8
Introduction
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’s 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
right now 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 manufacturer’s
literature or perform the microwave test.
2. Glassware:
Glassware that is heat-resistant is
microwave-safe. This would include all brands of oven
tempered glass cookware. However, do not use
delicate glassware, such as tumbles 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 that
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 coloured paper products as the colour
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 microwave 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.
CAUTION:
HIGH IRON CONTENT, HIGH LEAD
CONTENT, SOME ITEMS NOT FOR COOKING.
Microwave-Safe Utensils
