You must have been familiar with the situation, where the fine china kitchenware comes out of the shelves, only when we have some guest coming over or during some fine occasions. That is because the fine china looks so delicate and fragile- scary to care for as it seems.
On the other hand, China has an outstanding quality look, making them the perfect fit for special occasions and fine dinners. Beautiful kitchenware compliments your food and beverages.
So we often have a question pop out in our head-Can you microwave fine china?
And the simple answer to it is- yes, we can microwave fine china.
It might look thin and fragile from its appearance, but it is one of the strongest microwavable kitchenware. You can safely cook or heat your food in the microwave.
Can the fine china go into the microwave?
Fine china is made of kaolin which is a type of white clay that is made from decomposing granite. And clay is porous in nature and has absorbing power.
That might make you think china is non-microwavable, as it is porous and can absorb the electromagnetic waves released in a microwave, which can be dangerous to use.
But the fact is that fine china is bisque fired and glazed ( glaze is composed of clay, glass, flux, and then some colorant). After that, it is fired at a very high temperature so that the clay and the glaze melt and fuse into the one really strong product. In this process, the pores get sealed.
So, can the fine china go into the microwave?
Yes, fine china can go into the microwave. Exceptions are those which have metal on them. Some china has metals like gold, silver, and platinum. Or might have handles and belts made up of metal. Avoid putting any of those in the microwave.
Metals are good conductors of electricity- when it comes to contact with the microwave, the electromagnetic wave gets absorbed, which causes arcing and sparks to happen inside your microwave. It may damage the china or the microwave itself. It might also cause an explosion.
Does the china get hot in the microwave?
China doesn’t get hot in the microwave. It is microwave safe. It does not absorb the microwave radio like metals and remains cool throughout.
China itself is glazed and then fired to a certain degree. During this, the pores of the china get completely sealed and cover all the surface. Thus, the wave cannot be absorbed by the dish, and it keeps the china cool while we cook or heat the food. But yes, the food inside the pot can make it hot.
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How do you know if fine china is microwave safe?
Most of the fine china found in the market is microwave safe. They are considered the safest among other products found in the market.
But make sure you avoid putting any chinaware inside the microwave with metals on it. Be it big or small, metals in any form (gold or silver) is dangerous. Not only does it damage the cookware or the microwave but it can also cause kitchen accidents.
Apart from that, it does not always happen that every china produced and sold in the market is microwavable. You should not blindly get the product and use it without sizing up. Be careful when you get the product, and see for yourself if it is safe to microwave.
There are several ways to recognize if China is microwaveable or not. The simplest way to do that is to check the microwave-safe label. You can flip the dish and look for the stamp on the bottom. Indications like “microwave safe”, “microwave friendly” or “wavy horizontal line” show that the dish is microwavable.
In case the mark is not present, you can switch to an electromagnetic energy absorption test. For that, you should:
- Take the dish along with a microwaveable glass filled with water. Make sure that the cup has a microwave-safe stamp on the bottom, or the test may not be effective.
- Now, place them side by side and microwave them for a minute in high power. If they do not fit side by side, place the cup on top of the dish.
- After the completion of one minute, take the dish out and feel the temperature.
If the dish feels hot or slightly warmer than the water, it means the heat is absorbed, so the dish is non-microwaveable. Similarly, if the dish remains cold, but the water inside the glass is hot, then the dish is microwavable.
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Is the Fine China microwave safe?
Non-microwavable products can break, crack or stick in the microwave. Some products may also release harmful chemicals when heated, which may get in the food, damage the microwave itself or even cause a fire.
China is microwave-safe unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise or until it has any kind of metals on it, in the form of decoration, belt, or handles. Metals can absorb the magnetic wave coming out of the microwave. So it can be risky to use.
Fine china is one of the safest materials that you can microwave. However, consider doing a safety check before purchasing it. For that, you can check the bottom of the dish to see if it’s microwavable or non-microwaveable. If you do not see any sign regarding safety, you can do the electromagnetic energy absorption test by yourself as well.
Fine china is strong and durable. It remains cool in the microwave throughout the heating or cooking process.
Most of the clay remains porous even after heating up. But china gets sealed after being heated. It prevents china from observing moisture. Having no moisture helps it remain cool all the time in the microwave.
As china is fired at an exorbitant temperature while making. It can resist excess heat and doesn’t break even at a sudden shift in the temperature. It makes them tougher as compared to other ceramics which break easily. Hence, fine china doesn’t break even if the temperature fluctuates.
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Conclusion
The microwave offers you food on time without losing its nutritional elements. It has a huge impact on our daily lives. Our busy schedule doesn’t allow us to sit and cook for long hours. You just need to put the food in the appliance, set the timer, come back and get it ready. This is how easier it makes our lives. So it wouldn’t be wrong to say that microwaves play a crucial role in our lives.
So, it also becomes very important to choose the right product that goes inside the microwave. You should be cautious while choosing the right cookware.
Fine china can be the safest cookware for you. It not only adds value to your kitchen but is strong and durable at the same time. It is made of kaolin which helps it survive heat and pressure.
Be careful while choosing the right chinaware. You should check the microwave-safe sign, where you can see if the product is microwavable or non-microwavable.
Once all the things are taken care of, you can get the product. And, yes, safer and tougher doesn’t mean you should use the cookware recklessly. Handle it with care. Avoid extreme temperatures. If your chinaware has any cracks, do not put it in the microwave, otherwise, the heat and pressure inside the microwave will completely break the dish. Safety is in your hand, prevent microwaving even if you see a tiny hairline crack.