How to choose utensils for the microwave

The quality and usefulness of food, as well as the durability of the equipment and kitchen utensils, will depend on the correct choice of utensils for the microwave..

What happens to the dishes in the microwave?

Heating food in a microwave oven works in a different way than on a conventional stove. Here food is warmed up not due to heat exchange, but due to the effects of electromagnetic microwaves on water molecules. As a result of this effect, the molecules rub against each other and heat is released due to friction. Taking into account the peculiarities of the effect of the microwave oven on different materials, not every dish can be put into the microwave.

Taking into account the peculiarities of the effect of the microwave oven on different materials, not every dish can be put into the microwave.

Another feature of heating in a microwave is a large evaporation of water. Therefore, sealed containers and products like them may explode or crack. This can happen with sealed bags, containers, eggs and other foods..

Another feature of heating in a microwave is a large evaporation of water..

What dishes should not be put in the microwave

Metal and crystal products

Metal utensils must never be used in a microwave oven. Metal does not transmit electromagnetic waves, but reflects them. In this case, food in a metal container is not heated, and an electric arc arises around the container..

Metal dishes must never be used in a microwave oven..

This process occurs repeatedly and chaotically in different directions. Discharges, lightning and sparks are formed inside the furnace – a fascinating sight, but not very pleasant. In this case, electrical discharges can damage the inner lining of the microwave..

This process occurs repeatedly and chaotically in different directions..

Important! The ban on use also applies to crystal. Crystal contains metals: silver, lead, barium, which means that the algorithm of its interaction with the microwaves of the furnace will be the same as that of metal products. At the same time, the metals themselves can be unevenly inside the crystal, which can lead to cracks and splits in the dishes..

Porcelain, glass and ceramic tableware with drawings

Porcelain or glassware with drawings or ornaments contains metals in the paint. Because of this, the effect of using metal in the microwave is even worse..

Porcelain or glassware with drawings or ornaments contains metals in the paint.

Those parts of the dishes, where there is paint with metals, do not transmit electromagnetic waves, but reflect them. As a result, the dishes are partially heated and partially start to spark, in some places there are discharges, and the food in the dishes is heated unevenly. Uneven heating can crack or burst. There is also a risk of damage to the microwave coating..

Uneven heating may crack or burst..

Ceramics without glaze

Handmade ceramics without glaze are not suitable for microwave ovens due to the large and uneven heating of such dishes. Ceramics without glaze quickly crack and become unusable. Pots and bowls where the glaze is unevenly applied – for example, only on the outside, on the bottom, or only on the sides, will not work.

Handmade ceramics without glaze are not suitable for microwave ovens due to the large and uneven heating of such dishes.

Important! Products with microcracks also fall under this prohibition. Even one microscopic crack is enough for uneven heating of the material inside it, and the dishes burst.

Bamboo tableware

Bamboo cookware cannot be used in the oven due to the ability of wood to absorb water well. Micromolecules of water instantly penetrate into the product, when heated, the water evaporates, causing the bamboo to crack.

Bamboo cookware cannot be used in the oven due to the ability of wood to absorb water well..

Important! Bamboo can also absorb water from the air – it is enough for the dishes to stand in a humid room, or next to a humidifier and a kettle. Therefore, even when warming up old grandmother’s crackers, cracks may form in the dishes..

What kind of dishes can be put in the microwave

Glassware

Glassware is ideal for microwave ovens. The material transmits electromagnetic microwaves and does not heat up. It warms up food evenly and quickly. Glassware has a number of advantages.

Glassware is ideal for the microwave.

Easy to clean and clean. Nothing sticks to such dishes. Caring for such utensils is very simple..
Does not absorb odors.
Looks nice. The entire cooking process is visible in glassware. Cooking becomes fun and exciting..
Suitable for liquid food.

At the same time, glass requires careful use, as it breaks easily. This material is also afraid of temperature extremes, so you should not defrost food in it..

At the same time, glass requires accuracy in use, as it breaks easily.

Better than glass can only be heat-resistant glass. The hardened material can withstand temperatures up to +1000 degrees. Thanks to such a margin of safety, heat-resistant glass dishes can be used for a wide variety of recipes..

Better than glass can only be heat-resistant glass. The hardened material can withstand temperatures up to +1000 degrees.

Important! Glassware should not be too thin, otherwise it may crack from temperature extremes. Such dishes should be without images and patterns..

Silicone Microwave Cookware

Silicone pans are excellent for microwaves and do not interfere with heating food. High-quality silicone can withstand temperatures up to +240 degrees, which means that you can cook a variety of dishes in such forms.

Silicone cookware perfectly transmits microwaves and does not interfere with heating food.

In this case, silicone molds are both dense and soft. The molds are easy to turn inside out, do not absorb odors and are easy to clean. Silicone bakeware works especially well.

At the same time, silicone forms are both dense and soft..

Due to the ease of use and high speed of cooking, silicone molds have gained well-deserved popularity among many housewives in homes where they love buns, pies and cookies..

