12
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 containers
Cling film
Freezer/Roasting
bags
Paper - Plates, cups
and kitchen paper
Straw and wooden
containers
Recycled paper
and newspaper
Microwave Safe
✔ / ✘
✔
✔ / ✘
✔
✘
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
✘
Comments
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.
Always follow the manufacturers instructions.
Do not exceed heating times given.
Be very careful as these dishes become very hot.
Porcelain, pottery, glazed earthenware and bone
china 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.
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.
NOTE: When heating food in plastic or paper containers, monitor the oven due to the possibility of
ignition.
R-209 03.12.3 11:06 AM Page 12
