Abstract: An microwave container with synergistic active elements provides more uniform heating than prior art containers, and is more tolerant of variations in food product, load and heating conditions. The active elements (which are conductive and microwave opaque) include an annular ring in the base of the container, a band extending from the base of the side walls up the walls to a level approximately even with the anticipated fill level in the container, a lip extending from the bottom of the side walls onto the base, and at least one, preferably three cooperative active elements in the lid of the container. These containers can be used for thawing and cooking frozen, uncooked meats and other foods, with which prior art containers produced unsatisfactory results.

Abstract: A method and device for enhancing the heating of a surface layer of an article being heated by microwave energy is characterized by directing the energy through the surface layer into a main portion of the article in such a manner that the modes of the energy are in cut-off in the surface layer.