Cookware Guide

To cook food in the microwave oven, the microwaves must be able to penetrate the food, without being reflected or absorbed by the dish used.

Care must therefore be taken when choosing the cookware. If the cookware is marked microwave-safe, you do not need to worry.

The following table lists various types of cookware and indicates whether and how they should be used in a microwave oven.

Cookware		Microwave-	Comments
		Safe

Aluminium foil		✓ ✗	Can be used in small quantities to
			protect areas against overcooking.
			Arcing can occur if the foil is too close
			to the oven wall or if too much foil is
			used.

Browning plate		✓	Do not preheat for more than eight
			minutes.

China and earthenware		✓	Porcelain, pottery, glazed earthenware
			and bone china are usually suitable,
			unless decorated with a metal trim.

Disposable polyester		✓	Some frozen foods are packaged in
cardboard dishes			these dishes.

Fast-food packaging
•	Polystyrene cups	✓	Can be used to warm food.
	containers	✓	Overheating may cause the
		✗	polystyrene to melt.
•	Paper bags or	✗	May catch fire.
	newspaper	✗
•	Recycled paper or	✗	May cause arcing.
	metal trims

Glassware		✓
•	Oven-to-table ware	✓	Can be used, unless decorated with a
		✓	metal trim.
•	Fine glassware	✓	Can be used to warm foods or liquids.
			Delicate glass may break or crack if
		✓	heated suddenly.
•	Glass jars	✓	Must remove the lid. Suitable for

warming only.

Metal		✗
•	Dishes	✗	May cause arcing or fire.
•	Freezer bag twist	✗
	ties

Paper		✓
•	Plates, cups,	✓	For short cooking times and warming.
	napkins and Kitchen		Also to absorb excess moisture.
	paper	✗
•	Recycled paper	✗	May cause arcing.

Plastic		✓
•	Containers	✓	Particularly if heat-resistant
			thermoplastic. Some other plastics
			may warp or discolour at high
			temperatures. Do not use Melamine
		✓	plastic.
•	Cling film	✓	Can be used to retain moisture. Should
			not touch the food. Take care when
			removing the film as hot steam will
		✓ ✗	escape.
•	Freezer bags	✓ ✗	Only if boilable or oven-proof. Should
			not be airtight. Prick with a fork, if
			necessary.

Wax or grease-proof paper ✓			Can be used to retain moisture and
			prevent spattering.