Which utensils can be used in the oven?
Utensils and cooking containers used in a microwave oven should be of a material that allows microwaves to pass freely through them. Generally this means that you should cook in either (paper), plastic, glass or ceramic.
Utensils made of china and ceramic are excellent to use in your microwave oven. Most types of glass are also very good. Lead crystal glass can crack and should therefore, not be used. Coloured glass or glass with decorations shall be avoided since metal e.g. gold, might be part of the decoration and such decorations will be damaged.
Plastics and paper can also be used, provided they can withstand the temperature of the heated food. For cooking only use plastics, which will withstand a temperature of over 1200 C Some plastic materials, e.g. melamine, will be heated by the microwaves, and be damaged.
Round or oval shapes give the most even cooking. Square or rectangular containers may
Suitable | Not suitable |
Metal containers, e.g. saucepans or frying pans should not be used in microwave ovens.
Microwaves cannot penetrate metal. They will bounce off any metal object in the oven just as they bounce off the metal walls of the oven and cause “arcing”, a phenomenon that resembles lightning.
Small pieces of aluminium foil can be used, but only to shield the areas that would
Material | Microwave cooking |
|
|
Glass (general) | Yes (1) |
Glass (heat resistant) | Yes |
Yes (1) | |
Earthenware | Yes |
China (heat resistant) | Yes |
Plastic (general) | Yes (2) |
Plastic (heat resistant) | Yes (2) |
Aluminium foil containers / aluminium foil | Yes (3) |
Metal (pots or pans) | No |
Paper | Yes |
|
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1. Without metal parts or metal trims.
2. Some plastics are
3. It is possible to use aluminium foil to shield delicate areas of food (this prevents
To find out if a certain container is suitable, the following simple test can be made: Place the empty container and a glass of water inside the microwave oven. The water is needed because the oven must not be operated empty or with empty containers. Let
the oven work on full power for one minute. A suitable container will only be lukewarm.
CAUTION!
There are a number of accessories avaliable on the market Before you buy, make sure they are suitable for microwave use.
When you put food in the microwave oven, make sure that food, food supports or covering do not come in direct contact with any of the internal walls or the ceiling of the cavity.
Aluminium foil containers and microwaves
It is now possible to use disposable aluminium foil containers in this new generation of microwave ovens, providing these simple rules are followed:
*Always remove
*Only undamaged foil containers may be used.
*Aluminium foil containers with a height exceeding 3 cm should be avoided and the container must be at leas t 2/3 full.
*There must be a minimum of 1 cm between the aluminium foil container and the walls of the oven, to avoid sparking.
*Aluminium foil containers should always be used singly in a microwave oven, and placed on the glass
*Follow the instructions provided by the food producer to ensure thorough heating of the food product throughout.
If you are using a foil container for self produced foods they
*may take longer to heat than when using plastic, glass, porcelain or paper containers. Always ensure the food is
piping hot (minimum 720 C) before serving.
A useful tip is to place the foil container in a heat resisting glass or plastic bowl, adding some hot water (not more than 1 cm deep) to provide heating for the foil container base. Stir if appropriate or let the food stand for
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