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What’s the most essential piece of technology in the kitchen for the modern family? Nope, it’s not the computer notebook or smart phone (although I’m starting to find those devices more and more indispensable to my cooking and grocery shopping). It’s the good old microwave!
While this appliance is not always my preferred method of cooking (ever tried baking a regular cake in the microwave?), I do rely on it pretty frequently in my kitchen. It can be a lifesaver when you’re just trying to heat up leftovers, melt butter, boil a quick cup of water, soften some frozen solid ice cream, or any other number of kitchen tasks. Not to mention, it’s very effective for popping corn, or tempering chocolate.
It’s hard to believe that the microwave wasn’t a common sight in American households until the 1980s. I am dating myself here but I remember learning all about this “new-fangled” device in my middle school home economics class.
My siblings and I were so enthralled with our new microwave at home that we devised all kinds of after school experiments to test its potential. We exploded marshmallows, scrambled eggs, and made cut up grapes do all kinds of crazy special effects. Not exactly what was recommended in home ec! In addition to that, we used it for just about anything we could cook up, including the aforementioned cake, which turned out so poorly that we never tried it that way again. With all of our unsupervised experimentation, which we so carefully cleaned up lest our parents return home to a disaster, I’m surprised we didn’t destroy the thing.
For many busy families, the microwave is an essential modern convenience. But there is also some concern about microwaving with any type of plastic. The risk with plastic is that during the cooking process, substances used in the manufacturing process may leak into your food. If your plastic items are not specifically labeled microwave safe, better to play it safe and heat your food on traditional microwave safe dishes such as tempered glass or ceramic. You don’t want to put your little ones at risk by leaching toxins into their food via microwaved plastic.
I recently got into a discussion with my mother: Can you microwave foil? Much to my surprise, she said it is okay to put one of those foil dishes in there and that she does it all the time. I had always gone by the rule, never, ever put anything metal in the microwave. Well I did a little research, and there are some newer types of microwaves in which you can place metal objects (mom must have one of those), and some food manufacturers use special metal packaging to help microwave foods become crispy. But for the most part using metal is a no-no that can lead to sparks, mini lightning bolts, or even fire.
Metal absorbs the microwave rays that are helping to heat your food and becomes hot very quickly, thus the risk. Also, some metals reflect the microwaves back to the transmitter, and can eventually destroy it. Always consult the instruction manual. While the microwave is a relatively safe device for letting your kids heat up their foods, never let young kids use it unattended. This homemade microwave popcorn is a perfect after school snack that your kids can help to prepare and season to their liking!
©2026 CDKitchen, Inc. No reproduction or distribution of any portion of this article is allowed without express permission from CDKitchen, Inc.
To share this article with others, you may link to this page:
https://www.cdkitchen.com/cooking-experts/pamela-chester/1193-microwave-tips/
Can You Put It In The Microwave?
What’s the most essential piece of technology in the kitchen for the modern family? Nope, it’s not the computer notebook or smart phone (although I’m starting to find those devices more and more indispensable to my cooking and grocery shopping). It’s the good old microwave!
While this appliance is not always my preferred method of cooking (ever tried baking a regular cake in the microwave?), I do rely on it pretty frequently in my kitchen. It can be a lifesaver when you’re just trying to heat up leftovers, melt butter, boil a quick cup of water, soften some frozen solid ice cream, or any other number of kitchen tasks. Not to mention, it’s very effective for popping corn, or tempering chocolate.
It’s hard to believe that the microwave wasn’t a common sight in American households until the 1980s. I am dating myself here but I remember learning all about this “new-fangled” device in my middle school home economics class.
My siblings and I were so enthralled with our new microwave at home that we devised all kinds of after school experiments to test its potential. We exploded marshmallows, scrambled eggs, and made cut up grapes do all kinds of crazy special effects. Not exactly what was recommended in home ec! In addition to that, we used it for just about anything we could cook up, including the aforementioned cake, which turned out so poorly that we never tried it that way again. With all of our unsupervised experimentation, which we so carefully cleaned up lest our parents return home to a disaster, I’m surprised we didn’t destroy the thing.
For many busy families, the microwave is an essential modern convenience. But there is also some concern about microwaving with any type of plastic. The risk with plastic is that during the cooking process, substances used in the manufacturing process may leak into your food. If your plastic items are not specifically labeled microwave safe, better to play it safe and heat your food on traditional microwave safe dishes such as tempered glass or ceramic. You don’t want to put your little ones at risk by leaching toxins into their food via microwaved plastic.
I recently got into a discussion with my mother: Can you microwave foil? Much to my surprise, she said it is okay to put one of those foil dishes in there and that she does it all the time. I had always gone by the rule, never, ever put anything metal in the microwave. Well I did a little research, and there are some newer types of microwaves in which you can place metal objects (mom must have one of those), and some food manufacturers use special metal packaging to help microwave foods become crispy. But for the most part using metal is a no-no that can lead to sparks, mini lightning bolts, or even fire.
Metal absorbs the microwave rays that are helping to heat your food and becomes hot very quickly, thus the risk. Also, some metals reflect the microwaves back to the transmitter, and can eventually destroy it. Always consult the instruction manual. While the microwave is a relatively safe device for letting your kids heat up their foods, never let young kids use it unattended. This homemade microwave popcorn is a perfect after school snack that your kids can help to prepare and season to their liking!
Serves/Makes: 7 cups
- 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- salt, to taste
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese or other toppings (optional)
Place the unpopped popcorn in a brown paper bag. Fold the top of the bag over by 1/2-inch. Fold it again so it is now folded over twice. Seal the bag with two staples that are at least 3 inches apart. This will keep them from sparking in the microwave.
Place the bag in the microwave and cook on high power for 2-3 minutes, or until the popcorn is only popping about 5 seconds apart.
Remove the bag from the oven and carefully open it. It will be hot.
Transfer the popcorn to a bowl. Drizzle it with melted butter and season to taste with salt and cheese or other desired toppings. Serve immediately.
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©2026 CDKitchen, Inc. No reproduction or distribution of any portion of this article is allowed without express permission from CDKitchen, Inc.
To share this article with others, you may link to this page:
https://www.cdkitchen.com/cooking-experts/pamela-chester/1193-microwave-tips/