22
Cookware Guide
To cook food in the microwave oven, the microwaves must be able to
penetrate the food, without being reflected or absorbed by the dish used.
Care must therefore be taken when choosing the cookware. If the cookware
is marked microwave-safe, you do not need to worry.
The following table lists various types of cookware and indicates whether and
how they should be used in a microwave oven.
✓
:Recommended
✓✗
:Use Caution
✗
:Unsafe
Cookware Microwav
e-Safe
Comments
Aluminium foil
✓ ✗ Can be used in small quantities to
protect areas against overcooking.
Arcing can occur if the foil is too
close to the oven wall or if too
much foil is used.
Browning plate
✓ Do not preheat for more than eight
minutes.
China and
earthenware
✓ Porcelain, pottery, glazed
earthenware and bone china are
usually suitable, unless decorated
with a metal trim.
Disposable polyester
cardboard dishes
✓ Some frozen foods are packaged
in these dishes.
Fast-food packaging
• Polystyrene
cups containers
• Paper bags or
newspaper
• Recycled paper
or metal trims
✓
✗
✗
Can be used to warm food.
Overheating may cause the
polystyrene to melt.
May catch fire.
May cause arcing.
Glassware
• Oven-to-table
ware
• Fine glassware
• Glass jars
✓
✓
✓
Can be used, unless decorated
with a metal trim.
Can be used to warm foods or
liquids. Delicate glass may break
or crack if heated suddenly.
Must remove the lid. Suitable for
warming only.
Metal
• Dishes
• Freezer bag
twist ties
✗
✗
May cause arcing or fire.
Paper
• Plates, cups,
napkins and
Kitchen paper
• Recycled paper
✓
✗
For short cooking times and
warming. Also to absorb excess
moisture.
May cause arcing.
Plastic
• Containers
• Cling film
• Freezer bags
✓
✓
✓ ✗
Particularly if heat-resistant
thermoplastic. Some other plastics
may warp or discolour at high
temperatures. Do not use
Melamine plastic.
Can be used to retain moisture.
Should not touch the food. Take
care when removing the film as
hot steam will escape.
Only if boilable or oven-proof.
Should not be airtight. Prick with a
fork, if necessary.
Wax or grease-proof
paper
✓ Can be used to retain moisture
and prevent spattering.
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