Types and features of the choice of utensils for the microwave

Today, the microwave oven is an integral part of household appliances in the kitchen of almost every housewife. Such a household appliance greatly simplifies a variety of culinary processes: heating, defrosting, and sometimes even cooking.

However, not everyone knows that not all dishes are allowed to be sent to the microwave... What types of dishes specifically designed for this type of household appliances are there? How to choose and use it correctly? Look for answers to these and some other questions in our material.

In order to figure out which dishes can and cannot be sent to the microwave, it is important to understand how the microwave works. To begin with, it should be noted that all the work of this household appliance is based on interaction with water molecules, a large number of which are present in the composition of any product.

In the process of cooking in a microwave oven, the laws of physics play an important role. Moving, water molecules collide with each other. Due to this chaotic movement, heat is generated.

However, despite these scientifically grounded physical processes, the microwave oven is not able to spread heat into the food, it only heats the edges. After that, another principle is included in the work - the principle of thermal conductivity, due to which the heat that appeared at the edges of the product spreads to the central part of its structure.

First of all, in order to protect yourself and your household members, as well as to avoid all sorts of emergencies, you need to understand what utensils should never be used for cooking or heating food in the microwave.

• The first prohibition concerns the use of iron dishes.... Moreover, in relation to this material, it does not matter at all whether the dishes are enameled or not. This category also includes plates, pots and cups made of aluminum and copper. The thing is that the walls of metal dishes are impenetrable - radiation that a microwave oven emits cannot pass through them. That is why, if you put an iron plate of food in the microwave, the plate itself will be heated, and not its contents.

• Besides, Do not use dishes made of porcelain or glass and covered with gold paint with various patterns, ornaments and rims. This rule applies even to rather old dishes, the pattern on which is no longer uniform and is erased. If you ignore this rule and use glass or ceramic dishes with a gold pattern in the microwave, then sparks may occur (as in the previous case).

• Any containers that are chipped, scratched or cracked should also be kept out of the microwave. Exposure to waves and heat on such dishes will only increase the intensity and accelerate the destruction process.

• Plastic or silicone, and also disposable dishes will not withstand heat and will melt. As a result of improper use of materials, not only kitchen utensils will suffer, but also the person who will eat food from such a plate. Indeed, during the heating process, the plastic will begin to melt and enter the food product.

• Crystal products (for example, tableware) will collapse if placed in the microwave. The fact is that such products contain metal particles, and their walls are rather heterogeneous in their thickness. That is why, if you want to preserve a family heirloom, you should not put the elements of the service in a household appliance.

• The ban on use in a microwave oven also applies to wooden containers. This material does not withstand high temperatures - it begins to dry out, crack, and at especially high rates it can charcoal or even catch fire.

Summarizing the above, you should make a list of materials, dishes and products from which are allowed for use in the microwave:

• ceramic without a pattern (however, be careful when you remove the ceramic container, as this material is very hot);
• porcelain dishes without high sides and lids without a pattern;
• special heat-resistant plastic containers;
• linen or cotton napkins (used to warm up bread and pastries);
• glass (can only be used in heating or defrosting mode).

In addition to the fact that it is necessary to take into account the material from which this or that container is made, it is important to pay attention also to the shape and size of each specific product. So, for use in microwave, it is recommended to take plates that are not too high.

In addition, you need to fill the dishes taking into account the fact that in the oven the contents of the container will expand and increase in volume, and therefore food can overflow or spill over the edge.

As far as dimensions are concerned, they should certainly match the dimensions of your microwave oven. Do not use containers if, when placed inside the device, the door closure quality is impaired or the operation of a rotating disc stops.

When choosing the utensils that you plan to use for your microwave oven, it is important to adhere to the rules described above. Only approved materials should be preferred. In addition, follow the markings that must be indicated on the surface of the products. So, for a microwave oven, you can choose a set containing several types of markings:

• microwave safe;
• recommended microwave;
• PP (PP);
• the designation in the form of a triangle of arrows, supplemented by the numbers 0 and 5.

If you find on the container the presence of one of the listed symbols, but it is crossed out, this means that the dishes cannot be used in a microwave oven.

Also when choosing dishes give preference to those containers that are oval or round... It is believed that food will be heated, defrosted, or cooked in them as evenly as possible.

Even if you have chosen the right dishes, some principles of its operation must be observed.

• Cookware made of heat-resistant or fire-resistant glass is considered universal, and therefore you can use it without any restrictions. In it, you can not only reheat food and defrost food, but also prepare meals.
• High quality silicone cookware with appropriate markings can also be used for cooking. Moreover, it is not necessary to lubricate it with oil or fat, because it has non-stick properties. However, remember that all this applies only to quality certified cookware. Counterfeits can not only themselves collapse in a microwave oven, but also harm food.
• It is not recommended to cook food in heat-resistant plastic containers designed for microwave ovens. The thing is that prolonged exposure to high temperatures on containers made of such a material can cause their destruction. Therefore, it is only allowed to reheat food in plastic containers.
• Any container should be placed in the microwave exactly in the middle. In this case, you will ensure that the entire contents of the plate are evenly heated. Otherwise, one part of the dish may turn out to be hot and the other almost cold.
• In addition, take into account the fact that in no case should the plate touch the walls of the microwave oven (no matter what material the container is made of). In this regard, when buying dishes, pay attention to their dimensions.
• It is not recommended to reheat containers that have just been removed from the refrigerator (especially the freezer) in a microwave oven. Let the plate warm up slightly at room temperature. If you ignore this rule, then you can not only ruin the dish and container, but also cause irreparable damage to the device.
• After you have reheated food and removed the container, do not forget to turn off the microwave oven. Never turn on the microwave when it is empty.
• In order to prevent food from the plate from splattering all over the oven, purchase special lids designed for the microwave. They will greatly facilitate the cleaning process of the household appliance and extend its service life.
• Regardless of the dishes, follow the rules for heating certain types of food. For example, tomatoes and sausages that you cook in the microwave must be pierced with a fork in advance, but heating eggs in the microwave is prohibited at all.

The achievements of modern science amaze the mind. Moreover, it is important that they have not only theoretical but also practical significance. The microwave oven as a household appliance has appeared quite recently. However, today many housewives cannot imagine life without this assistant. At the same time, it is worth remembering that during the operation of a microwave oven, as in the process of using any other type of household appliance, it is important to follow some rules.

See below for recommendations on the choice of microwave ovenware.