Can plastic food containers be put in the microwave?

With the gradual improvement of people's living standards, microwave ovens have become a common item in households. Generally speaking, plastic food-preserving boxes cannot be heated in a microwave oven. However, this needs to be based on the actual situation. Most plastic food-preserving boxes are toxic at high temperatures. But now some plastic food-preserving boxes are made of PP material, which can be heated in a microwave oven, but it is best not to heat them for too long.

Can plastic lunch boxes be heated in the microwave?

There are some restrictions. You should choose lunch boxes made of non-toxic, odorless, high-temperature resistant and chemically stable plastic, that is, lunch boxes specially designed for microwave ovens. Ordinary plastic lunch boxes cannot be used in microwave ovens.

Are plastic food containers toxic?

The material of the plastic food storage box should be considered. Don’t think that all plastics are the same, as the differences are quite large. Ordinary plastics may produce toxic substances to the human body under high temperatures. If you often use the microwave to cook, it is best to choose a plastic fresh-keeping box made of pure polypropylene (PP); and if you wash continuously at a high temperature of about 70 degrees, it is best not to exceed 20-30 minutes.

Secondly, different foods have different storage times. Do not simply rely on the sealing function of plastic containers. They should be eaten as soon as possible. PP (polypropylene) plastic food storage boxes can be heated for a short time when used in a microwave oven, but they cannot be used as cooking containers in microwave ovens.

In addition, when adding to the microwave, the lid joint must be loosened before use. If you use the plastic food storage box with the lid locked, the pressure may cause it to deform or burst. When used in a microwave oven, if the food contains a lot of oil and sugar, the temperature will rise rapidly and the plastic food storage box will deform.

Three material characteristics of plastic fresh-keeping boxes

Plastic PP material: non-toxic, odorless, low density, strength, stiffness, hardness and heat resistance are better than low-pressure polyethylene, can be used at around 100 degrees, has good electrical properties and high-frequency insulation, is not affected by humidity, density 0.90-0.91, high heat resistance, good toughness and chemical corrosion resistance. The most commonly used type of food plastic products. Disadvantages: Becomes brittle at low temperatures, not wear-resistant, and prone to aging.

Plastic PET material: milky white or light yellow, highly crystalline polymer with a smooth and shiny surface. It has excellent physical and mechanical properties in a wide temperature range. Heat resistant up to 70℃, it is only suitable for warm or cold drinks. It will easily deform when filled with high-temperature liquids or heated. Such as mineral water bottles, so never use mineral water bottles to hold hot water.

Plastic PC material: an amorphous thermoplastic resin with excellent comprehensive properties, excellent electrical insulation, elongation, dimensional stability, chemical corrosion resistance, and high strength; it also has the advantages of self-extinguishing, flame retardant, non-toxic, and colorable. Disadvantages: Compared with metal, the hardness is not enough, the appearance is easier to scratch, and PC glue releases bisphenol A when heated. Be extra careful when using this plastic container. Many water cups and baby bottles are made of this material.

What foods should not be put in the microwave

1. Avoid heating meat until it is half-cooked and then heating it in a microwave oven: bacteria will still grow in half-cooked food, and it is impossible to kill all the bacteria when heating it in a microwave oven for the second time due to the short time. Frozen meat products must be thawed in the microwave before being heated to cooked food.

2. Avoid refreezing meat that has been thawed in a microwave oven: After the meat is thawed in the microwave, the outer layer has actually been heated at a low temperature. Bacteria can multiply at this temperature. Although refreezing can stop their multiplication, it cannot kill the living bacteria. If meat that has been thawed in a microwave is put back into the refrigerator, it must be heated until fully cooked.

3. Avoid fried foods: high-temperature oil may splash and cause fire. If a fire accidentally occurs in the furnace, do not open the door. Instead, turn off the power first and then open the door to cool down after the fire is out.

4. Avoid overheating: If you put food in the microwave to thaw or heat it and forget to take it out, and if the time exceeds 2 hours, you should throw it away to avoid food poisoning.

5. Avoid using ordinary plastic containers: Use special microwave containers to hold food and put them in the microwave to heat it. First, hot food will deform the plastic container. Second, ordinary plastic will release toxic substances, contaminate food, and endanger human health.

6. Avoid using metal utensils: because iron, aluminum, stainless steel, enamel and other utensils placed in the oven will produce electric sparks and reflect microwaves when the microwave oven is heating, which will damage the oven body and heat up uncooked food.