18
Advice on the use of Cookware
Metal
Do not use metal dishes, tinned food, food
wrapped in tin foil and cutlery inside the
microwave. The metal reflects the microwaves and
food is not heated.
The food should be removed from its tin foil
containers and placed in dishes adequate for use
in the microwave. As microwaves don't penetrate
tin foil, the food heats only on the surface. By
using appropriate dishes, the heat is evenly
distributed throughout the food.
EXCEPTIONS:
To cook or defrost pieces of meat of irregular
sizes, you may cover the thinner parts with tin foil,
which should be kept at least 2 cm away from the
Microwave walls, otherwise these may cause an
electric arc.
Metal spits may be used as long as they are
smaller than the pieces of meat.
Glass
All heat proof glass containers may be used.
Crystal contains a percentage of lead, which may
cause it to crack if used in the microwave. The
same may happen to glass dishes with jagged
edges.
Porcelain
Porcelain dishes may be used but they should not
have hollow handles.
Humidity may be formed inside the hollow
handles, which will causes an increase in pressure
that may cause them to break.
Glazed Ceramic Dishes
This type of dish may heat considerably.
Painted glazed ceramic dishes may be used if the
painting is done under the glaze.
Many glazes and colours contain metallic
substances. If this is the case they should not be
used in the microwave as they may be damaged.
Recipients with silver and gold glazes may go
dark.
Plastic
Plastic dishes should be heat resistant (at least
180° C) or they may be deformed when used in
the microwave. Melamine dishes are not suitable
for use in the microwave as they heat up too
much.
To cook or heat food in plastic bags, they should
be perforated to allow vapour to escape thus
preventing the bag from bursting.
