Toastmaster WBYMW1 How Your Microwave Oven Works, Materials to Avoid in a Microwave Oven, Cooking

Important Safety Instructions

Cooking
Accessories
(not included
with Microwave)	Remarks
	Use microwave-safe containers only. Follow the manufacturer’s
	instructions. Containers should be labeled “Microwave-Safe.”
Plastic containers	Some plastic containers soften as the food inside gets hot. “Boiling
	bags” and tightly closed plastic bags should be slit, pierced, or
	vented as directed by package.
Plastic wrap	Microwave-safe only. Use to cover food during cooking to retain
	moisture. Do not allow plastic wrap to touch food.
Wax paper	Use a cover to prevent splattering and to help retain moisture.

How Your

Microwave

Oven Works

Materials to Avoid in a Microwave Oven

Cooking Accessories
(not included with
Microwave)	Remarks
Aluminum pan or tray	May cause arcing. Transfer food into microwave-safe
	dish.
Food carton with metal handle	May cause arcing. Transfer food into microwave-safe
	dish.
Metal or metal-trimmed utensils	Metal shields the food from microwave energy and may
	cause arcing.
Metal twist ties	May cause arcing and could cause a fire in the oven.
Plastic foam	Plastic foam may melt or contaminate the liquid inside
	when exposed to high temperature.
Wood	Wood will dry out and may split. Avoid using wooden
	containers or utensils in the oven.

The microwave oven has an electronic tube called a magnetron that produces microwaves, very short radio waves. The microwaves then pass through a wave-guide and into the oven cavity. The microwaves penetrate the food and cause water molecules within the food to vibrate extremely rapidly. This vibration causes considerable friction or heat between the water molecules resulting in a rapid rise in temperature. This type of heating is very efficient and the cooking time is therefore shorter than in a conventional oven. The rate of heating depends on the moisture content, shape, volume, and amount of food present. Metallic materials totally reflect microwaves. Non-metallic materials such as glass, paper, and plastics are partially transparent to microwaves. Microwaves do not directly heat the oven walls and most cooking utensils because they do not absorb microwave energy. However, they fre- quently get very warm through being in direct contact with hot food.

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