Frequently Asked Questions

Microwave

How do microwaves work?

Microwaves are a type of electromagnetic wave (just like radio or light waves) that heat the water molecules in food by making them vibrate very quickly. Since all food is made up of water, and water absorbs microwave energy extremely efficiently, this means that food can cook very quickly.

Why do microwaves heat food so quickly?

Microwaves are super fast at cooking and heating food because the length of a microwave (the actual wave, not the machine!) happens to be particularly excellent at making water molecules vibrate quickly. We experience this as heat! This means the microwave is directly heating up the food itself, which is why it's so fast.

Contrast this with an oven, stove, or pressure cooker, which works by heating up the air or space around the food, and then waiting for that heat to penetrate the food. They are indirectly heating the food.

Why should I cook in a microwave? What's so special about it?

When it comes to convenience, the microwave is king. With the right equipment and settings, microwaving food doesn’t mean sacrificing taste, either. Microwave cooking can be a more efficient, just-as-tasty alternative to water-based cooking such as steaming, poaching, quick braising, boiling, or stewing. It’s also a great complement to other methods, allowing you to cut down on cooking time before finishing a dish in the oven or on the stove. Since Anyday’s recipes typically only require one dish, cleanup is easier.

A little-known fact: microwave cooking is better for you! Food loses nutrients the longer and hotter it’s cooked, so by quickly heating food, microwaving preserves more nutrients than methods like boiling or baking. It’s more energy-efficient too, transferring more heat to food in a given period of time than a stove or full-size oven does.

Is microwave cooking safe?

Yes! Did you know that your cell phone emits more microwaves than your microwave does?! People worry about standing in front of the microwave, but many studies have shown that in reality, they're 100% safe. Microwaves are simply a type of electromagnetic wave, which is the same kind of wave as light waves or radio waves. They’re non-ionizing, which means they’re not powerful enough to cause the harmful kind of radiation. Enjoy your microwave-cooked meal with peace of mind!

Is microwave cooking good for you?

Yes! According to Harvard Health, “the cooking method that best retains nutrients is one that cooks quickly, heats food for the shortest amount of time, and uses as little liquid as possible.” Microwave cooking checks all of those boxes. Microwaves quickly heat the water molecules in food (rather than around it), preserving nutrient loss to heat, time, and cooking liquid compared to conventional methods.

Is microwave cooking better for the environment?

Yes! The microwave is very energy-efficient since it can transfer more heat to food in a given period of time than a stove or full-size oven. For cooking smaller portions of food, it uses as much as 80% less energy versus cooking in the oven.

What is wattage? How do I find the wattage of my microwave?

All microwaves have their sweet spots when it comes to cooking time. That's because they come in all different wattages, which translates to how powerful your microwave is. Microwave wattages typically range from 700 to 1200 watts (w). The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

To find your microwave's wattage, take a look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, or in the user manual. You can also look up the microwave model number online to find wattage. If you see both an input and output wattage listed, use the output.

Once you know your microwave wattage, our recipe and ingredient guide cook times can be customized to suit it. If your wattage isn't listed, choose the closest higher wattage.

Read our blog post for more information.

What are power levels? How do I change my microwave’s power level?

Power (heat) levels are the secret to perfecting microwave cooking. The default power level for every microwave is full power (also called Power Level 10, or 100%, or High), but cooking everything at this level is like always using high heat or broil on your stove or oven. There are times when you just need more finesse, whether you're steaming rice at a gentle simmer, poaching fish, or making cheesecake. We list suggested cooking levels in each Anyday recipe.

Different microwaves have different settings. See your microwave manual (or look it up online) to learn how to change your microwave’s power level. For many microwaves: enter the cook time, press the “Power” (or “Power Level”) button, and select a number between 1-10. Other microwaves may require selecting the Power Level first, and then entering the cook time.

Read our blog post for more information.

What foods and cooking methods work really well in the microwave?

