Can foil be used in the microwave? Can food be reheated in the microwave in foil? Is it possible to use special foil in the microwave

The microwave oven is an indispensable kitchen appliance. It makes the chores in the kitchen much easier. The microwave instruction includes several prohibitions that many people neglect. These include the use of foil in the cooking process. Can food be baked in foil in the microwave? Is it possible or not to heat food in foil? What happens if you put a foil ball in the oven and heat it up for a while?

What does the instruction warn about?

The operating rules prescribe a ban on the use of foil. The ban is due to the fact that during the heating process, the material used is heated. This provokes cracking and sparking inside the case. Most often, such experiments lead to the failure of a household appliance. Also, under the influence of high temperature created by microwaves, the process of destruction of foil paper occurs. Heavy metal particles are deposited in food. When ingested, they accumulate, which leads to the emergence of many diseases.

Important: to extend the life of the household device, you must follow all the recommendations prescribed by the manufacturer.

Perfect Ball: Failed Prank

At the beginning of 2018, a new flash mob was launched on the social network Twitter: many users claimed that they were able to get a perfect aluminum ball from ordinary foil heated in a microwave oven. The rules said that if you roll up a ball of foil, put it in the microwave and hold it for a while in the heating mode, the ball will take on an ideal shape.

Users picked up the idea and began to heat the foil ball. The result was not long in coming: hundreds of posts were devoted to failed microwave ovens. Someone has posted pictures of a fire inside a microwave oven.

In fact, everything is somewhat simpler. In order to make such a ball, you will need a hammer, sandpaper, polish and a few hours of free time. A figure of the desired size is rolled out of foil, trimmed with a hammer. Then sanded with sandpaper and coated with polishing paste. It is strictly forbidden to put such a structure in the microwave.

Use of foil in the microwave: for or against?

You can use plain foil when baking chicken in the microwave. Wings or legs are wrapped in foil so that the crust does not burn, but remains juicy, ruddy and crispy. In this case, it is necessary to make several punctures with a toothpick or fork to ensure perforation. In the process of cooking, it is recommended to use a container made of heat-resistant glass.

Manufacturers insist on abandoning the use of foil paper in the process of cooking and heating dishes. A good alternative would be to use a special kind of foil. It has been specially designed for use in the microwave oven.

Does not provoke the occurrence of sparks, does not heat up. Differs in necessary heat resistance and high quality. Such paper well transmits microwave rays, which are responsible for heating the dish. Particles of the material do not break down and do not settle in food. The use of such foil paper is safe for health and will not cause malfunctions in the operation of the microwave oven.

Instead of foil, you can put food in a line of dishes designed specifically for use in the microwave. Such containers meet all the requirements, differ in dense material and are suitable for use in the microwave.

Aluminum containers are increasingly being used not only in the food industry, but also in cafes, restaurants, and at home. Many housewives have appreciated the simplicity and ease of use of aluminum foil molds.

In addition to storage and baking, aluminum utensils can be successfully used for cooking and heating dishes in microwave ovens.

For those who have never encountered the use of aluminum containers in the microwave, a reasonable question arises: how acceptable and safe is this. On the Internet, there are many different rumors that contradict each other on this issue.

Let's try to understand this issue together.

Very old microwave ovens made before 1980 were very different from modern ones and were not compatible with aluminum cookware. The ends of the magnetron tube in such ovens were covered with a glass dome, and when food was heated in aluminum containers, electromagnetic waves that do not pass through metals were reflected back to the microwave generator, causing damage.

Later, microwave oven manufacturers replaced the dome of the magnetron tubes with a ceramic one, and the problem of overheating was solved. By 1985, most leading brands approved the use of aluminum foil in their microwave ovens. To date, there is no reason to ban cooking in microwave ovens using aluminum containers.

What happens to food in such containers inside the microwave?

If you are cooking or reheating food in any other container, then the food is subject to very sharp temperature changes, because it heats up very quickly and certain parts of the product are instantly overheated, while others are just starting to reach the right temperature. This, of course, cannot but affect the taste of the final dish.

