Micro-Cooking Utensils
Part of the fun of micro-cooking is the variety of containers you can use. There’s no need to completely re-equip your kitchen just because you have a microwave oven. You’ll be able to use many items already on your shelves. A basic rule of thumb is: glass, paper, and other containers that do not contain any metal are good. Metal blocks microwaves from doing their job. Under certain circumstances, some oven manufactures allow a limited use of metal. Check the owner’s manual for appropriate dishes to use in the model you have.
Also, consider the type of food you will be cooking and how long the food will be cooking and how long the food will be in the oven. Use dishes that withstand higher temperatures for foods containing high proportions of fats and sugars. You can use paper and certain plastic items for short- time cooking and for warning. For most other micro-cooking, use a dish that withstands hot food temperatures.
Dishes: Glass-ceramic and heat-resistant glass dishes. Such as casseroles, baking dishes, bowls, measuring cups, and custard cups are especially satisfactory to use in the microwave oven. China without metal trim and dinnerware dishes can be used if recommended by the dish manufacture or id recommended by the dish manufacturer or if they pass the dish test described in the tip box below.
Paper, wood, and baskets: For short-time cooking and simple cleanup, paper products are the answer. Cups, plates, napkins, and paper toweling are among the list of paper goods. Avoid using the wax-coated plates, cups, and bowls as cooking containers. The wax melts as the food gets hot. Wood and baskets should be used only for very short-time warming of food. They tend to dry out if they are in the microwave oven too long.
Covers: Not only does covering food keep moisture in and help heat food more evenly, but it also serves a safety function. Covers keep greasy foods from spattering. (Grease can eventually clog your oven’s ventilating system.) Waxed paper is a popular covering. So are the all-glass casserole lids. But, avid the use of plastic wrap. It can swell and shrink tightly to the dish creating a steam buildup. (If you do use plastic wrap, it is necessary to slit the wrap to allow the steam to escape.)
December 18 2007 05:08 am | Micro-Cooking and Microwave Appliance
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