Things You Definitely Don’t Want to Be Putting in Your Microwave
Ah, the microwave. In our busy, high-paced lives it’s been our savior on numerous occasions. Regardless, there are things that just don’t belong there. You’ve probably guessed a good number of the things on this list, but definitely not all of them. Especially not number 17…
Things You Definitely Don’t Want To Be Putting In Your Microwave
Eggs
We’ve all heard of microwaved omelets…those are more gross than anything else…Eggs, shell and all, are a different story. While this may seem like a good, efficient way to boil an egg, the resulting smell and mess are definitely not worth the risk…
Eggs
Styrofoam Containers
Everyone knows plastic does not do well in microwaves. What is less known is that Styrofoam often contains plastic, which means that that too should stay far away from the microwave. Rule of thumb: if the container changes shapes after you take it out of the microwave, it means that poisonous toxins have been released and that – yup, you guessed it—the food is no good.
Styrofoam Containers
Nothing
While it may seem harmless to start the microwave with nothing in it, it’s definitely not advisable. Remember that the microwave emits radio waves to warm up your food, so that if there is nothing in there, the microwave itself will absorb these waves, and this can lead to your trusty device breaking or even starting a fire.
Nothing
Hot Peppers
This may surprise you to hear, but hot peppers don’t belong anywhere near your microwave. When hot peppers are microwaved, they release a chemical called capsaicin (the same chemical that gives this vegetable the spiciness we all love). In vapor form, capsaicin can burn your throat and eyes. If that’s not an appetite killer, we don’t know what is…
Hot Peppers
Fruit
Fruit aren’t usually the go- to foods for microwaving, but just in case you ever feel the urge, don’t do it. Grapes, for example, will pretty much explode if you do this and may even cause a fire. And don’t you dare even think about microwaving dry fruit either (even though, again—why on earth would you?) Since we’re already on the subject of grapes, raisins can emit a plasma that can lead to smoke and actually break your microwave. I doubt microwaved raisins are worth all that collateral damage…
Fruit
Aluminum Foil
In general, anything with metal should not enter your microwave. And while aluminum foil may seem like “OMG, that’s barely even metal” type of metal, it definitely is. When you put metal in the microwave, it reflects off the light of the lining of the microwave and then BOOM! either no more microwave or no more kitchen.
Aluminum Foil
China
Putting your favorite china in the microwave may seem like it’s a safe thing to do, but more often then not, these cups and plates can be lined with metal and—you guessed it—cause a fire. in general, try to check these things for microwave-friendly labels before using them.
China
Human Milk
Being a parent to a newborn in this hectic day and age is not easy. Lots of parents therefore choose to freeze the breast milk and take it out as necessary. This is all fine and good, but we recommend not using the microwave as your form of heating. Microwaves can lead to uneven heat in the milk and can burn your child. Instead, opt for warming the bottle underneath warm water from the tap.
Human Milk
Chinese Takeout Containers
While these containers may seem safe to put in the microwave, it’s definitely not guaranteed. Usually, Chinese takeout containers come with metal handles on the box and can possibly lead to disasters. Instead, pour the food into a safe container—no use letting laziness ruin a perfectly good Chinese takeout night!
Chinese Takeout Containers
Frozen meat
We’ve all been there: we’re hungry, we’re tired, we’re impatient. we don’t have the energy to wait for the meat to thaw, so we turn to our trusty microwave to help speed the process…alas, though, while this may be super convenient, it’s also super risky: different parts of the meet thaw at different rates, which can lead to bacteria growth, a nasty stomach bug, and of course the classic I-shouldn’t-have-used-the-microwave thoughts to flooding your brain.
Frozen Meat
Water
Heating up water in the microwave can lead to energy diffusion, and consequentially, your water to superheat without actually being boiled. This means that if you do add something to the water after you take it out of the microwave, it can actually lead to a quite abrupt explosion. Best to just invest in a kettle and save yourself the hassle…
Water
Butter and Yogurt Containers
While yogurt and butter containers may be useful as limited-time storage for your leftovers, they are never useful for microwave purposes. Remember that these containers are as plastic as they get, so putting them in the microwave will lead to the release of toxins into your foods. Not what I would call yummy…
Butter And Yogurt Containers
Bread
OK, so microwaving bread isn’t exactly what you would call dangerous, but it definitely won’t lead to tastiness. Microwaved bread is often soggy and unappetizing. Putting your health at risk? No. Putting your dinner party at risk? Yes.
Bread
Sauce with No Lid
Sauce can get pretty…extroverted without a lid on top when you microwave it. If you do decide to do this, don’t be surprised if you find remnants of the sauce all over your microwave later. Then again, maybe the sauce is really good, and you want to save it for later…we’re not judging! OK, maybe a little…
Sauce With No Lid
Travel Mugs
While travel mugs and microwaves may seem like they’re best friends, convenience wise, they are definitely not made for each other. More often than not, your travel mugs are made out of either plastic or metal. Also- aren’t thermoses supposed to keep your beverage already warm?
Travel Mugs
Hot Dogs
While hotdogs may not seem like the worst thing to microwave, they’re definitely not the best thing: because of the preservatives used to keep them nice and hotdogish, this can often lead to cholesterol oxidation. In general, processed meat and microwaves are not a good match.
Hot Dogs
Leafy Greens
If you’re eating leafy greens, chances are you’re trying to be healthy. Or you just like them but let’s face it—that’s less likely. In any case, if health is on your mind, don’t microwave these leafy goods. Experts have warned that this can lead to sparks and, subsequentially, decreased nutritional value. Stick to stoves, we say.