Since the microwave is essentially a super fast steamer, any food that is good for steaming will work well in the microwave. Any vegetable can be cooked beautifully with the Anyday. Proteins like chicken and fish cook quickly when microwaved, and remain juicy thanks to the Anyday’s ability to trap and retain moisture. It’s also easy to make perfectly steamed grains like rice, polenta, or quinoa using a lower power level. Find out how long to cook various ingredients with our Ingredient Guides. Other foods that can be made perfectly in the microwave include bacon, scrambled eggs, pasta, toasted nuts, and infused oils.

The Anyday is also great for making one-dish meals. Check out our recipes here.

What foods and cooking methods don't work well in the microwave?

Avoid using the microwave for deep frying, grilling, or browning food, as you likely won’t get the result you're looking for. Boiling whole eggs, cooking steaks, and caramelizing onions are also not recommended, since microwaves won’t cook these items at the temperature or time they need to taste delicious.

Is this safe to cook food for my baby?

Absolutely! By cooking food for a short period of time and at low heat, microwaving actually preserves more nutrients in your food than the oven, stove, or grill. It's actually the healthiest and easiest way to cook for your baby! Just microwave some vegetables, proteins, and/or grains and then puree it to your desired texture. Check out some of our baby food recipes here.

Products

What are your product sizes?

The Anyday dish comes in four sizes: Medium Deep, Medium Shallow, Large Deep, and Large Shallow. Together, they’re perfect for cooking just about any vegetable, protein, or grain for a crowd, a couple, or just for you.

Which Anyday dish size is best for me?

We honestly think you need all of them for your kitchen. :) But if you really had to choose:

If you typically cook for 3-4 people, we recommend the Large Dishes. If you typically cook for 1-2 people, we recommend the Medium Dishes.

If you like to cook grains like rice, quinoa, and polenta, we recommend the Deep Dishes, which allows enough space for the starchy water to bubble. If you like to cook proteins like chicken, fish, or seafood, we recommend the Shallow Dishes. Vegetables cook well in every dish size!

Where are your products made?

Anyday products are made in southern China. We partner with all of our manufacturers to ensure each dish is made with superior quality and ethical and environmental care.

What materials do you use?

We’ve obsessively designed the Anyday dish from natural materials to be microwave-, dishwasher-, freezer-, and oven-safe (up to 500°F/260°C for the bowl, 400°F/200°C for the lid). The bowl is made of heat-resistant borosilicate glass with an elegant frosted finish that looks great on the dinner table. The lid contains the same heat-resistant borosilicate glass, platinum-grade silicone for an airtight and leakproof seal, and microwave-safe stainless steel.

What's so special about the Anyday bowls?

The bowl is made out of frosted borosilicate glass, so it's extra durable and thermal-shock resistant to handle large temperature fluctuations without cracking. The glass is designed in an angled shape that allows for easy handling, and the frosted finish makes the dish go seamlessly from microwave to dinner party to dishwasher.

What's so special about the Anyday lids?

The splatter-proof and silicone-rimmed glass lid keeps the steam in the dish when you're cooking, which makes your food moist and delicious! The circulating steam also helps your food cook more evenly.

The lid also has a knob that vents the excess steam when it's lifted (that's why our recipes tell you to lift the knob to cook)! Don't worry if you forget — we've designed the silicone rim on the lid to be flexible enough so that it safely and gently pushes up if the pressure in the dish gets too high. You're covered either way.

What's the deal with the knob on the lid?

Keeping the knob lifted during cooking locks in moisture while letting excess steam escape. Translation: juicier proteins and more tender veggies. Even better? Keep leftovers fresh for longer in the dish by sealing them with the lid on, knob down.

Is the metal on the lid safe to use in the microwave?

Yes, you can put our metal in the microwave! We’ve designed the stainless steel in our lids to be 100% microwave-safe due to its smooth, curved shape. Science doesn’t lie!

Can I use my Anyday dish in the oven, on the stovetop, or on the grill, or under the broiler?

