18
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.
China and
earthenware
✓
Porcelain, pottery, glazed
earthenware and bone china are
usually suitable, unless deco-rated
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-tableware
✓
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.
Cookware
Microwave-
Safe
Comments
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
