Types and features of the choice of dishes for the microwave

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

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

In order to deal with what kind of dishes can and cannot be sent to a microwave, it is important to understand how microwave works. To begin with, it should be noted that All the work of this household appliance is based on the interaction with water molecules., a large number of which is 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 such chaotic movement, heat is generated.

However, despite such physical processes, which are scientifically sound, a microwave oven is not capable of spreading heat into the product, it only heats its edges. After that, another principle comes into play - the principle of thermal conductivity, due to which heat, which appeared on the edges of the product, spreads to the central part of its structure.

First of all, in order to protect yourself and your household, as well as to avoid all sorts of emergency situations, you need to understand in no case can you use any dishes for cooking or heating dishes in a microwave oven.

• The first prohibition concerns the use of ironware.. Moreover, with regard to this material it does not matter at all that fact whether the utensils are enamelled or not. Plates, pans and cups made of aluminum and copper can be attributed to this category. The thing is that the walls of metal utensils are impenetrable - the radiation emitted by a microwave cannot pass through them. That is why, if you put an iron plate with food in the microwave, the plate itself, and not its contents, will heat up.

• Besides, Do not use dishes made of porcelain or glass and covered with gold paint with a variety of patterns, ornaments and rims. This rule applies even to fairly 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 the occurrence of sparks is possible (as in the previous case).

• Any containers that have pricks, scratches, or cracks should also not enter the microwave. The impact of waves and heat on such dishes will only increase the intensity and accelerate the process of destruction.

• Plastic or silicone, as well as disposable dishes will not withstand heat exposure and melted. As a result of improper use of materials, not only the kitchen equipment will suffer, but also the person who will eat food from such a plate. Indeed, in the process of heating the plastic will begin to melt and fall into the food product.

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

• The ban on use in the microwave oven applies to wooden containers. This material does not withstand high temperatures - it begins to crack, crack, and at particularly high rates it may be charred or even catch fire.

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

• ceramics without a pattern (however, be careful when removing the ceramic container, since this material is very hot);
• china without high sides and lids without a pattern;
• special heat-resistant plastic containers;
• Linen or cotton napkins (used for heating bread and baking);
• glass (can be used only in the mode of heating or defrosting).

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

In addition, it is necessary to fill the dishes, taking into account the fact that the contents of the container in the oven will expand and increase in volume, in connection with which food may overflow or get enough sleep.

As for the sizes, they certainly must fit the size of your microwave oven. Do not use containers if, when they are placed inside the device, the quality of the door closing is impaired or the operation of the rotating disk stops.

When choosing dishes that you plan to use for a microwave oven, it is important to adhere to the rules described above. Preference should be given only to approved materials. In addition, watch for the markings that should be indicated on the surface of the products. So, for a microwave oven, you can choose a set containing several types of marking:

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

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

Also when choosing dishes prefer containers that are oval or round. It is believed that in them the food will be heated, thawed or cooked most evenly.

Even if you choose the right dishes, it is necessary to follow some principles of its operation.

• Cookware made of heat-resistant or refractory glass is considered universal, and therefore it can be used without any restrictions. It can not only heat food and defrost food, but also prepare dishes.
• Silicone dishes of high quality and with the presence of appropriate labeling can also be used for cooking. And it is not necessary to lubricate it with oil or grease, because it has anti-burn properties. However, remember that all this applies only to high-quality certified dishes. Counterfeits can not only collapse themselves in a microwave oven, but also harm food products.
• In heat-resistant plastic containers designed for microwave, it is not recommended to cook food. The fact of the matter is that prolonged exposure to high temperatures on containers made of similar material may cause their destruction. Therefore, in plastic containers, it is only allowed to heat food.
• Any container should be placed in the microwave exactly in the middle. In this case, you will ensure uniform heating of the entire contents of the plate. Otherwise, one part of the dish may turn out to be hot, and the other - practically 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 its dimensions.
• It is not recommended to heat containers in the microwave oven that have just been removed from the refrigerator (especially the freezer). You must allow the plate to warm slightly at room temperature. If you ignore this rule, you can not only spoil the dish and container, but also cause irreparable harm to the device.
• After you have warmed up the food and removed the container, do not forget to turn off the microwave oven. Never turn on the microwave if it is empty.
• To ensure that food from the dish does not spray throughout the oven, purchase special covers designed for the microwave. They will greatly facilitate the process of cleaning the home appliance and extend its service life.
• Regardless of the dishes, follow the rules of heating a certain type of food. For example, tomatoes and sausages that you cook in the microwave must be pierced with a fork in advance, but eggs should not be heated in a microwave.

The achievements of modern science are striking consciousness. And it is important that they have not only theoretical, but also practical significance. Microwave as a piece of home appliances appeared recently. However, today many housewives cannot imagine life without this helper. 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 home appliances, it is important to follow certain rules.

Recommendations for choosing dishes for the microwave, see below.