Microwave Oven Uses

• Microwave ovens are useful in preparing everything from microwaved popcorn to delicious entrees, such as beef roast or chicken. Many people only use them to heat water for tea or coffee or to heat leftovers, while others prepare the entire meal from soup to dessert in the appliance.
  
  

Microwave-Safe Cookware

• Glass dishes that are not safe for use in microwave ovens may overheat the glass container or the food or liquid contents resulting in mild to severe burns for the user. This is true of ceramics, plastics, paper and other types of dishes that are not microwave safe. When you purchase a new dish or are about to use one in the microwave, identify it to ensure that it is microwave safe.
  
  

Identifying Microwave-Safe Dishes

• Most dishes that are safe for use in microwaves have "microwave safe" written on the bottom of the dish. Others have a microwave-safe symbol that looks like a simple drawing of a microwave. Packaging labels also inform the consumer about whether the container or dish is microwave safe as well. Glass, plastic, ceramic or paper are acceptable for use in the microwave if there are any of these notifications. You can reheat cinnamon rolls, breads or buns without them hardening by wrapping them in white paper towels and microwaving them for a few seconds. Parchment paper, wax paper and microwaveable plastic wrap are also fine for use in microwaves.
  
  

Things to Avoid

• Paper plates are useful in warming up a leftover piece of pizza or other types of foods that just need to be warmed up a bit. Avoid using plastic foam plates as these can melt or burn if microwaved for more than a few seconds. Restaurant takeout boxes are often made of plastic foam and for the most efficient reheating of the food, remove it from the container and place it in a microwave-safe dish. Never use pottery with a lead glaze for cooking, heating or eating foods; they are not safe for food use. Avoid using empty plastic containers that stored margarine, whipped toppings or other ingredients in them. These are fine for freezing or storing foods in the refrigerator, but they may melt or warp in the microwave and leach chemicals into your foods.