In the jet age of today, we tend to do most of the things quickly such as putting on the microwave to warm up the food instantly. A microwave can do many things but can’t handle many things. For instance, it can heat things in jiffy, but can also makes things explode. Here are a few things you should never microwave for your safety and that of your family members:
Eggs: Never make the mistake of hard boiling eggs in the microwave. Or else you will end up creating a big mess as the rapid heat from the microwave creates plenty of steam in the egg. Since there is no outlet for steam to go, it will end up exploding.
Plastic containers: Many plastic items such as baby bottles, zipper top-bags and containers contain chemicals that act like harmful estrogen after they are microwaved. That is why, warm up your eatables on a plate and then put it in a microwave. There are few labelled plastic storage containers that are microwave safe. Make sure to double-check them.
Plates with metallic trim: Ah…so you have a fancy for those lovely China dining plates or metal-trimmed bowls? Don’t make the mistake of putting them in the microwave. Even if they have very little of metal, it might end up reacting to the heat in the microwave and damage your expensive chinaware. Therefore, invest in a plain coloured glass plate for microwave use.
Meat: Defrosting frozen meat is tricky to do in a microwave. If your microwave doesn’t rotate food, it can cause uneven distribution of heat, creating room for bacteria to grow. The safest way to thaw meat is to defrost it overnight in your refrigerator.
Travel mugs: Most travel mugs are not microwave-safe. If they are made of stainless steel, don’t heat them as the steel will block the heat from warming your tea or coffee and end up damaging your microwave instead. Even if it’s plastic, make sure to check if it carries the mark of ‘microwave safe’ on the bottom of the mug.
Aluminium Foil: Metal in any form is not microwave-friendly. Even the aluminium foil that wraps your food should not be kept in the microwave as it can generate fire.
Styrofoam Containers: Styrofoam is a type of plastic. And we know that plastic is not microwave-friendly, unless it is specified on the container.
Yogurt Containers: Most of the one-time use plastic containers such as yogurt, sour cream or margarine should be avoided for microwave. They are not equipped to withstand high heat which would spell disaster for the containers as they would get warped or melt in the microwave.
Keeping empty microwave on Cooking might seem adventurous but not kitchen instruments. If you turn the microwave on with no contents inside, chances are that it might blow up. That’s because there is no food to absorb and the microwave function ends up self-destructing.
Start using your microwave with better care and they will be good to go