Cooking Utensils
This section lists which utensils can be used in the
microwave, which ones have limited use for short
periods, and which ones should not be used in the
microwave.
Recommended Use
•
Glass and glass-ceramic bowls and dishes
—
Use for heating or cooking.
•
Microwave browning dish
— Use to brown the
exterior of small items such as steaks, chops, or
pancakes. Follow the directions provided with
your browning dish.
•
Microwavable plastic wrap
— Use to retain
steam. Leave a small opening for some steam to
escape and avoid placing it directly on the food.
•
Wax paper
— Use as a cover to prevent spatter-
ing.
•
Paper towels and napkins
— Use for short-term
heating and covering; they absorb excess mois-
ture and prevent spattering. Do not use recycled
paper towels, which may contain metal and can
catch fire.
•
Paper plates and cups
— Use for short-term
heating at low temperatures. Do not use recy-
cled paper, which may contain metal and can
catch fire.
•
Thermometers
— Use only those labeled
“Microwave Safe” and follow all directions.
Check the food in several places. Conventional
thermometers may be used once the food has
been removed from the oven.
Limited Use
• Aluminum foil
— Use narrow strips of foil to pre-
vent overcooking of exposed areas. Using too
much foil can damage your oven, so be careful.
•
Ceramic, porcelain, and stoneware
— Use these
if they are labeled “Microwave Safe.” If they are
not labeled, test them to make sure they can be
used safely. Never use dishes with metallic trim.
•
Plastic
— Use only if labeled “Microwave Safe.”
Other plastics can melt.
•
Straw, wicker, and wood
— Use only for short-
term heating, as they can be flammable.
Not Recommended
•
Glass jars and bottles
— Regular glass is too
thin to be used in a microwave, and can shatter.
•
Paper bags
— These are a fire hazard, except
for popcorn bags that are designed for
microwave use.
•
Styrofoam plates and cups
— These can melt
and leave an unhealthy residue on food.
•
Plastic storage and food containers
—
Containers such as margarine tubs can melt in
the microwave.
•
Metal utensils
— These can damage your oven.
Remove all metal before cooking.
Testing Utensils
If you are not sure whether a dish is microwave-
safe or not, you can perform this test:
1
Fill a 1 cup glass measuring cup with
water and put it inside your oven, next to
the dish you want to test.
2
Press the
One
button once to
heat them for one minute at High power.
The water should be warm and the dish you are
testing should be cool. If the dish is warm, then it is
absorbing microwave energy and is not acceptable
for use in the microwave.
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