When using foil dishes, the process proceeds somewhat differently.

As you know, electromagnetic waves cannot pass through metal. Aluminum foil trays are cookware made from very thin sheets of aluminum, which is a metal and therefore reflects rather than transmits microwaves. The impact occurs only on the open part of the tray to a depth of approximately 3 cm, while the sides and bottom of the dish are reliably protected from sudden heating.

Since aluminum is an excellent heat conductor, the container begins to evenly distribute heat throughout the dish, gently acting on it and not worsening the taste of the food.

When cooking in aluminum trays and improving the result, consider one feature: the foil container needs time to heat up and begin to give off its heat to the contents. Therefore, when cooking or reheating, simply increase the time by 10%.

30.11.2015 21.04.2016 by gotovlyu v mikrovolnovke

Porcelain, refractory glass, ceramics - these are the materials traditionally used in the manufacture of products intended for MVP. Only recently, dishes in foil trays have appeared on the shelves, on which it is clearly written: "Suitable for heating in a microwave oven."

The people are at a loss, because many of us have experimented with plates decorated with shiny borders: if you put one inside and turn on the device, a crack is heard, sparks appear. The same illumination occurs when food is heated/cooked in metal vessels or on skewers. The instructions (section "Safety Rules") give specific instructions in this regard.

A logical question arises: is it possible to reheat in the microwave in foil? Many readers will be surprised, but the answer is yes. Don't believe? Try it yourself, but first read some of the nuances.

What happens if you put foil in the microwave?

There are several options for the development of events. Let's review everything.

Option 1 is favorable. If you use a special microwave or regular aluminum in compliance with certain rules, as well as food foil containers.

Progress does not stand still. And if for the first microwaves it was categorically impossible to heat up and cook in foil, then since 1980, after modifications, there are no special obstacles in its use, as well as dishes from it. The main thing is to follow the rules, the most important of them: "the inadmissibility of the proximity of metals."

Why do gold and silver coatings on cookware lead to an electric arc? Because the coating is not a solid metal, but very closely spaced metal particles. Violation of the rule about 2 cm distance between metal parts is violated. What can not be said about the continuous metal surface of the foil.

Ordinary aluminum can cover a small area of ​​the product being prepared.

But it is better and safer to heat or cook in a special one designed for MVP, which has an appropriate badge (marking).

The foil can be used with the following precautions (compliance is mandatory):

  • the heated product or semi-finished product must fill the form by 90-95%;
  • the dish must be in the center of the turntable. The minimum allowable distance to the walls of the device is 2 cm;
  • do not heat up two large containers side by side (it is unlikely that there will be 2 cm between them and the walls of the microwave);
  • film or container suitable for single use.

Microwave-safe aluminum molds are marked with the international microwave friendly symbol.

Features of specialized foil containers:

  • side height ≤ 2 cm;
  • density-specific starting material;
  • the presence of the same perforation.

When heated, the top layer of the packaging is removed!

Option 2 is neutral. To protect certain parts of the dish from overheating (for example, chicken has wings and bones on legs), you can use normal. Cover/wrap it around as needed, pierce in several places.

For extra insurance, a dish in foil can be cooked in the microwave in a familiar fireproof glass container.

Extract from the instructions: if you doubt the possibility of using any culinary device (dishes, containers, etc.) in a microwave oven, carry out a simple check. Place the problematic item in the center of the tray with a glass of water next to it. Turn on the microwave at full power for 1 minute. If the water in the glass heats up but the bowl remains cold to the touch, the bowl is microwave safe. Otherwise, when the water temperature stays the same and the item gets hot, it's best to look for other alternatives.

And finally, a press release from the European Aluminum Foil Association (EAFA), which dispels all doubts.

