What can and cannot be heated in the microwave

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

From dishes and food to unexpected household items.

Dishes

Can

• Glassware. This is the best option for reheating and cooking food in the microwave. Just make sure that the dishes are not too light: this means that they are made of low-melting material and are not suitable for use in the oven. In addition, there should be no metallic paint on it.
• Ceramic tableware. Also note that it is not gilded. And also be sure to use a potholder: ceramics get very hot.
• Silicone forms. This material is designed to be used both in the oven and in the microwave. Moreover, in such forms, you can make not only baked goods, but also casseroles, vegetables and other dishes.
• Baking paper. It is ideal if you don't have a plate or a special lid to cover food.

To quickly check if your plate or bowl is microwave-safe, pour water into it and place it inside. Turn the oven on at maximum power for one minute. If the water is heated, everything is in order, if the dishes are not suitable for the microwave oven.

It is forbidden

• Metal utensils, including cans. The material does not transmit microwaves, but reflects them. Metal cookware can spark when heated in an oven, which can result in a fire. For the same reason, you cannot use gilded plates.
• Disposable containers. These include packaging that sells takeaway food, plastic cups, jars of yogurt and other products. They are not designed for high temperatures and can melt in a microwave oven. Even if this does not happen, harmful chemicals are released from them when heated.
• Crystal. In its composition, Crystal contains metals, and they are contraindicated for microwave ovens.
• Aluminium foil. It will just light up.
• Paper bags. First, they can catch fire too. Secondly, glue, paint and other materials in the package can become a source of toxic fumes when heated.

Questionable

• Plastic dishes. It is the most controversial one. There are concerns that even when heating microwaved types of plastics, carcinogens are released. Although scientists argue that the harm from storing food in plastic containers is insignificant, it is better to play it safe and reheat food in glass containers. And you definitely shouldn't put old warped or cracked plastic containers in the microwave.
• Food wrap. It raises concerns for the same reasons. Therefore, if you want to cover her dishes in the microwave, make sure that she does not touch the food.

Food

Can

• Vegetables to be boiled or steamed. New York Times culinary author Mark Bitten advises You Use It Every Day. But Can You Make It Cook? put vegetables in a bowl with a little water and experiment. For example, he cooks asparagus for 2 minutes, cauliflower for 5 minutes, eggplant for 5-7 minutes, spinach for 1-2 minutes. Potatoes, carrots and beets take a little more time - about 7, 10 and 15 minutes, respectively.
• Eggs without shell. Omelet, fried eggs, poached eggs.
• Citrus. To make lemon, orange or grapefruit juice easier to squeeze, cut the fruit in half and microwave for 20-30 seconds.
• Popcorn. It is much easier to cook it in the microwave than on the stove - just follow the instructions on the package.
• Bread and pastries. They will become softer and tastier. In this way, you can even "revive" stale bread.

It is forbidden

• Grape. Raisins will not work this way: in a microwave oven, the berries ignite and form a plasma.
• Hot pepper (dried or served with it) … The substance capsaicin, which makes the vegetable hot, will evaporate when heated. If you inhale these vapors, you can get a strong burning sensation in the eyes and throat, almost like if you get pepper spray in them.
• Eggs in shell and whole boiled eggs. They will explode when heated in the microwave. Scientists explain this by the fact that the yolk heats up much faster than the protein, which leads to an explosion. To reheat a boiled egg, it is better to cut it into pieces or pierce it in several places with a fork.

Carefully

• To boil water. This can be dangerous because the water in the microwave will overheat above its boiling point. From the outside, this is imperceptible, but if you remove the cup from the oven and add tea or coffee to it (or even just tilt it carelessly), the water can boil sharply and lead to serious burns.
• Heat products in a shell or with skin. For example, sausages, peeled potatoes, tomatoes. They can explode like eggs, so it is best to cut them. Also, remember to open the lid of any food container to allow steam to escape.

Other items

Can

• A damp sponge for washing dishes. This is a great way to disinfect her. Soak a sponge well and place it on a plate (or in a bowl with a little water) and heat for one minute. Note that this will not work with a dry sponge: it will catch fire.
• Land for indoor plants. This will disinfect her. Heat for 90 seconds per kilogram.
• Towels in a bag with a clasp. This is an easy way to get an analog of a heating pad.
• Scotch tape and duct tape … If they begin to lose their stickiness, heat them up for 30 seconds.
• Glass jars … In the microwave, they can be sterilized for homemade products. Wash the jars, pour some water into them and put them in the oven without lids. Sterilize for three to five minutes depending on the size of the cans.