Cookware Guide; Recommended Cooking Utensils; Limited Use Items; Not Recommended - Samsung ME21D 6500 Series User Manual

Cookware guide

To cook food in your microwave oven, microwaves must be able to penetrate the food without being
reflected or absorbed by the cookware holding the food.
Consequently, it is important to choose cookware that both allows microwaves to penetrate food and
is microwave-safe.
The following lists contain various types of cookware and indicate if and how the cookware should be
used in a microwave oven.

Recommended cooking utensils

• Glass and glass-ceramic bowls and dishes — Use for heating or cooking.
• Microwavable plastic wrap — Use to cover. Leave a small opening for steam to escape and avoid
placing it directly on the food.
• Wax paper — Use as a cover to prevent spattering.
• Paper towels and napkins — Use for short-term heating and covering. They absorb excess
moisture and prevent spattering. Do not use recycled paper towels, which may contain metal and
can catch fire.
• Paper plates and cups — Use for short-term heating at low temperatures. Do not use recycled
paper, which may contain metal and can catch fire.
• Thermometers — Use only those labeled 'Microwave Safe' and follow all directions. Check the
food in several places. Conventional thermometers may be used once the food has been removed
from the oven.

Limited use items

• Aluminum foil — Use narrow strips of foil to prevent overcooking of exposed areas. Using too
much foil can damage your oven, so be careful.
• Ceramic, porcelain, and stoneware — Use these if they are labeled 'Microwave Safe'. If they are
not labeled, test them to make sure they can be used safely. Never use dishes with metallic trim.
• Plastic — Use only if labeled 'Microwave Safe'. Other plastics can melt.
• Straw, wicker, and wood — Use only for short-term heating, as they are flammable.

Not recommended

• Glass jars and bottles — Regular glass is too thin to be used in a microwave and can shatter.
• Paper bags — These are a fire hazard, except for popcorn bags that are designed for microwave
use.
• Styrofoam plates and cups — These can melt and leave an unhealthy residue on food.
• Plastic storage and food containers — Containers such as margarine tubs can melt in the
microwave.

Testing utensils

If you are not sure whether a dish is microwave-safe or not, you can perform this test:
1. Fill a 1 cup glass measuring cup with water and
put it inside your oven, next to the dish you want
to test.
2. Set the microwave to 1 minute using the numeric
buttons, and then press the Start button. This will
heat the glass and dish for one minute at High
power.
When the microwave stops, the water should be warm
and the dish you are testing should be cool.
If the dish is warm, then it is absorbing microwave
energy and is not acceptable for use in the microwave.
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