E - 29
SUITABLE COOKWARE
To cook/defrost food in a microwave oven, the microwave energy must be able to pass through the
container to penetrate the food. Therefore it is important to choose suitable cookware. Round/oval
dishes are preferable to square/oblong ones, as the food in the corners tends to overcook. A variety of
cookware can be used as listed below.
Cookware
Microwave
Safe
Comments
Aluminium foil
Foil Containers
✔
/
✘
Small pieces of aluminium foil can be used to shield food
from overheating. Keep foil at least 2cm from the oven
walls, as arcing may occur.
Foil containers are not recommended unless specified
by the manufacturer, e.g. Microfoil ®, follow instructions
carefully.
Browning dishes
✔
Always follow the manufacturers instructions.
Do not exceed heating times given.
Be very careful as these dishes become very hot.
China and ceramics
✔
/
✘
Porcelain, pottery, glazed earthenware and bone china
are usually suitable, except for those with metallic
decoration.
Glassware
e.g. Pyrex ®
✔
Care should be taken if using fine glassware as it can
break or crack if heated suddenly.
Metal
✘
It is not recommended to use metal cookware as it will
arc, which can lead to fire.
Plastic/Polystyrene
e.g fast food containers
✔
Care must be taken as some containers warp, melt or
discolour at high temperatures.
Cling film
✔
It should not touch the food and must be pierced to let
the steam escape.
Freezer/Roasting
bags
✔
Must be pierced to let steam escape. Ensure bags are
suitable for microwave use.
Do not use plastic or metal ties, as they may melt or
catch fire due to the metal ‘arcing’.
Paper - Plates, cups
and kitchen paper
✔
Only use for warming or to absorb moisture.
Care must be taken as overheating may cause fire.
Straw and wooden
containers
✔
Always attend the oven when using these materials as
overheating may cause fire.
Recycled paper
and newspaper
✘
May contain extracts of metal which will cause ‘arcing’
and may lead to fire.
NOTE:
When heating food in plastic or paper containers, monitor the oven due to the possibility of
ignition.
R-292 [EN] (19-38).indd EN-29
R-292 [EN] (19-38).indd EN-29
11/26/08 1:17:06 PM
11/26/08 1:17:06 PM