Advice on manipulating food, when food should be pricked and which containers and wraps should be used for microwaving.

Food should be manipulated to ensure even cooking and heating. Depending upon the food, food should be stirred, turned, or re-arranged during microwaving. Some foods require a standing time to complete the cooking process by conduction.

Foods which have a skin or membrane should be pricked to allow the build up of steam to escape. Such foods include egg yolks and whites, potatoes and their skins, tomatoes, apples, kidney and liver. If this is not done the food could burst or 'explode'.

Only use cookware designed and manufactured for use in the microwave oven. Glass, ceramic containers, and all plastics should be labelled for microwave oven use.

Containers should be of a non-porous material, must not warp or melt and allow the microwave energy to the food. Round or regular shaped containers work best as food in those with sharp corners often overheat and dry out in the corners and edges before it is evenly cooked.

Plastic storage containers and other one-time use containers should not be used in microwave ovens. These containers can warp or melt.

Microwave plastic wraps, wax paper, cooking bags, and white microwave-safe paper towels are safe to use.