Food Characteristics
When microwave cooking, the amount, size and shape, starting temperature, composition and density of the food affect cooking results.
Amount of Food
The more food heated at once the longer the cook time. Check for doneness and add small increments of time if necessary.
Size and Shape
Smaller pieces of food will cook more quickly than larger pieces and uniformly shaped foods cook more evenly than irregularly shaped food.
Starting Temperature
Room temperature foods will heat faster than refrigerated foods and refrigerated foods will heat faster than frozen foods.
Composition and Density
Foods high in fat and sugar will reach a higher temperature and heat faster than other foods. Heavy, dense foods, such as meat and potatoes, require a longer cook time than the same size of a light, porous food, such as cake.
Cooking Guidelines
Covering
Covering food helps retain moisture, shorten cook time and reduce spattering. Use the lid supplied with cookware. If lid is not available, wax paper, paper towels or plastic wrap approved for microwaves may be used. Plastic wrap should be turned back at one corner to provide an opening to vent steam.
Stirring and Turning
Stirring and turning redistributes heat evenly to avoid overcooking the outer edges of food. Stir from outside to center. If possible, turn food over from bottom to top.
Arranging
If heating irregularly shaped or different sized foods, the thinner parts and smaller sizes should be arranged toward the center. If cooking several items of the same size and shape, place them in a ring pattern, leaving the center of the ring empty.
Piercing
Before heating, use a fork or small knife to pierce or prick foods that have a skin or membrane, such as potatoes, egg yolks, chicken livers, hot dogs, and sausage. Prick in several places to allow steam to vent.
Cookware and Dinnerware
Cookware and dinnerware must fit on the turntable. Always use oven mitts or pot holders when handling because any dish may become hot from heat transferred from the food. Do not use cookware and dinnerware with gold or silver trim. Use the following chart as a guide, then test before using.
MATERIAL | RECOMMENDATIONS |
|
|
Aluminum Foil, | See “Aluminum Foil and Metal” section. |
Metal |
|
|
|
Browning Dish | Bottom must be at least ³⁄₁₆ in. (5 mm) |
| above the turntable. Follow |
| manufacturer’s recommendations. |
|
|
Ceramic Glass, | Acceptable for use. |
Glass |
|
|
|
China, | Follow manufacturer’s recommendations. |
Earthenware |
|
|
|
Melamine | Follow manufacturer’s recommendations. |
|
|
Paper Towels, | Use |
Dinnerware, | the manufacturer for microwave oven use. |
Napkins |
|
|
|
Plastic Wraps, | Use those approved by the manufacturer |
Bags, Covers, | for microwave oven use. |
Dinnerware, |
|
Containers |
|
|
|
Pottery and Clay | Follow manufacturer’s recommendations. |
|
|
Styrofoam® | Do not use in oven. |
|
|
Straw, Wicker, | Do not use in oven. |
Wooden |
|
Containers |
|
|
|
Wax Paper | Acceptable for use. |
|
|
To Test Cookware or Dinnerware for Microwave Use:
1.Put cookware or dinnerware in oven with 1 cup (250 mL) of water beside it.
2.Cook at 100% cooking power for 1 minute.
Do not use cookware or dinnerware if it becomes hot and the water stays cool.
Shielding
Use small, flat pieces of aluminum foil to shield the thin pieces of irregularly shaped foods, bones and foods such as chicken wings, leg tips and fish tail. See “Aluminum Foil and Metal” first.
Standing Time
Food will continue to cook by the natural conduction of heat even after the microwave cycle ends. The length of standing time depends on the volume and density of the food.
Aluminum Foil and Metal
Always use oven mitts or pot holders when removing dishes from the microwave oven.
Aluminum foil and some metal can be used in the oven. If not used properly, arcing (a blue flash of light) can occur and cause damage to the oven.
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