- How to test cookware for suitability for microwave use
- Dishes from which materials cannot be used categorically
- What materials are suitable for microwave ovens
- More about plastic containers
- On whether it is possible to cover plates when heating
- What should be the containers for cooking and baking in the microwave
A microwave is a convenient thing, no doubt. Now, probably, no kitchen can do without it. But, oddly enough, some are still not aware of which utensils can be used in the microwave and which cannot. And these people are incredibly surprised when they hear a loud explosion inside the chamber ...
How to test cookware for suitability for microwave use
If you have never used any utensils available in your home in a microwave oven, we recommend that you check them first. Because the dishes may look quite suitable, but in practice, they will take and burst during the heating process! And then in your hands, when you start to take out a hot plate of borscht, which is much more unpleasant.
Take an ordinary faceted glass (or, any cup in which you heated the liquid before and did not observe any adventures), fill it by a third with water. And place it on the plate you want to test. Run the normal warm-up mode for 1 minute.
If the capacity is suitable, then at the end of the process you will find that the liquid in the glass has warmed up, or even boiled, but the test plate remained completely cold. If, however, it is hot, then you should not use it, it is not for the microwave, obviously.
But, you can check what is already available. In a store, such a trick will not work. Therefore, you need to know in advance, at least in theory, what to look for when buying microwave ovenware.
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Dishes from which materials cannot be used categorically
Now, let's take a closer look at what dishes shouldn't be put in the microwave. Remember once and for all that the most unsafe materials for microwave ovens are:
- Crystal
- Thin glass or melamine
- Clay and ceramics without glaze
These three materials burst shamelessly when exposed to microwaves. Crystal contains lead and, moreover, has a non-uniform texture. Clay also, if not protected by a dense glaze, is heterogeneous and full of internal bubbles that are invisible from the outside. When heated, these cavities are bursting and you, opening the door, find a sad handful of fragments.
But, we repeat: it’s good if it happens inside, right in the process, and not in your hands. So these two materials are the most - the most inappropriate. And, if, about crystal, and so it is clear, and there is nothing special to warm in it, then clay bowls and glasses made of thin glass are often put in microwaves.
The rest of the dishes that are not suitable for microwave ovens will hit the oven, not your hands. But why tempt fate and disable equipment? The materials listed below cause sparks, crackling and popping inside the chamber:
- Copper
- Brass
- Cast iron
- Steel
- Gold plating
- Metal coating
It is clear that one should forget about saucers with a gold border. But, interestingly, there are drawings that look like the most ordinary paint, but in fact contain a lot of metal that causes an electrical discharge. Therefore, you need to take plates without a pattern at all.
See also - How the microwave works
What materials are suitable for microwave ovens
The first place on this list is glass, heat-resistant cookware. She is not afraid of anything, the food in it heats up perfectly, she herself remains cold, and the oven consumes much less electrical energy than when using other materials.
But, a huge disadvantage of these dishes is their high cost. It costs three to four times more than usual. And to purchase it in sufficient quantities for the whole family is not available to everyone.
Also, porcelain and earthenware dishes are suitable for use, of course, without drawings. Ceramics are also suitable if they are covered with a uniform glaze layer. Plastic, polyethylene, paper dishes, silicone, parchment paper, and even linen or cotton cloth are also suitable (you can heat bread on it, for example).
Glass is quite suitable, but not thin, but of the same thickness as in ordinary cans or faceted glass.
We draw your attention to the fact that it is not worth using any dishes on which the glaze is partially applied. It heats food unevenly and, again, may burst.
More about plastic containers
With plastic, everything is simple: on the label of such containers, there is always a marking, whether it is suitable for microwave ovens, whether it can be suitable for heating or not. But, it's in the store, of course.
But what if you have some vessels, but there are no stickers on it for a long time? Then, it is better for you not to use these dishes, because if it turns out that this material is not intended for microwave ovens, then, when heated, it will emit a lot of harmful substances that will go directly into food.
It’s easier to go to the store and buy a new one you’ll be sure of. The main thing is not to take the cheap one that came from Shanghai. These enterprising people will write you whatever you want and put any markings you want, but in fact, the material, as it was, will remain unsuitable for high temperatures. And not only is heating in the microwave not very useful in itself, but together with Chinese plastic, it will just be a huge blow to the liver.
Although, by and large, what is the need to heat food in them? There are some of them that are completely unattractive.
On whether it is possible to cover plates when heating
You can't cover tightly, it will explode. You do not need to put any dishes or bowls wrapped in foil. Heating an open container is not an option either. For example, after warming up buckwheat porridge with a liver, the walls of the microwave will have to be scrubbed for a long time and tediously, since these products themselves explode from the inside.
The best option is special covers that are sold in home appliance stores. They are very large, about the size of the revolving circle of a stove, and their height is also great. I put a plate under this flask - and no problem! It will warm up, will not explode and will not smudge the walls.
Although, using them you need to know: they do not withstand strong boiling of products. Then they shrink due to the fact that a vacuum is formed and firmly adhere to the glass circle. It just won't work to remove them, you will need to pry them with a knife from the bottom to give access to air.
Choosing the optimal form for warming up
Not only the material, but also the shape of the cookware is important for comfortably heating food. The microwave heats up quickly and often, the liquid splashes out. The best modification of dishes or cups for microwave ovens is with an expanding top. In them, for some reason, the liquid behaves calmly, even if it boils strongly.
What should be the containers for cooking and baking in the microwave
Separately, I would like to talk about what kind of dishes you can cook in the microwave.
Cooking and stewing can only be done with refractory glassware. There is nothing better and cannot be.But, at the same time, it must be borne in mind that the microwave, as we wrote above, has the ability to push the liquid out. Therefore, choose a larger capacity, and not end-to-end. Food and water should be up to 2/3 of the total volume.
The same goes for baking. Either choose a larger form, or put a little less dough than in cases when baking in a conventional oven. The ideal material for this is silicone.
Now you know exactly what utensils can be used in the microwave. We wish you all the best and fewer surprises with fireworks!
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