Another feature of silicone molds is resistance to temperature extremes. Silicone can easily withstand changes in the environment from -40 to +240 degrees. Thanks to this, it can be easily used for preparing frozen semi-finished products and defrosting dough..

Another feature of silicone molds is resistance to temperature extremes.

Food grade plastic

Food grade containers are microwave-safe utensils. High-quality plastic is resistant to temperature extremes, it does not crack or prick. It is convenient to heat liquid dishes, prepare semi-finished products, defrost food in it..

Food grade containers are microwave-safe utensils..

There are many types of plastics today. It is important to bear in mind that only certain types of dishes can be put into the microwave..

There are many types of plastics today..

PVC and polystyrene plastics are not suitable for microwave use. These types of plastics are marked: PVC and PS. Products made of polyamide and polypropylene are suitable for use in the microwave. As a rule, disposable tableware is made from such food-grade plastic. Disposable bowls, plates, cups – utensils that can be put in the microwave.

Disposable bowls, plates, cups – utensils that can be put in the microwave.

Containers made of thermoplastic and duroplast are ideal for microwave use. Such products easily withstand temperature extremes and very high temperatures, do not deform from strong heating..

Perfect for microwave use thermoplastic and duroplast containers.

In addition to the main types of plastic used for utensils that can be put in the microwave, there are many more varieties of such material. Today’s chemical industry does not stand still and offers us all new options.

In addition to the main types of plastic used for dishes that can be put in the microwave, there are many more varieties of such material..

Therefore, no matter what plastic is, it is important to consider the following points.

Plastic products must be labeled for this use – microwave oven icon.
It is not recommended to cook dishes in plastic containers that require a long time in the microwave..
Do not close the container lid tightly. The container itself must not be completely filled..

Products from porcelain, faience and ceramics

Products made of ceramics, porcelain and faience have one base – clay, which has its own characteristics. The main limitations for pottery were mentioned above – these are the absence of enamel or glaze and the presence of drawings and patterns with metal-containing paints. You can safely put other earthenware in the microwave.

Products made of ceramics, porcelain and faience have one base – clay, which has its own characteristics..

The dishes allow food to warm up well and evenly, and are environmentally friendly. The products can be used for recipes that require a long time in the microwave. Clay pots produce delicious, soft, aromatic food..

Dishes allow food to warm up well and evenly, environmentally friendly.

Such dishes are surrounded by an aura of home warmth and comfort. They look appetizing and colorful on the table and delight guests with their appearance. Nuance: pots and bowls heat up well and you need mittens and grips to use them.

Nuance: pots and bowls heat up well and you need mittens and grips to use them.

Important! If you first warm up an empty container in the microwave, then fill it with food and only then bring the food to readiness: the food will turn out with a delicious crispy crust.

Paper, styrofoam, cling film.

Convenient and pleasant little things for cooking various dishes in the microwave: paper, plastic or aluminum foil, various sleeves – allow you to create a variety of forms and dishes. Such devices are convenient to use for preparing aromatic and mouth-watering culinary delights..

Such devices are convenient to use for preparing aromatic and mouth-watering culinary delights..

The variety of forms gives rise to many nuances of use.

Aluminum foil is suitable for use as a backing. Disposable packaging containers are also made from thin foil, in which you can immediately reheat food. Containers must be open during use..

Aluminum foil is suitable for use as a backing.

Parchment paper, bags and sleeves for baking from it. Suitable for creating aromatic stewed fish and meat dishes. Products in such sleeves are well stewed, become soft, aromas of spicy herbs reveal a rich and mouth-watering bouquet.

Parchment paper, bags and sleeves for baking from it.

Paper dishes are covered with a special layer of food paraffin, which protects them from leaks. Because of this, paper dishes cannot be used for cooking. It is only suitable for quickly and gently reheating food at low temperatures. Paper products have another inconvenient limitation: they are not suitable for dishes containing fats or sugar. Fats spread over the paper, etching it, and then using such a design is very inconvenient. In addition, there is a risk that, with high heat, the fats will mix with the paraffin layer covering the paper. Sugar has the same disadvantage – its heating temperature is high and it can melt the paraffin layer..

Plastic, plastic bags and sleeves for cooking must be marked with a microwave oven pictogram. Otherwise, they are not designed for oven use. Also, these sleeves and bags must not be stuffed and closed tightly and tightly..

Plastic, plastic bags and sleeves for cooking must be marked with a microwave oven pictogram.

There are a lot of types of dishes that can be put in the microwave. The main thing is that each type makes it possible to prepare a dish with a certain peculiarity and unique taste. And the microwave allows you to do it quickly and easily..

There are a lot of types of dishes that can be put in the microwave.

Therefore, with a good set of kitchen utensils and a stove, you can easily feel like a skillful and experienced chef and please your loved ones with interesting and tasty dishes..

Video: What you can’t put in the microwave

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