The Anyday dish is oven-safe up to 500°F/260°C (bowl) and 400°F/200°C (lid). As with all glass, do not use the dish on the stovetop, grill, or under the broiler.

Is my Anyday dish fridge, freezer, and dishwasher-safe?

Yes, yes, and yes!

What can I make in my Anyday dish?

Pretty much anything! See our Ingredient Guides for how to cook staple ingredients, and browse recipes for more flavor inspiration.

How do I care for my Anyday dish?

With a little love and care, your Anyday will be right at home in your kitchen and dining room for years to come.

When cooking, avoid stovetop or broiler use. As with all glass, sudden temperature changes may cause cracks. Don’t place a hot dish on wet or cold surfaces, or cold liquid in a hot dish.

To clean, place both the bowl and lid in the dishwasher or wash by hand with soap and water. Avoid using abrasive cleaning pads and steel wool, as they may leave scratches.

See our Use & Care here.

My frosted glass doesn't look frosted anymore! What happened?

Don't worry, it's still frosted! The bowls can look transparent when the exterior is wet and/or greasy, but it will revert back to its normal beautiful frosted finish when it's dry and clean. You can also try running it through the dishwasher for an extra-thorough clean.

Ordering & Returns

Where can I purchase Anyday dishes?

Right here on cookanyday.com.au!

The product I want is sold out! When can I get it?

On the product page, sign up to be notified when the product is back in stock.

Who do you ship with?

We use Australia Post as our carrier partner.

Where do you ship?

We currently ship Australia wide. Our partners over on www.cookanyday.com ship all over the United States. Contact us at hi@cookanyday.com.au and we'll email you when we offer international shipping for your country.

How much does shipping cost?

Orders over $100 receive free standard shipping within Australia. Otherwise, we offer a $9.95 flat rate fee for standard shipping.

We also offer an express shipping option for $24.95.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept most major credit cards.

How long will it take to receive my order?

Please allow 10 business days after receiving your order confirmation before contacting us regarding your order. We also recommend downloading the Australia Post tracking app to your phone for up to date information about your parcels.

Information on Australia Post delivery times, tracking and service disruptions can be viewed on their website service updates page here.

How do I change or cancel my order?

Contact us or call us as soon as you can at 1800 351 565. (Mon-Fri, 8:30am-4.30pm AEST). You can change or cancel your order as long as our warehouse hasn't begun processing it. Please remember, we strive to get your order out of our distribution centre within 12-48 hours of you placing your order.

How do I track my order?

Login to your account and click on your order to see the fulfillment status. You will also receive an email when your order has been shipped with the tracking number!

What is your return policy?

We want you to love and use your Anyday every day, but if you don’t, we accept returns within 30 days of the delivery date. See here for our return policy.

What if there is an issue with my order?

Contact us and we will help you out!

When can I expect my refund?

You will receive the refund via your initial form of payment within 30 business days after we receive and process your return.

What is your warranty policy?

We want you to love and use your Anyday every day, and we’ll make it right if that’s not the case. We offer a 2-year limited warranty — see here for the details.

My Anyday lid broke. Can I get a new one?

Contact us and we will do our best to help!

My Anyday bowl broke. Can I get a new one?

Contact us and we will do our best to help!

Company

Who are you?

Anyday exists for one reason: to free people's time. We create products that tap into the unexpected magic of your microwave: turning raw ingredients into delicious and nutritious home-cooked meals — in record time. Read more about our story here.

Where does the name Anyday come from?

Anyday is a nod to making every meal easy to cook, any day of the week!

What's your relationship with David Chang?

We are lucky and grateful to have Dave as a Partner in Anyday! Dave works closely with us on product development and design, recipe content, and more. Ultimately, we share a strong conviction that the microwave is an amazing tool that deserves to be much more widely used since it can save people so much time and energy in cooking!

Do you do wholesale?

We don't currently do wholesale, but feel free to contact us if you're interested in partnering in the future!

I want to write about you! Where do I direct my press inquiry?

Send us a note at support@cookanyday.com.au!