10 Important Do's and Don'ts' of Microwave Cooking

Since the microwave oven made its appearance on the public market in the 1970's, it has changed the way 90% of Americans cook. As opposed to cooking with heat on a stovetop, a microwave oven cooks food by passing radiation through it. The result? Shorter cooking times. By using a microwave oven, you can put a full meal on the dinner table in just a matter of minutes. However, just like its stovetop counterpart, there are 10 do's and don'ts of microwave cooking you need to know:

Do:

1. Read and follow the instructions in the owner's manual of your microwave oven. The manual is a wealth of information you'll need to know for safe, healthy cooking, including operating procedures and safety warnings.

2. Read and follow the instructions on prepackaged foods you're going to cook or reheat. Undercooking food in a microwave can leave you with cold, tasteless items that contain harmful bacteria. On the other hand, overcooking food makes it tough, rubbery and inedible.

3. Use microwave-safe containers to cook or heat food or liquids. Suitable plates and containers are usually marked or stamped on their bottoms. For safety's sake, if you're unsure whether a bowl, dish or plate is microwave-safe, don't use it. Or, if the plate or container is made of glass, you can perform a test if you're pretty sure it's safe for microwave cooking: place it in the oven and microwave it for one minute. Then, touch it. If it's lukewarm to the touch or it feels cool, it should be safe. But if the container is warm, don't use it in your microwave oven.

4. Clean the inside of the door and the cavity of your microwave oven after every use. This will prevent food and spatters from becoming cooked onto the surface, making it easier to clean. Keeping your microwave oven clean will also remove germs and unhealthy bacteria that can pollute foods and liquids you place inside it.

5. Use caution when you open a bag, box or other container that's been cooked or heated up
in a microwave oven. Because the container was closed, or even partially closed, scalding steam can build up inside it.