What dishes can be used in the microwave?

Choosing the right utensils for the microwave is a guarantee of safety. Nowadays, a microwave oven is an essential household appliance and a reliable assistant in the kitchen. With its help, cooking, defrosting, and heating food is significantly faster and saves time.

Although even today some concerns are still expressed about whether a specific stove is harmful to human health.

Experts are confident that if smart technology is used correctly, it will not have a negative impact on humans. But only if the “right” dishes are chosen.

The requirements for it are simple: for safe and long-term use of the microwave and harmless cooking you need utensils designed specifically for the microwave.

REFERENCE! American scientist P. Spencer, inventor of radar equipment, conducted experiments with a magnetron back in 1946 and discovered that the device melted a chocolate bar packed in foil in his pocket.

Thus, chance determined the discovery, which to this day pleases housewives.

What happens to dishes in the microwave?

Main function ovens - fast heating food.However, in some cases it happens unexpected: loaded containers become hot.

Let's figure it out together Why does the microwave heat the dishes and not the food??

If we remember our school physics lessons, we can easily explain everything.

In the oven, a process occurs that is different from the usual heating of food over an open fire. They play a warming role here microwave, which act exclusively on water molecules. They move along a waveguide with metal walls that reflect magnetic radiation.

Moving inside the device, the waves chaotically accelerate the movement of the liquid. The process of temperature generation begins. This heat is transferred to the container. A bowl that is not microwave safe becomes warm.

IMPORTANT. If you find a hot plate instead of heated food in your microwave oven, it means that it is not suitable for the device.

Utensils that can be used in the microwave

Having created a furnace with high-speed heating capabilities, scientists determined what kind of dishes should be for the unit.

The main advantage of suitable containers - heat resistance, the ability to retain its qualities and not emit harmful substances when exposed to high temperatures.

Such containers can be safely loaded into the oven for cooking, heating, and defrosting food.

The microwave brings food to the boiling temperature of water (100°C). Heat-resistant cookware can withstand up to 140°C.

Taking into account the specified data, you can also use fireproof containers, since they can easily withstand heating up to 300°C.

Suitable is utensils made from such materials:

• glass;
• clay (faience, ceramics, porcelain);
• plastic that is specially marked “for cooking”;
• silicone.

Glass

This material is best option use in a microwave oven. Glass walls do not warm up as they allow microwaves to pass through. To heat food, you can use ordinary glassware. One condition is that it must be durable, without drawings or patterns, otherwise the product will be heated unevenly.

It was an excellent option heat resistant glass.

Due to its qualities, it has a wide range of applications:

• grill;
• convection;
• defrosting;
• cooking in microwave mode.

Advantages of glass containers:

• Easy to care for: the container is easy to wash.
• Resistant to the absorption of odors that do not permeate the structure.
• Ease of use (you can see the cooking process) and serving. A beautiful bowl with a hot dish can be immediately brought to the festive table.

IMPORTANT! This material does not tolerate temperature changes well. Cold glassware should not be immediately set to heating mode.

pay attention to LUMINARC.

This is a well-known manufacturer of quality cookware. It is famous for its impact-resistant glass, which is created using special melting technologies. As a result, the products are able to withstand greater loads than ordinary glass.

Tempered cookware can easily withstand temperatures up to 130°C, which allows it to be used in a microwave oven.

When purchasing Luminarc, pay attention to the labeling or check with the seller whether a particular container is suitable for the microwave.

IMPORTANT! Crystal glassware, although glass, is not suitable for microwave use.

The reason is the composition of crystal, which contains metals: silver and lead. Such material heats up much faster and unevenly, so there is a high probability of splitting.

Clay

Clay containers are fireproofso they microwave safe. Important condition: choose pots without drawings or varnish layer. During operation, they may catch fire.

Ordinary handmade items are ideal.
One more condition - no chips.
There is also one drawback: the surface of such products heats up more than special containers designed specifically for microwaves.

Faience

The basis of this material is also clay; the properties of earthenware are similar to the dishes described above. The difference lies in the processing and production technology.
Such products can be used for heating. Items without painted designs are desirable, as it may contain metals that will harm the operation of the microwave.

Ceramics

Another type of clay products. Perfect for crispy crust lovers. There are special ones for microwave ovens. glass ceramic containers. They have bottoms with a special layer that is heated by microwaves.

ADVICE. When using ceramic items, you must first heat the container without food, then make a bookmark and start cooking.

In this case, the food will acquire a golden crust. After which the dish is covered and brought to readiness.

Porcelain

Another material that can be used in microwaves is porcelain. It should be borne in mind that this type of thin ceramic absorbs microwaves well, which makes may become very hot.

You should be very careful with these items when loading them into the microwave!
Be sure to pay attention to the glaze coating. It should be uniform. The quality of heating the food will depend on this.Just like glass, porcelain does not like sudden changes in temperature.

Plastic

Very easy to use: The containers are lightweight, unbreakable and equipped with suitable lids.

However, you need to be careful. Plastic is different from plastic. Not everyone is suitable for use in the oven, and indeed for eating from them.

Note!

In the microwave can not use plastic marked:

• PVC (polyvinyl chloride);
• PS (polystyrene).

Can reheat and cook in containers marked:

• P (polyamide);
• PP (polypropylene);
• Thermoplastic;
• Duroplast.

The container, which has the last two names, does not deform when heated and can withstand temperatures of more than 100°C. And another big plus of these things is that they are not afraid of temperature changes, unlike glass products.

IMPORTANT. In addition to indicating the type of plastic, microwave-safe items may have additional special markings.

Microwave approved images:

• Firstly, there must be a sign "fork spoon».

• Secondly, the icon with schematic drawing of a microwave.

Plastic film

Very comfortable modern material. Can be used as a lid for any container, as well as for quickly heating small foods: sandwiches, pieces of meat, etc.

Tips for using plastic utensils

• Do not use containers for grilling or long-term cooking.
• Trust famous brands. Buy dishes from trusted stores. And don’t hesitate to ask for certificates of conformity and quality.
• Poor quality plastic releases harmful chemicals into food. Don't go for cheap. This cookware may be counterfeit and therefore hazardous to health.

Disposable items

Another sign of today is a large number of products for one use. In modern microwave ovens allowed to bet objects made from different materials.

Thin plastic or aluminum containers and platesAnd.

An irreplaceable thing in some cases. They are very convenient to take home-made food to work, to nature, or on the road. They are universal and do not require washing.

REFERENCE. The very thin aluminum sheet used for heating is safe and approved for microwave use.

After heating, they are used as plates from which to eat. After which all that remains is to dispose of them.

Paper and cardboard dishes.

Covered with a wax film, which provides additional protection against leakage. However, as the temperature increases, this layer melts. Therefore, such a container is only suitable for heating; you cannot cook in it. Additional requirement: food should be low in fat and sugar.

Why you shouldn't put metal utensils in the microwave

For microwave not suitable and even prohibited the following items:

• containers with any iron content;
• container with a gold rim.

Causes incompatibility of metals with microwave ovens

• There is a possibility of static discharge, which will damage the device.
• The paint may contain metal particles that can cause electrical discharge.
• Microwaves do not pass through metal; it acts as a reflective screen. Food will not heat up in such a cup. This dish conducts electricity, but is not permeable to waves.
• A cup containing metal may spark. This will cause an explosion inside the microwave oven!
• Improper use of a microwave device can cause a fire, and subsequently a fire.

However, there are exceptions to the rules

• Aluminum foil sheets. Allowed for use to protect products from burning.
• Factory foil packaging. Such dishes should have a depth of no more than 2 centimeters. When using it, do not forget to remove the cover!