If you have spent any time in the kitchen, then you probably know how important parchment paper is to many cooking or baking processes. Whether you are baking cookies or heating something up for dinner, you may have wondered if parchment paper could be put in the microwave oven.
Parchment paper, which is a typical staple in the kitchen, can be put into the microwave oven safely under normal conditions. This is because the silicone coating is able to withstand temperatures up to around 450℉ which is much lower than the average temperature used in a microwave oven.
While the answer may be clear, there are many things that you will want to know about parchment paper and its uses. Read on to discover more about parchment paper and some alternatives you may not have considered.
Can Parchment Paper Burn in a Microwave Oven?
While in most cases parchment paper is safe for the microwave oven, there are instances where it can burn. This is especially true when cooking foods that have a higher fat content, or when the paper is near the heating element in the microwave.
Since foods such as bacon and ground beef cook at a higher temperature, the parchment paper can absorb the heat which can result in burning. Some people have reported seeing smoke coming from the microwave when they were cooking bacon. For this reason, it is always recommended not to leave food unattended.
Most experts recommend that, when you are cooking bacon in the microwave, you line a microwave-safe plate with paper towels instead of parchment paper. The grease from the bacon will be absorbed into the paper towel. This will keep the fatty oil from concentrating in one particular place resulting in it burning.
Although many people use parchment paper in a variety of ways in the microwave, caution should be taken at all times. When the paper is used to cover a dish, oftentimes it moves around because of the air in the microwave oven. Because of this, the parchment paper can be exposed to the heating element and therefore cause it to burn.
Those that cook regularly in the microwave suggest that instead of parchment paper, using a paper plate to cover a dish is best. The plate will keep food from splashing and at the same time allow the heat to stay inside.
However, if you insist on using parchment paper to cover your food, then you should completely wrap it with paper. This will prevent any of the paper from being moved around in the microwave and getting near the heating element.
For the most part, using parchment paper in the microwave oven is perfectly safe. As with most things, you should follow any precautions and instructions that come with the paper. Additionally, keeping your eye on the microwave as it cooks is always important.
Alternatives to Parchment Paper in the Microwave Oven
Although many people prefer to use parchment paper for cooking in the microwave oven, there are some alternatives that work just as well. These include items that many people might not typically consider.
Since most microwave ovens today have a rotation plate, there are more options than before to ensure your meal comes out delicious. Whether you are looking for new ways to cook in the microwave or have run out of parchment paper and need something else, you might find the following alternatives interesting.
Some alternatives include:
- Microwave plastic wrap
- Paper towels
- Wax paper
- Cooking bags
- Paper plates
- Paper bowls
While all of these alternatives are safe to use in the microwave, there are always precautions you should take. This is because accidents can happen, especially if you are not paying attention. Whichever you choose, make sure you know all the details about each alternative.
For example, although microwave plastic wrap is perfectly safe, it should never touch your food directly. This is because, while it is safe from the heat, touching your food can cause the plastic to adhere to your hot food. Making sure there is enough room between the two can make the difference between your meal and a plastic mess.
Many people prefer to use paper towels instead of parchment paper to cover their food in the microwave for many reasons. The most important of these is that paper towels are significantly less expensive than parchment paper. For some, this is a big enough reason to choose one over the other.
Although there are some who say that wax paper is not suitable for the microwave, most experts agree that it is just as safe as parchment paper. If you are using it to cover a dish, you should be aware that it is likely to move around and not cover your food completely. However, wrapping food in wax paper is a great way to avoid juices and crumbs in the microwave.
Using cooking bags is a convenient way to cook food in the microwave. They are typically promoted as a way for you to steam vegetables or other foods. As a precaution, you will need to make sure that the bag you are using is microwave safe.
Most people have used paper plates and bowls to heat up food in the microwave. Doing this makes it convenient to heat and eat, especially if you are in a hurry. As with other alternatives, you will need to ensure that the paper plates and bowls are paper and not styrofoam or other flammable materials.
For the most part, deciding to use parchment paper or an alternative is a completely personal decision. While some prefer paper plates and towels for their convenience, there are others that swear by parchment paper as being the best choice. Whatever you use, you should be aware that there are many things that should not be used in the microwave oven for various reasons.
What Should You Not Use in the Microwave Oven?
Although there are many things you can put in your microwave to make cooking simple and the clean-up even easier, there are other things you should never put in the microwave. This includes anything that may melt or is flammable such as plastic or aluminum foil.
Plastic that is not specifically designed for the microwave should never be used. Doing this can result in the plastic melting into your food and/or adhering to your microwave plate. Additionally, if you have the timer set for a significant amount of time, a fire could occur.
Aluminum foil, while great for covering dishes in the oven, is not recommended for the microwave. This is because the rapid currents of energy that flow through the microwave can react with the aluminum foil causing it to heat quickly. In turn, the quick heating process can cause the foil to ignite and cause significant damage to the microwave oven.
As with aluminum foil, anything that is made with metal is not suggested for the microwave. For the reasons stated above, putting metal plates or pans in the microwave can result in sparks, and if left unattended, fire.
Using caution with anything you put in the microwave is always the best rule of thumb. There are some dishes used for cooking and/or serving that can unknowingly contain metal particles. If you put these in the microwave and see sparks, it is best that you remove the dish immediately.
Overall, using the microwave oven to cook or reheat your favorite dishes can be made easy with the use of parchment paper. This paper is a convenient and useful way to keep food from sticking and making a mess in many of your kitchen appliances. However, if you do not have parchment paper, you can try any of the alternatives listed above.