The invention of microwaves in the mid-1940s and its rise in popularity in the late 1960s has continued to revolutionize cooking even today. Food can be heated quickly without turning on the oven or the stove. Dorm rooms and small one-bedroom apartments without kitchens are now places where full meals can be created. Leftovers can be ready to eat in minutes and the frozen food aisle is continuing to offer more gourmet main and side dish options. If you frequently use your microwave, then you know that keeping it clean is paramount to ensuring your food tastes how it’s supposed to taste and not like yesterday’s lunch. That’s why whenever we use our microwave we also use a microwave cover.
A reusable microwave cover has several benefits. Its main attraction is that it reduces the need to routinely clean the inside of the microwave after each use. The covers are designed to fit over a typical dinner plate and contain splatter that otherwise would end up on the walls and ceiling of the microwave. Covers also keep heat and moisture in and reduce the chance of food drying out while being heated in the microwave. Lastly, covers are less wasteful and save money by eliminating the need to use disposable cling wrap or paper towels as makeshift lids.
If you microwave, then you need a microwave cover. Check out some of the best microwave covers below.
1. Tovolo Vented Collapsible Microwave Splatter Proof Food Plate Cover
Heat and reduce mess all without taking up valuable storage space using the Tovolo Vented Collapsible Microwave Splatter Proof Food Plate Cover. Available in three color combinations, the Tovolo is made using BPA-free plastic and silicone. Air vents on the top of the cover help steam escape and create an even airflow without condensation buildup. An ergonomically designed handle makes it easy to lift the lid, which is also dishwasher safe.
Pros: The lid is 3” when fully expanded and collapses to 0.75” for a slim storage option.
Cons: At 10.5” in diameter, the Tovolo may be too small for some dinner plates.
2. ZFITEI Microwave Cover
Heat food quickly and with little mess using the ZFITEI Microwave Cover. The 11.5” cover is large enough for most dinner plates and dishes. An easy-grip handle provides comfortable handling and a perforated lid allows steam to escape. Cooking time is cut down thanks to the lid’s ability to keep heat concentrated. Available in five colors, the ZFITEI is made with food-grade PP material.
Pros: The ZFITEI has an innovative storage solution thanks to the four magnets on the top of the lid, which make it possible for the lid to adhere to the roof of the microwave when not in use.
Cons: The ZFITEI cannot be used for longer than 10 minutes at a time and the microwave should not be turned on when the lid is attached to the top of the microwave via its magnets.
3. Nordic Ware Microwave Splatter Cover
If you’re heating something small, the Nordic Ware Microwave Splatter Cover is a great option. This 8” microwave cover provides a convenient cover for small bowls and plates, as well as microwaves that are unable to accommodate larger covers. The cover ensures splatter is contained and helps to keep food hot once it has been removed from the microwave.
Pros: Nordic Ware also makes a microwave cover that is 10” in diameter.
Cons: May be too small for some users.
4. Elegant Live Set of Five Heat Resistant Microwave Covers
Have a lid for every bowl with the Elegant Live Set of five Heat Resistant Microwave Covers, which come in a variety of colors and sizes that include 4″, 6″, 8″, 10″ and 12″. The silicone lids are made with food-grade material and are odor-free and BPA-free. Designed for use with plastic, glass, melamine and ceramic, the lids create a no-spill seal that makes them ideal for keeping food fresh, going straight from the fridge to the microwave. Each lid has a small hook that provides a hanging storage option.
Pros: The lids can withstand temperatures between -40 degrees and 500 degrees Fahrenheit, making them safe for the microwave, the dishwasher, the freezer and even the oven.
Cons: Because the lids are flat and not dome-shaped like the other covers on our list, they are not ideal for using over a dinner plate and are better designed for bowls and deep dishes.