Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 (Denver Mods 7/26/84) 6/24/83; site drutx.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!drutx!eac From: eac@drutx.UUCP (CveticEA) Newsgroups: net.cooks Subject: micro-wave oven question (use of plastic) Message-ID: <2008@drutx.UUCP> Date: Sun, 10-Feb-85 10:15:42 EST Article-I.D.: drutx.2008 Posted: Sun Feb 10 10:15:42 1985 Date-Received: Mon, 11-Feb-85 05:55:52 EST References: <1324@t4test.UUCP> Organization: AT&T Information Systems Laboratories, Denver Lines: 23 Very few tupperware-like bowls are safe to use with sugary or oily foods such as spaghetti sauce. The reason for this is that the plastic can't handle the intense heat that will build up on the outer edges of the food. The plastic will blister and sometime even deform. (I have a rubbermade bowl to prove it! Microwaves don't penetrate straight to the center, they heat the outside inch or so (depending on the food) and the heat then is slowly spread to the center (hence turning and resting the food between blasts). If you are going to heat something up in non-mwave proven plastic, stir it frequently, or if it isn't stirrable, stop it often and let the food sit for a minute or so. Some plastics are made just for micro-waves and the manufacturer will say so. Unfortunately, some of the microwave ware like the line sported by tupperware, is very expensive. It actually costs less in some instances to by Corningware, which is much more versatile--can be used on the range top and in the oven as well as the microwave. (And it looks decent enough to be a serving piece.) Betsy Cvetic ihnp4!drutx!eac