16
ENGLISH
COOKWARE GUIDE
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
Aluminum 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 eight
minutes.
China and earthenware
✓
Porcelain, pottery, glazed earthenware
and bone china are usually suitable,
unless decorated with a metal trim.
Disposable polyester
cardboard dishes
✓
Some frozen foods are packaged in
these dishes.
Fast-food packaging
• Polystyrene cups
containers
✓
Can be used to warm food.
Overheating may cause the
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.
Cookware
Microwave-
safe
Comments
• 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 kitchen
paper
✓
For short cooking times and warming.
Also to absorb excess 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.
✓
: Recommended
✓✗
: Use caution
✗
: Unsafe
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