To cook/defrost food in a microwave oven, the microwave energy must be able to pass 
through the container to penetrate the food. Therefore it is important to choose suitable 
cookware.
Round/oval dishes are preferable to square/oblong ones, as the food in the corners tends 
to overcook. A variety of cookware can be used as listed below.
Cookware Microwave 
Safe
Comments
Aluminium foil 
Foil containers
✔
 / 
✘
Small pieces of aluminium foil can be used to 
shield food from overheating. Keep foil at least 
2cm from the oven walls, as arcing may occur. 
Foil containers are not recommended unless 
specified by the manufacturer, e.g. Microfoil ®, 
follow instructions carefully.
Browning dishes
✔
Always follow the manufacturers instructions. Do 
not exceed the heating time given. Be very care-
ful as these dishes become very hot.
China and ceramics
✔
 / 
✘
Porcelain, pottery, glazed earthenware and bone 
china are usually suitable, except for those with 
metallic decoration.
Glassware e.g. Pyrex ®
✔
Care should be taken if using  ne glassware as it 
can break or crack if heated suddenly.
Metal
✘
It is not recommended to use metal cookware as 
it will arc, which can lead to  re.
Plastic/Polystyrene e.g 
fast food containers
✔
Care must be taken as some containers warp, 
melt or discolour at high temperatures.
Cling  lm
✔
It should not touch the food and must be pierced 
to let the steam escape.
Freezer/Roasting bags
✔
Must be pierced to let steam escape. Ensure bags 
are suitable for microwave use. Do not use plastic 
or metal ties, as they may melt or catch  re due 
to the metal ‘arcing’.
Paper - plates, cups and 
kitchen paper
✔
Only use for warming or to absorb moisture. Care 
must be taken as overheating may cause  re.
Straw and wooden con-
tainers
✔
Always monitor the oven when using these mate-
rials as overheating may cause  re.
Recycled paper and 
newspaper
✘
May contain extracts of metal which will cause 
‘arcing’ and may lead to  re.
 WARNING:
When heating food in plastic or paper containers, monitor the oven due to the 
possibility of ignition.
 SUITABLE OVENWARE
• The results when using auto cook depend on variances such as the shape and size of the 
food and your personal preference as regards cooking results. If you are not satis ed with 
the programmed result, please adjust the cooking time to match your requirement.