Microwave ovens, and "Microwave plates"?

[VirtualLarry]

I have a small-ish, somewhat older, 700W Micro-wave oven. I use it for cooking mini-pizzas, hot dogs, and frozen dinners. No popcorn.

It has a bottom glass plate, with a sort of three-pronger, that sits on top of a spindle in the middle. Under the outer edge, is a small support with some wheels, that keeps it held up as it spins.

It randomly spins left or right, when I start cooking.

Anyways, I also had a semi-thick "Microwave plate" on top of the glass plate. Don't know where it got it, but it's fairly tough stuff. Unfortunately, it started to degrade in the center, and finally started melting. (The oil from the pizzas, which I place on a paper plate, with the pizza on the silver cooker sleeve plate thingy, seems to collect under the center of the pizza while cooling, and the oil gets really hot, and started to melt the Microwave plate.)

I tossed that one, after like 7 years or so, maybe longer.

I bought a set of two, which are much thinner, and made from a slightly different material, at Walmart.

After only a few uses, those plates are melting down in the middle. Garbage quality! Worse, the paper plates I'm using to cook the mini-pizzas on, are adhering to the microwave plate.

I need to find some microwave plates are are plastic (some sort, non-toxic, and invisible to microwave emissions, so that they don't melt), and thick enough to last and not melt down in the center.

I saw a set of four that looked much like the one I had, on Amazon.com. I think next time that I go shopping there, I might pick them up. (*Not a prime member.)

Any recommendations for "Microwave plates", strictly for cooking on ('cook tray style'), not eating directly off of? That would last, and not melt down in the microwave?

 

[Greenman]

Why not just cook on the glass turn table that's already in there?

 

[Sgt. York]

He probably wants an Athlon plate on top of the turntable.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Why not just cook on the glass turn table that's already in there?

'Cause, that can cause the glass plate to crack. (Ask me how I know.) And those are specific to the microwave oven model itself, so buying a semi-disposable (but hopefully will last) plastic-ish microwave plate, seems like a better idea.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

'Cause, that can cause the glass plate to crack. (Ask me how I know.) And those are specific to the microwave oven model itself, so buying a semi-disposable (but hopefully will last) plastic-ish microwave plate, seems like a better idea.

Wanna know how I know you use the microwave WAY too much?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Wanna know how I know you use the microwave WAY too much?

For nearly every (warm/hot) meal?

 

[JEDIYoda]

Why not just cook on the glass turn table that's already in there?

Not a good idea,,,

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

For nearly every (warm/hot) meal?

That's just sad. It's like making the toaster your primary cooking appliance. Seriously, reevaluate your life style.

 

[VirtualLarry]

That's just sad. It's like making the toaster your primary cooking appliance. Seriously, reevaluate your life style.

A friend of mine does that.

Not everyone is a master chef like you, you know.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

A friend of mine does that.

Not everyone is a master chef like you, you know.

eating nothing but over processed pre prepared "food" will take years off your life. Eating the equivalent of Purina Human Chow is just plain wrong. Exert yourself.

 

[mindless1]

Why does it need to be plastic? I microwave on Corelle plates (or in Corelle bowls) all the time, though usually reheating leftovers or jump starting the thawing of frozen food. I've never broken one in the microwave, though there are better cooking options for things like pizza and hot dogs.

If forced to choose and I didn't want to wait long, I'd rather boil a hot dog, and a mini-pizza would have a much better texture in a toaster oven, unless it comes on one of those metal embedded cardboard sheets that heats the bottom more, but then the top still tends to be soggy. Granted I keep hot dogs in the freezer because I don't eat a pack fast enough to keep them in the fridge, so if I were to microwave them, they'd have overcooked hard rubbery ends by the time the middle was hot.

If I was in a hurry for a mini-pizza I'd sort of split the difference, 'nuke it for 2 minutes on 50% (maybe 3 minutes with a low 700W microwave) while preheating the toaster oven then 5-10 minutes in the toaster oven on the highest, toast setting.

