Materials you can use in microwave oven
Material
Remarks
Aluminum foil
Shielding only. Small smooth pieces can be used to cover thin
parts of meat or poultry to prevent overcooking. Arcing can
occur if foil is too close to oven walls. The foil should be at
least 2.5cm away from oven walls
Browning disher
Follow manufacturer’s instructions. The bottom of browning
dish must be at least 5mm above the turntable. Incorrect
usage may cause turntable to break.
Dinerware
Microwave-safe only. Follow manufacturer’s instructions. Do
not use cracked or chipped dishes. Glass jars Always remove
lid. Use only to heat food until just warm. Most glass jars are
not heat resistant and may break.
Glassware
resistant oven glassware only. Make sure there is no metallic
trim. Do not use cracked or chipped dishes.
Oven cooking
bags
Follow manufacturer’s instructions. Do not close with metal tie.
Make slits to allow steam to escape.
Paper plates
Use for short –term cooking/warming only. Do not leave oven
unattended while paper plates or cups are used
Paper towels
Use to cover food for reheating and absorbing fat. Use with
supervision for short-term cooking only
Parchment
paper
Use as a cover to prevent splattering or a wrap for steaming
Plastic
Microwave-safe only. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Should be labelled “Microwave Safe”. Some plastic containers
soften as the food inside gets hot. “Boiling bags” and tightly
closed plastic bags should be slit, pierced or vented as
directed by package
Plastic wrap
metal handles
Microwave-safe only. Use to cover food during cooking to
retain moisture. Do not allow plastic wrap to touch food.
Thermometers
Microwave-safe only (meat and candy thermometers).
Wax paper
Use as a cover to prevent splattering and retain moisture
Materials to be avoided in microwave oven
Utensils Remarks
Aluminium tray
May cause arcing. Transfer food into microwave-safe dish.
Food carton with
May cause arcing. Transfer food into microwave-safe cook
ware
Metal or cook
ware with metal trim
Metal shields the food from microwave energy. Metal trim
may cause arcing.
Metal twist ties
May cause arcing and could cause a fire in the oven
Paper bags
May cause a fire in the oven.
Plastic Foam
Plastic foam may melt or contaminate the liquid inside when
exposed to high temperature.
Wood
Wood will dry out when used in the microwave oven and may
split or crack
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UK
