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Sep 26, 2024 · Don’t use a microwave if it’s: Dented. Cracked. Peeling. Damaged by fire. Not latching properly. Not functioning fully. (For example, if it’s taking longer than expected to heat your food.)
- Overview
- Defrosting food in the microwave
- Cooking food in the microwave
- Reheating leftovers in the microwave
- What the Government of Canada does to protect you
Using a microwave to defrost, cook, and reheat food is convenient and makes our day-to-day lives a lot easier. Still, it's important to remember that food poisoning can occur because of unsafe microwave cooking practices or improper food handling techniques.
The following microwave cooking tips will help you prevent food poisoning.
Did you know?
Use only containers, lids, and wraps that are microwave-safe. Remove food from any packaging that isn't microwave-safe--such as styrofoam trays or some plastic containers--before heating. This type of packaging could melt or warp, potentially causing harmful chemicals to leach into food.
General instructions
Cover food with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap that does not touch the food. Covering food in the microwave will help cook it evenly and thoroughly. Leave a small gap so that steam can escape. Cut food into small pieces. Smaller pieces cook more evenly. Arrange food items in a single layer on microwave-safe cookware for uniform cooking. Follow your recipe or instructions on the food's packaging. Adjust cooking times based on the power of your microwave. Food will take longer to reach a safe internal temperature in a lower-powered microwave. Rotate and stir food several times during cooking to ensure that the heat is distributed evenly. Observe standing times for microwaved food after cooking. Standing times complete the cooking and allow for better heat distribution within the food. Always check the internal temperature before eating.
Tips for meat, poultry, and seafood
Do Debone larger pieces of meat and poultry since bones can cause uneven heating. Place thicker portions of meat and poultry around the outside of the dish. Turn the pieces at least once during cooking. Cook larger pieces of meat at 50% power for a longer period of time. This allows more time to heat the meat without overcooking it. Cook all meat, poultry and seafood to a safe internal cooking temperature. Do not Never cook whole, stuffed poultry in the microwave. The size and density of the bird does not allow for even cooking. Never partially cook meat, poultry, or seafood in the microwave. If you're using the microwave to defrost, immediately cook the food by using another cooking method such as a grill, an oven, or a stovetop. Do not use the microwave to cook frozen raw breaded chicken products. This can result in uneven cooking, and some parts of the product may be undercooked.
•Reheat leftovers to a safe internal temperature of 74ºC (165ºF). Use a digital food thermometer to check the temperature.
•Rotate and stir food midway through reheating to distribute heat evenly.
The Government of Canada is committed to food safety.
Health Canada establishes regulations and standards relating to the safety and nutritional quality of foods sold in Canada. Through inspection and enforcement activities, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency verifies that food sold in Canada meets Health Canada's requirements.
Jul 3, 2023 · Do Read and Follow Packaged Food Instructions. Do Use Appropriate Heating Vessels. Do Carefully Open Heated Containers. Do Clean, Clean, Clean. The Don’ts. Don’t Use Cheap, Disposable Plastic Containers. Don’t Microwave Metal Objects. Don’t Heat without Covering. Don’t Operate While Empty.
Jun 27, 2024 · To remove food odors or loosen baked-on food residue, mix 6 tablespoons of baking soda OR 1/2 cup lemon juice with one cup of water in a microwave-safe glass measure. Microwave the mixture until it boils. Then leave the mixture in the microwave without opening the door until the mixture cools. The steam will help loosen food residue and remove ...
The bottom line: Your microwave is (probably) safe. The National Fire Protection Association reported that out of the annual average of 166,100 home fires caused by cooking equipment between 2010 and 2014, only 4 percent were caused by microwave ovens. And, only 2 percent of injuries were from microwave oven-related fires.
Review our guide on how to measure for an over-the-range microwave to ensure a successful installation.
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Microwaving and steaming caused a loss in phenolic content in squash, peas and leeks, but not in spinach, peppers, broccoli or green beans. The researchers also tested for antioxidant activity ...
