Get to Know Your Microwave
How Foods Cook in a Microwave
Defrosting Foods in a Microwave
Microwave Cooking Techniques
Testing for Doneness
What to Do With Leftovers
Reheating Foods Safely
Microwave Food Safety Checks

Microwave Food Safety Checks

• Microwave only properly-stored and handled foods.
  
• Remove store wrap before defrosting food in a microwave oven.
  
• Cook foods immediately after defrosting.
  
• Arrange food to promote even heating.
  
• Use only microwave-safe dishes.
  
• Cover dish with lid or heavy-duty plastic wrap turned back at one corner.
  
• Midway through cooking and as needed:
  
  
  • Turn dish.
    
  • Reposition dish on rotating turntable.
    
  • Rearrange or stir foods during cooking.
    
  • Turn large food items over.
    
  
  
• Allow food to stand after microwaving.
  
• Check for doneness:
  
  
  • Temperature should reach 160°F for meat, fish, and eggs.
    
  • Poultry white meat should reach 170°F.
    
  • Poultry dark meat should reach 180°F.
    
• Look for visual signs of doneness:
  
  
  • Juices from meat and poultry not pink.
    
  • Poultry thigh joints move easily.
    
  • Fish is opaque and flakes easily.
    
  • Eggs are not runny.
    
  
  
• Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking.
  
• Reheat leftovers to 165°F or until food steams throughout and center bottom of dish is hot.