The microwave is the hardest working appliance in most kitchens. We reheat coffee, thaw dinner and pop popcorn without a second thought.
That habit is exactly why a few risky shortcuts sneak in. In its guide to what is safe to put in a microwave, Consumer Reports (2022) lays out the items that can spark, melt, overheat or even explode.
Here are 8 worth knowing before the next lunch break.
None of these rules require special gear or a lot of effort. They only ask you to pause for a moment before the door closes and the timer starts.
Metal Can Cause Sparks And Even A Fire
Consumer Reports says metal should stay out of the microwave because it can cause arcing, which means sparks, and arcing can lead to a fire. James Dickerson, PhD, the magazine’s chief scientific officer, said, “Metal shouldn’t be microwaved because it could cause arcing.”
That includes aluminum foil. Some manufacturers allow small pieces that do not touch the walls, but Dickerson advises avoiding foil altogether because it can still cause arcing.
The practical fix is easy. If a frozen dinner comes in a foil tray or a metal-trimmed dish, move the food to a plain plate first, and check what your owner’s manual says about your particular oven.
Even A Wooden Toothpick Can Set Off Sparks
You do not need metal to get fireworks. Consumer Reports notes that sharp non-metal objects, such as a wooden toothpick, can also create sparks inside the oven.
So skip the toothpick holding your leftover sandwich together and use a microwave-safe plate or cover instead.
It is a small thing, but it is the kind of small thing that catches people off guard because toothpicks seem so harmless. Wood is not metal, yet the magazine includes it for a reason.
Grapes Can Turn Into Tiny Fireballs
This one sounds like a kitchen myth, but it is in the Consumer Reports guide. According to the magazine, microwaving grapes creates plasma, which it describes as a highly energetic gas, and that can turn them into fireballs.
Keep the fruit bowl out of the oven and save the grapes for snacking.
If you have grandchildren who love experiments they saw online, this is a good one to mention. The result is dramatic, and it is not good for your oven.
Eggs In The Shell Can Explode
Consumer Reports (2022) says whole eggs can explode when microwaved. Anyone who has tried to hard boil an egg the lazy way has probably heard this warning before.
The cleanup is not fun, and a flying bit of hot egg is a real hazard when you open the door.
A better plan is to warm leftover egg dishes that have already been peeled, chopped or cooked, rather than sending a whole shell-on egg through the oven.
Brown Paper Bags Can Catch Fire
Louis Nieves, a senior product engineer at Panasonic quoted by Consumer Reports, advises using paper only if it is labeled microwave-safe. A brown paper bag, the kind from the grocery store or a packed lunch, can catch fire.
If you are tempted to pop your own popcorn in one, think twice and use a microwave-safe bowl with a vented cover.
That small switch gives you more control over the heat, and it keeps the paper away from the very thing that could set it alight.
Paper Cups Can Overheat And Ignite
Consumer Reports says paper cups should be avoided because they may overheat and ignite. That drive-through coffee that went cold on the way home belongs in a ceramic mug before it goes in the microwave.
Switching containers takes ten seconds and removes the risk entirely.
It also saves you from a soggy, flimsy cup that was never designed to hold a boiling drink for long.
Narrow-Necked Bottles Can Build Up Dangerous Pressure
JL Lavina, a senior manager of public relations at LG Electronics USA, warned in the Consumer Reports guide that superheated liquid in a narrow-neck container, such as a syrup bottle, can build pressure and cause an explosion.
If your syrup is stiff and cold, pour it into a wide, microwave-safe container before warming it.
The same goes for any bottle or jar with a tight neck. If the liquid can heat faster than the pressure can escape, the container becomes a problem.
Plastic Containers Can Leach Chemicals Into Your Food
According to Consumer Reports, heating food in plastic containers risks leaching, which is when chemicals move into the food. The safest habit is to move leftovers onto a plate or into a dish made for the microwave.
Check the bottom of any container and your owner’s manual for specific safety instructions before you hit start.
Many take-out tubs and margarine cups were never meant for reheating, so it pays to get into the habit of transferring food rather than trusting the container it came in.
Not everything in the cabinet is a threat. Dickerson says glass, ceramics and stoneware are usually microwave-safe, so your everyday dishes are a good bet.
Plastic foam has a short leash. Nieves says brief heating, around 30 seconds for a cup of coffee, may be fine, but longer heating can cause the foam to melt.
A simple rule keeps it easy. If something is not labeled microwave-safe, put the food on a plate that is, and you will skip most of the trouble on this list.
Pass these tips along to the grandkids who borrow your kitchen. A few seconds of thought at the microwave door beats a trip to the fire department.
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