Foods That Should Not Be Heated in a Microwave Oven
Do not partially cook meat before reheating it in a microwave oven: Bacteria can still grow in partially cooked food. When reheated in a microwave a second time, the short duration may not be enough to kill all the bacteria. Frozen meat must first be thawed in the microwave and then heated until fully cooked.
For the average household, a microwave oven is no longer a luxury appliance and has become almost ubiquitous. However, most consumers only think of a microwave as a reheating appliance and will put any kind of food into it for heating. This practice is not only unscientific but also potentially dangerous. So, what foods should not be heated in a microwave oven? Come and find out!
1. Do not partially cook meat before reheating it in a microwave oven: Bacteria can still grow in partially cooked food. When reheated in a microwave a second time, the short duration may not be enough to kill all the bacteria. Frozen meat must first be thawed in the microwave and then heated until fully cooked.
2. Do not refreeze meat that has been thawed in a microwave oven: When meat is thawed in a microwave, the outer layer is actually heated to a temperature where bacteria can multiply. Although refreezing can stop this multiplication, it does not kill the live bacteria. If meat thawed in a microwave is to be refrozen, it must first be cooked until fully cooked.
3. Do not heat fried foods: High-temperature oil can splatter and cause a fire. If a fire starts inside the oven, do not open the door. Instead, turn off the power first and wait for the fire to extinguish before opening the door to let it cool down.
4. Do not overheat food: If food is left in the microwave for thawing or heating and is forgotten for more than 2 hours, it should be discarded to prevent food poisoning.
5. Do not use regular plastic containers: Use containers specifically designed for microwave ovens. Hot food can cause regular plastic containers to deform, and they may also release toxic substances that can contaminate the food and harm your health.
6. Do not use metal containers: Placing iron, aluminum, stainless steel, enamel, or other metal containers in the oven can cause sparks and reflect microwaves. This can damage the oven and result in unevenly cooked food.
7. Do not use sealed containers: When heating liquids, use a wide-mouthed container. In a sealed container, the heat generated by the food cannot escape easily, causing the pressure inside to build up and potentially leading to an explosion. Even when cooking foods with shells, you should pierce the shell with a needle or chopsticks beforehand to prevent it from bursting and splattering, which could dirty the oven walls or cause injury.
8. Do not place the microwave in the bedroom: Also, do not cover the ventilation openings on the microwave with any items.
9. Do not stay in front of the microwave for long periods: After turning on the microwave, you should stay at least 1 meter away from it.