Q&A for How to Use a Microwave

Always check that the dishes are microwave-safe. This should be labeled on the packaging. Get a few containers of different sizes to hold different types, sizes and amounts of food. Also consider getting microwave-safe mugs, plates and bowls for reheating foods and drinks in.

Standing after cooking, or standing time, refers to the time required to allow the heat to be evenly distributed through the food and finish cooking outside of the microwave oven. Once standing time is over, the dish should have warmed through sufficiently and be cooled down enough to eat safely. For standing, the dish must be placed onto a solid area like a cutting board, countertop or stovetop so it keeps the heat in it; avoid using anything with holes, like cooling racks, to avoid losing the heat.

Many recipes will require you to stir the food one or more times during cooking to ensure even cooking throughout the entire food. Otherwise, there is a risk of the food being cooked unevenly, with some hot spots and some cold spots.

If the film is not pierced, the wrapping will burst or explode during cooking. This occurs because the microwaves heat the water molecules in the food. This creates steam and as the steam builds up, it has nowhere to go if there are no holes in the film. It is a lot easier to pierce the wrapper than to wipe off food that has exploded everywhere inside the microwave oven!

Metal containers are not a suitable container for use in a microwave oven because they do not warm the food up. Provided the bowl has no sharp or rough edges, you won't see sparks or flames either but the bowl will be useless for warming up the food. While sparks or arcing won't happen from a smooth bowl, they can occur if forks and other metallic objects with sharp edges are put in the microwave oven, which can harm the microwave oven or even cause a fire. For the best and safest results, use a glass bowl or a microwave-safe plastic bowl (polypropylene or polyethylene).

Glass works best, but you look on the bottom; it will usually say "microwaveable" or "non-microwaveable."

The type of plate that you should use for microwaving is glass. If you use plastic or styrofoam plates, it might stick to your food.

The microwave door should always be closed. Usually it won't even start microwaving if the door is open.

It depends on what you are microwaving. If it is something that may splash or explode (e.g. soup), put on a lid. Otherwise it is not really necessary.

Yes you can.

You should not run a microwave empty, as it can overheat and damage the microwave. A minute or two will probably not do any harm, but don't risk any longer than that. Some microwaves have a timer that can be used independently of the microwave function, which is fine.

Yes, it is a good idea to turn it off before you take things out, you might also need a tea towel to take it out because it can be really hot. Most microwaves shut off automatically when the door is opened.

Put it in the microwave for 1 minute and then have 30 second intervals after that until it starts to bubble(boil). Use a bigger bowl than you think you'll need, so it doesn't spill all over the microwave!

The microwave oven usually automatically stops when the timer runs out. If you want it to stop immediately, you could just press the button STOP or OFF or unplug if you have to.

It depends on what kind of meat and how much of it you are cooking. Search appropriate recipes online if you are unsure.

Yes, it will ruin your microwave (unless you take it out immediately).

Yes, they can. Usually there is a button that says "Clock." You press this button, then use the number buttons to set the time.

There should be an option to defrost, and then you keep clicking until the weight of what you are defrosting shows up.

It is fine to keep it plugged in.

If you push that button, the microwave will cook for approximately the amount of time it takes to reheat a plate of food.

It usually means that it has finished cooking.

Most frozen pizzas will have instructions for using a microwave oven. If you're making a pizza from scratch, you can just cook it like you would in a regular oven, but check it regularly so it doesn't burn.

If you open the microwave door, the beeping should stop. If this doesn't work, try pressing the cancel/end button. If this doesn't work, your microwave is likely broken and you should probably get it looked at by a professional.

It depends on their age and maturity level, but as long as your children understand how to operate the microwave and what they can and cannot put in it, they should be fine.

Yes! You should not run the microwave when it is empty. When the microwave is empty, standing waves reflect over and over and over again on the microwave walls, which can potentially destroy the microwave.

It's not a great idea. The plastic can melt and release toxins.

Yes, Pyrex is microwave safe.

High is generally the default setting on microwaves; power level controls are for reducing the cooking temperature.

This depends on the microwave wattage and temperature. The lower the wattage, the more time required to microwave something.

If your microwave might be broken then go get a new one. Don't try to fix it because you could get electrocuted, even if it isn't plugged in.