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| cooking guide |
| Cookware | Microwave- | Comments |
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| MICROWAVES | |
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| safe |
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| Microwave energy actually penetrates food, attracted and absorbed by its water, fat and |
Glassware |
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• | ✓ | Can be used, unless decorated with a metal |
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| sugar content. | ||
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| The microwaves cause the molecules in the food to move rapidly. The rapid movement of | ||||||
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| these molecules creates friction and the resulting heat cooks the food. | |
• | Fine glassware | ✓ | Can be used to warm foods or liquids. |
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| Delicate glass may break or crack if heated |
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| COOKING | ||
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| Cookware for microwave cooking: | |
• | Glass jars | ✓ | Must remove the lid. Suitable for warming |
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| Cookware must allow microwave energy to pass through it for maximum efficiency. | ||||||
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| Microwaves are reflected by metal, such as stainless steel, aluminium and copper, but | |
Metal |
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| they can penetrate through ceramic, glass, porcelain and plastic as well as paper and | ||
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• | Dishes |
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✗ |
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| wood. So food must never be cooked in metal containers. | |||
• | Freezer bag twist | ✗ |
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| Food suitable for microwave cooking: |
| ties |
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| Many kinds of food are suitable for microwave cooking, including fresh or frozen |
Paper |
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| vegetables, fruit, pasta, rice, grains, beans, fish, and meat. Sauces, custard, soups, | |
• | Plates, cups, | ✓ | For short cooking times and warming. Also |
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| steamed puddings, preserves, and chutneys can also be cooked in a microwave oven. | ||
| napkins and |
| to absorb excess moisture. |
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| Generally speaking, microwave cooking is ideal for any food that would normally be |
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| kitchen paper |
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| prepared on a hob. Melting butter or chocolate, for example (see the chapter with tips, |
• | Recycled paper | ✗ | May cause arcing. |
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| techniques and hints). |
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| Covering during cooking | ||||
Plastic |
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• | Containers | ✓ | Particularly if |
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| To cover the food during cooking is very important, as the evaporated water rises as | |
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| steam and contributes to cooking process. Food can be covered in different ways: e.g. | ||||||
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| Some other plastics may warp or discolour |
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| with a ceramic plate, plastic cover or microwave suitable cling film. | |||
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| at high temperatures. Do not use Melamine |
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| Standing times | |||
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| plastic. |
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• | Cling film | ✓ | Can be used to retain moisture. Should not |
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| After cooking is over food the standing time is important to allow the temperature to even | |
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| out within the food. | |||||
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| touch the food. Take care when removing |
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| the film as hot steam will escape. |
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• | Freezer bags | ✓ ✗ | Only if boilable or |
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| airtight. Prick with a fork, if necessary. |
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Wax or grease- | ✓ | Can be used to retain moisture and prevent |
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proof paper |
| spattering. |
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✓ | : Recommended | ✓✗ | : Use Caution | ✗ : Unsafe |
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