The microwave oven is one of the most important, versatile, and usually safe cooking inventions of the last century. They don’t heat up the kitchen and they are simple enough to use that even young children can use the controls. Even with their safety features, however, you still must follow food safety techniques.

The first requirement is to use an appropriate container and covering for your food. Be sure the container is safe for use in a microwave. Plastic and glassware items that are recommended for use in a microwave are safe to use. Generally they will be marked microwave safe. Some older kinds of glass are not safe.

Plastic wrap and waxed paper are often recommended to cover foods while heating and cooking. The question of which is a better choice depends on the size of the container you are using. If it will touch the food, waxed paper is the best choice. Otherwise, the cooking vessel should be large enough that the plastic doesn’t touch the food. Do not use plastic wrap if it will touch the food while cooking.

Cooking bags can be used very safely in microwaves and can touch the food because they are nylon rather than plastic.

Some utensils without the microwave safe seal are still safe for use. Among these are paper plates, towels and napkins. Baskets for heating rolls should be lined with a napkin or paper towels.

Microwaving is safe using waxed paper, parchment paper or very heavy plastic.

Styrofoam cups and brown paper bags made of recycled paper are not safe in the microwave. Neither is designed for heating in these appliances.

Although heavy plastic containers may be useful for heating in these ovens, containers designed for one time storage of butter, yogurt, cottage cheese and such products are not suitable.

Never use metal in a microwave. This includes metal pots or china with a metal rim. Only use metal products that are approved in your manufacturer’s instruction manual.

Some manufacturers allow small amounts of foil to be placed to protect delicate or quick-cooking areas of various products such as the tips of the drumsticks on a chicken. In general, if allowed, only very small amounts of foil should be used. The foil should never cover more than one-fourth of the food surface. Always place foil at least an inch away from the sides and top of the oven to avoid arcing.

Above and beyond the types of containers and materials placed in the oven, there are other safety considerations. The safety practices that apply to other kinds of cooking also apply to microwaves. Food must reach a high enough temperature to destroy microorganisms.

Remember that microwaves cook unevenly, leaving potential for microbe activity in areas that are less hot. This is a primary concern when cooking raw foods that are prone to problems such as meats. The only sure way to know if the food is hot enough is to use a food thermometer.

Recipes for these appliances often say food should be allowed to stand for a given length of time after cooking. This is important for food safety because the heat continues to cook and to even out through the product during the stand time. This time is figured in as part of the cooking time.

If a product says “not suitable for microwave cooking,” use another technique to prepare it.

Often microwave cooking is really microwave heating — you are actually reheating a food that was pre-cooked. When cooking a not-ready-to-eat food, follow package directions.

The length of time required for heating varies by wattage. It is important to know the wattage of your microwave to ensure proper and safe cooking of foods. If you do not know your appliance’s wattage, use the time-to-boil test to determine it.

Put one cup water in a microwave-safe measuring cup. Heat on high for four minutes and watch closely to see how long it takes to come to a boil.

If the water boils in less than two minutes your microwave is a 1,000 watt unit. If it requires three to four minutes, the wattage is lower.

The microwave oven is an appliance that has passed the novelty stages. It is an excellent and inexpensive way to cook various foods and it has shown that it is here to stay.