Anyone with a microwave urged not to cook these 5 foods with the appliance

Many of us rely on the to warm up our food or even to cook meals with it. However, there are several food items that should go nowhere near a microwave for various reasons.

As trying to cook some meals in the microwave can cause serious , consumer group has listed the edible items users should avoid putting in the appliance. So, although it may get your or heated up quickly and efficiently, there are plenty of better alternatives to get these foods the way you want them without the use of a microwave.

Dry leafy greens

Popping in some kale or might seem ideal to have ready quickly for your lunch or dinner, but it could actually be dangerous. This is because leafy greens require moisture to cook, therefore, putting dry vegetables in the microwave could lead them to sparking and possibly even causing a fire. Instead, you should steam or boil your greens. If you have to your microwave, then make sure to rinse your vegetables under running water before placing them in a microwave-safe container, covered with a well-fitted lid so they can steam cook.

Tomato-based sauces

The sauces are usually too thick, making it tricky for heat and steam to escape, and as the bubbles build up, they can pop explosively, resulting in a complete mess inside the microwave. The trapped steam could also cause air pockets to develop in the sauce, which do not burst until removed from the microwave, so not only a sauce can make your microwave messy but it could stain your clothes and burn you.

Of course, if the microwave is needed, add a little water to the sauce, don't overdo the cooking time, and try cooking it through short bursts at half-power. However, reheating sauces in a saucepan is the best option.

Chilli peppers

While microwaving the peppers will not result in any explosions, it will leave an unpleasant experience. Heating up an extra-hot chilli pepper could lead to large amounts of capsaicin - the chemical that makes peppers spicy.

Once you open that microwave door, the fumes will be released into the air which could lead to an awful spicy heat and burning or streaming eyes. You're best off roasting, grilling, pan-frying or even enjoying them raw.

Raw eggs in their shells

Placing a raw egg in the microwave is a major no-no, as the steam trapped inside the shell has nowhere to go and can cause it to explode, leaving cooked eggy parts all over your microwave.

Boiling the egg is always the best way to go about things, and if your egg is at room temperature before you start, it will be less likely to crack.

Unshelled hard-boiled eggs

Unshelled hard-boiled eggs are also likely to explode if heated in the microwave, this is because the high temperature can cause extreme build-up of steam inside a hard-boiled egg to the point it can explode, despite the shell being removed. What's worse is that while they can explode during the cooking process, leaving an awful smell and mess in your microwave, they can also burst after being removed, scalding your hands or mouth.