An RF generation system is provided for an electromagnetic cooking device having a cavity. The system includes: a signal generator for generating an input RF signal; an RF feed configured to introduce electromagnetic radiation into the cavity and to receive reflected electromagnetic radiation from the cavity; and a high-power amplifier coupled between the signal generator and the RF feed. The high-power amplifier including an amplifying stage configured to output a signal that is amplified in power, and a circulator for directing the amplified output signal to the RF feed and for redirecting any reflected radiation received from the RF feed to a dummy load. The system further includes a hardware protection component for detecting backward power in the reflected radiation and for reducing power supplied to the amplifying stage if the backward power exceeds a power threshold within a time scale that prevents damage to the circulator.