6
Cookware Guide
ITEM
MICROWAVE
COMMENTS
Yes for
Small strips of foil can be molded around thin parts of meat or poultry to
Aluminum Foil
Shielding
prevent overcooking. Arcing can occur if foil is too close to oven wall or
only
door and damage to your oven will result.
Browning dishes are designed for microwave cooking only. Check
Browning Dish
Yes
browning dish information for instructions and heating chart. Do not
preheat for more than 6 minutes.
Brown paper bags
No
May cause a fire in the oven.
Dinnerware:
Check manufacturer's use and care directions for use in microwave
Labeled
Yes
heating. Some dinnerware may state on the back of the dish,
“Microwave Safe”
“Oven-Microwave Safe”.
Unlabeled Dinnerware
?
Use
CONTAINER TEST
below.
Disposable polyester
Yes
Some frozen foods are packaged in these dishes. Can be purchased in
Paperboard Dishes
grocery stores.
Fast Food Carton
No
Metal handle may cause arcing.
with Metal Handle
Frozen Dinner Tray
No
Metal can cause arcing and damage to your oven.
Metal
Frozen Dinner Tray
Yes
Heat only 1 tray in the oven at one time.
Microwave safe
Glass Jars
No
Most glass jars are not heat resistant. Do not use for cooking or reheating.
Heat Resistant Oven
Yes
Ideal for microwave cooking and browning.
Glassware & Ceramics
(See
CONTAINER TEST
below)
Metal Bakeware
No
Not recommended for use in microwave ovens. Metal can cause arcing
and damage to your oven.
Metal Twist-Ties
No
May cause arcing which could cause a fire in the oven.
Follow manufacturer's directions. Close bag with the nylon tie provided,
Oven Cooking Bag
Yes
a strip cut from the end of the bag, or a piece of cotton string. Do not
close with metal twist-tie. Make six
1
/
2
-inch (1 cm) slits near the closure.
Paper Plates & Cups
Yes
Use to warm cooked foods, and to cook foods that require short cooking
times such as hot dogs.
Paper Towels & Napkins
Yes
Use to warm rolls and sandwiches, only if labeled safe for microwave use.
Recycled Paper Towels
No
Recycled paper products may contain impurities which may cause sparks.
& Napkins
Parchment Paper
Yes
Use as a cover to prevent spattering. Safe for use in microwave,
microwave/convection and conventional ovens.
Plastic:
Should be labeled, "Suitable for Microwave Heating." Check
Microwave Safe
Yes,
manufacturers’ directions for recommended uses. Some microwave safe
Cookware
use caution
plastic containers are not suitable for cooking foods with high fat or sugar
content. The heat from hot food may cause the plastic to warp.
Plastic, Melamine
No
This material absorbs microwave energy. Dishes get HOT!
Plastic Foam Cups
Yes,
Plastic foam will melt if foods reach a high temperature. Use to reheat
use caution
foods to a low serving temperature only.
Use to cover food during cooking to retain moisture and prevent
Plastic Wrap
Yes
spattering. Should be labeled “Suitable for Microwave Heating”. Check
package directions.
Straw, Wicker, Wood
Yes,
Use only for short term reheating and to bring food to a low serving
use caution
temperature. Wood may dry out & split or crack when used.
Thermometers-
Yes
Use only microwave safe meat and candy thermometers.
Microwave safe
Thermometers-
No
Not suitable for use in microwave oven, will cause sparks
Conventional
and get hot.
Wax paper
Yes
Use as a cover to prevent spattering and to retain moisture.
CONTAINER TEST
TO TEST A CONTAINER FOR SAFE MICROWAVE OVEN USE:
Fill a microwave safe cup with cool water and place
it in the microwave oven alongside the empty container to be tested;
heat one (1) minute at P10 (HIGH)
. If the con-
tainer is microwave oven safe (transparent to microwave energy), the empty container should remain comfortably
cool and the water should be hot. If the container is hot, it has absorbed some microwave energy and should NOT be
used. This test cannot be used for plastic containers.
