8
MICROWAVE-SAFE UTENSILS
Never use metal or metal-trimmed utensils in your
microwave oven: Microwaves cannot penetrate metal.
They will bounce off any metal object in the oven and
cause arcing, an alarming phenomenon that resembles
lightning. Most heat-resistant non-metallic cooking
utensils are safe for use in your microwave oven.
However, some may contain materials that render them
unsuitable as microwave cookware. If you have any
doubts about a particular utensil, there is a simple way to
find out if it can be used in your microwave oven.
Testing utensils for microwave use: Place the utensil
in question next to a glass bowl filled with water in the
microwave oven. Microwave at power HIGH for 1
minute. If the water heats up but the utensil remains cool
to the touch, the utensil is microwave-safe. However, if
the water does not change temperature but the utensil
becomes warm, microwaves are being absorbed by the
utensil and it is not safe for use in the microwave oven.
You probably have many items on hand in your kitchen
that can be used as cooking equipment in your
microwave oven. Just read through the following
checklist.
1. Dinner plates: Many kinds of dinner-ware are
microwave-safe. If in doubt, consult the manu-facturer's
literature or perform the microwave test, above.
2. Glassware: Glassware that is heat-resistant is
microwave-safe. This includes all brands of oven-
tempered glass cookware. However, do not use delicate
glassware, such as tumblers or wine glasses, as these
might shatter as the food warms.
3. Paper: Paper plates and containers are convenient
and safe to use in your microwave oven, provided
the cooking time is short and foods to be cooked are
low in fat and moisture. Paper towels are also very
useful for wrapping foods and for lining baking trays in
which greasy foods, such as bacon, are cooked. In
general, avoid colored paper products as the color may
run.
4. Plastic storage containers: These can be used to
hold foods that are to be quickly reheated. However,
they should not be used to hold foods that will need
considerable time in the oven as hot foods will eventually
warp or melt plastic containers.
5. Plastic cooking bags: These are microwave-safe
provided they are specially made for cooking. However,
be sure to make a slit in the bag so that steam can
escape. Never use ordinary plastic bags for cooking in
your microwave oven, as they will melt and rupture.
6. Plastic microwave cookware: A variety of shapes
and sizes of microwave cookware is available. For the
most part, you can probably cook with items you already
have on hand rather than investing in new kitchen
equipment.
7. Pottery, stoneware, and ceramic:
Containers made of these materials are usually fine for
use in your microwave oven, but they should be tested
to be sure.
Cooking Utensils
To avoid risk of personal injury or property damage, do not use stoneware, alumium foil, metal utensils, or metal trimmed utensils
in the oven.
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CAUTION
