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Welcome to ReviewBox Brasil! The invention of the microwave oven has helped a lot in performing simple tasks in the kitchen. However, this appliance needs some complements to work with perfect efficiency. Among them, the microwave lid!
The microwave lid helps to prepare and heat meals with more safety and cleanliness. It also has some details that make the heating process more uniform, improving the pleasure of eating good food.
What does a good microwave lid need to offer so that buying it is a good idea? What materials are recommended? What makes it necessary for your day to day life? It’s time to clear up all your doubts!
Contents
Summary
- Not every type of material can be taken to the microwave. So pay attention to whether the lid you choose has good specifications for use. Poor quality plastics can be very harmful to your health.
- A quality microwave lid will make your life easier: no more mess all over the appliance, no more hot food on the outside and cold food on the inside. The holes are fundamental.
- Some brands are very good in the beauty and design of their lids. You may not care about that, but it’s worth paying more if you want your whole kitchen in one style!
The Best Microwave Cover: Our Picks
To help you choose which model to go for, we’ve selected some excellent quality microwave covers. You’re sure to be pleased with any of them:
Buying guide
No matter what your doubt about the utensil, it will be solved now!
What is a microwave lid and what is it used for?
The main function of the lid, therefore, is to keep your microwave oven clean. It holds those parts that would normally stick to the sides or top of the oven. You will need to clean less frequently and the appliance will have a longer life.
Usually, the lid is made of special plastic, but there are some variations. It should be placed over the plate or container the food is in, making sure the whole surface is covered. This way, the cleanliness of your oven is guaranteed!
There are still other functions, such as allowing your meal to heat up evenly. We will talk more about this soon!
In the table below, some advantages and disadvantages of the microwave lid:
What materials are indicated for a microwave lid?
The overwhelming majority of lids available on the market are made of plastic. Only the category “plastic” is very diverse. Some types melt, others release substances that can cause serious health problems.
That’s why you need plastics that are ideal for microwaves. Whether you use it as a lid or as a food container, always check this information. If it is not written that it can be taken to the appliance, do not take it.
Not all glass can be used in the microwave either. Only refractory glass can be taken to high temperatures. More common types can also crack and even release shards.
You should not take chances with uncertified materials. Even if a product is sold as a “microwave lid”, be sure that it can be placed on this appliance. Your health will thank you.
Hazardous components of plastics not recommended for microwaving include Bisphenol A (BFA) and phthalates. They are released by heat and are largely harmful to health.
They can cause cancer, obesity, diabetes, neurobehavioural disorders, miscarriage, low sperm count and more. Therefore, simple plastics should be avoided at all costs!
How important are the holes in the microwave lid?
The microwave oven, unlike an electric oven, does not release heat itself. What it does do is produce electromagnetic waves which stir up the water molecules in the food, making it hot from then on. The sauce will always heat up before the pasta.
In addition to keeping the appliance clean, the lid concentrates these electromagnetic waves closer to the food and heating is faster. This is where a very important feature comes into play: the holes in the surface of the lid.
The holes make the steam (water in its gaseous state) leave the energy concentration zone. Thus, it ceases to be the main target of heating, allowing the food to receive more waves and to heat more uniformly.
Make sure the lid you choose has a good amount of holes! This will even improve the performance of your microwave.
To better understand how the microwave oven works, check out the following video from the channel “Enementar, meu caro Watson”, which explains physics and science in a fun and humorous way:
Buying criteria: how to compare microwave oven tops
Now that you understand the reasons to get a microwave lid, let’s look at some more criteria you can take into consideration when buying:
Below, we will further explain each of these criteria!
Colour and design
Colour and design will not have a direct influence on the functional quality of the lid. So, if this is your priority, this criterion can be ignored. But if you want to have a beautiful kitchen, with all items matching, it is good to pay attention.
Some brands stand out for the variety of colours they offer, as well as for the difference in styles and design. For the beauty of your kitchen, the ideal is to resort to them at the time of acquisition.
Ergonomics
Putting your fingers on the hot lid to pick up food may not be one of the most comfortable experiences. Worse still, imagine if it’s hard to hold and gets knocked off right after use, causing mess all over the kitchen?
An important feature of microwaveable lids is ergonomics. Many have a special area for your fingers, which fits perfectly in your hand. This way, you will be able to remove it from the oven after use without any kind of suffering!
Easy to store
The microwave lid needs to be tall and wide. Only then will it cover all types of containers that go into the appliance. Thus, storing it can be tricky, especially in small and not very spacious kitchens.
If you are the one who needs to save space as much as possible, opt for an adjustable microwave lid. There are models capable of greatly reducing its size when not in use. Great for modern flat kitchens!
Diameter
Microwave ovens come in different sizes and capacities. Dishes and containers of different sizes may or may not fit inside them. To accommodate for this, choose a lid with a compatible diameter.
Diameters can vary from just over 20 cm to almost 40 cm. Measure your dishes and containers, see how much will fit in your microwave and make your choice. Imagine what a disaster it would be to buy a lid that doesn’t even fit on your appliance!
(Featured image source: vvoennyy/ 123rf.com)
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