En-15
Many convenience foods are readily available
in supermarkets. You may also wish to reheat
homecooked food or leftovers. This can all be
done safely in your oven, however you must
check the food carefully to see if it is piping
hot before serving, just as you would in a
conventional oven.
Chilled foods to be reheated must also be
stored correctly.
How do I choose which method to
reheat by?
The heat method i.e. Microwave only or
Combination
, depends on the type of food
to be reheated. For foods that do not require
browning, reheat by microwave only. For foods
that do require browning, reheat by
Combination.
How long do I reheat foods for?
There are reheating charts for Microwave and
Combination:
these charts give timings that
are a guideline ONLY, as the exact time will
depend on the weight of the food, size of the
dish used and start temperature.
What should I do if the food I am
reheating does not appear in the
charts?
It is not possible to test every food available
for the following charts, however we have
selected a great variety of foods, and suggest
that by following the guidelines given, you can
reheat safely and successfully.
Stirring and Turning
Whenever possible, foods should be stirred or
turned over during reheating. This helps
ensure that the food reheats evenly on the
outside and in the centre.
Standing Time
Many foods require a STANDING TIME after
reheating. Standing time is a rest time which
allows the heat in the food to continue to
transfer to the centre, thus eliminating cold
spots. If the food has been covered during the
reheating time, then leave the covering on
during the standing time. Stand time is
particularly important for dense foods e.g.
Lasagnes, Gratins, etc and those foods that
cannot be stirred during reheating.
When is food reheated?
Reheated food should be served “piping hot”
i.e. steam should be visibly emitted from all
parts. As long as good hygiene practices have
been followed during the preparation and
storage of the food, then reheating by
microwave or
Combination
present no
added safety risks.
Foods that cannot be stirred should be cut
with a knife to test that they are well heated
through.
Even if manufacturer’s instructions or the
times in the reheating charts have been
followed, it is still important to check that the
food is piping hot. If in doubt, always return
the food to your oven for further reheating.
Reheating
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