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Microwaves and How They Work
(continued)
Jars and Bottles
can be used to warm food to serving
temperature, if the lid is removed first. Cooking should
not be done in these containers since most are not
heat resistant and during extended heating times, heat
from food would cause cracking or breaking.
Browning Dishes
are used to sear chops, meat
patties, steaks etc. A special coating on the bottom of
the dish absorbs the microwave energy and becomes
very hot. When foods are added to the dish, the
result is a seared effect. Preheat dish according to
manufacturer’s directions. Add food to be seared and
heat according to recipe or personal preference. Use
pot holders to remove dish from microwave oven.
Do not use browning dish on Auto Cook. Check
information included with browning dish for detailed
instructions and heating chart.
Do not use browning dish for roasting or whole poultry.
Paper, Napkins, Paper Towels, Plates and Cups
All are handy utensils for microwave cooking. Use them
for foods with short cooking times and low fat content.
Avoid wax coated paper goods, since the wax may melt
onto the food when the food reaches high temperatures.
Waxed paper is suitable to use to prevent splatter.
Disposable polyester coated paperboard pans are
sturdy, come in a variety of sizes and are ideal for
microwaving.
CAUTION: DO NOT use recycled paper products, such
as brown paper bags, since they contain impurities
which may cause arcing (blue sparks) and damage the
oven.
Straw, Wicker and Wood
Straw and wicker baskets may be used in the
microwave oven for short periods of time to warm rolls
or bread.
Large wooden utensils such as bowls or cutting
boards should NOT be used for prolonged heating as
the microwave energy may cause the wood to become
dry and brittle.
Plastic Dishes, Cups and Some Freezer Containers
may be used in the microwave oven. Choose plastic
containers carefully since some can become soft,
distorted or pitted from the heat of the food. Check
manufacturer’s recommendations concerning
microwave safety. Plastic dishes should not be used
for cooking over an extended period of time or with
foods having high fat and sugar content.
Cooking Bags
designed to withstand boiling, freezing,
or conventional heating are microwave safe. Prepare
bags according to manufacturer’s directions. Close
cooking bag with nylon tie provided, otherwise, use
a piece of cotton string, or a strip cut from the open
end of the bag. Make six 1 cm (
1
/² in.) slits in the top
of bag to allow steam to escape. DO NOT use wire
twist-tie to close bag. They can act as an antenna
and cause arcing (blue sparks). Wire twist-ties could
ignite and damage the oven. DO NOT cook in plastic
food storage bags. They are not heat resistant and
may melt. Do not use roaster bags on Auto Sensor
programmes.
Plastic Wrap
(cling film) can be used to cover dishes
in most recipes. Over an extended heating time, some
disfiguration of the wrap may occur.
When using cling film "covers," as well as any glass
lid, be careful to remove it away from you to avoid
steam burns. After heating, loosen plastic but let dish
stand covered.
For Auto Sensor Cooking do not turn back corners of
cling film covers.
Metal containers or utensils
, and those with metallic
trim, should NOT be used in the microwave oven.
Since microwave energy is reflected by metal, foods in
metal containers will not cook evenly.
There is also the possibility of "arcing". This is a static
discharge or blue spark between gaps in the metal or
between the metal and the interior of the oven. Arcing
may cause damage to the oven walls. If arcing occurs,
turn the unit off and transfer food to a non- metallic
container.
Although metal utensils must be avoided in microwave
cooking, some metal can be helpful when used
correctly.
Aluminium Foil
can be used safely if certain
guidelines are followed.
Because it reflects microwave energy, foil can be used
to an advantage in some recipes. It can be used to
prevent overcooking. Small pieces of foil are used to
cover areas such as chicken wings, tips of roasts, or
other thin parts that cook before the rest of the recipe
is finished. Foil is used in these cases to slow or stop
the cooking process and prevent overcooking.
Pieces of foil can be held in position with pieces of
wooden cocktail sticks.
Foil Lined Containers
, either cardboard or plastic,
should NOT be used in the microwave oven. Foil
lined milk cartons, frozen orange juice concentrate
containers, or baking containers, included in some
cake mixes are examples of things to be avoided.
Metal Skewers
can be used if there is a large amount
of food in proportion to the amount of metal. Take
care in the placement of the skewers to avoid arcing
between the skewers or between the skewers and the
sides of the oven.
Wooden skewers are the best and can be easily
purchased at your local market, grocery store, or in the
housewares section of many department stores.
Thermometers
are available for use in microwave
ovens. DO NOT USE CONVENTIONAL MERCURY
TYPE CANDY OR MEAT THERMOMETERS in food
while heating in the microwave oven.
Metal Twist-Ties
either paper or plastic coated,
should NOT be used in the microwave oven.
