Not all food and utensils are suitable for use in a microwave. If you do not follow the rules for using this device, you can not only spoil the food, but also damage the equipment or even cause a fire.
What Not to Microwave to Extend the Life of Your Microwave and Keep Yourself Safe.
Metal utensils and foil
This is the most obvious and dangerous violation of the microwave rules. Metal reflects microwaves and creates sparks that can lead to overheating or fire.
In addition, metal can affect the uniformity of heating of food and make it unsuitable for consumption. Therefore, never put aluminum foil, cans, spoons, forks, knives or other metal objects in the microwave.
Plastic dishes and bags
Not all plastics are microwave safe. Some may melt or warp when exposed to high temperatures and release harmful chemicals into your food.
This can lead to poisoning or an allergic reaction. Therefore, before putting a plastic container or bag in the microwave, check if it has a special marking allowing such use.
It is best to choose glass or ceramic cookware that is microwave safe.
Eggs with shells
If you want to cook an egg in the microwave, be sure to pierce the shell with several needles or break the egg and pour the contents into a special mold.
Otherwise, you risk an egg exploding inside the oven, which can damage the appliance and stain everything around it. This happens because when the liquid inside the egg is heated, it expands and creates pressure that breaks the shell.
Fruits with seeds or skins
Some fruits, such as peaches, apricots, cherries, and plums, contain pits with a small amount of liquid inside. When heated in a microwave, this liquid can boil and cause the pit to crack or even burst.
This may result in damage to the oven or burning of hands when removing fruit from the oven.
Therefore, before putting fruits in the microwave, remove the seeds or cut them into pieces. Also, do not heat fruits with thick skins, such as bananas or oranges, as the skin may burst and spoil the food.
Breast milk or baby formula
Many mothers use the microwave to heat breast milk or baby food for their babies. However, this is not the best method, as the microwave heats the food unevenly and creates hot spots that can burn the baby.
In addition, at high temperatures, breast milk can lose its beneficial properties and antibodies that protect the baby from infections. Therefore, it is better to warm up breast milk or baby food in a water bath or under running hot water.
Conclusion
A microwave oven is a useful assistant in the kitchen, but you need to know how to use it correctly.
There are a number of foods and utensils that should not be heated in a microwave oven to avoid damaging the appliance or spoiling the food.
These include metal utensils and foil, plastic utensils and bags without special markings, eggs with shells, fruits with pits or skins, breast milk or baby food. Be careful and follow the operating instructions for your oven.
