HOMEMAKER’S COLUMN
BY: CHRISTINE PATRICK
COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT
MICROWAVE COOKING
Microwave ovens can cook unevenly and leave “cold spots” where harmful bacteria can survive. For this reason, it is important to use the following safe microwaving tips to prevent foodborne illness when cooking or reheating meat.
· Debone large pieces of meat. Bone can shield the meat from thorough cooking.
· Do not cook large cuts of meat on high power (100%). Cook large pieces of meat on medium power (50%) for longer times. This allows heat to conduct deeper into the meat without overcooking outer areas.
· Stir or rotate food once or twice during microwaving and turn large food items upside down, so foods cook more evenly and safely.
· When microwaving unequal size pieces of meats, arrange in a dish or on a rack so thick parts are toward the outside of the dish and thin parts are in the center. Cook on medium-high or medium power.
· Place a roast in an oven-cooking bag or in a covered pot for safe, even cooking.
· Do not microwave whole, stuffed poultry. Cooking of meats is so rapid, the stuffing inside might not reach a sufficient temperature to be safe.
· Refer to the manufacturer’s directions that accompany the microwave oven for suggested cooking times.
· Observe standing times, so cooking is completed. Then remove from microwave and test for doneness in several places with a meat thermometer or use the oven’s temperature probe to verify the food has reached a safe minimum internal temperature.
· Never partially cook food. When microwaving food to finish cooking on the grill or conventional oven, transfer the microwaved food to another heat source immediately.
· Remove meat from the packaging before defrosting. Do not use foam trays and plastic wraps, which are not heat stable at high temperatures. Melting or warping may cause harmful chemicals to migrate into food.
· Cook meat, poultry, and fish immediately after defrosting in the microwave oven because some areas of the frozen food may begin to cook during the defrosting time.
· Only use cookware that is specially manufactured and labeled for use in the microwave oven. Do not use margarine tubs, take-out containers, whipped topping bowls, and other one-time use containers in microwave ovens. These containers can warp or melt, possibly causing harmful chemicals to migrate into the food.
· Microwave plastic wraps, wax paper, cooking bags, parchment paper, and white microwave-safe paper towels should be safe to use. Do not let plastic wrap touch foods during microwaving.
For more information, check out HGIC 3586, Microwave Food Safety, on
Clemson Home and Garden Information Center website at http://hgic.clemson.edu.
NOTICE: Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status, and is an equal opportunity employer.
