Should you cover your food in the microwave?

Though it’s always a good idea to cover food when reheating it in the microwave (otherwise that cleaning schedule will be on overdrive), microwaving food in an airtight container is a no-no. When microwaved, completely closed, lids can become impossible to open (say goodbye to lunch).

Put an onion into a bowl with 15g butter and 1 tablespoon oil (or 1 tablespoon lemon juice if you’re cutting down on fat). Cover with cling film and pierce. Microwave on high (900W) for 4 minutes until tender.

Cover foods with a microwave-safe lid/plastic wrap; leave a small part uncovered to allow steam to escape; avoid direct contact between the food and the plastic wrap during microwaving.

Can I use my microwave to boil water? Yes, water can be boiled in a microwave using a microwave-safe container. Use a wooden stick (like a chopstick or coffee stir stick) in your microwave safe container to prevent superheated water.

Place the potatoes on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel or dish towel to keep them moist while they cook. Microwave the potatoes on high. Start with five minutes for one potato and add two minutes to the cook time for every additional potato you’re microwaving at once.

The combi-oven can produce a blast of very hot air that browns and crisps the chips. It’s not as quick as cooking chips in a fryer, but the oil content will be slightly lower. However, to achieve the best possible crispness and colour, frozen oven chips, not chips intended for frying, must go into the combi.

Glass and ceramic containers, along with plastic utensils that are labeled microwave safe are good choices. Do not use glass or ceramic that contains a metal rim.

Lightly prick the bottom of the egg with a safety pin or thumbtack to prevent the egg from exploding. Place the egg into the bowl of hot water, cover with a plate, and microwave at 50% power for 4 minutes for a hard-boiled egg. Be sure to use 50% power to avoid exploding the egg.

Place 2 to 3 layers of paper towels on a microwavable plate and spread the fries in a single layer. Lightly coat the fries with olive oil or vegetable oil for extra crispness. Microwave on high power for 20 seconds at a time, and turn the sides in-between each interval until the fries are crispy and turn golden brown.

Still under pressure within the egg, the water might not boil. But if the egg was penetrated or otherwise disturbed, that could all change swiftly, with the water instantly erupting into steam and provoking an explosion.