn. That’s a possibility.
After two minutes, take the bowl out and stir it to check the consistency. The butter added to the container makes it smooth and creamy. But if you want better consistency, you must put it back in the microwave for a couple more minutes. Do not add any milk beforehand. That makes the final result a lot thicker than recommended for most recipes.
Melting any kind of cheese in a microwave is not an art. Not one that is hard to master anyway. You just need to know the kind of cheese you are dealing with and what, if any, extra ingredients must be added to get the result you seek.
As you’ve seen, some of them need a dash of milk or vinegar. Some need to be shredded or diced. The others, like string cheese, need the base of a cracker or a chip. All in all, it’s a pretty easy gig that, when done right, gives tasty results.
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