The microwave has gained momentum for every household. It can be used for heating food or for any food that needs slow preparation. It’s a lifesaver for those who are new in the kitchen.
But, can we use steel utensils in microwave? That’s the doubt I always had while getting used to with my own microwave for the first time.
As you’re reading this, I am assuming that you are also having the same doubt. Don’t worry I will clear your doubts right here.
It’s a given fact that the manufacturer always mentions certain kinds of utensils to use for microwave convection, and there are huge limitations for some metal cookware to be used in it.
As an example, steel cookware can not be used in a microwave. As stainless steel reacts with the food in microwaves and releases sparks when sitting in the microwave turntable. It can make the food toxic.
If you have bought a new microwave oven in your house but are still confused about what utensils to use in this microwave convection, then this article is for you.
Can We Use Steel Utensils in Microwave Convection? The detailed answer
Every kitchen has so many steel utensils. One of the most common reasons is that steel has so many health benefits, and plastic is not safe for health. You have seen that plastic or glass is only recommended for heating food in a microwave oven.
However, steel is not an ideal utensil to use in the microwave, as it can not penetrate heat through stainless steel. But it can produce an electric current in a stainless steel bowl.
That doesn’t mean you can not use stainless steel in the microwave. But it is recommended to use a bowl that has a wide mouth. Because this is the only way by which heat can enter. Glass and plastic are the best materials to use in a microwave.
Working Process of a Microwave Convection
The microwave convection outer surface is made with a strong and sturdy metal box. Inside of the box, there is a magnetron when you switch on the microwave, the magnetron takes electricity from the electric power point and creates 4.7-inch radio waves.
Then the magnetron uses a waveguide that blasts radio waves into the food compartment. As the food here sits in a turntable, it spins around so the microwave can cook well.
The inner metal wall of the microwave which is reflective in nature has a great contribution in bouncing the microwave to the food in a seesaw-like manner.
Once it reaches the food, it can’t bounce as it can only pass through the metal. The continuously rotating turntable below the food container makes sure that the microwave has reached in every part of the food molecules. The microwaves go through the food molecules and make them vibrate.
This vibration will gradually produce heat. The faster the vibration of the food molecules, the hotter the food will become. This is how microwave convection works.
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What Happens If You Put Steel Utensils in Microwave Convection?
Now you know how microwave convection works. Knowing the relationship between microwave convection and stainless steel in-depth, things will be much easier for you.
Make sure to avoid putting stainless steel in microwave convection. It will not heat your food, rather it can bring safety hazards.
Microwave radiations are absorbed by fat, sugar and water.The neutral materials like plastic, ceramic, glass also can absorb the microwave. If you put stainless steel in the oven, it will reflect waves like it does light.
The microwaves can not go through the electrons of stainless steel. Instead, with the microwaves, the molecules get heated up and they release electric current in sparks.
Why Steel is Not Used in the Microwave?
The microwave convection uses microwaves to heat the molecules of the food. It only can get absorbed by some of the neutral items like plastic, ceramic, etc. But the stainless steel can not absorb microwaves.
Using stainless steel, it reflects the microwaves and produces an electric current that releases as sparks. It could be dangerous. This is why steel is not used in microwaves.
Is Any Metal Safe in Convection Microwaves?
The metal cookware should not be used in convection microwaves. As the metal causes arcing in the oven. Still, you can use metal like aluminium foil in the microwave, but it has some safety guidelines.
The metals are generally not safe for microwaves as heat can not penetrate through them. Still, the aluminium foil can be used with the below guideline.
To put stainless steel in the microwave, you should choose a utensil that has a wide mouth. As heat can only enter through it. If you are using metal like steel or aluminium foil in the microwave, then make sure the temperature is around 220°.
Utensils for convection microwave oven
The best cookware for convection microwave ovens is glass, ceramic and plastic. But make sure the plastic you are using in the microwave is marked as a safe-microwave sign. Otherwise, it may mix toxic with your food.
You can use glass or ceramic in a microwave oven. But not all glass or ceramic go with a microwave. In that case, you can check by placing some water in a glass or ceramic bowl in your microwave. If it works, then the water will be heated.
Other utensils you can use in microwaves include paper plates, China glassware, aluminium foil, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can steel plates be used in convection mode?
Yes, you can use steel plates in the convection mode of a microwave. But make sure it has a temperature within 220° and has an open and wide mouth. As microwaves can not penetrate through the metal body, you will end up with improper cooking.
Q: Can we use a steel bowl in the microwave?
The steel bowls with small mouths are generally not recommended for microwave ovens. It may release sparks when the bowl is getting heard. It may cause dangerous issues. You can also buy a steel bowl with an open and wide mouth.
Conclusion
So, at the end it can be said that stainless steel can not be used in a microwave. If you still need to use steel in the microwave, then the utensil should have an open and side mouth.
As the heat will only have this space to enter in the food. For more details, you can ask your manufacturer or read the user manual given with the pack.
Rai is a happy-go-lucky girl from India. She loves cooking and experimenting new recipes every now and then. She manages all the content here at Cooker King. She aims to help the community by suggesting best cooking appliances and providing best cooking related tips.