7
Cookware Guide
ITEM
MICROWAVE
COMMENTS
Yes for
Small strips of foil can be molded around thin parts of
Aluminum Foil
Shielding
meat or poultry to prevent overcooking. Arcing can occur
only
if foil is too close to oven wall or door and damage to your
oven will result.
Browning dishes are designed for microwave cooking
Browning Dish
Yes
only. Check browning dish information for instructions
and heating chart. Do not preheat for more than 6 minutes.
Brown paper bags
No
May cause a fire in the oven.
Dinnerware:
Check manufacturers' use and care directions for use in
Labeled
Yes
microwave heating. Some dinnerware may state on the
“Microwave Safe”
back of the dish, “Oven-Microwave Safe”.
Unlabeled Dinnerware
?
Use
CONTAINER TEST
below.
Disposable polyester
Yes
Some frozen foods are packaged in these dishes. Can be
Paperboard Dishes
purchased in grocery stores.
Fast Food Carton
No
Metal handle may cause arcing.
with Metal Handle
Frozen Dinner Tray
No
Metal can cause arcing and damage to your oven.
Metal
Frozen Dinner Tray
Yes
Heat only 1 tray in the oven at one time.
Microwave safe
Glass Jars
No
Most glass jars are not heat resistant. Do not use for
cooking or reheating.
Heat Resistant Oven
Yes
Ideal for microwave cooking and browning.
Glassware & Ceramics
(See
CONTAINER TEST
below)
Metal Bakeware
No
Not recommended for use in microwave ovens. Metal can
cause arcing and damage to your oven.
Metal Twist-Ties
No
May cause arcing which could cause a fire in the oven.
Follow manufacturers' directions. Close bag with the nylon
tie provided, a strip cut from the end of the bag, or a piece
Oven Cooking Bag
Yes
of cotton string. Do not close with metal twist-tie. Make six
1
/
2
-inch (1 cm) slits near the closure.
Paper Plates & Cups
Yes
Use to warm cooked foods, and to cook foods that require
short cooking times such as hot dogs.
Paper Towels & Napkins
Yes
Use to warm rolls and sandwiches, only if labeled safe for
microwave use.
Recycled Paper Towels
No
Recycled paper products may contain impurities which may
& Napkins
cause sparks.
Parchment Paper
Yes
Use as a cover to prevent spattering. Safe for use in
microwave, microwave/convection and conventional ovens.
Plastic:
Should be labeled, "Suitable for Microwave Heating." Check
Microwave Safe
Yes,
manufacturers’ directions for recommended uses.
Cookware
use caution
Some microwave safe plastic containers are not suitable for
cooking foods with high fat or sugar content. The heat from
hot food may cause the plastic to warp.
Plastic, Melamine
No
This material absorbs microwave energy. Dishes get HOT!
Plastic Foam Cups
Yes,
Plastic foam will melt if foods reach a high temperature. Use
use caution
to reheat foods to a low serving temperature only.
Use to cover food during cooking to retain moisture and
Plastic Wrap
Yes
prevent spattering. Should be labeled “Suitable for
Microwave Heating”. Check package directions.
Yes,
Use only for short term reheating and to bring food to a low
Straw, Wicker, Wood
use caution
serving temperature. Wood may dry out & split or crack
when used.
Thermometers-
Yes
Use only microwave safe meat and candy thermometers.
Microwave safe
Thermometers-
No
Not suitable for use in microwave oven, will cause sparks
Conventional
and get hot.
Wax paper
Yes
Use as a cover to prevent spattering and to retain moisture.
CONTAINER TEST
TO TEST A CONTAINER FOR SAFE MICROWAVE OVEN USE:
Fill a microwave safe cup with cool water
and place it in the microwave oven alongside the empty container to be tested;
heat one (1) minute at P10
(HIGH)
. If the container is microwave oven safe (transparent to microwave energy), the empty container
should remain comfortably cool and the water should be hot. If the container is hot, it has absorbed some
microwave energy and should NOT be used. This test cannot be used for plastic containers.
F00036J00AP 2004.2.2 15:17 Page 9
