With the right microwave cookware, you can enjoy the convenience of quick cooking without sacrificing gourmet flavor.
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10 Genius Products That Make Microwave Cooking Feel Gourmet
Updated on Jan. 09, 2025
Culinary snobs might have you believe that your microwave isn’t to be used in cooking. However, we’re of another mind: your microwave is just too convenient and speedy to ignore. Whether you’re using it to heat up leftovers or defrost something for dinner later that night, they’re a valuable, ubiquitous tool that exists in just about every American household. However, to use your microwave correctly, you’ll need microwave-safe cookware. That way, your food will stay put while you zap it and (hopefully) won’t leave a big mess behind in the process. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to the best microwave-safe cookware you can buy right now. Pick up a few pieces, and your microwaving experience is sure to only get better.
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Pasta Cooker
A watched pot never boils. So why not skip that step altogether? With this microwave pasta cooker all you have to do is add pasta and water to the container, then nuke it in the microwave. The design allows for water circulation and cooking control, meaning perfectly al dente pasta every time.
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Anyday Microwave Cookware
Anyday doesn’t just make microwave cooking products—it has elevated microwave cooking into an art form. We tested Anyday ourselves to see if it cut down on cooking and cleaning time. We came away impressed. The Anyday Starter Set contains two dishes designed to meet your quick-cooking needs—and when you’re thoroughly convinced of the brand’s superiority, build out your collection with the Everyday Set and the Complete Set.
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Omelet Maker
Put away that sugary breakfast cereal! Now you can have a healthy omelet in minutes. This microwave omelet maker can cook up to four eggs, along with your chosen toppings—all while you pour yourself a cup of coffee. Just pop in the dishwasher when you’re done.
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Vegetable Steamer
Microwaving is a smart way to cook your veggies without sacrificing nutrients. It couldn’t be easier with this microwave vegetable steamer. Throw your vegetables in the steamer basket, pour water in the bottom of the container, then pop on the lid and voila! Perfectly steamed veggies in a few minutes.
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Cake Maker
Sometimes when the sweet tooth craving hits, you need a cake pronto. If you don’t want a cake that could serve a whole crowd, use this microwave cake maker. It can make a moist, delicious cake in 6 minutes. The handy ingredient box does all the measuring for you, which means all you have to do is decide which flavor ice cream to eat with it! Try this microwave mug cake, too.
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Bacon Tray
As much as we love bacon, the clean-up afterward can be a greasy headache. This microwave bacon tray will give you crispy bacon without the mess. The design drains away grease and moisture, which means perfectly crisped bacon and no dirty frying pan. Simply discard the grease and throw the tray in the dishwasher when you’re finished. Who’s ready for a loaded BLT sandwich?
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Microwave Crisper Pan
Microwave cooking gets a bad rap because often it can make food soggy rather than crispy. Well, no more! This microwave crisper pan is perfect for chicken nuggets, leftover pizza or hamburgers. (You might not believe you just pulled your food out of a microwave.) Get breakfast, lunch, dinner and even dessert on the table in minutes with these microwave recipes.
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Collapsible Microwave Cover
Is there anything worse than opening your microwave to find a mess of food splashes inside? Use this collapsible microwave cover to keep all splatters contained. Cover food as it cooks in the microwave, then wash it in the dishwasher in between uses. Bonus feature, we love the collapsible design for easy storage. Also check out how to clean a microwave in under ten minutes with everyday household items.
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Popcorn Popper
Skip the bagged microwave popcorn for a tastier and fresher version with this Cuisinart microwave popcorn popper (it’s one of the best popcorn makers according to our Test Kitchen). Simply add popcorn kernels to the collapsible bowl, attach the lid and pop! Great for health-conscious eaters because it doesn’t even require oil. Take your snack to the next level with these gourmet popcorn recipes.Â
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Oven Mitts
Taking hot food out of the microwave has never been so stylish—or safe. These adorable oven mitts will look lovely hanging in your kitchen, and serve their function well. Plus, we love that they’re 100% cotton and machine washable.
What to Look for in Microwave Cookware
To make the best use of your microwave in cooking, you will want to be absolutely sure your cookware is compatible. Here are some things to look for in your hunt:
- Simplicity/Convenience: Your microwave cookware doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be safe to use. Stick with products with a lower learning curve so you don’t have to worry about getting frustrated. Ultimately, a microwave is all about convenience. So, too, should your cookware be. Overly complicated items will remove that convenience factor and make them relatively useless.
- Quality: Even if something says it’s microwave-safe, that doesn’t mean it’s high quality. Stick with brands you trust (or at least cross-reference professional and customer reviews) to ensure what you’re getting is good quality. This will also help it last longer, as low-quality kitchen gear usually breaks down quickly.
- Microwave-Safe Label: Always ensure your cookware is properly labeled as microwave-safe. If you don’t, the cookware could heat up to dangerous levels, crack, shatter and/or even explode. This is the most important factor to consider, as it comes down to personal safety.
How We Found the Best Microwave Cookware
First, we took stock of the cookware landscape, casting a wide research net examining the huge number of products available on the market. Then, we parsed down that list by eliminating brands that weren’t up to snuff—prioritizing brands we have experience with and those that are time-tested and trusted by experts and amateurs alike. Finally, we whittled that list further by paying special attention to the remaining cookware’s quality, durability and user reviews. The final list is the result of all that work and represents the best options on the market today.
Why You Should Trust Us
Erica Young is a shopping expert specializing in home decor and kitchen items. Her carefully curated articles have appeared on Family Handyman, Reader’s Digest, Fox, MSN, U.S. News and World Report, Popsugar, and more. Megan Mowery is a former senior shopping editor with hundreds of product reviews, including kitchen goods (like microwave cookware).
FAQ
What cookware is microwave-safe?
It is only safe to microwave cookware properly labeled as microwave-safe (usually a symbol resembling a microwave accompanied by the words “microwave safe”). If you’re unsure if something is microwave-safe, you’re better off not finding out. Find another microwave-safe container, transfer your food to that, and then heat it up.
Is it safe to microwave pots?
It is only safe to microwave kitchenware and cookware, including pots if it has the appropriate microwave-safe labeling—which includes a symbol that looks like a microwave and the words “microwave safe.”
Why can’t you put stainless steel in the microwave?
Metal should never be put into the microwave, as it can reflect the waves it produces, creating smoke and sparks and much larger, more dangerous fires. This applies to stainless steel, tin, iron, aluminum, etc. Just don’t put metal in your microwave for your safety and the safety of those around you.
