Paper plates offer a lot of benefits when it comes to heating food in the microwave. They reduce the hassle of clean-up and can be simply disposed of after being used to heat food. Also, paper plates are less expensive and won’t break compared to ceramic kitchenware or tableware, but the main question is whether they are safe for microwave use.
It is completely safe to microwave paper plates as long as they are plain white and print-free. However, printed, decorated, or plastic-coated paper plates should be avoided as they can easily catch fire or release ink and harmful chemicals into your food when heated.
While it is safe to use paper plates in the microwave, dealing with paper requires care and caution. This article will go further to explain in detail why it is safe to microwave paper plates, how to microwave food on paper plates, and discuss important safety tips and precautions.
Can Paper Plates Catch Fire In The Microwave?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), most paper products, such as paper plates, wax paper, paper towels, and parchment paper, are safe for use in the microwave. However, brown paper bags, coffee cups, and newspapers are not sanitary and can emit toxic fumes. When exposed to high heat in the microwave, they can ignite and cause a fire.
Microwaves work by using electromagnetic radiation to create vibrations in water molecules. As the water molecules in the food vibrate, the friction between them is increased, and heat is produced. That might seem a little technical, but the point is that the same electromagnetic radiation that causes heat in food molecules can also heat the water molecules in polystyrene and plastic products.
Paper plates are made out of scrap paper and other useful wastes from the paper-making process. They contain oil, cellulose, resins, and other wood chemicals. These chemicals are not scientifically proven to release harmful substances into food when heated. Since paper plates don’t contain polystyrene, they won’t melt or catch fire when used in the microwave.
To be safe, the USDA suggests avoiding patterned, dyed, or bleached paper plates. It also makes sense to avoid using plastic-coated plates in the microwave as they can leach harmful chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA) into your food. When consumed in large amounts, BPA can cause cancer, reproductive diseases, and nervous system disorders.
How to Safely Microwave Food on A Paper Plate
Paper plates are generally safe to use in the microwave. However, it can be dangerous if not used properly. This is because the type of food being heated and the capabilities of a microwave can vary. With that out of the way, here’s how to safely heat paper plates in a microwave.
Paper Plates Should Only Be Used for Reheating Food
It is recommended to use paper plates for reheating purposes only. Paper plates may not be used for cooking because heating at a high temperature for a prolonged period can cause the juice from the food to saturate the plate and cause it to fail or become too hot to touch.
To ensure personal and food safety, limit your heating times to 1 to 2 minutes. Also, if you’re heating food on a paper plate for longer than 90 minutes, keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t fall apart.
Use A Stack of Paper Plates
When cooking things like potatoes or vegetables, you don’t need to go crazy with stacking plates. However, for oily and greasy foods such as pizzas and fries, it is advisable to use a stack of two or more plates. This is especially important if the paper plate is flimsy or too thin. The extra paper plates help to absorb the oil or grease and keep the most internal plate from failing as you take it out of the microwave.
After heating your food, carefully slide it out of the microwave and place it on a ceramic plate or any other sturdy dish. Placing the plate on a sturdy surface helps to prevent it from bending and spilling the food all over.
Loosely Cover Foods That Easily Splatter
Foods such as spaghetti or any food that has high moisture content should be covered with a plain paper towel. Never use a plastic plate or wrap, as it can melt or wrap and leach harmful chemicals into your food. If you must use plastic as a cover, use those that are labeled “microwave-safe.”
Always remember to leave open a small corner to allow the steam to escape.
Remove Anything That Can Cause A Fire
It is important to take note of other items you put in the microwave with your paper plate. If you put in something else that can potentially cause a spark, the paper plate could also catch fire after heating up.
What Kind Of Plates Can Go In The Microwave?
Before using a paper plate in the microwave, it is important to be sure it’s microwave-safe. Some paper plates are very thin, and light and are not meant for use in the microwave. Such plates can flatten when heated and create a wet and sloppy mess all over the oven, wasting your food and potentially causing you an injury.
Also, some paper plates are reinforced or coated with a thin layer of plastic that can leach chemicals into food when heated. These plates are not meant for use in the microwave, and you should avoid them. For this reason, you have to be sure you’re using one meant for the microwave.
Most plates have a label that either says “Microwave Safe” or “Not for Use in Microwaves.” Simply turn the plate over to check for this label on the bottom. However, some paper plates won’t explicitly say that they are microwave safe. If you can’t find this label, you can follow the guidelines explained above about how to safely microwave your food on a paper plate.
You may also test the plate yourself to check whether it is microwave-safe. To perform this test, you’ll need an additional cup or glass that is microwave safe. Here’s how to go about it:
- Fill the cup or glass bowl with water.
- Place the paper plate next to the glass of water. If the plate or cup of water is too large, place the cup on or inside the plate.
- Turn on the microwave to high power and heat the two items for one minute.
If the paper plate is warm and the water is cold, the plate is not microwave-safe. But if you find the water to be warm and the paper plate cool, then it is microwave safe. If after this test you still can’t tell whether a plate is microwave-safe or not, just remember the old advice – when in doubt, leave it out.
Final Thoughts
Paper plates are safe to use in the microwave as long as they are plain white and unprinted. These plates do not absorb heat in the microwave and cannot release harmful chemicals into your food.
Paper plates that are printed, colored, or plastic-coated should never be used in the microwave. They contain ink, dye, bleach, or plastic. Apart from being flammable, these materials can leach into your food when heated.
To be completely safe when microwaving paper plates, use the following safety tips and precautions:
- Ensure the paper plate is safe for microwave use.
- Only use paper plates for reheating food.
- Don’t microwave paper plates for more than two minutes.
- Combine two or more plates if you’re reheating oily foods.
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Anne James has a wealth of experience in a wide array of interests and is an expert in quilting, cooking, gardening, camping, mixing drinks (worked as a professional bartender), and making jelly.
Anne has a professional canning business, has been featured in the local newspaper as well as on the Hershey website, and has been her family canner for decades. Anyone growing up in the South knows that there is always a person in the family who has knowledge of the “old ways,” and this is exactly what Anne is.
With over 55 years of experience in these endeavors, she brings a level of hands-on knowledge that is hard to surpass. Amazingly, she doesn’t need to reference many resources due to her vast wealth of experience. She IS the source.
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