<div><p>You probably think that there's only one way to heat up your leftovers in a microwave. In fact, it seems pretty straight forward. Just put it on a microwave safe plate, set the time and watch it cook.</p><p>Have you ever heated up a container of leftovers in the microwave only to find that it's only partially warmed? </p><p>Like most of us, you probably pop it back in for another 30 seconds. But there is a better way to heat your food without repeated microwave sessions. </p><div><figure><a href="http://www.smart-restaurants.co.uk/food/time-eat-leftovers/" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/Microwaving-Leftover-Food.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/Microwaving-Leftover-Food_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/Microwaving-Leftover-Food_GH_content_650px.jpg 650w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/Microwaving-Leftover-Food_GH_content_750px.jpg 750w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/Microwaving-Leftover-Food_GH_content_850px.jpg 850w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="http://www.smart-restaurants.co.uk/food/time-eat-leftovers/" target="_blank">Smart Restaurants</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>Like many people, we just pour our leftovers into a bowl or onto a plate and set it in the microwave. But that's the first mistake. </p><p>The secret is in the surface area. Rather than piling it on, you've got to spread it out. </p><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p>For pastas and rice dishes, make a ring around the plate and leave a hole in the middle. the flatter your food is, the more evenly it should heat up.</p><div><figure><a href="http://mycupisfull.com/how-to-heat-leftovers/" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/one-trick-you-need-use-when-microwaving-leftovers-w1456-1.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/one-trick-you-need-use-when-microwaving-leftovers-w1456-1_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="http://mycupisfull.com/how-to-heat-leftovers/" target="_blank">My Cup Is Full</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>For foods of different sizes: arrange thicker and larger pieces on the outside and smaller pieces on the inside of the plate to encourage even heating.</p><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><div><figure><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/LifeProTips/comments/zx48c/lpt_when_heating_leftovers_space_out_a_circle_in/" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/lifestyles1-8f6.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/lifestyles1-8f6_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/LifeProTips/comments/zx48c/lpt_when_heating_leftovers_space_out_a_circle_in/" target="_blank">Pam Cook</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>Voila! You'll have perfectly reheated lunch and dinner every time!</p><p>[h/t: <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/the-wrong-way-and-the-right-way-to-microwave-leftovers-223098">kitchn</a> / <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/LifeProTips/comments/zx48c/lpt_when_heating_leftovers_space_out_a_circle_in/">Reddit</a>]</p></div>