What Plastics Can I Use In the Microwave?



Posted: Friday, July 18, 2008

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How often have you stood in front of your microwave with a yummy snack in a plastic container and asked yourself, "Can I use this in the micro? Will it melt? Is it safe to use? How to do I find out?" Well, take a deep breath and relax. I'm here to give you a little lesson on the battle between plastic containers and the microwave.

Most of the plastic containers and wraps used today are specially designed to withstand the high temperatures generated by a microwave oven. All you have to do is check the item or its packaging label and follow the instructions printed there.

OK, that almost sounds to easy, right? But there are 3 things you should always look for:

  • The words "Microwave Safe" imprinted on the bottom of the container.
  • The imprinted microwave symbol. This is on lots of the reusable plastic storage containers.
  • Instructions printed on the packaging providing the proper microwave usage.
    • All of these are used as an indication from the manufacturer that that product has been designed for safe usage in the microwave as per the directions given.

    Using a plastic container in the microwave that wasn't labeled for microwave use isn't necessarily "unsafe". All plastics intended for food usage must meet strict FDA safety standards before they can be sold to consumers. But unless a product is labeled "for the microwave", you won't have the assurance that the item was tested and evaluated for this purpose. The concern about that is, when used inappropriately, the item could warp or melt and the hot food could leak all over the bottom of the oven or, at the very worse, cause accidental burns.

    It's just best to be on the safe side and look for plastics that are labeled "for microwave use" and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

    Plastics, such as butter tubs and deli containers (which we all save and reuse) are designed for cold food storage only and were never intended for reheating foods. So, no matter how great the temptation, DON'T USE THEM IN YOUR MICROWAVE!

    Now, this little lesson wasn't so hard to learn after all, was it? It really all comes down to one simple rule:

    If your container isn't labeled for microwave use, it's better, and wiser, to choose one that is.

    Ruth Walby

    Visit this site to discover how to use up all your leftovers to create delicious new dishes plus stretching your food budget.

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