Anyone with a microwave knows the challenge of steaming or heating food. There are three risks present, either the food gets rid of all moisture and dries up, or you have the food splattering all over the microwave, and where you try and get a lid, it then retains too much steam making your food soggy. To address these issues, manufacturers have designed various microwave splatter guard models in different designs and materials. With numerous such products in the market, it can be tempting to pick one randomly expecting it to work, but that is nor a great idea. Here is an overview of the different food splatter guards and our selection for the best microwave splatter cover.
Things to Consider for When Choosing a Microwave Splatter Cover Not any cover or lid will suit your microwave. There are several factors to consider when shopping, which includes; Size: there are two aspects to consider here — the size of the plate and the size of the microwave. You want a microwave plate cover that fits in your microwave right and sits on the rotating plate without dropping. It should also be able to cover the plate or dish with the food. You want a screen that covers the recipe adequately to prevent any splatter at the same time it should not be pressed so much on the food. Cost: While a microwave splatter guard offers convenience, it should not be so expensive until it becomes prohibitive. Some manufacturers use fancy designs and costly material to drive the cost up while in essence, the plate cover offers average performance. It is always great to check around and compare prices with the performance provided. Design: the design is essential when it offers function and not just aesthetics. Intelligent design finds a way to create a huge dome, which is useful when heating a more significant portion of food. More importantly, it provides enough vents for steam to go out, preventing sogginess in your food. Heat limits: the heat limit is a significant factor if you are looking to get a microwave oven splatter Most plate covers whether made of plastic, glass or silicon will end up melting or cracking even with prolonged use on the microwave leave alone using them in an oven setting. For simple steaming and heating have a plate cover that can at least be used for more than five minutes and if you want prolonged use or for ovens, then get a cover that has a high-temperature limit. Storage: storage space is usually a premium in the kitchen, and any item that offers convenience in this regard is one to consider. While you can quickly leave your splatter guard in the microwave, it will be a challenge when the microwave is in use, and you do not need it. The best model in this aspect is the magnetic microwave cover, which allows the cover to attach itself on the roof of the microwave. Durability: Durability is a legitimate issue to consider since you do not want to be in the market regularly for a cover. Not only should the splatter screen have a long shelf life even with consistent use, but it should also withstand falls which are pretty standard with utensils. Types of splatter guards Magnetic Microwave Splatter Cover, Le Mirch Microwave Plate Guard Lid With Steam Vent 11.5 Inch The Le Mirch Magnetic Microwave cover tops our list of the best microwave splatter guards. In terms of design, storage convenience, durability, ease of use, and maintenance, it offers the following pros. It has built in-polymer encased magnets which save space by quickly sticking on top of the roof of the microwave
It is light-weight and durable.
Ingenious built-in vents that prevent sogginess and also guard against splatter.
Can cover dishes as large as 11 inches
It is transparent, allowing you to monitor the heating food.
Can be used for up to 10 consecutive minutes
No risk of breaking
Easy to clean since it is dishwasher safe
Great value for money balancing affordability and unique features. The only downside is the lower heat resistance limit, but ten minutes is enough for most heating and steaming purposes. We especially loved the magnets and vents designs and the ease with which you can clean it up even without a dishwasher. Bezrat Vented Glass Microwave Plate Cover One of the distinctive models in the market is those made using metal as well as glass. The chic design and the material used makes this microwave cover one of the expensive ones in the market. The dark color means you do not get to see inside which most people prefer. Its main advantage is that it is oven safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Such a range gives you options on the kind of heating and cooking you can do, and you also do not have to worry about the length of time the food takes heating. The sturdiness means you will also be using it for a long time before the prolonged exposure to heat eventually takes its toll on its use.
The handle is made from heat resistant silicone, which means you can always get the cover off without being burnt or having to wait for the microwave plate cover to cool off. However, a couple of reviews claim the handle easily comes off. Another low point is that it takes up extra storage space, and the two vents provided do not offer space for steam to escape. Nordic Ware Microwave Cover With no frills in design, this straightforward, functional microwave screen easily appeals if you are working on a budget. Its translucent design allows you to have a peek at the food cooking inside while you can also BPA, melamine, and toxic-free for your safety. Surprisingly, it comes with a 5-year limited warranty something most screens lack. However, different reviews have complained that the screen quickly melts though the manufacturer does not provide ample fair warning. At the middle of the lid is a circle which serves as the venting hole but it is sizeable enough to allow much of the moisture to escape and also risks some amount of food splatter as most previous users have found out.
There is also the challenge of a lack of handle for holding it up, which going by modern standards is a minimum requirement. Cleaning should not be an issue, though, since it is dishwasher safe. However, unless you are genuinely pressed for budget, you may want to consider other options since it lacks a significant standout feature. Flexzion Microwave Cover The Flexzion microwave plate cover offers diversity by offering more covers. For the price of one, you get five pieces measuring from 4.5 inches to 9.0 inches in diameter. It gives several options in terms of sizes and works best for people with small microwaves. As most quality plastic covers, the material is BPA and toxic-free. Besides having an easy time of the choice of material to use, the clear plastic also allows you to see through the cover and see the food heating up. Each cover also comes with a ventilation dial, which will enable you to control the size of the vents to your needs whether you want to let out more moisture or keep it airtight to preserve heat in the food.
There are a couple of cons that come with the Flexzion microwave cover. First, it cannot accommodate dishes larger than 9 inches in diameter. Secondly, the smaller covers have below-average heights, which may prove a problem where taller height is needed. The other disadvantage is in storage, which while it seeks to make it simple by being able to nest together, they still take much space. You also lack the convenience offered by one cover for all dishes. Nevertheless, we loved the value provided, and it is especially suitable for people with small microwaves. Mikro Innovations Microwave Glass Cover If you are looking for elegance, then the plate cover from Mikro innovations is what you should consider. It is made mainly from tempered glass, which offers it four times the mechanical and thermal strength of ordinary glass. The edges are lined with silicon while the handle at the top is made from silicon also. The silicon at the edge helps prevent the glass from slipping, primarily since it is meant to sit on top of the container or plate being covered and not over it. The silicon handle is also heat resistant, which makes it cold to the touch when getting the dish out of the microwave. It is also easy to clean and store.
If you do not have enough pot lids, you can use the microwave screen as a pot cover too. The challenge here, however, is the shorter diameter, which affects how the lid is placed, and this design may affect its working. Another issue is the shorter height, especially for people who would not prefer to have their food touching the lid. Microwave Plate Cover by RHYL- Silicone Suction Lids Airtight Seal and Set of 4 Pan or Pot Lid Silicon microwave covers are quite popular thanks to their durability, especially in the face of heat. The RHYL microwave plate cover takes it a step further being able to withstand heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It is available in four sets measuring 4 inches, 6 inches, 8 inches, and 10 inches in diameter. Such a range makes them convenient across a variety of dishes. Unlike the previous option, storage is not much of a challenge since the plate covers are flat and stack upon one another through the handle joining up in one piece.
They are diverse in their function as they can fit on jugs and mugs besides plates and dishes and even pans. The suction property on the lid allows them to fit tightly on the container creating an airtight, spill-proof, and watertight seal. The covers can be used both for storage as well as heating, and the temperature range allows them to be used even in ovens. There is no risk of melting or breaking while it also uses premium FDA tested and approved BPA free silicon, which is also odorless. It does not chip and allows your food to retain freshness. The only downsides to this cover are the lack of height, which most users prefer. It also not efficient in its release of moisture, so there is a small risk of sogginess developing. Finally, you cannot get a view of the food being heated due to the opaque colors. Cucina Safe 2-in-1 Cover ‘n Cook Glass Cover. Cucina's 2-in-1 is another quality product through the material used, and the design employed makes it a bit pricey. However, it is worth it in most aspects since it is large enough with an outer diameter of 11 inches which allows it to cover the plate adequately while its high dome shape and an internal diameter of nine inches and patented scallop design enable the food to heat up faster while retaining moisture. You can also use the cover as a baking dish thanks to its heat limits of up to 450 Fahrenheit. You can also use the cover in the freezer since it is thermal shock resistant. It is also dishwasher safe, further adding to the convenience of cleaning. That is not to say the cover is free of any shortcomings. Besides the high price tag, there is the danger that always comes with glass items from the risk of falling. The outer edge surface also has to double up as a handle, which may prove challenging, especially when dealing with hot food. OUCHAN Collapsible Microwave Plate Cover Colander Strainer for Fruit Vegetables, BAP Free and Non-Toxic Our second best microwave pace cover is from Ouchan, which is the winner as far as multi-functionality is concerned. Not only does it save as a splatter guard, but also it acts as a filter and can store food. There is also the advantage of its collapsible design which comes in handy when you want it to fit flat over bowls or storage. Its perforations act as steaming vents while sufficiently preventing any splatter. It has a heating limit of 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, its plastic parts mean you cannot get it inside an oven. However, it allows you to heat and steam your food longer inside the microwave.
The biggest downside here is that while it has high heat resistant properties, it cannot be used in an oven, but that should not be an issue if your focus is microwaving.
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