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Do you warm plates in the microwave?

(91 Posts)
GrandmaKT Thu 03-Feb-22 19:46:02

Our microwave started spluttering and buzzing, so I just bought a new one (800w, no grill). Reading the instruction manual, it says it should not be used for heating plates. I have done this for years (it's one of the main things I use it for!). Could I have damaged my old one by doing this?

MiniMoon Fri 04-Feb-22 10:32:01

Rarely. My husband doesn't like hot food , so I usually serve it on to cold plates.
Over the years I've got used to it.

nadateturbe Fri 04-Feb-22 10:27:56

Husband has done this for years.

henetha Fri 04-Feb-22 09:56:22

It has never occurred to me that plates can be warmed in the microwave!. I have a little warming oven above the main oven.

Mapleleaf Fri 04-Feb-22 09:53:18

I’ve done it occasionally when reheating something, but mainly I use a table top hostess plate warmer that I’ve had for years. I dislike putting hot food onto cold plates.

Nanawind Fri 04-Feb-22 09:30:12

A few years ago we had a new oven. This was delivered when DH was out.
It's an all singing and dancing one lots of buttons and knobs.
It included a microwave. I'd gone out before DH got home.
I was going to call at the chippy on the way home.
So phoned DH to warm the plates. In the short space of time
he didn't know how to turn on the warming drawer.
So what he did was turn the gas fire on and held the plates in front to warm.
This is now a family joke asking dad/grandad to warm the plates.

Audi10 Fri 04-Feb-22 09:22:51

No never ever done it

Redhead56 Fri 04-Feb-22 09:19:31

I have a proving draw if the ovens not on I will put plates in there.

Elegran Fri 04-Feb-22 09:16:38

If I am heating part of the meal in the microwave (frozen veg, "baked" potatoes, gravy, custard, whatever) I just put the plates under or on top of the thing being heated. The plates heat up in the steam. I wouldn't heat just te plates in there. When the microwave isn't in use the plates go into hot water, or into the ordinary top oven, which gets quite warm when the bottom oven is on (I suspect the insulation isn't very good)

Lincslass Fri 04-Feb-22 08:32:18

I warm plates in my combi microwave, it has an oven programme so can warm plates at the lowest temp.

MayBee70 Thu 03-Feb-22 22:58:28

Oopsadaisy1

Always put a cup of water on top of plates or your Microwave could be damaged. Microwaves should always have something ‘wet’ in them when switched on.

Yes. That’s what I’ve always done too.

SpringyChicken Thu 03-Feb-22 22:47:56

The water counts as the food, BlueBelle.

BlueBelle Thu 03-Feb-22 22:45:40

Never it clearly tells you not to use the microwave without food

SpringyChicken Thu 03-Feb-22 22:45:09

I always warm plates (mostly in the oven at 120℃) but in the microwave (wetted) otherwise. I also warm the mugs in the microwave in winter before pouring out tea. None of us bolt our food so it's needed.

Woodmouse Thu 03-Feb-22 22:43:19

I have always heated my plates in the microwave. I can't abide my food being served on "cold" plates unless it's salad.

Lilypops Thu 03-Feb-22 22:37:13

I put plates in the the sink, then if I am straining water from potatoes or any veg , I let the boiling water from the pan strain over the plates, then dry them before putting the meal on them.

Spice101 Thu 03-Feb-22 22:25:56

I've heated plates in the microwave for years, never put any liquid in with them. No damage to plates or microwave - both lasting for many years.

I also use the microwave to heat wheat/heat bags without liquid.

dustyangel Thu 03-Feb-22 22:01:21

We’ve got the mats and they work very well. DH is fanatical about having a warm plate, but mostly here in Portugal restaurant food is served when it is ready and in the winter the plates can be extremely cold. It seems only the English mind about this small detail..

CanadianGran Thu 03-Feb-22 21:56:34

I always thought you had to have food or liquid in a microwave or you could damage it, so I would never put an empty plate in there.

I also never warm plates, so it's not an issue for me.

GrandmaKT Thu 03-Feb-22 21:53:41

Thanks all. I think I'll add a small bowl of water in future, and maybe get the mats NanKate recommended.

rubysong Thu 03-Feb-22 21:36:46

I've never used the microwave to warm plates. If I can't use the top oven I put the plates on top of the boiling veg with the pan lid on top. The steam warms them and they just need drying with a tea towel.

Blossoming Thu 03-Feb-22 21:35:14

No, I’ve never done that.

crazyH Thu 03-Feb-22 21:34:58

No. Most of my meals are microwave meals anyway ?

mokryna Thu 03-Feb-22 21:33:14

I warm up stacked plates in the microwave with a out two tablespoons of water on each one plate.

Granmarderby10 Thu 03-Feb-22 21:32:25

Yes.
Recall reading somewhere it shouldn’t be done, but I’ve never known why.
The mats mentioned above sound good NanKate
Just do not like my hot meals served on stone cold plates?

MissAdventure Thu 03-Feb-22 21:29:48

Callistemon21

^and expect prompt attendance when I call^
Can I send DH round to yours please?
He needs sharpening up.
(Although he did cook tonight)

Anyone who cooks is welcome.
I'll even warm the plates in readiness.