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COOKING UTENSILS
MICROWAVE UTENSIL GUIDE
USE
OVENPROOF GLASS
(treated for high intensity heat):
Utility dishes, loaf dishes, pie
plates, cake plates, liquid
measuring cups, casseroles, and
bowls without metallic trim.
CHINA:
Bowls, cups, serving plates, and
platters without metallic trim.
PLASTIC:
Plastic wrap (as a cover)-- lay
the plastic wrap loosely over the
dish and press it to the sides.
Vent plastic wrap by turning back
one edge slightly to allow excess
steam to escape. The dish
should be deep enough so that
the plastic wrap will not touch the
food. As the food heats it may
melt the plastic wrap wherever the
wrap touches the food.
Use plastic dishes, cups,
semirigid freezer containers, and
plastic bags
only for short
cooking times. Use these with
care because the plastic may
soften from the heat of the
food.
PAPER:
Paper towels, waxed paper,
paper napkins, and paper plates
with no metallic trim or design.
Look for the manufacturer's label
for use in the microwave oven.
DO NOT USE
METAL UTENSILS:
Metal shields the food from microwave energy and produces
uneven cooking. Also avoid metal skewers, thermometers, or foil
trays. Metal utensils can cause arcing, which can damage your
microwave oven.
METAL DECORATION:
Metal-trimmed or metal-banded dinnerware, casserole dishes, etc.
The metal trim interferes with normal cooking and may damage the
oven.
ALUMINUM FOIL:
Avoid large sheets of aluminum foil because they hinder cooking
and may cause harmful arcing. Use small pieces of foil to shield
poultry legs and wings. Keep ALL aluminum foil at least 1 inch from
the side walls and door of the oven.
WOOD:
Wooden bowls and boards will dry out and may split or crack when
you use them in the microwave oven. Baskets react in the same
way.
TIGHTLY COVERED UTENSILS:
Be sure to leave openings for steam to escape from covered
utensils.
Pierce plastic pouches of vegetables or other food items before
cooking.
Tightly closed pouches could explode.
BROWN PAPER:
Avoid using brown paper bags.
They absorb too much heat and could burn.
FLAWED OR CHIPPED UTENSILS:
Any utensil that is cracked, flawed, or chipped may break in the
oven.
METAL TWIST TIES:
Remove metal twist ties from plastic or paper bags.
They become hot and could cause a fire.
Do not use necycled paper products in the microwave oven.
They sometimes contain impurities that cause sparks to occur.
