1. Lunch bags
Never put a brown paper lunch bag in your microwave. They may seem like a safe material to heat up — they’re made of paper just like a paper plate, after all, but they can be really harmful. According to the USDA, “They are not sanitary, may cause a fire, and may emit toxic fumes […] the ink, glue, and recycled materials in paper bags may emit toxic fumes when they are exposed to heat.”
Did you know that grapes explode in the microwave? Most people don’t. If a recipe ever calls for warm grapes, don’t use the microwave to heat them up. They can ruin your microwave and potentially cause a fire in your kitchen.
3. Plastic storage containers
Just because some plastic storage containers are microwave safe, doesn’t mean they all are. If a reusable plastic container is safe to put in the microwave, it will be marked as such. “If you don’t see that label, check the manufacturer’s website — or to be on the safe side, just don’t microwave it,” advises Clark.
4. Travel mugs
Though it’s tempting to warm up your travel mug in the microwave once your coffee starts to cool off, most travel mugs aren’t microwave-safe. If they are, it’ll explicitly be labeled on the mug.
“If it’s made from stainless steel, don’t nuke it,” says the Huffington Post. “The stainless steel will block the heat from warming your coffee or tea and can damage your microwave.”
5. Yogurt containers
Yogurt containers, or other one-time-use plastic containers like those used for margarine or sour cream, should stay out of the microwave. Though it may be tempting to save money on plastic containers, these disposable containers aren’t intended to last very long, and definitely can’t withstand high-heat. They can melt in your microwave and release harmful chemicals into your food.
6. Styrofoam containers
You’d be surprised how many people are still reheating their leftovers in their styrofoam containers. “Styrofoam is a type of plastic. And plastic doesn’t play nice in the microwave — unless otherwise marked on the container,” says Huffington Post writer Julie Thomson. Additionally, styrofoam containers can emit harmful toxins when warmed up in the microwave that are dangerous to whomever’s heating up leftovers.
7. Chinese takeout boxes
Chinese takeout boxes may seem okay to put in your microwave because they’re mostly made of paperboard. But, that light paperboard is coated with wax or plastic, and often includes a solid wire handle. Not only is the wax/plastic harmful to whomever’s eating the leftovers, but the metal handle can start a fire.
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