GB-29
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 manu-
facturer, e.g. Microfoil ®, follow instructions carefully.
Browning dishes
✔
Always follow the manufacturers instructions. Do not
exceed heating time given.
Be very careful as these dishes become very hot.
China and ceramics
✔
/
✘
Porcelain, pottery, glazed earthenware and bone chi-
na 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 contain-
ers
✔
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
containers
✔
Always attend the oven when using these materials
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.
SUITABLE COOKWARE
