Cooking safely with microwaves
and OVEN
MICROWAVES
When preparing ready-to-serve food (like TV dinners) always carefully follow the
instructions provided by the food manufacturer on the package and also the
tips and
guidelines contained at the end of this manual.
◆ Microwaves are high frequency electromagnetic waves like radio waves.
They create heat by causing the molecules in water, fat and sugar to vibrate.
They only penetrate a certain depth (e.g. approx.
25 mm into meat) and this heat is then conducted to the rest of the item
being cooked.
◆ Tableware must be suitable for use in a microwave oven.
For example, dishes made of temperature resistant glass, ceramics,
porcelain and plastic (in the case of combination cooking it should also be
fireproof).
Never place closed metal containers into your microwave oven -
the microwaves are reflected and the food will not get warm.
◆ In the case of TV dinners the food can be left in the aluminium tray with the
top removed.
◆ Microwaves can damage any crockery with gold or silver decoration.
◆ Never place food in the oven in closed containers - the container could
explode.
◆ Food with a skin or peel can explode. Never place eggs in a microwave.
When cooking items such as potatoes, chicken livers etc., puncture the skin
using e.g. a fork to allow steam to escape.
◆ Never heat spirits (alcoholic drinks) to high temperatures; they may self-
ignite.
◆ When heating small amounts of liquid (e.g. a cup of tea/coffee), place a
spoon in the cup to prevent boiling over.
◆ Food which has been cooked with a microwave continues to cook after
the oven is switched off.
Before allowing others, in particular children or older people, to eat food or
drinks from the microwave oven check that the temperature of the food is
acceptable (danger of burning/scalding).
◆ Help the heat to spread uniformly by stirring and turning,
in particular after only short heating periods.
◆ Never turn the microwave oven on without food in the chamber -
it might overload and get damaged.
◆ Metal items, e.g. dishes, should not touch the walls of the oven, this can
cause sparking and could cause a fire.
◆ Eggs in their shell and whole hard-boiled eggs shall not be heated in
microwave ovens since they may explode.
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