The microwave: God-send to busy
homemakers and office workers; if you have little time and fancy a Pot Noodle,
the microwave is your best friend. But this is one friend you should take off
your Christmas card list. If you are like me and regularly use your microwave
to heat up your leftovers, it pays to know what can and cannot be safely cooked
without radiating your brain.
Here’s some tips of things you should
never microwave:
Plastic containers
We’ve all heard that placing plastic
containers in the microwave oven is a bad, bad thing, but we rebel and do it
anyway! This microwave is not the boss of ME! But it turns out those pesky
scientists actually know what they’re talking about – even if they still live
in their Mom’s basement. Many plastics contain estrogen-like chemicals
(BPA is a well-known one) that can leach into your food when the plastic is
heated. In a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives, 95 per cent
of 450 plastic products (such as baby bottles, zipper-top bags and containers)
tested released chemicals that acted like estrogen after they were microwaved,
washed in a dishwasher, or soaked in water. Even products labeled
"BPA-free" released estrogen-like chemicals. So, even though it is a
momentous task getting a plate out of the cupboard to warm up your food; it
might be safer to do so.
Styrofoam containers
As a type of plastic, Styrofoam can
release harmful chemicals into your food when heated. Dump the leftovers onto a
glass dish covered with a paper towel instead.
Travel
mugs
Stainless steel mugs block the heat from
warming your coffee or tea and can damage your microwave instead. If it's
plastic, check the bottom of the mug to see if it's marked as microwave
safe—but even if it is, you may want to reconsider.
Nothing
With no food or liquid to absorb the
microwaves, the magnetron (which is what makes the microwave function) ends up
absorbing the microwaves instead, which can damage your microwave and even
start a fire, according to the USDA. Make sure you don't accidentally press
"start" without food or drink inside.
Cups
of water
When plain water is heated in a microwave
in a ceramic or glass container for too long, it can prevent bubbles from
forming, which usually help cool the liquid down. The water becomes
superheated; when you move the cup, the heat releases violently, erupting
boiling water. To avoid this scalding risk, heat water only the minimum amount
of time needed or heat it for longer in small cycles.
Your old mug
Certain mugs made before the 1960s, like
old versions of Fiestaware, were glazed with materials that could give off
radiation and may contain lead and other harmful heavy metals, according to Smithsonian.com.
So that vintage set of crockery you got cheap at the market may be best suited
for decoration and not daily use.
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