Microwave Cooking for One by Marie T Smith

Shopping for Microwave Safe & Formal Dinnerware

Mikasa

Mikasa has long been recognized as a leader in tabletop fashion in dinnerware, crystal stemware, barware, flatware and decorative accessories. Quality and great design are synonymous with the Mikasa brand. The world's finest tabletop designers, working with the best factories, and using the most advanced technology in the industry, create products that are not only beautiful and well-made, but suitably priced for everyone's lifestyle.

Mikasa began in California in 1948 when George Aratani founded American Commercial Inc. in California. Initially a dinnerware importer, Mikasa grew into a dinnerware wholesaler over the next twenty years supplying dinnerware to popular department stores and other fine retailers. In 1957, the brand name Mikasa was introduced to the American public.

During the 1970's, Mikasa diversified its product lines to augment its already successful dinnerware lines with the introduction of crystal stemware, stainless flatware, crystal gifts and picture frames, ceramic vases, table linens and decorative accessories. In 2008 Mikasa became a part of the Lifetime Brands family.

All of the featured Mikasa patterns, without 24k gold, silver or platinum metal accents, are safe to use in your microwave and dishwasher, making these dishes both beautiful and practical for every day use!

Some stoneware patterns are also safe for oven use. However, it is recommended that when using stoneware in a standard oven, that the oven be cold when placing your stoneware into them. Turn the heat on only after placing the pottery in the oven. If you put the pottery in a hot oven, you risk breakage and cracking. The Fine China patterns are not standard oven safe.

The Current Mikasa Dinnerware Patterns

There are quite a number of current Mikasa patterns at any given time. We provide pictures so you can see what the pattern looks like if you're not sure of the name of the pattern you are looking for. Pictures slow down the loading of pages in your browser, so we have divided the current Mikasa patterns into two sections at this website. If you know the name of your pattern, click on it directly below. If you want to browse the pictures of the available patterns, click on the purple box above the list of pattern names to see previews before selecting the pattern.

	More Mikasa Dinnerware Patterns — Did we miss your pattern? Has it been retired or is it just difficult to find online? There's more. Check out the hundreds of items currently available.
	Mikasa Crystal

Care of Your Mikasa Dinnerware

Can I put Mikasa dinnerware in the dishwasher?
All Mikasa dinnerware may be placed in the dishwasher, using proper care, although Mikasa recommends hand washing formal china. Load the dishwasher carefully so that pieces do not bump into each other and chip. Use a reputable, non-abrasive dishwasher detergent.

Will the dishwasher harm gold or platinum bands on dinnerware?
When washing gold or platinum banded dinnerware in the dishwasher, use a gentle cycle and turn off the dishwasher before the drying cycle, or allow the dinnerware to cool before handling it. The high temperature of the heated drying cycle can cause the precious metal bands to soften.

How should I hand wash my fine china?
When hand washing china, rings and other jewelry should be removed. A soft brush or sponge is recommended. Wash your dinnerware as soon as possible after use. Avoid using abrasives such as steel wool or "gritty" cleansers. Wash flatware and cookware separately from dinnerware to avoid scratching.

How quickly should I wash or rinse my dinnerware?
Coffee and tea cups should be rinsed immediately to avoid staining. Acidic foods such as vinegar, mayonnaise, tartar sauce, and eggs can damage the glaze and the color of china if left for long periods.

Is my Mikasa dinnerware microwave safe?
All Mikasa dinnerware without precious metal accents (24k gold or platinum) is safe for the microwave. While using our dinnerware in your microwave will not harm the microwave, the items may become hot. Please use caution in handling hot dinnerware. Do not put frozen items directly on your dinnerware to heat in the microwave. The extreme heat variation may cause the item to crack.

Can I put my Mikasa dinnerware in the oven?
Mikasa dinnerware without precious metal accents can be safely warmed or heated in the oven. Place cool dinnerware in the oven and allow it to heat gradually when the oven is turned on. Never place cool dinnerware in a preheated hot oven or on the burner of a gas or electric range. This rapid heat change may cause the item to crack.

Can I put my Mikasa dinnerware in the freezer?
Allow your dinnerware to cool before placing it in the freezer to avoid thermal shock. Hot ceramic items should not be placed directly into the freezer.

What causes small gray lines on my dinnerware?
These marks are common for stoneware with a hard glaze and are caused by residue left by flatware. They can be easily removed with special cleansers. Mikasa recommends a product called Bon Ami Cleanser.

When warming food in my stoneware, at what temperature should I set the oven? What other tips should I follow?

1. Please keep in mind dinnerware is sensitive to thermal shock, which means that extreme variations in temperature may cause dinnerware to crack. Therefore, do not take dinnerware from the freezer and place directly into a hot oven/microwave or take hot dinnerware from the oven/microwave and place it directly into the freezer. A cool plate should be placed in a cool oven and warmed slowly.

2. When using the oven, set it no higher than 225 degrees for the first 10 minutes. You may then raise the setting to the desired temperature.

3. Baking/cooking should only be done in pieces specifically made for cooking, such as bakers, lasagna dishes and covered casseroles.

4. Handling a hot dish with a wet cloth or setting a hot dish on a wet surface may cause it to break.

5. A potholder or oven mitt should always be used when removing dinnerware from the microwave oven.

Nordic Ware Microwave Plate Cover — Concentrates heat around food and protects microwave oven against splattering!