5
Microwave function only
Utensils and cooking containers used in a microwave oven should
be of a material that does not act as a barrier to microwave energy.
Generally this means that you should cook in either (paper), plastic,
glass or ceramic. Metal pans reflect microwave energy and inhibit
cooking, and should not be used. In addition to material, the shape
of the container should also be considered. Round oval shapes give
the most even cooking. Square or rectangular containers may over-
cook foods in the corners because more energy is absorbed there.
Shallow containers give more even cooking results.
Utensils made of china and ceramic are excellent to use in your
microwave oven. Most types of glass are also very good.
Lead crystal glass can crack and should therefore, not be used.
Plastics and paper can also be used, provided they can withstand
the temperature of the heated food. For cooking only use plastics,
which will withstand a temperature of over 120˚C, e.g. polypropene
and polyamide. Some plastic materials, e.g. melamine, will be
heated by the microwave, and be damaged. To find out if a certain
container is suitable, the following simple test can be made:
Place the empty container and a glass of water inside the
microwave oven. The water is needed because the oven must not
be operated empty or with empty containers only.
Let the oven work on full power for one minute. A suitable container
will only be lukewarm.
Metal containers, e.g. saucepans or frying pans should not be used
in microwave ovens. Nor should plates or vessels with decorations
be used since metal e.g. gold, might be part of the decoration and
such decorations will be damaged.
Small pieces of aluminiuum foil can be
used, but only to shield the areas that
would over-cook (e.g. for covering chicken
wings, leg tips and fish tails) but the foil
must not touch the side of the oven as
damage may occur.
TO AVOID EXPLOSION AND SUDDEN BOILIING
1. Eggs
Never cook eggs in their shells. Steam will build up
inside the shell during cooking and the egg will
explode.
If you want to cook or reheat eggs which have not
been broken up by scrambling or mixing, you must
always pierce the yolks or these will also explode.
You should slice shelled hard boiled eggs before
you reheat them in your microwave oven.
2. Piercing
Always pierce food which has a skin or membrane,
for example, potatoes, tomatoes, apples, sausages
etc. If you don't pierce them, steam will build up
inside and they may explode.
3. Lids
Always remove the lids of jars and containers and
take away food containers, before you cook using
your microwave oven. If you don't, then steam and
pressure might build up inside and cause an
explosion even after the microwave cooking has
stopped.
WHICH UTENSILS CAN BE USED IN THE OVEN?
WARNING
Liquids, such as water, coffee, or tea are able to be
overheated beyond the boiling point without
appearing to be boiling due to surface tension of the
liquid. Visible bubbling or boiling when the container
is removed from the microwave oven is not always
present. this could result in very hot liquids suddenly
boiling over when a spoon or other utensilis is
inserted into the liquid.
To reduce the risk of injury to persons:
a) Do not overheat the liquid.
b) Stir the liquid both before and halfway through
heating it
c) Do not use straight-sided containers with narrow
necks.
d) After heating, allow the container to stand in the
microwave oven for a short time before removing
the container.
e) Use extreme care when inserting a spoon or
other utensil into the container.
Caution:
• There are a number of accessories available on the
market. Before you buy, make sure they are suitable for
microwave use.
• When you put food in the microwave oven, make sure
that food, food supports or covering do not come in
direct contact with any of the internal walls or the ceiling
of the cavity since discolouration may take place.
Only use utensils that are suitable for use in microwave ovens.
Before use, the user should check that utensils are suitable for use in microwave ovens.
Glass (general) No Yes (1) No
Glass (heat resistant) Yes Yes Yes
Glass-ceramic and
ceramic (heat resistant) Yes Yes (1) Yes (1)
Earthenware Yes Yes Yes
China (heat resistant) Yes Yes Yes
Plastic (general) No Yes (2) No
Plastic (heat resistant) Yes (2) Yes (2) Yes (2)
Aluminium foil Yes Yes (3) Yes
Metal baking tins Yes (4) No Yes (4)
Metal (pots.pans, etc) Yes No No
Paper No Yes No
1. Without metal parts or metal trims.
2. Some plastics are heat-proof only to certain temperatures.
Check carefully!
3. It is possible to use aluminium foil to shield delicate areas of
food (this prevents over-cooking).
4. Metal tins can be used in the combination methods,
however if these are very deep, they will greatly reduce the
efficiency, as metal shields the microwave energy from the
food.
Material
Grill &
Convection
cooking
Microwave
cooking
Combined
cooking
