Are Porcelain Plates Microwave Safe?

Porcelain

• Porcelain is made from high quality refined white clay (refined meaning that it has been sifted for impurities such as grains of sand that can result in a coarse clay). It is fired at 2300 degrees Fahrenheit -- hotter than similar materials also used in kitchen and dining ware, such as earthenware and stoneware -- which results in a tough ceramic whose strength means that it can be fabricated into thin sheets and still maintain its durability.

Microwave

• Microwaves are designed to cook food quickly and evenly. Typically they do this by generating a higher temperature than most conventional ovens. Because porcelain, when it is made, is fired at such a high temperature, it can withstand the high heats generated by the microwave.

Warning

• A caveat exists, however, to putting porcelain items into the microwave: Do not do so if they have metal edges, gold details or other metallic components. Placing metal, even aluminium foil, in a microwave is a definite no-no. The limited dimensions of the microwave mean that, rather than be absorbed by the metal, the heatwaves that the microwave generates bounce off it and spark, increasing the risk of kitchen fires.

Care

• As with all kitchenware, avoid placing a very hot piece of equipment directly into cold water. The rapid change in temperature risks damaging the item. In some frying pans and saucepans, this can cause buckling or bowing, while, with porcelain and other pottery pieces, it can cause cracks to appear or even cause the piece to break. For the same reason, avoid taking hot porcelain out of the microwave with a damp cloth or oven mitt.