6
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
MICROWAVE-SAFE COOKWARE
Make sure all cookware used in your
microwave oven is suitable for microwaving.
Most glass casseroles, cooking dishes,
measuring cups, custard cups, pottery or china
dinnerware which does not have metallic trim
or glaze with a metallic sheen can be used.
Some cookware is labeled “suitable for
microwaving.”
•
If you are not sure if a dish is microwave-safe,
use this test: Place in the oven both the dish
you are testing and a glass measuring cup
filled with one cup of water—set the
measuring cup either in or next to the dish.
Microwave 1 minute at high. If the dish heats,
it should not be used for microwaving.
If the dish remains cool and only the water in
the cup heats, then the dish is microwave-safe.
•
If you use a meat thermometer while cooking,
make sure it is safe for use in microwave
ovens.
• Do not use recycled paper products.
Recycled
paper towels, napkins and waxed paper can
contain metal flecks which may cause arcing
or ignite. Paper products containing nylon or
nylon filaments should be avoided, as they
may also ignite.
•
Some styrofoam trays (like those that meat
is packaged on) have a thin strip of metal
embedded in the bottom. When microwaved,
the metal can burn the floor of the oven or
ignite a paper towel.
• Do not use the microwave oven to dry
newspapers.
• Paper towels, waxed paper and plastic wrap
can be used to cover dishes in order to retain
moisture and prevent spattering. Be sure to
vent plastic wrap so steam can escape.
• Not all plastic wrap is suitable for use in
microwave ovens. Check the package for
proper use.
• Cookware may become hot because of
heat transferred from the heated food.
Pot holders may be needed to handle
the cookware.
•
“Boilable” cooking pouches and tightly closed
plastic bags should be slit, pierced or vented
as directed by package. If they are not, plastic
could burst during or immediately after
cooking, possibly resulting in injury. Also,
plastic storage containers should be at least
partially uncovered because they form a tight
seal. When cooking with containers tightly
covered with plastic wrap, remove covering
carefully and direct steam away from hands
and face.
• Use foil only as directed in this guide.
TV dinners may be microwaved in foil trays
less than 3/4
″
high; remove the top foil cover
and return the tray to the box. When using
foil in the microwave oven, keep the foil at
least 1 inch away from the sides of the oven.
• Plastic cookware—
Plastic cookware designed
for microwave cooking is very useful, but
should be used carefully. Even microwave-safe
plastic may not be as tolerant of overcooking
conditions as are glass or ceramic materials
and may soften or char if subjected to short
periods of overcooking. In longer exposures
to overcooking, the food and cookware
could ignite.
Follow these guidelines:
1.
Use microwave-safe plastics only and
use them in strict compliance with the
cookware manufacturer’s recommendations.
2.
Do not microwave empty containers.
3.
Do not permit children to use plastic
cookware without complete supervision.
