GB-24
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
Grill
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 specifi ed
by the manufacturer, e.g. Microfoil ®, follow instruc-
tions carefully.
Browning dishes
✔
✘
Always follow the manufacturers instructions.
Do not exceed heating times given. Be very careful 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 fi ne 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 fi re.
Plastic/Polystyrene e.g fast
food containers
✔
✘
Care must be taken as some containers warp, melt or
discolour at high temperatures.
Cling fi lm
✔
✘
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.
Paper - Plates, cups and
kitchen paper
✔
✘
Do not use plastic or metal ties, as they may melt or
catch fi re due to the metal ‘arcing’.
Straw and wooden
Containers
✔
✘
Only use for warming or to absorb moisture.
Care must be taken as overheating may cause fi re.
Recycled paper and
newspaper
✘
✔
Always attend the oven when using these materials as
overheating may cause fi re.
May contain extracts of metal which will cause ‘arcing’
and may lead to fi re.
WARNING:
When heating food in plastic or paper containers, monitor the oven due to the possibility of
ignition.
