how long can i microwave microwaveable plastic containers for?
I've got a microwave container and no oven and looking to cook some stuff - is it possible to microwave a container that's marked as microwave safe for 40 minutes or so?
Best Answer
A microwave-safe container shouldn't be heated significantly by the microwave (only by conduction from the food it contains). So, it should be fine, so long as the food is, and as long as the food doesn't exceed its allowable temperature.
You can test fairly easily—put the container, partially filled with some water, in the microwave for a few minutes. Does the container heat up, possibly more so than the water—especially where its not in contact with the water? If so, I'd be reluctant to use it in the microwave for that long.
Some containers are microwave safe, but only for heating to maybe 160°F or so. A common example is LDPE (often used for plastic wrap). Some can't take boiling for more than a short time (e.g., HDPE). Polypropylene should be fine, even with boiling. Go any hotter (e.g., filled with oil, which is probably insane) and most will fail. If you're lucky, the container will have a resin ID code on it, LDPE is #4, HDPE is #2, polypropylene is #5.
Your microwave may not be fine with 40 minutes of strait microwaving, or with the steam buildup. You should probably check its manual.
I assume also you've read Jay's comment about converting recipes, and that you're doing something where 40 minutes won't result in charcoal.
Pictures about "how long can i microwave microwaveable plastic containers for?"
Quick Answer about "how long can i microwave microwaveable plastic containers for?"
How long can you microwave plastic? An FDA-approved, BPA-free plastic containers made using Type 5 polypropylene have been tested for up to 240 hours in the microwave before being introduced into the market. So, you don't need to worry about it getting melted fast.Can I microwave plastic for 5 seconds?
While many food storage, preparation, and serving products are made from plastic, microwaving them can accelerate the release of harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates. Therefore, unless the plastic product is deemed microwave safe, avoid microwaving it, and replace worn plastic containers with new ones.Can you reheat food in a plastic container in the microwave?
It's a bad idea to heat food in plastic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), microwaving food is generally safe. However, microwaving in plastic containers is associated with increased leaching \u2014 the transfer or leaking of chemicals into food.Can you microwave plastic for 2 minutes?
Basically, heat can cause the BPA and Phthalates in plastics to leach into your food. That means \u2013 yeah, sorry \u2013 you should avoid microwaving food and beverages in plastic. Instead, transfer them into microwave-safe glass or ceramic containers.Can you microwave Tupperware for 5 minutes?
Tupperware containers are designed for reheating and defrosting, not necessarily for cooking food. Stick with medium heat to reduce the risk of compromising the container. Furthermore, the manufacturer recommends that a Tupperware container be reheated for no longer than 3 minutes at a time.VERIFY: Is it safe to microwave food in plastic containers?
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Wallace Chuck, Nataliya Vaitkevich, SHVETS production, Blue Bird