Materials you can use in microwave oven

Utensils	Remarks
Aluminum foil	Shielding only. Small smooth pieces can be used to cover thin parts of meat
	or poultry to prevent over cooking. Arcing can occur if foil is too close to oven
	walls. The foil should be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from oven walls.
Browning dish	Follow manufacturer’s instructions. The bottom of browning dish must be at
	least 3/16 inch (5 mm) above the turntable. Incorrect usage may cause the
	turntable to break.
Dinnerware	Microwave-safe only. Follow manufacturer’s instructions. Do not use cracked or
	chipped dishes.
Glass jars	Always remove lid. Use only to heat food until just warm. Most glass jars are not
	heat resistant and may break.
Glassware	Heat-resistant oven glassware only. Make sure there is no metallic trim. Do not
	use cracked or chipped dishes.
Oven cooking	Follow manufacturer’s instructions. Do not close with metal tie. Make slits to
bags	allow steam to escape.

Paper plates	Use for short-term cooking/warming only. Do not leave oven
and cups	unattended while cooking.
Paper towels	Use to cover food for reheating and absorbing fat. Use with supervision for
	short-term cooking only. Do not use recycled paper towels, they may contain
	metal and could ignite.
Parchment	Use as a cover to prevent splattering or a wrap for steaming.
paper
Plastic	Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Only use items labeled “Microwave
	Safe”. Some plastic containers soften as the food inside gets hot. “Boiling bags”
	and tightly closed plastic bags should be slit, pierced or vented as
	directed by package.
Plastic wrap	Microwave-safe only. Use to cover food during cooking to retain moisture. Do
	not allow plastic wrap to touch food.
Thermometers	Microwave-safe only (meat and candy thermometers).
Wax paper	Use as a cover to prevent splattering and to retain moisture.
Materials to be avoided in microwave oven

Utensils	Remarks
Aluminum tray	May cause arcing. Transfer food into microwave-safe dish.

Food carton with	May cause arcing. Transfer food into microwave-safe dish.
metal handle

Metal or metal-	Metal shields the food from microwave energy. Metal trim may cause arcing.
trimmed utensils
Metal twist ties	May cause arcing and could cause a fire in the oven.
Paper bags	May cause a fire in the oven.
Plastic foam	Plastic foam may melt or contaminate the liquid inside when exposed to
cups	high temperature.
Wood	Wood will dry out when used in the microwave oven and may split or crack.

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Materials you can use in microwave oven

Utensils

Remarks

Materials to be avoided in microwave oven