Can't Imagine Your Life Without A Microwave? Get Some Oven-Safe Utensils

With most of us rushing to meet targets and deadlines, spending a few minutes in front of the stove just to boil water may feel like a lifetime. Microwave just makes the job look so easy. As many of us take to ‘microwave-cooking’, microwave-friendly or microwave-safe utensils are a must-have in the kitchen. 

What is a microwave-safe utensil? 

The GoodHousekeeping in a 2011 consumer survey involving 2,000 people found that people understood ‘microwave-safe’ differently. For a majority of the respondents, a microwave-safe utensil meant it would not break or shatter when placed in the oven. Some others said a microwave-safe utensil would not leach toxic chemicals into the food, while a small percentage described microwave-safe as something that would not get hot (only the food gets heated) when placed inside an oven. Ideally, a microwave-safe utensil should have all these features. You should always check the specifications before making a purchase. 

Options to choose from 

Glass and ceramic are popular choices when it comes to microwave-safe utensils. If you want to use plastic utensils, make sure they are labelled oven-proof. “Some plastic containers should not be used in a microwave oven because they can be melted by the heat of the food inside,” warns the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or FDA.

Metal is a no-no for ovens. “Generally, metal pans or aluminum foil should also not be used in a microwave oven, as the microwaves are reflected off these materials causing the food to cook unevenly and possibly damaging the oven,” says the FDA. If your expensive dinnerware has gold or silver band, avoid putting them inside the microwave.

While microwave-safe utensils come in all shapes and sizes, those with a rounded base ensure even heating compared to the ones with square corners. If you have a dishwasher, you may want to opt for dishwasher-safe utensils.