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Usually in the microwave it is customary to heat and cook in porcelain, ceramic and glass refractory dishes. But more and more often semi-finished products and dishes are sold from the shelves in special foil trays, on which there is an inscription that allows heating in the microwave. At the same time, everyone knows that metal, including foil, sparks in the microwave.
What will happen if you put metal in the furnace chamber: sparks, fire, and even an explosion. Even the user manual has strict recommendations on this. What to do? Can foil be used in the microwave? The answer to this question is yes — Let’s see why below.
What happens if you put foil in the camera
In total, there can be 3 scenarios for the development of an event. Let’s talk about each separately.
positive outcome
This will happen if you use foil designed to be heated in a microwave oven. You can try with ordinary aluminum, but you have to follow the rules. This also applies to food-grade foil containers.
If it was impossible to place metal in the first microwave ovens, then since 1980 the ovens have undergone a number of modifications. This expanded the list of acceptable utensils. The main thing is to follow the rules, the main of which is to avoid the proximity of metals.
You can learn more about dishes for microwave ovens on the pages “What dishes can be put in the microwave” and “What dishes can not be heated in the microwave.”
Why does gold or silver plating cause sparks? This coating is not a continuous layer of metal, but particles located close to each other. This is contrary to the rule of a minimum two centimeter distance between metal elements. It’s hard to say so about foil – it’s a solid canvas.
Usually, users cover the part of the dish that needs to be protected or baked better with shiny paper of various thicknesses. But, if you have special foil or foil dishes marked with a badge on hand, give preference to it.
Be sure to follow the rules:
- The product or semi-finished product that you are going to reheat should fill the form by 90-95%.
- The dish is set clearly in the center of the turntable, the minimum distance from the dish to the walls of the microwave oven is 2 cm.
- Do not put 2 bulky containers side by side, otherwise the 2 cm rule may be violated.
- Cling film or container is disposable – do not reuse them.
- Doubt whether it is possible to send the mold to the oven? Look for the label “microwave friendly” on the packaging – it means the admissibility of use in microwave devices.
What special containers look like:
- sides 2 cm high or more;
- the base material is quite dense;
- there is a perforation.
Important! During heating, the top layer of the packaging must be removed!
Neutral development of events
Plain foil can be used if you are going to bake a chicken, want to wrap its legs or wings. Wrap the necessary sections and prick with a toothpick.
In addition, secure yourself by placing the wrapped product in a heat-resistant glass container.
Pay attention to the instructions from the user manual:
If in doubt about whether to use metal utensils or other household items in a microwave oven, check. Take the controversial utensils, set in the center of the turntable, put a glass of water next to it. Run the device at maximum power for exactly 60 seconds. If during this time the water in the glass warms up, and the dishes to be checked remain cold, you can safely use it. If the water remains cold, but the “test” plate or container is heated, find an alternative, do not use them in the microwave.
What the experts say
In the winter of 2006, EAFA (European Aluminum Foil Association) issued a statement that approved its use in microwave technology.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Packaging Materials Technology has conducted many studies that have shown that the material does not pose a danger, and buyers’ doubts have no basis.
On the contrary, scientists noted, the use of foil provides advantages when cooking or heating. Firstly, it is a solid material, but not iron, and secondly, such packaging improves the appearance of food. So, conducting an experiment on climbing, they found that it looks more appetizing using foil – after processing, a golden crisp appeared.
Research by scientists from the EAFA and AFCMA organizations has shown that there is nothing dangerous in cooking and reheating food packed in aluminum trays or plastic containers covered with foil lids and similar materials.
In total, there were at least 2 hundred experiments and experiments during which food was heated and cooked in microwave ovens using molds, trays and containers. Scientists have not found any risks either for packaging, or for food, or for the device itself.
The author of the study, T. Pfeiffer, noted that the specialists conducted research at the highest power, and there were no dangerous moments in any of the experiments.
In total, 4 different household microwave ovens were involved in the experiment. The aluminum containers contained: water, omelette egg mix, lasagne (precooked frozen), chopped meat. Along with these experiments, others were carried out, in which they tested plastic glasses, noodle trays, baby food packed in packs that contain foil.
The result of the experiment was the conclusion that everything depends on the time, the packaging itself and the product used. Something needs more or less time to get ready.
On a note! EAFA is an international organization that represents the interests of companies producing foil, containers and similar products. The association includes more than a hundred members from different regions of the European Union.
Everything is bad: is an explosion possible?
If you are fed up with the microwave oven and want to “cheat”, conduct an experiment with great caution and apprehension: put the foil in the chamber without following the rules indicated above. The electric arc that will occur promises to be powerful and elegant. The result of such an experience? As a rule, a complete breakdown of equipment and the purchase of a brand new stove.
The video shows what will happen if you ignore the rules:
If you are still carried away by pyrotechnic experiments, and something went wrong, immediately turn off the electricity on the meter, and after that – the stove itself. Do not open the door immediately, only after a few minutes (at least 3). Then you can call the wizard to replace the waveguide. But users taught by life experience advise not to waste time and money, but to buy new equipment.
The conclusion is: you should trust the experts and boldly put everything that is marked with a special icon into the microwave. It is better not to experiment with dubious containers and packaging.