#microwave-safety

#microwave-safety

The microwave is a must-have modern convenience, but it takes some basic know-how to use it regularly without causing any safety risks. Chiefly, you want to be clear on what items should never go into the microwave, like metal, so you don't even chance starting a fire. Other materials that fall into this camp may seem obvious, like Styrofoam; but did you know that paper towels can pose their own set of issues? Well, certain types of paper towels, to be precise - so make sure you're aware of what those types are.

While the function doesn't exist on every single model, "keep warm" is one of those largely unknown microwave settings that we should all use more often. This function works by periodically zapping the food at a low power level, giving it just enough heat to keep it from cooling off, but not enough that it cooks further. This incredible function will allow you to keep your food at a perfect serving temperature for 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the model.

The heat and radiation emitted from a microwave can cause wood to crack or warp, leaving the bowl permanently damaged. Even in low temperatures, wood can absorb the smells and flavors of the food being heated. Perhaps more problematic is that any varnish or adhesive used to coat the wood may release fumes and possibly melt into your food. It's not likely that a microwaved wooden bowl will catch fire, but you can't rule it out if you're cooking at high temperatures for extended periods.

The simple answer is yes, you can technically microwave aluminum foil, as long as the manufacturer clearly indicates that your model can handle the foil in the device's manual. However, there are specific conditions that need to be met. Most importantly, the foil needs to be kept as flat as possible. When foil is bent or wrinkled, a phenomenon known as "arching" occurs.

Microwave safe simply means that the material won't melt, crack, or warp in high heat produced by a microwave, which can reach up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. As long as the container remains intact, you're technically in the clear. The term doesn't account for less visible risks. From a regulatory standpoint, there's no universally enforced standard for what makes a container safe for the microwave. Container makers often decide for themselves whether the product merits the label.

One argument for unplugging is phantom or standby power. Not unlike why you should unplug your toaster, many devices sneak electricity even when they're off. Government energy experts note that this standby draw adds up across a home and suggest reducing it where practical by unplugging, using advanced power strips, or choosing efficient models. Microwaves are among the products that can draw power for displays and ready-to-start electronics.

A microwave's main purpose is convenience. It boils the meal-prep process down to the least amount of time and steps possible: Simply heat and eat. While we hate to potentially burst this bubble, nothing is more important than safety. You might want to add just one step back into this routine by switching whatever you're microwaving into a different dish or bowl if you're not 100% sure that a container is, in fact, microwave-safe.

Mason jars are versatile kitchen items for storage and meal prep, but caution is required when microwaving as not all jars are safe for it.