I think there is one thing we can all agree on: the microwave is a great invention. We’ve all used it to reheat leftovers or to simply “cook” something up when we are too lazy to wait around the oven. However, a lot of us use the microwave daily without knowing that not everything we put in it might be a safe alternative.
In order to help you know what not to microwave, here are 10 things that you should never microwave, no matter how desperate you are.
1. Eggs
Apparently, there is a new internet trend of making hard boiled eggs in a microwave. Do not do this. I know this sounds like the perfect alternative for all of us lazy college students out there, but it’s not as great as it sounds.
As you know, the microwave emits radio waves that channel heat directly to the food. This actually makes a lot of steam come out of the egg. So much steam that it makes the egg explode. The steam has no room to go so it sort of creates its own room.
2. Styrofoam
You know how everyone always says not to put plastic in a microwave? Well, styrofoam containers are made from polystyrene foam, which is a type of plastic. If you put this in the microwave, the styrofoam will look different, almost as if it were melting. Even though it is not technically melting, it’s releasing toxic chemicals that will be harmful to the food inside the container as well as to you.
3. Nothing
When you run a microwave empty, the radio waves that it emits are absorbed by the microwave itself. Since there is nothing else inside of it, the microwave can’t handle receiving all the waves and could either self-destruct or even worse, start a fire.
4. Hot peppers
If you try to microwave hot peppers, you’ll be evaporating its capsaicin, which is known to be the chemical that makes peppers spicy. The moment you open the microwave door, that vapor will come out and burn your eyes and throat. So for your own good, please don’t try this.
5. Fruits
First of all, I have no idea who could ever crave microwaved fruit. However, if by any reason this sounds appealing to you; don’t try it. Grapes, for instance, will explode and could even result in starting a fire. Another good example of why this is not a good idea: raisins. Raisins will not only smoke, but could also break down your microwave by the amount of plasma it will emit.
6. Aluminum foil
Aluminum foil is a kind of metal, and like all metals, it can catch fire inside the microwave. To prevent this from happening, just take your leftovers out of the aluminum foil and use a microwave-safe container.
7. Water
Unless the water has something else to defuse the amount of energy, like a tea bag, it will superheat. When it is superheated the water is not actually boiled, so it is likely that once you add something then, like a tea bag, it will cause an upward explosion.
8. Yogurt, sour cream, and butter containers
I know reusing these containers might be tempting, but they are really made to be more of a one-time use kind of thing. Since they are not made to survive in these conditions, exposing them to the microwaves will make the plastic material melt and release chemicals into your food.
9. Bread
This one will not ruin your microwave, but it will surely ruin the bread. Microwaving bread leaves it moist and chewy to the point where no one really wants to try it. But don’t worry, if this happens to you, just put the bread in the oven for a few minutes and it will go back to its desired texture and appearance.
10. Sauce without a lid
If you’re in a rush, just put a piece of paper towel on top of it at least. Microwaving any sauce without any type of lid will just end up causing a huge mess that no one really wants to clean up.
Now, I hope you know that even though the microwave can save you a lot of time, it could also be very dangerous. Save yourself the trouble and don’t create a mess, or worse, start a fire in your kitchen. Remember that plastic and metal are the two things you should always remember not to microwave no matter how desperate you are.