I do have a full sized oven, but the extra time to heat it and the extra heat in the kitchen in the summer, makes me move to a toaster oven for its capacity worth of (anything), or suppose I'm not using the main big oven at all for the rest of the meal, then toaster ovening some brussel sprouts or asparagus or whatever, works well.

If I could only have one way to cook things, it would be a medium-large toaster oven. Fortunately that's not necessary, and that's a moving target. Once upon a time ago a toaster oven was little more than a way to make 4 slices of toast, but today you can have something that's far more advanced, sized just right for the quantity of food you're cooking, that heats up faster due to that and gets the job done sooner without the microwave trade-offs of usually being either too soggy or the tips/ends of things being too rubbery.

I intend to continue editing this post to declare the virtues of a toaster oven, but I might forget to do that or just be busy eating or something....

Toaster oven OCD, it might be a thing.

 

[lxskllr]

Any kind of Pyrex will work. The Corelle mentioned above would be a good choice, and they turn up in the thrift shops fairly frequently.

 

[Kaido]

Sistema has some great microwave-friendly cookware:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/24A1C94D-8F36-4CB5-AEE5-5DDC532A9C30

This tray might do the trick for you:

https://www.amazon.com/Sistema-Microwave-Cookware-Rectangular-Ounce/dp/B00HH9EBGG

They're nice because:

1. They're made of BPA-free, microwave-safe plastic
2. They have vented lids for splatter-free cooking

I know what you mean about microwaving disposable plates...they can get gummy as the food heats up & any liquid runs onto the plate & goops it up. If budget allows, it may be worth upgrading your microwave. Mine died recently & I switched to a newer (and FAR BETTER!) inverter model; brief review here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/MealPrepSunday/comments/cmfu77/awesome_microwave_system_automatic_reheat_that/

I do a lot of meal-prep & thus microwave the bulk part of my food, so having a good microwave & good cookware are important to me. I use my Sistema stuff sometimes, and I also use disposable meal-prep trays quite a bit, as I can store them in the freezer & then microwave them later.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Pretty much every plate is microwave safe now, personally I avoid plastic things for the microwave

I do agree with others microwaves are great to reheat stuff or veggies but it shouldn’t be the primary cooking device.
Venture out a bit and try cooking some stuff with pots & pans Larry.

If wanted I’ll send you a basic beef or beefless stew, tastes great and not too hard to make. First attempt will take about an hour to make but it gets easier second time around. Yields 4 good sized servings
I have a yummy pancake recipe very basic to make but much better than mixes
Start with a few things you really like, budget some time to make them and roll with any mistakes. Overall it’s much more satisfying than microwaving everything.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I picked up an instapot last year, admittedly everything comes out like a stew but that’s great for the colder months. Stuff from instapot can be a few simple ingredients like chicken, frozen veggies and cans of soup to very elaborate meal. Very flexible machine.
I’ve heard air fryers are pretty simple and fun too.

Cooking something can be simple or complex really up to you and your expectations.

 

[Kaido]

I picked up an instapot last year, admittedly everything comes out like a stew but that’s great for the colder months. Stuff from instapot can be a few simple ingredients like chicken, frozen veggies and cans of soup to very elaborate meal. Very flexible machine.
I’ve heard air fryers are pretty simple and fun too.

Cooking something can be simple or complex really up to you and your expectations.

I got turned onto Souper Cubes earlier this year and they. are. awesome.

https://www.soupercubes.com

Soups, stews, broths, stocks, bisques, chilis, you name it! I have a whole shelf of frozen rectangles in my freezer now, hahaha!

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I got turned onto Souper Cubes earlier this year and they. are. awesome.

https://www.soupercubes.com

Soups, stews, broths, stocks, bisques, chilis, you name it! I have a whole shelf of frozen rectangles in my freezer now, hahaha!

Pretty cool

 

[squirrel dog]

wall mart sells corelle plates,bowls cups. I have broken more than one(my house has all tile flooring)

 

[mxnerd]

No matter how good quality a plastic cookware is, none can compare to Corningware, Pyrex, Corelle. Avoid plastic cookware if you can.

