12 Things You Should Never Put in the Microwave
Today's best microwaves can do a lot. Some combo units even double as air fryers! But, no matter how high-tech, your microwave isn't designed to handle everything you may want to throw at it. Certain materials and food simply can't take the heat. At best, you may end up with a splattered mess to clean up; at worst, you could end up leaching harmful chemicals into your food or even causing a fire. So before you turn to the handy appliance to get your cooking job done in record time, give yourself a quick refresher on a dozen things that should never end up on the turntable.
Note: As a general rule, always check the manufacturers' instructions to see if something is microwave safe.
Metal
This may go against everything your mother told you about the microwave, but the truth is, it's best to avoid putting metals in the microwave, unless the product specifically says it's microwave-safe. Doing so could damage your appliance, or even start a fire.
Aluminum foil
Foil blocks microwave energy, so it's generally not regarded as microwave-safe. This is especially true when foil is bunched up because the edges can cause sparking.
Dishes with metallic designs
Your favorite coffee mug with those beautiful metallic flourishes? Sorry, but you'll have to heat up your beverage in another glass. Even small amounts of metal on metallic glasses or plates can reflect the waves inside the microwave, causing it to overheat and produce sparks that pose a fire hazard. Always check a product to see if it’s microwaveable.
Travel mugs
These cups are similar, since the majority are made from stainless steel. So unless the manufacturer specifically states that the mug is "microwave safe," you'll have to transfer it to a new cup for reheating.
Plastic containers
Though the health effects of consuming micro- and nanoplastics are unclear, a recent study in which scientists microwaved plastic containers and reusable food pouches found that, in some cases, doing so released more than 2 billion nanoplastics and 4 million microplastics for every square centimeter of container. Always check to see if your food storage has been deemed "microwave safe" by the manufacturer, but in general, it may be smarter to use glass vessels instead.
Bamboo plates and cutlery
Bamboo dishes and cutlery are made from compressed bamboo fibers and often have coatings that can break down in the microwave. They also have poor heat absorption, which can cause warping or cracking, plus lead to hot spots that can pose a fire hazard.
Styrofoam
Did the restaurant package up the rest of your burger and fries in a styrofoam container? Or maybe your coffee came in a styrofoam mug? You'll want to transfer that to another plate or cup prior to reheating, since the heat of the microwave can cause the material to melt or break down. Studies suggest polystyrene (what Styrofoam is made of) may also leach into food.
Dry sponges
It's true that the microwave is a great way to zap the bacteria that lingers on your kitchen sponge, but you need to make sure the sponge is saturated with water first. If sponges are dry, there's no water to attract the appliance's energy and the sponge could catch on fire.
Wax paper
At high temperatures, like those in the microwave, wax paper can melt. And, even if it doesn't entirely degrade, studies suggest microwaving the material may also contaminate foods.
Brown paper bags
Paper bags, including small lunch bags and grocery store bags, could catch fire in the microwave. Studies suggest these materials could also leach a harmful chemical called PFAS into food.
Eggs in shells
You can microwave cracked eggs, but don't try to hard-boil eggs in your appliance. When the shells are intact, the steam has nowhere to go, so the egg could explode if it gets too hot.
Lidless containers
We recommend covering food with a microwave-safe lid or material before placing it in the microwave — particularly items like thick soup or tomato sauce. The heat of the microwave can cause your food to simmer and splatter.
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