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

 

 

 

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

polyester

 

these dishes.

cardboard dishes

 

 

Fast-food

 

 

packaging

 

 

Polystyrene

Can be used to warm food. Overheating

 

cups

 

may cause the polystyrene to melt.

 

containers

 

 

Paper bags or

May catch fire.

 

newspaper

 

 

Recycled paper

May cause arcing.

 

or metal trims

 

 

 

Cookware

Microwave-

Comments

 

safe

 

 

 

Glassware

 

 

Oven-to-

Can be used, unless decorated with a

 

tableware

 

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-

Can be used to retain moisture and

proof paper

 

prevent spattering.

 

 

 

: Recommended

✓✗ : Use caution

: Unsafe

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6/17/2016 12:19:14 PM