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