7
Make sure all cookware
used in your microwave
oven is suitable for
microwaving. Most glass
casseroles, cooking dishes,
measuring cups, custard
cups, pottery or china
dinnerware which does not
have metallic trim or glaze
with a metallic sheen can
be used. Some cookware
is labeled “suitable for
microwaving.”
•
If you are not sure if
a dish is microwave-safe,
use this test: Place in the
oven both the dish you
are testing and a glass
measuring cup filled with
1 cup of water—set the
measuring cup either
in or next to the dish.
Microwave 30–45 seconds
at high. If the dish heats,
it should not be used for
microwaving.
If the dish remains cool
and only the water in the
cup heats, then the dish
is microwave-safe.
•
If you use a meat
thermometer while
cooking, make sure it is
safe for use in microwave
ovens.
•
Do not use recycled
paper products. Recycled
paper towels, napkins
and waxed paper can
contain metal flecks
which may cause arcing
or ignite. Paper products
containing nylon or
nylon filaments should
be avoided, as they may
also ignite.
•
Some styrofoam trays
(like those that meat is
packaged on) have a thin
strip of metal embedded
in the bottom. When
microwaved, the metal can
burn the floor of the oven
or ignite a paper towel.
•
Do not use the microwave
to dry newspapers.
•
Not all plastic wrap
is suitable for use in
microwave ovens.
Check the package
for proper use.
•
Paper towels, waxed
paper and plastic wrap
can be used to cover
dishes in order to retain
moisture and prevent
spattering. Be sure to
vent plastic wrap so
steam can escape.
•
Cookware may become
hot because of heat
transferred from the
heated food. Pot holders
may be needed to handle
the cookware.
•
“Boilable” cooking
pouches and tightly
closed plastic bags should
be slit, pierced or vented
as directed by package.
If they are not, plastic
could burst during or
immediately after
cooking, possibly resulting
in injury. Also, plastic
storage containers should
be at least partially
uncovered because they
form a tight seal. When
cooking with containers
tightly covered with
plastic wrap, remove
covering carefully and
direct steam away from
hands and face.
MICROWAVE-
SAFE
COOKWARE
How to test for a microwave-
safe dish.