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

Glassware
• Oven-to-table			Can be used, unless decorated with a
	ware		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	Also to absorb excess moisture.
	Kitchen 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		Can be used to retain moisture and
paper		prevent spattering.

:Recommended

:Use Caution

:Unsafe