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Reheating by Microwave
Tips for Reheating Commercially Prepared Foods
Always choose a supplier who offers an extensive and well made range of meals, which because prior
research has gone into their products, heats efficiently in the microwave oven.
The majority of distributors of prepared foods supply their dishes frozen. They recommend the dishes are
defrosted prior to reheating. Always follow their instructions carefully.
1.Heating Times
On the following charts, we have listed for your
convenience, many commercially prepared foods.
Use the times suggested for particular foods as a
guide only.
2.Containers
A time band is suggested to accommodate the use
of different containers, for example, an
earthenware pot will need the longer time to reheat
because of its thickness, whilst a plastic or heat
resistant glass will take slightly less time.
3.Power level
On some more solid dishes, such as Lasagne and
Cottage Pie, it may be advisable to select a lower
microwave power setting, rather than the
maximum power setting, to obtain an acceptable
meal. This will take longer to heat but produces an
improved result to the waiting customer.
4.Defrosted Foods
It is always more benefical to reheat a defrosted
product rather than a frozen one. A defrosted dish
will heat evenly, faster and without the fuss and
bother that a frozen dish will cause. It is important
to ensure that solid, ready-made meals are always
defrosted prior to reheating. These meals cannot
be stirred during the heating time and if heated
from frozen they would begin to overcook around
the edges whilst the centre area is still cold and
may be even still slightly frozen.
5.Arranging Food
Remember to arrange food correctly, with the
thicker parts to the outside and thinner parts to the
centre.
6.Sealed Containers
If the food is contained in its own sealed container,
pierce the top film with a fork to let out the excess
steam. During heating, instead of stirring the food,
lightly shake the container.
7.Pies - Pastry topped
Ensure the pastry is loosened from the sides of
container with pastry topped meals. If the pastry
has formed a seal with the container and is then
heated quickly, the air trapped under the pastry
expands very quickly causing the top to fly off.
8.Multiple vegetable portions
It is possible to heat vegetables with the same
time per portion together.
9.Solid meals
With individual portions of solid meals, such as
Lasagne and Macaroni Cheese, slightly indent the
centre of the food with the back of a spoon. This
will make the centre thinner and easier for the heat
to penetrate.
10.Pre-browned Foods
Many commercially prepared cooked foods eg
sausages may be prebrowned. They only require
heating by MICROWAVE and do not require
heating by COMBINATION.
Check manufacturers instructions for best result.
Microwave
