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To cook food in the microwave oven, the microwaves must be able to penetrate the food, without
being reflected or absorbed by the dish used.
Care must therefore be taken when choosing the cookware. If the cookware is marked microwave-
safe, you do not need to worry.
The following table lists various types of cookware and indicates whether and how they should be used
in a microwave oven.
Cookware
Microwave-Safe
Comments
Aluminium foil
✔ ✘
Can be used in small quantities to protect areas against
overcooking. Arcing can occur if the foil is too close to the
oven wall or if too much foil is used.
Browning plate
✔
Do not preheat for more than 8 minutes.
China and earthenware
✔
Porcelain, pottery, glazed earthenware and bone china are
usually suitable, unless decorated with a metal trim.
Disposable polyester
✔
Some frozen foods are packaged in these dishes.
cardboard dishes
Fast-food packaging
•
Polystyrene cups and
✔
Can be used to warm food. Overheating may cause the
containers
polystyrene to melt.
•
Paper bags or newspaper
✘
May catch fire.
•
Recycled paper or metal trims
✘
May cause arcing.
Glassware
•
Oven-to-table ware
✔
Can be used, unless decorated with a metal trim.
•
Fine glassware
✔
Can be used to warm foods or liquids. Delicate glass may
break or crack if heated suddenly.
•
Glass jars
✔
Must remove the lid. Suitable for warming only.
Metal
•
Dishes
✘
May cause arcing or fire.
•
Freezer bag twist ties
✘
Paper
•
Plates, cups, napkins and
✔
For short cooking times and warming. Also to absorb excess
kitchen paper
moisture.
•
Recycled paper
✘
May cause arcing.
Plastic
•
Containers
✔
Particularly if heat-resistant thermoplastic. Some other plastics
may warp or discolour at high temperatures. Do not use
Melamine plastic.
•
Cling film
✔
Can be used to retain moisture. Should not touch the food.
Take care when removing the film as hot steam will escape.
•
Freezer bags
✔ ✘
Only if boilable or oven-proof. Should not be airtight. Prick with
a fork, if necessary.
Wax or grease-proof paper
✔
Can be used to retain moisture and prevent spattering.
Cookware Guide
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