Leafy Greens
Oil
Oil may be the perfect cooking ingredient in many ways, but that doesn’t make it good for everything. While oil may seem liquidy, it’s actually mostly fat, which means that microwaving it can lead to some weird results—nothing dangerous, but definitely unappetizing. Save your oil for dressing ,ovens, and pans, we say.
Oil
Uncooked Rice
If you’ve never microwaved uncooked rice before…good, keep it that way. While it may surprise you to hear this, rice can actually contain tons of dangerous bacteria. Microwaving uncooked rice doesn’t get rid of these bacteria, which can lead to some pretty nasty food poisoning. Not worth it.
Uncooked Rice
Leftover potatoes
While microwaving leftover potatoes is largely risk-free, some sources say that doing this may not be the smartest. Apparently, leftover potatoes can sometimes lead to botuslism, a not so pleasant situation for your stomach. But this is most likely to occur if you don’t store them properly beforehand.
Leftover Potatoes
Frozen Fruit
Just like meat lovers, fruit lovers may be impatient when waiting for their frozen fruit to thaw. But turning to the microwave isn’t really the best idea. There’s a chance that certain qualities in the fruit can be transformed into carcinogen, which can actually be dangerous.
Frozen Fruit
Leftover Mushrooms
Similar to leftover potatoes, leftover mushrooms are safest to eat after microwaving, when they’ve been stored properly beforehand. Otherwise, bacteria will grow and you will end up being at the mercy of some very unpleasant stomach cramps…
Leftover Mushrooms
Food That Has Been Preheated Too Many Times
If you have leftovers that have been in the fridge for more than three days, it is safest not to microwave them too many times. According to health experts, this puts the quality and nutritional value at risk. Instead, if you have a lot of leftovers, it’s best to freeze them in portion-size and defrost each portion accordingly.
Food That Has Been Preheated Too Many Times
Mugs Manufactured Before the 60s
Mugs that were made prior to the 1960s may contain material susceptible to radiation, which make them big no-nos for your microwaving. If you have a vintage mug at home, make sure it stays away from your microwave.
Mugs Manufactured Before The 60s
French Fries
Just like bread, French fries tend to get soggy after being microwaved. They also lose their texture and flavor. This isn’t dangerous, but—come on, if you’re going to have French fries, you should at least make them count, no?
French Fries
Clothes
Many people see microwaves as a perfectly decent alternative to drying laundry. While in theory, there is something logical about this, in practice, it’s not a good idea. The radiation in the microwave is akin to some really toxic detergent and can damage all sorts of fabric. And that’s if your clothes don’t have metal zippers and buttons. If they do, this can actually be dangerous.
Clothes
Regular Paper Bags
Not all paper bags are created equal. There’s a reason those popcorn bags work so well in the microwave: the inside of the bags contain susceptors to absorb the microwave’s electromagnetic energy. Plain old paper bags? Not so much…these babies can release all sorts of unwanted toxins and can be a huge fire hazard.
Regular Paper Bags
Tomato Sauce
Tomato sauce is great for a quick meal, but be warned: being greedy with saving time can lead to more time wasted than saved. Microwaving tomato sauce is just not a good idea. Because the tomato sauce has a thick rather than liquidy texture, it doesn’t really let steam and heat escape well, which can lead to a huge mess, and there goes all the time you were trying to save…
Tomato Sauce
Ink/Gel Pens
Many of you may be aware of the old heating trick to get a dried up-pen to work again. If so, great! Enjoy that life hack…but don’t use a microwave to help you pursue it. This can lead to the pen being roasted and definitely not usable anymore.
Ink Gel Pens
Kitchen Sponges
Microwaves are not alcogel – they are not there to clean things, they are there to heat things. Many people are not aware of this and see microwaves as some sort of cleanliness enhancers. Thus, heating a kitchen sponge for a minute seems like a perfect idea. Boy, is that far from the truth! Rather than getting rid of bacteria, the microwave causes the sponge to trap it.
Kitchen Sponges
Croissants
Ah, croissants! The perfect addition to your coffee…but if you truly wish to enjoy this pastry, we recommend not heating it up in the microwave. It will just make it soggy, greasy, and, well, uncroissant-like.
Croissants
Fish
Hmm, something smells fishy…oh that would be anyone who ever decided it was a good idea to microwave fish. Seriously just, no…. first, there’s the smell, second, the smell, third, the smell! Come one people…if this is not enough to convince you—also the matter of the potential explosion that you’ll have to clean up later…
Fish
Pizza
Hot pizza, cold pizza—both are popular, lovable options. But…microwaved pizza? That is just a big, fat no. Doing this leads to the pizza getting either# nauseatingly chewy or rock-hard. Just use the oven…or eat it all at once. Like we would…no shame here!
Pizza
Chicken
It is possible to microwave chicken, but only if you know what you’re doing. More often than not, microwaving chicken can lead to uneven cooking, and raw chicken? Not a good idea. Eating uncooked poultry can lead to a plethora of bad things, including our good old friend salmonella.
Chicken
Chips
Sometimes, chips can get soggy when you open the bag.. it’s a darn shame, but no: the microwave is not the answer to get them nice and dry again. This will just lead to burning the thin crisps. Even worse, if you decide to heat them up inside the bag, you will most likely cause a fire. But hey, your chips won’t be soggy, so there’s that at least!
Chips
Containers With ‘Microwave Safe’ Labels
A slightly counterintuitive statement, we know…but all we’re saying here really is that just because it says microwave safe, it doesn’t it absolutely is. The best thing is to pay attention to the shape of the container when you take it out: If the shape changes, don’t eat it. Now that’s a great rule of thumb to leave you with!
Containers With ‘Microwave Safe’ Labels