Materials to be avoided in microwave oven
Utensils
Aluminum tray
Food carton with
metal handle
Metal or metal-
trimmed utensils
Metal twist ties
Paper bags
Plastic foam
Wood
5
Materials you can use in microwave oven
Utensils Remarks
Aluminum foil
Shielding only. Small smooth pieces can be used to cover thin parts of meat
or poultry to prevent overcooking.
Arcing can occur if foil is too close to
oven walls.
The foil should be at least 1 inch (2.5cm) away from oven walls.
Browning dish
Follow manufacturer’s instructions. The bottom of browning dish must be at
least 3/16 inch (5mm) above the turntable.Incorrect usage may cause
the turntable to break.
Dinnerware
Microwave-safe only. Follow manufacture’s instructions. Do not use cracked
or chipped dishes.
Glass jars
Always remove lid. Use only to heat food until just warm. Most glass jars
are not heat resistant and may break.
Glassware
Heat-resistant oven glassware only. Make sure there is no metallic trim. Do
not use cracked or chipped dishes.
Oven cooking
Follow manufacture’s instructions. Do not close with metal tie. Make slits to
bags
allow steam to escape.
Paper plates
Use for short –term cooking/warming only. Do not leave oven unattended
and cups
while cooking.
Paper towels
Use to cover food for reheating and absorbing fat. Use with supervision for
short-term cooking only.
Parchment
Use as a cover to prevent splattering or a wrap for steaming.
paper
Plastic
Microwave-safe only. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.Should be labelled
“Microwave Safe”. 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.
Thermometers
Microwave-safe only (meat and candy thermometers).
Wax paper
Use as a cover to prevent splattering and retain moisture.
Remarks
May cause arcing. Transfer food into microwave-safe dish.
May cause arcing. Transfer food into microwave-safe dish.
Metal shields the food from microwave energy. Metal trim may cause
arcing.
M a y c a u s e a r c i n g a n d c o u l d c a u s e a f i r e i n t h e o v e n .
May cause a fire in the oven.
Plastic foam may melt or contaminate the liquid inside when exposed
to high temperature.
Wood will dry out when used in the microwave oven and may split or
crack.
