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
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 | ||
|
|
| |
| Aluminum 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. |
| Crust plate | ✓ | Do not preheat for more than 8 minutes. | |
| China and | ✓ | Porcelain, pottery, glazed earthenware | |
| earthenware |
| and bone china are usually suitable, unless | |
|
|
| decorated with a metal trim. |
| Disposable | ✓ | Some frozen foods are packaged in these | |
| polyester |
| dishes. | |
cardboard dishes |
|
| |
|
| ||
| packaging |
|
| |
• | Polystyrene cups | ✓ | Can be used to warm food. Overheating |
| containers |
| may cause the polystyrene to melt. |
• | Paper bags or | ✗ | May catch fire. |
| newspaper |
|
|
• | Recycled paper | ✗ | May cause arcing. |
| or metal trims |
|
|
| Cookware | Microwave- | Comments |
| safe | ||
|
|
| |
| Glassware |
|
| |
• | ✓ | Can be used, unless decorated with a metal | |
| tableware |
| 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. Also |
| napkins and |
| to absorb excess moisture. |
| kitchen paper |
|
|
• | Recycled paper | ✗ | May cause arcing. |
| Plastic |
|
| |
• | Containers | ✓ | Particularly if |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| airtight. Prick with a fork, if necessary. |
| Wax or grease- | ✓ | Can be used to retain moisture and prevent | |
| proof paper |
| spattering. | |
| ✓ : Recommended | ✓✗ : Use caution | ✗ : Unsafe |
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