GB-23
SUITABLE OVENWARE
To cook/defrost food in a microwave oven, the microwave energy must be able to pass
through the container to penetrate the food.
Therefore it is important to choose suitable cookware.
Round/oval dishes are preferable to square/oblong ones, as the food in the corners tends
to overcook. A variety of cookware can be used as listed below.
Cookware
Microwave
Safe
Comments
Aluminium foil
Foil containers
✔
/
✘
Small pieces of aluminium foil can be used to
shield food from overheating. Keep foil at least
2cm from the oven walls, as arcing may occur.
Foil containers are not recommended unless
specified by the manufacturer, e.g. Microfoil®, fol-
low instructions carefully.
Browning dishes
✔
Always follow the manufacturers instructions. Do
not exceed the heating time given. Be very care-
ful as these dishes become very hot.
China and ceramics
✔
/
✘
Porcelain, pottery, glazed earthenware and bone
china are usually suitable, except for those with
metallic decoration.
Glassware e.g. Pyrex ®
✔
Care should be taken if using fine glassware as it
can break or crack if heated suddenly.
Metal
✘
It is not recommended to use metal cookware as
it will arc, which can lead to fire.
Plastic/Polystyrene e.g
fast food containers
✔
Care must be taken as some containers warp,
melt or discolour at high temperatures.
Cling film
✔
It should not touch the food and must be pierced
to let the steam escape.
Freezer/Roasting bags
✔
Must be pierced to let steam escape. Ensure bags
are suitable for microwave use. Do not use plastic
or metal ties, as they may melt or catch fire due
to the metal ‘arcing’.
Paper - plates, cups and
kitchen paper
✔
Only use for warming or to absorb moisture. Care
must be taken as overheating may cause fire.
Straw and wooden con-
tainers
✔
Always monitor the oven when using these mate-
rials as overheating may cause fire.
Recycled paper and
newspaper
✘
May contain extracts of metal which will cause
‘arcing’ and may lead to fire.
WARNING:
When heating food in plastic or paper containers, monitor the oven due to the
possibility of ignition.
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