Microwaving food without covering it with a plate or microwave-safe lid is generally safe, but there are a few factors to consider:
Splattering: Covering your food while microwaving helps prevent splattering. Some foods, especially liquids or items with high moisture content, can create splatters as they heat up. These splatters may make a mess inside the microwave, which can be challenging to clean. Using a microwave-safe cover can help contain the splatters and keep your microwave clean.
Even cooking: Covering your food can also help ensure more even cooking. It traps steam, which aids in distributing heat and prevents certain areas from overcooking while others remain undercooked.
Safety precautions: If you're covering your food with a plate or lid, ensure it is microwave-safe and doesn't have any metallic parts, as metal can cause sparks and damage the microwave.
Pressure buildup: When microwaving certain foods, such as eggs with shells, it's essential to create a small hole or opening to release steam pressure. If you don't do this, the pressure can build up and potentially cause the food to explode.
Overall, while it's safe to microwave food without covering it, using a microwave-safe cover or a microwave-safe plate can make the process cleaner and more efficient. Just ensure that any cover or lid you use is labeled as microwave-safe, and you follow the recommended guidelines for specific foods to avoid accidents and ensure the best cooking results.