Option 3 is negative. For those who do not have enough thrills in life, or are simply tired of an old microwave oven, you can experiment: put a piece of foil without following the rules outlined above. They say the electric arc is impressive. Such experiments usually end in irreversible damage to the device, which means that there will be a reason for a new purchase.

What to do if the foil exploded in the microwave?

So, our advice turned out to be unclaimed, and the pyrotechnic miracle did happen? Firstly, when an electric arc appears, it is necessary to immediately turn off the power supply to the meter, and only after that - the device itself. The door can only be opened after 3-5 minutes. In the future, you will need the services of a service center or a repairman to replace the waveguide. Although those who have already tested a similar scenario say that it is easier and cheaper to purchase a new microwave oven.

A microwave oven is such a device that you simply cannot do without; it often replaces a full-fledged oven. Therefore, many are interested in the question, is it possible to use foil in the microwave and cook meat and other delicious foods in it, as we do in the oven?

We answer immediately - it is impossible, or rather, it is strictly forbidden to turn on the microwave when there are objects with any metal coating. The combination of microwaves and metal creates sparks, which are caused by an electric arc. This leads to a breakdown of the device, which in most cases cannot be repaired in a service center. That is why the answer to the question of whether foil can be used in the microwave is a categorical “No!”

Can special foil be used in the microwave?

There are exceptions to every rule, so you can ask the kitchen departments for special foil-coated microwave paper. It is suitable for cooking in microwaves the way we do it in the oven. This microwave foil can be used for:

  • roasting meat and fish;
  • roasting vegetables;
  • cooking casseroles.

Also, this foil paper can be used in the microwave to heat food, covering the finished dish with it. In terms of its external qualities, it is similar to ordinary foil, but has a greater thickness, as well as special holes for steam to escape from the cooked food.

Such a special foil in the microwave is ideal for heating frozen foods. It has a high thermal conductivity, but it should be remembered that the dishes for cooking should be shallow, otherwise the microwaves will not reach the product.

When can you use plain foil in the microwave

If your microwave oven has only the function of warming up and defrosting, that is, it works only in microwave mode, you absolutely cannot use foil in it.

However, in microwave ovens with a grill or with a convector function, which is convenient for baking, microwaves are not used in these modes. Especially for this purpose, all supermarkets sell baking foil molds that allow you to quickly cook meat, fish or vegetables and immediately serve them on the table.

While your favorite dish is being prepared, you can quickly make delicious and beautiful sandwiches when guests arrive.

On April 1, a mass prank was an unprecedented success on social networks: not very kind people convinced naive people to roll a foil ball and heat it in the microwave to make it smooth. Oddly enough, a lot of people fell for it. They must have been the same guys who ate the dishwasher capsules.

It all started with the fact that the Japanese learned how to turn crumpled foil into a polished metal ball. It was necessary to add a hammer, a mallet, a skin, a rag with polish and a lot, a lot of patience to the foil.

アス

I saw this with aluminum foil on Twitter, it became interesting, I decided to try it. At first I was going to just knock, but then I polished it, and this is what happened.

It is done like this. Take the foil, roll it into a tight ball.

Then, with the help of a rubber mallet, you give it a shape, and with an ordinary hammer you compact it to the maximum solid state. At the end, tap again with a mallet to make the ball as correct as possible.

Sand with coarse sandpaper, then with fine sandpaper.

Then you take a cloth, GOI paste or some other polishing gel, a couple more hours - and you're done.

Judging by the tweets, you can do it in 10-15 hours. How perfect the ball will be depends only on your patience.

There were guys on Twitter who took advantage of the painstaking work of some and the naivety of others. Taking photos of foil balloons before and after, they began to advise subscribers bad things.

KODY


Just tried it. If you put a thick ball of foil in the microwave for a few minutes, it turns into a real ball. I can't believe it, but it works.

There are dozens of such tweets with similar pictures. Apparently, there were people who believed in it. Probably, these are the same users of social networks who a few months ago - there was such a flash mob Tide Pod Challenge.

The microwave is generally a pretty dangerous thing, (don't ask).