 

[Muse]

eating nothing but over processed pre prepared "food" will take years off your life. Eating the equivalent of Purina Human Chow is just plain wrong. Exert yourself.

He has a point. Processed food in general is not a great idea.

Anyway, to get back to the point of the thread. If you could find a ceramic plate the right size and shape, I think that would work out. In my experience, ceramics do not absorb microwave radiation. The only time I put plastic plates in my microwave is when I'm doing the slightest of heat-ups, e.g. 10 seconds. The plastic does heat up a bit, but only a bit.

 

[Muse]

Why does it need to be plastic? I microwave on Corelle plates (or in Corelle bowls) all the time, though usually reheating leftovers or jump starting the thawing of frozen food. I've never broken one in the microwave, though there are better cooking options for things like pizza and hot dogs.

If forced to choose and I didn't want to wait long, I'd rather boil a hot dog, and a mini-pizza would have a much better texture in a toaster oven, unless it comes on one of those metal embedded cardboard sheets that heats the bottom more, but then the top still tends to be soggy. Granted I keep hot dogs in the freezer because I don't eat a pack fast enough to keep them in the fridge, so if I were to microwave them, they'd have overcooked hard rubbery ends by the time the middle was hot.

If I was in a hurry for a mini-pizza I'd sort of split the difference, 'nuke it for 2 minutes on 50% (maybe 3 minutes with a low 700W microwave) while preheating the toaster oven then 5-10 minutes in the toaster oven on the highest, toast setting.

I do have a full sized oven, but the extra time to heat it and the extra heat in the kitchen in the summer, makes me move to a toaster oven for its capacity worth of (anything), or suppose I'm not using the main big oven at all for the rest of the meal, then toaster ovening some brussel sprouts or asparagus or whatever, works well.

If I could only have one way to cook things, it would be a medium-large toaster oven. Fortunately that's not necessary, and that's a moving target. Once upon a time ago a toaster oven was little more than a way to make 4 slices of toast, but today you can have something that's far more advanced, sized just right for the quantity of food you're cooking, that heats up faster due to that and gets the job done sooner without the microwave trade-offs of usually being either too soggy or the tips/ends of things being too rubbery.

I intend to continue editing this post to declare the virtues of a toaster oven, but I might forget to do that or just be busy eating or something....

Toaster oven OCD, it might be a thing.

Yeah, toaster ovens are great, I use mine every day ... my microwave too. Looks like they've discontinued my Panasonic NB-G110PW FlashXpress toaster oven, which was a consumer favorite.

 

[Muse]

wall mart sells corelle plates,bowls cups. I have broken more than one(my house has all tile flooring)

Hard to break Corelle. I've done it but it's amazing how tough that stuff is. I bought 2-3, then when I got down to one again I bought a set of 6 white dinner plates. So, I have 7 now. They are just hard to break, but my floor isn't ceramic tile, it's linoleum. I would hold my breath if I dropped one on the kitchen floor though. Corelle is easy to clean in the sink. It's great stuff. Patterns and colors, but the pure white ones were cheaper, so I went with that. So practical! Don't know if the dinner plate would be big enough for a whole even small pizza, though.

When I eat pizza, I make it from scratch and if I want to reheat, it's a piece at a time. Haven't made one in probably over a year.

 

[Sgt. York]

eating nothing but over processed pre prepared "food" will take years off your life. Eating the equivalent of Purina Human Chow is just plain wrong. Exert yourself.

Do you have a double blind study with peer review you can produce?

 

[Muse]

Do you have a double blind study with peer review you can produce?

I haven't seen such, but my doctor doesn't like it. He said I shouldn't eat any canned food. About the only canned food I will buy/eat is canned corn and solid albacore tuna. Contents, corn or tuna and water AFAIK. Barely "processed!"

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I

Do you have a double blind study with peer review you can produce?

I've fed and observed what people eat for longer than you've been alive. Have fun waiting till someone hands you proof in black and white because you'll be dead.