MICROWAVE COOKING UTENSILS
You can test your cooking utensils to see whether they are microproof or not. Do this simple test. Put a glass half full of water in the microwave oven. Place it on top of or next to the dish. Microwave for one minute at full power. If the water becomes hot, the dish is
not be used in the microwave oven.
For most oven cooking, a round dish is preferable to oval or rectangular dishes, because food cooked in corners allow more exposure to microwaves. Over cooking at comers may occur.
There are also a number of cooking utensils designed for microwave cooking on sale in the market. Always check manufacturers’ instructions.
RECOMMENDED | NOT RECOMMENDED | |
|
| |
Metal | Metal | |
Small pieces or strips of aluminium foil | Metal dishes or utensils and those with | |
may be used to shield parts of food, such | any form of metal trim or decoration are | |
as tips of poultry, wings or legs or the | not recommended, because metal reflects | |
thin ends of joints. Shallow TV dinner | microwaves. This will cause arcing | |
trays less than 3/4 inch (1 1/2cm) deep can | (sparks), and damage to the dish and the | |
be used, but foil lids should be replaced | oven magnetron. Foil plates more than 3/4 | |
with wax paper or plastic wrap. | inch (1 1/2 cm) in depth, | |
Glass, ceramic and china | bags or boxes, sheets of aluminium foil, | |
conventional meat thermometers, pewter | ||
All ovenproof glass and ceramic cook- | ||
or silver dishes, pots and pans are not to | ||
ware can be used. Ordinary glass and | ||
be used. Use string or elastic bands to | ||
china can be used only for | ||
replace metal | ||
heating. | ||
supplied with cooking bags. | ||
Plastic | ||
Glass | ||
Plastic cookware designed specifically for | ||
Delicate glassware and lead crystal | ||
microwave cooking, microwave plastic | ||
should be avoided. | ||
cooking bags or boilable bags are all | ||
| ||
acceptable. Always puncture bags before | Plastic | |
cooking to prevent bursting. Plastic wrap | Melamine dishes plastic bags used for | |
can make a good tight seal when used to | freezing or storage Should not be used. | |
cover cooking dishes during microwaving. |
| |
Turn back one corner to allow steam to | Paper | |
escape. Foam cups and dishes should be | ||
Paper of any kind should not be used in | ||
used for | ||
the oven for prolonged periods. This | ||
| ||
Paper | causes the paper to ignite | |
Paper plates and cups can be used for | Wood and straw | |
Large wooden utensils should not be | ||
towels and wax paper are best used for | ||
used as the microwave energy may cause | ||
covering cooking dishes, heating rolls and | ||
the wood to become dry and brittle. | ||
sandwiches, because they keep the food | ||
| ||
moist. |
| |
Wood and straw |
| |
Small wooden utensils and straws can be |
| |
used for very short periods. |
| |
|
|
20