Most of us have a basic understanding of what can and cannot be put in the microwave. Metals, bad. Glass, good. Right?
But if you stop there, what about the rest of the food containers, lids and storage materials that are lurking around our kitchens?
A microwave is a convenience-driven appliance, so it's tempting to nuke anything we'd typically use to store or cover leftovers from the fridge. However, it doesn't take an engineer to realize that not every material is safe for direct transfer to the microwave.
Ceramic is generally microwave safe, right? Many plastics can be placed in the microwave, but are they actually OK for your health? And paper doesn't catch on fire in the microwave's super-powered chamber, but should you actually put it in there, like, ever?
Perhaps we don't have a grip on what is absolutely never suitable for the microwave.
"Microwave safe doesn't just mean a container will not melt or warp, but it also means it will not release or leach harmful chemicals into our food when heated," says Li Li, associate professor at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health, whose specialty is environmental health and exposure science.
I spoke with materials and health experts about what to do when it comes to exposing various kitchen containers and packaging materials to the electromagnetic radiation of your microwave.
Best practices for using containers in the microwave
Styrofoam and your microwave are a dangerous combination. GoodLifeStudio/Getty
Before we delve into the specific materials and their numerous variables regarding suitability for microwave use, consider the following best practices.
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