The microwave is a modern marvel, making short work of mealtimes and getting food on the table in a flash. But while some ingredients are perfect for zapping in the microwave, others should definitely stay away from this handy appliance. From chilli peppers to hard-boiled eggs, these foods could spell disaster if you cook them in the microwave.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the foods you should never put in a microwave, counting down to the most dangerous of all.

We've based our ranking on how risky it is to microwave each food, and on the opinions of our well-travelled (and well-fed) team. The list is unavoidably subjective.