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
Aluminium foil
Foil containers
Browning dishes
China and ceramics
Glassware e.g. Pyrex®
Metal
Plastic/Polystyrene
e.g fast food contain-
ers
Cling film
Freezer/Roasting
bags
Paper - plates, cups
and kitchen paper
Straw and wooden
containers
Recycled paper and
newspaper
WARNING:
When heating food in plastic or paper containers, monitor the oven due to
the possibility of ignition.
Microwave
Comments
Safe
✔ / ✘
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 specifi ed by the manu-
facturer, e.g. Microfoil ®, follow instructions carefully.
Always follow the manufacturers instructions. Do not
✔
exceed heating time given.
Be very careful as these dishes become very hot.
✔ / ✘
Porcelain, pottery, glazed earthenware and bone chi-
na are usually suitable, except for those with metallic
decoration.
Care should be taken if using fine glassware as it can
✔
break or crack if heated suddenly.
It is not recommended to use metal cookware as it
✘
will arc, which can lead to fire.
Care must be taken as some containers warp, melt or
✔
discolour at high temperatures.
It should not touch the food and must be pierced to
✔
let the steam escape.
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' .
Only use for warming or to absorb moisture. Care
✔
must be taken as overheating may cause fire.
Always attend the oven when using these materials
✔
as overheating may cause fire.
May contain extracts of metal which will cause 'arcing'
✘
and may lead to fire.
GB-25