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 |
| Comments |
|
|
|
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 8 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 these dishes. |
cardboard dishes |
|
|
|
|
|
| ✔ |
|
• Polystyrene cups and | Can be used to warm food. Overheating may cause the | |
containers | ✘ | polystyrene to melt. |
• Paper bags or newspaper | May catch fire. | |
• Recycled paper or metal trims | ✘ | May cause arcing. |
|
|
|
Glassware
•
•Fine glassware
•Glass jars
✔
✔
✔
Can be used, unless decorated with a metal trim.
Can be used to warm foods or liquids. Delicate glass may break or crack if heated suddenly.
Must remove the lid. Suitable for warming only.
Metal
•Dishes
•Freezer bag twist ties
✘
✘
May cause arcing or fire.
Paper
•Plates, cups, napkins and kitchen paper
•Recycled paper
✔
✘
For short cooking times and warming. Also to absorb excess moisture.
May cause arcing.
Plastic
•Containers
•Cling film
•Freezer bags
✔
✔
✔ ✘
Particularly if
Can be used to retain moisture. Should not touch the food. Take care when removing the film as hot steam will escape. Only if boilable or
Wax or | ✔ | Can be used to retain moisture and prevent spattering. |
|
|
|
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