The container that goes into your microwave with your food has a significant impact. In general, paper-made products are safe to use when you reheat or cook in the microwave. Though, to ensure safety, you should exercise some caution.
You can also read: Can You Microwave Cup Noodles?
Can you put paper plates in the microwave? What Are The Safety Issues?
Plates made of plain paper and nothing coated on it can be microwaved. ‘’Microwave-safe’’ marked papers are safe to use in the microwave. But, there are some plastic-coated disposable paper plates, do not use them.
So, you can microwave paper plates. However, you should follow specific safety standards:
- You should closely monitor time and temperature settings while microwaving food on a paper plate. Use 50% power level and microwave for less than 2 minutes.
- Avoid decorated, printed, and colored paper plates because these types of paper plates have a chance of igniting a fire. Plus, chemicals leach into the food while microwaving.
- Use 2-3 paper plates for oily and greasy foods to prevent oil absorbed into the paper.
Moreover, due to recycling purposes, paper plates may contain material that would cause a burn spark inside your microwave.
Microwave-safe paper plate brands on amazon
There are many brands of microwave-safe paper plates available on Amazon. Some of the more popular brands. These brands offer a variety of sizes and styles of paper plates that are safe to use in the microwave.
01. Stack Man 100% Compostable Paper Plates
- 9 inches paper plates
- 100% sugarcane fiber
- 100% compostable
- Microwavable & freezable
- Oil and cut-resistant note
02. Dixie Disposable Plate Paper
- Microwave Safe
- Cut Resistant, and Soak-Proof Shield
- Includes 220 plates, 10-1/16 inch disposable paper plates
- 10-inch plate is perfect for dinner, parties, and picnics
- 5 packs of 44 plates each
03. Amazon Basics Compostable Plates
- Compostable in commercial facilities
- Sleek, convenient style
- Stackable for space-saving storage
- Great for parties, barbecues, and catered events
- Microwave safe
Related Questions Answered
a) How long can you put a paper plate in the microwave?
People always want to know how long can they put a paper plate in the microwave. The recommended time is not more than 3 minutes. Less than 3 minutes will be a better time to put a paper plate in the microwave.
b) Which paper plates are microwave safe?
The microwave-safe paper plates are white and unprinted. As long as a paper plate is plain white and unprinted, it is safe to use in the microwave. These paper plates do not release harmful chemicals in food. On the other hand, colorful, printed paper plates are not safe to use in the microwave. Printed, colored, or plastic-coated paper plates containing ink, dye, bleach, or plastic is flammable and harmful to our food.
c) Can you microwave white paper plates?
You can microwave white paper plates. They are safe to use. A microwave paper plate that is white and unprinted is always a safer one. It doesn’t contain harmful things like ink, dye, bleach, or plastic. The colorful paper plates include those dangerous things which can affect our food. So, it is safe to use white paper plates in the microwave.
d) Can you microwave paper towels?
Yes, you can microwave paper towels also. It is safe. However, it is safe to microwave paper towels; you still need to be careful. Because almost every paper towels are safe to use in the microwave, some paper towels contain materials that can create a spark while using them. So, one needs to be cautious about this issue.
e) What material you cannot put in the microwave?
You cannot put things like styrofoam, cardboard, stainless steel, or aluminum foils in the microwave because these things can cause harm. Styrofoam without labeled safe can not be used. On the other hand, cardboard contains glues, waxes, and other materials that make it a safety hazard. So, it will be safe not to use these things. Plus, stainless steel or aluminum foils also can cause harm.
You may also like: Styrofoam in Microwave: What happens when you put it in?
f) Can you put a blender bottle in the microwave?
A blender bottle is a plastic cup with a secure and tightly sealed lid, containing a spiral surgical steel ball. As we all know that microwaving plastic releases some chemicals which can cause serious health issues.
The BlenderBottle recommendation is:
“While the plastics used in BlenderBottle products are safe, microwaving is strongly discouraged. The leak-proof seal can allow pressure to build up inside the bottle/jars when heating, causing the lids or flip caps to open unexpectedly and spray contents. Never microwave the BlenderBottle with the BlenderBall® inside.”
That means microwaving blender bottles can release chemicals like dioxin which can cause cancer if you eat food containing dioxin. However, plastic does not contain dioxin itself that’s why they said ‘’Microwave-safe’’. But you should know that dioxin is created when plastic is burned.
References:
- https://www.blenderbottle.com/pages/faq
- https://www.whirlpool.com/blog/kitchen/what-you-can-cant-microwave.html
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