Have you ever found yourself considering the question can put metal in a convection microwave?
As a child, you were probably warned about the dangers of putting metal in the microwave. Perhaps you were told off for doing this as an accident, only to never dare do it again. It is a bit like putting a knife into the toaster while it is still on.
You know that there is a good reason why you should not do it, but you may not be entirely sure why.
In this article, we will be discussing whether or not you can put metal in a convection microwave.
We will be going into detail about what a convection microwave is and what makes it different from a standard microwave. For more information, also check out our thoughts on The 7 Best Microwave Convection Ovens You’re Sure To Love.
What is a Convection Microwave?
A convection microwave works differently from a standard microwave.
It can do all of the same things that a standard microwave can do, such as melting butter, cooking ready meals, defrosting food, and reheating. However, you can also use it as an oven.
Convection microwaves can roast chicken and beef, and also cook pizza and cakes too!
Essentially it acts as a small oven. They are particularly great for small apartments or if you have an RV because they are compact and do not take up a lot of counter space.
How Does A Convection Microwave Work?
Given that it can act as an oven, you may be wondering how a convection microwave works.
Essentially this is all in its name. It works by circulating warm air and heat around the microwave, which then will heat the food.
It contains a heating element and a fan to help circulate the heat that regular microwaves do not have.
Can You Put Metal In A Convection Microwave?
Considering that this type of microwave acts as a hybrid microwave/oven, it can often be confusing about whether or not you can put metal into it.
While you can place metal into an oven with no issues, you cannot do this with a regular microwave.
If you place metal into a regular microwave it will heat up dangerously fast. The metal contains a high number of electrons. When the microwave is switched on, these electrons will be pulled and affected by the microwaves used to heat your food.
Given this, the metal will heat up very quickly and has the potential to burn your microwave. If the metal has any kinks in it, it will heat up even quicker and can be a potential fire hazard in a very short space of time.
In addition to this, the metal will absorb all of the heat and your food will still be cold.
However, if you own a convection microwave, there are instances where you can use metal. When you are using the convection setting on your microwave you can safely place metal into it.
This is because the method of heating is not using microwaves. If you are using your convection microwave with just the microwave setting it is important to take any metal out before using.
It is important to remember that metal can only be used while the microwave is in convection mode. Always exercise caution and ensure that you are choosing the correct settings before you turn on your microwave.
What Types Of Metal Can I Put In My Convection Microwave?
While it is in convection mode, you should treat your microwave as you would your oven. This is because, with the convection settings, that is was your microwave has essentially become.
It is safe to use the types of metal you would place in your oven. Dishes and pots which are made out of aluminum or stainless steel are perfectly fine to pop into the convection microwave. If you want to use aluminum foil, this is perfectly fine to do so too.
You can rest assured that your microwave will not explode or catch on fire with the use of metal on convection mode.
While it does seem to go against everything you may have been told, do not think of this mode as a microwave. Many convection microwaves also come with a wire rack ready for you to use too, which is useful.
Why Should I Purchase A Convection Microwave Instead of a Standard Microwave?
A standard microwave does its job and is a useful appliance to have in any kitchen. However, a convection microwave will take your cooking to a new level.
If you are traveling in an RV they are a must-have. Many RV’s do not have space for a full-sized cooker. Given this, a convection microwave is worth the investment.
Given that you can roast a whole chicken in it, it stops you from being limited to the kinds of food you can eat on the go.
In addition to this, in a standard kitchen having a convection microwave is still useful. It allows you to multi-task. You could cook things in your convection microwave, while also cooking in your oven.
Summary
We hope that this article has helped to answer your question of whether or not you can put metal in a convection microwave.
Always ensure that you are only placing metal into the microwave when it is in convection mode and ensure to double-check your settings before cooking. If you have any doubts or concerns, we would recommend using non-metal kitchen equipment.
It is important to remember that a convection microwave does not work in quite the same way as a standard microwave. It will heat your food differently.
Given this, caution should always be taken. Ensure to read the instruction manual carefully before using it.
If you are interested in purchasing a convection microwave, we have included a few great ones from Amazon US for you to have a look at:
