There is a wide variety of utensils in a modern kitchen. And you will see everything here: ceramic and Teflon frying pans, silicone molds of bizarre configurations, glass and metal, transparent and black. And, if everything is clear with a cast-iron frying pan or an enamel saucepan, familiar from childhood, then questions often arise with another one. Will this cap be useful for baking a pie or something else?
In addition to the traditional burner, today we cook food in the oven, microwave, and convection oven. And the burners have now become different. So the question arises: is it possible to use the same saucepan or cup everywhere? Which one can you pour boiling water into, and which one only takes cold water? What is useful for cooking, and what is only for heating?
You don't have to go far to find answers to these questions. This is precisely why cookware labels exist. In addition to the well-known fork with a glass, which means that a particular product belongs to a food container, there are many others. Have a table like this and, if necessary, just find the icon you need.
Other characteristics
“Glass-fork” is the most important icon that indicates the suitability of plastic utensils for food. If this symbol is crossed out or completely absent from the plastic, then such products are not intended for food.
Dishwasher safe.
Washing in the dishwasher is not acceptable.
Tolerates temperature changes.
Allowed to be stored in the refrigerator.
Allowed to be stored in the freezer.
This designation indicates that the products comply with the required instructions (pressure cookers, electronics).
Lightweight material, compact for storage.
A measuring scale is drawn on the walls of the dishes.
Shock resistant. Cracks and damage are impossible. Impact resistance is 2 times higher and scratch resistance is 3 times higher in comparison with products made from porcelain, earthenware and ceramics. True protection when transporting goods - there is no risk of broken dishes.
Teflon - non-stick coating.
Natural material is harmless to health. 100% hygienic due to the absence of pores. Does not contain odor, because... bacterial growth is not possible. 100% natural material, recyclable.
What's even better is to wash it by hand.
Crystal and porcelain items can only be washed in the dishwasher if they have a special symbol indicating this possibility. If the label of the dishes does not have this designation, then when washed, the crystal and porcelain may crack, as well as become dull and cloudy. Powder and gel abrasives are harmful to this material. If you are going to wash your crystal automatically, then you should purchase a product with a soft composition without abrasive particles.
If you are going to wash your crystal automatically, then you should purchase a product with a soft composition without abrasive particles.
Porcelain items with silver-plated or gold-plated designs cannot be washed automatically. Expensive items must be cleaned by hand to maintain their appearance.
Porcelain items with silver-plated or gold-plated designs cannot be washed automatically.
Thermoses and thermal mugs are easily damaged when automatically washed and lose their insulating properties. If you do not want to wash the thermos manually, then when purchasing it, you need to look for a symbol that allows the use of PMM.
Thermoses and thermal mugs are easily damaged when automatically washed and lose their insulating properties.
It is useless to put intricately shaped products, such as graters, onion presses, and meat grinders, in the dishwasher. The device will not cope with removing food, which means you will have to wash the items manually.
It is useless to put intricately shaped products, such as graters, onion presses, and meat grinders, in the dishwasher.
Multicooker and pressure cooker bowls also need to be cleaned by hand. Automatic washing damages the surface of the bowls and their non-stick properties deteriorate.
Multicooker and pressure cooker bowls also need to be cleaned by hand.
Disposable tableware materials
A triangle with three arrows is a sign of recycling of raw materials, indicating a closed cycle: production - consumption - disposal. That is, dishes with this sign are suitable for further processing. The numbers inside the triangle indicate the type of recycled material: 1-19 - plastic, 20-39 - cardboard and paper, 40-49 - metal, 50-59 - wood, 60-69 - fabric and textile, 70-79 - glass.
PET (PETE) - polyethylene terephthalate. It is used in the manufacture of packaging (boxes, bottles, cans, etc.) intended for bottling water, drinks, juices. This material is also used in packaging of various powders, bulk food products, etc.
HDPE (HDPE) - polyethylene with low pressure and high density. Used in the production of toys and products that come into contact with food. Considered safe for food consumption.
PVC (PVC) - polyvinyl chloride. Used for garden furniture, pipes, floor coverings, detergent bottles, oilcloth, window profiles, blinds. This material is potentially hazardous for food use, as it contains dioxins, mercury, bisphenol A, and cadmium.
LDPE (LDPE) - polyethylene with high pressure and low density. It is used in the production of flexible plastic packaging, plastic bags and products that are used in the packaging of medicines.
PP - polypropylene. It is used in the manufacture of toys, the automotive industry, and in the food industry for the production of packaging. The material can withstand high temperatures, as a result of which the dishes can be used for hot foods. Contact with alcohol is undesirable, but possible.
Decoding markers
The most common symbol on plastic utensils is a triangle in the shape of three arrows. Near or below these arrows there are inscriptions or numbers indicating a specific marker. Ignorance of what these arrows or inscriptions mean leads to the fact that users purchase goods containing food products that are in containers made of non-food grade plastic. Although not all of the plastics described below are recommended for use in food storage, seven different labels may be found on food packaging. Their classification is presented in the table below.
| Icon inside a triangle | What does the inscription mean? |
| 5 | Safe. Used for the production of reusable food containers. Together with plastic number two, they are considered the most approved. Near the icon there is the inscription PP (PP) |
| 2 | Safe. Cleared for reuse. Has high density. Near the icon there is the inscription HDPE (LDPE) |
| 1 | Cheap material. Used in the production of mineral water containers. When reused, this material releases toxic substances. Near the icon is the inscription PET (PET) |
| 4 | Considered to be approved plastic. Can be reused. Used for the manufacture of packaging materials and bags. Near the icon there is the inscription LDPE (HDPE) |
| 3 | When burned, it releases very dangerous substances. Capable of releasing toxins and chemical compounds, especially when heated. Near the icon is the inscription PCV (PVC) |
| 6 | In addition to food containers, foam is made from this plastic. Caps for disposable cups are made from it. Next to the icon is the inscription PS (PS) |
| 7 | The most unsafe group. It includes all types of plastic that are not included in the previous six groups. Some of them may even be toxic and poisonous. Plastics of this group could not be classified into any of the above, which means they are the most dangerous. Their dangerous properties increase when in contact with hot water, food or when heated. Near the icon there is the inscription OTHER |
As the information described above shows, the most approved types of plastic are those that have numbers two and five. All types of plastic containers marked with number 7 are strictly not recommended. The harmful substances released can be harmful to health.
Why are dishes labeled?
The markings on the cookware indicate how functional the cookware is. Remember your grandmothers. As a rule, they had few dishes. One or two cast iron frying pans, clay pots, and everything was cooked in one oven.
Modern kitchens are equipped with ovens, stoves, and microwave ovens. Each model has its own temperature regime and cooking method. The cookware is also different - grill, non-stick, with induction support. All this requires a lot of attention when choosing. After all, ignorance can cause harm to yourself and the equipment.
Non-stick coating, for example, requires special care. It cannot be scratched or cleaned with powders.
This is due to the fact that the damaged surface will release substances that can harm health.
And for induction cookers, pots and pans are suitable that have a special alloy of material that forms a magnetic layer. Due to this magnetic layer, food is cooked.
When choosing dishes, the icons depicted on the surface can be misleading. To avoid troubles when cooking, you need to know what the icon means.
Thus, the marking of the cookware can tell you which stove the cookware is suitable for. After all, there are now so many types of cookers – glass ceramics, induction cookers, electric and gas. And there are ten times more materials for dishes.
Various metals and their alloys are used to make pans.
Marking is a guarantee of safety . If you choose low-quality cookware or use it for other purposes, you can get unpleasant consequences, for example, health problems. Also, an incorrectly selected pot or frying pan can cause irreparable damage to the stove and oven. Repairing equipment will not be easy, and it will also be financially expensive.
What's going on inside?
During washing, the dishes inside the machine are exposed to hot water and chemically active substances contained in detergents. These factors effectively destroy the fatty film and remove stuck pieces of food. But they can also significantly damage the dishes: wash away the painted layer, clean off the gilded pattern, and deform the material.
To understand whether the plastic will withstand such washing, you need to know the exact values of all parameters. They may differ slightly depending on the PMM model, but for most machines they will be within the following limits:
Some dishwashing detergents also contain abrasive particles. These are hard grains that effectively remove dried deposits from baking sheets and plates. However, abrasives destroy the surface of dishes and the walls of the working chamber of the machine, so it is better to avoid purchasing detergent compositions containing this component.
Knowing the conditions in which the dishes are located, it is easy to assess their ability to survive the wash cycle. To understand whether it is possible to wash plastic containers, parts of food processors and other utensils made of polymers, let’s get acquainted with their properties.
Designations for cooking methods
The variety of types of stoves has led to the fact that not every frying pan or saucepan is suitable for use on it.
It is worth remembering that properly selected dishes are the key to tasty and healthy food.
Now it’s worth figuring out what kind of markers there are, depending on the method of cooking.
- An icon with a drawing of an oven, with the inscription electric. This symbol indicates that the cookware can be used in an electric oven. For example, such dishes are not suitable for an oven that runs on gas.
- Marking with a picture of an oven. This icon is applied to dishes that can be used in any type of oven. Accordingly, if such an icon is crossed out, then use in the oven is not permitted.
- Drawing of an oven with lights . This icon indicates that you can cook in a gas oven.
- Image of an oven with a number . This icon is used in the oven, but only up to a certain temperature. The maximum temperature you can adhere to is indicated on the icon.
- There is a flame drawn in the square . Such icons are indicated on cookware that is suitable for gas stoves.
- Marking with the letters microwave or waves. The meaning of this symbol indicates that the cookware is suitable for the microwave oven. If the icon is crossed out, it cannot be used in a microwave oven.
- A circle in the shape of a spiral. This mark on the surface of pots and pans indicates that they can be used on an electric stove.
- A circle with a dot in the center. Sets with this marking are suitable for cooking on glass-ceramic stoves and hobs.
- Four vertical “loops” and the word induction . And this designation indicates the possibility of use on an induction cooker. The principle of induction is that surfaces during an electrical discharge form a magnetic field. This field heats up and the cooking process happens much faster.
These simple but very important signs can be on your dishes.
It is worth remembering that choosing cookware according to your stove will make your dishes tasty, and the cooking time will be reduced significantly.
Plastic classification
Food-grade plastic is one of the types of plastic recognized as conditionally acceptable for contact with food. It is designed for storing or consuming food and has features to slow down, partially remove or minimize the release of toxic substances. This type of plastic is commonly called food grade plastic. It has its own marking.
You can find out that this plastic is food-grade by the corresponding marking - all items have a certain logo. All signs on plastic utensils have an explanation, but it is not the numbers that will help you determine that the plastic is food grade, but the icons themselves on the utensils. This icon takes the form of a graphic symbol in the shape of 3 arrows that together form a triangle. Inside each triangle there is a certain number (from one to seven), below there are inscriptions. You should look for this inscription and icon at the bottom of the plastic packaging. If the product does not have such a designation, it is prohibited to use this product for food products.
Signs indicating operating rules
Cooking rules are important, but it is equally important to know how to care for your cookware. This will help preserve its original appearance and quality of the material. For this, there are a number of markings that should also be studied.
- There are dishes drawn in the square. This icon says that it can be washed in a dishwasher, because this unit has long been installed in every second apartment. If the icon has a red diagonal stripe, then washing in the dishwasher is strictly prohibited.
List of products that can be washed in PMM
First of all, we recommend studying the list of what dishes can be washed in the dishwasher, and then looking at the options for prohibited items. Let's start:
Each item has its own subgroup of things. You can also read a previously published article about unexpected things that can be immersed in PMM.
Important: each dishwasher manufacturer indicates a list of dishes that can be immersed. Be sure to read the instructions for use.
Symbols on disposable tableware
Disposable tableware is popular among consumers. But not everyone thinks about what markings on surfaces mean. But she can tell a lot.
Almost all disposable tableware is made of plastic. The only difference is what quality it is.
This type of cookware has many advantages:
- setting a table for a large number of guests is easy and much cheaper than using standard earthenware or ceramics;
- does not break, you can take it with you on the road, on vacation, in nature;
- Such dishes are very popular at children's parties; the risk of beating and wounds is eliminated;
- no need to wash after use - you can just throw it away and not worry.
Disposable tableware must have a logo that looks like a triangle with three arrows. These three arrows indicate that production uses a recycling system. That is, the process is closed: production - use - processing - production.
This is economically and environmentally beneficial. Environmental pollution will be reduced to a minimum over time.
A number from 1 to 7 is written inside. There may also be an inscription under the icon. Below are the meanings of the numbers.
- The presence of this figure means that the material is very cheap. Most often used for the production of containers for mineral water. Reuse can be dangerous as the plastic begins to release toxic substances. There may also additionally be the inscription PET. Remember that you should not use bottled water containers, it is dangerous.
- Safe plastic that is recyclable. Under the icon is the inscription HDPE (LDPE). This plastic is used to make food containers that are now found in every home. It’s convenient to store food in them and take it with you to work.
- This plastic should not be exposed to heat or combustion. When heated, dangerous toxins are released. Supplemented with the inscription PCV (PVC). But you can still store food. The only condition is the interaction time.
- This plastic is used for packaging materials and bags. Can be reused without worry. Has the inscription LDPE (HDPE). May be of different densities.
- Safe plastic that can be reused. Most often used for the production of food containers. It is equivalent to plastic number 2. The inscription under the PP (PP) icon. This is easy to remember, because the letters PP also indicate proper nutrition.
- This plastic is used not only for the production of food containers and containers, but also acts as a derivative in the production of foam plastic. Has the inscription PS (PS).
- The most dangerous group of plastics and its derivatives. The substances and toxins that can come from this plastic are dangerous and poisonous. This material becomes most toxic when heated or in contact with hot water. The inscription under the OTHER logo. It is better not to use such materials for food products at all.
In the article we looked at what markings you might encounter when choosing cookware. The important point here is what you will be using the cookware for.
Remember all the symbols. This way you will keep both yourself and your loved ones healthy.
Particular attention should be paid to choosing dishes for children. After all, the child’s body does not yet have sufficient protective functions and is most vulnerable to environmental influences. All plastic is designed to be recyclable.
Pros and cons of plastic products
Food grade plastic has gained great popularity in recent years. Many people appreciated these products when going on picnics or using disposable tableware on special occasions. Plastic utensils have certain advantages:
- If you need to set a table for a large number of guests, buying disposable products is much cheaper than reusable ones.
- These containers are very light, so they can be transported and do not break during transportation.
- Can be used at banquets with children without fear of broken glassware.
And although these products have many advantages, they have certain disadvantages. Among them:
- Impossibility of reusable use.
- High price of the product.
- Some products emit harmful substances, especially if used inappropriately.
Not everyone knows, but disposable tableware has its own signs and symbols. The marking on plastic utensils indicates not only the material of manufacture, but also the purposes for which the item can be used. It is not recommended to ignore these signs, as they protect human health and life.
It is not recommended to use containers that are not marked. Most likely this means that they do not meet the requirements of GOST. It is possible that non-food grade plastic was used in the production of these containers.
Labeling of cooking methods
| The cookware is suitable for cooking on a gas stove. |
| This cookware can be used to cook on a glass ceramic hob. |
| The cookware is designed for induction cookers. |
| If you have an electric stove, this product is suitable for you. |
| The cookware is suitable for cooking on a halogen stove. |
| This product can be placed in the oven. |
| The cookware is suitable for use in a microwave oven. |
How long does a cycle last?
The duration of the wash cycle depends on the selected mode. The devices have four main programs - fast, normal, economical, intensive.
| Mode | Temperature, o C | Rinse before/after washing, once | Drying | Time, min | ||||
| Normal | ||||||||
| Economical | ||||||||
| Intensive | ||||||||
| Rinsing | ||||||||
| ___ | __ | ___ | __ | ___ | __ | __ | __ | __ |
These are indicative data; specific indicators are specified in the technical documentation.
Some manufacturers have provided a time-saving feature that reduces cycle times by 20-50%. When choosing this mode, it is important to remember that this increases the consumption of electrical energy.
Marking the rules for using cookware
Pictograms that indicate how to properly wash and store dishes, and also reveal information about the additional properties of the products.
| The dishes can be processed in the dishwasher. |
| The dishes can withstand temperature changes. |
| It is acceptable to store dishes in the freezer (sometimes the maximum freezing temperature is indicated on the icon). |
| Impact-resistant glasses, goblets and wine glasses. |
| Impact resistant plates, dishes and bowls. |
| Non-stick (Teflon) coating. |
| Natural, hygienic material that does not harm health and is recyclable. |
| The product complies with European standards and is safe for the user and the environment. |
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When buying a frying pan or other utensils, you may see marks printed on its surface. These hieroglyphs, incomprehensible at first glance, indicate how and for what this dish can be used. Read about the subtleties and meanings in the article.
