When sparks fly, its usually a sign of romance — unless theyre coming from the microwave.
Have you ever accidentally microwaved something with metal in it? Or accidentally microwaved leftovers covered with plastic wrap only to find a nice dish filled with melted plastic stew? Unfortunately, there are a lot of ways to easily screw up your food when nuking it.
Janell Goodwin, technical information specialist with the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety Inspection Service, dished on several common problems people face when using this popular kitchen appliance.
DO leave a gap for your food to breathe. We did mention that you should cover your food, but make sure you’ve left a little gap in your container for your food to ventilate. For example, microwave-ready Tupperware containers can warp and damage if you put them in the microwave with their lid completely fastened.
Mistake 3: Not knowing the wattage of the device
Wattage, though sometimes difficult to determine, is actually a key factor in heating food safely. Goodwin advised microwave users to call the manufacturer or look up the model online to figure out its wattage. The higher the wattage (most medium to large microwaves are between 850 and 1,650 watts), the faster the food cooks. So if a dish normally takes about 2 minutes to reheat, in a low-wattage machine, it might need to cook for longer. Every device is different, but its best to start out slowly so as not to dry out and overcook those leftovers.
Mistake 4: Not cleaning it. Ever.
Not only does routine microwave cleaning kill off bacteria left behind from food, its important to keep any device in the kitchen clean, Goodwin advised.
“After 32 hours, bacteria is no longer able to spread on a surface,” Goodwin said.
Its a good idea to wipe both the inside and outside of the microwave with a soft cloth or paper towel moistened with warm water and baking soda, or dish or liquid soap. It keeps the area free of residue and the kitchen smelling fresh. Plus, leftover food particles wont contaminate your fresh dishes.
VERIFY: Is it safe to microwave food in plastic containers?
FAQ
Can I leave the lid on in the microwave?
Can you microwave glass containers with the lid on?
Can we use microwave with cover?
Can you put a plastic container in a microwave?
This might mean you have to put whatever you’re heating up in a larger bowl so that’s there’s room between the top surface of the food and the plastic wrap. 4. Leave the lid ajar. Finally, if you’re putting that microwave-safe plastic container in the microwave, you want to have proper ventilation by leaving the lid ajar.
Can you use a metal lid in a microwave?
Metal lids or foil should generally not be used in the microwave, as they can cause sparks or even damage the microwave. If you’re using a microwave-safe lid, there are a few guidelines to follow. First, always make sure the lid is securely fitted to the container.
Should you microwave with the lid on or off?
When it comes to the question of whether you should microwave with the lid on or off, it is a good idea to keep your food covered lightly. Covering your food will help to distribute heat more evenly and prevents moisture from escaping, which helps keep food moist and doesn’t overcook. It also helps to reduce splatter and keeps your microwave clean.
Can you put food in a microwave?
Transfer food and beverages into microwave-safe glass or ceramic containers. Many come with easily removeable lids so you can take them along to work – just pop off the lid (those are often made of plastic) and microwave at the office.