19
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’s a simple way to find out if it can be used
in your microwave oven.
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.
Dinner plates
Many kinds of dinner-ware are microwave-safe. If
in doubt consult the manufacturer’s literature or
perform the microwave test.
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 tumblers or wine
glasses, as these might shatter as the food
warms.
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.
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 colored paper
products as the colour may run. Some recycled
paper products may contain impurities which
could cause arcing or fires when used in the
microwave oven.
Plastic cooking bags
Provided they are made specially for cooking,
cooking bags are microwave safe. 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.
Plastic microwave cookware
A variety of shapes and sizes of microwave
cookware are available. For the most part, you
can probably use items you already have on
hand rather than investing in new kitchen
equipment.
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
Some items with high lead or iron content are
not suitable for cooking utensils.
