I recently inherited a platter for use in the microwave. It is made of plastic and has a channel around the perimeter for water.
Its markings read:
- FOR MICROWAVE OVEN ONLY.
- DO NOT USE WITHOUT FOOD AND WATER.
- USE WATER 30 ml DURING COOKING.
- DO NOT HEAT MORE THAN 8 min.
FWIW, the outer lip is 10.75 inches in diameter and my plastic cover for reheating stuff (which fits a standard dinner plate) fits just inside the lip. That is, the water is under the dome with the food.
At first I thought it might be some sort of steamer, but now I wonder if the water is intended to be a "dummy load", similar to reheating foods like pizza along with a glass of water to help prevent the crust from getting soggy.
Has anyone else seen a contraption like this? What is its intended purpose?