2007-05-10 05:45:56 · 6 answers · asked by annonymous a 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
It depends on the plastic. Some plastics are durable to put in a microwave (such as some gladware), however, plastic glads easily melts in microwaves.
For the most part, plastics can't stand the microwave's power. But some plastics are better than others (the more solid/stronger then the more durable in heat).
2007-05-10 05:49:58 · answer #1 · answered by jcann17 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some plastics are safe. Plastic by itself is safe since microwaves are designed to heat water or anything that has water content such as food. The problems occur when the food in a plastic container heats the surrounding container to very hot or nearly melting. Chemicals from the container can also "bleed" into the food as the plastic gets heated. However, manufacturers design certain containers to withstand the extremes of microwave temps and therefore are deemed "microwave safe". You chould also beware of ceramic or porcelain type dishware with certain shellac-like coatings or gold or other metal strips around the exterior.
2007-05-10 06:04:57 · answer #2 · answered by David M 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If putting plastic in a microwave isn't safe, it shouldn't be safe to use those plastics in an oven either, because a microwave doesn't get nearly as hot as a 350 deg. oven.
If you nuke a microwaveable dinner in it's plastic container for the recommended 5 to 8 minutes, and then take an identical dinner and heat it in the oven for the recommended 35 minutes at 350 deg., the oven heated meal is much hotter.
2007-05-10 16:19:14 · answer #3 · answered by gatorbait 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Besides the integrity of the plastic in terms of structure (you don't want the dish or bowl melting into a shapeless mass), there are concerns that heating some plastics releases chemicals in the material that could be harmful to health. I suggest using only containers that are labeled as safe for microwaving.
2007-05-10 05:52:39 · answer #4 · answered by TitoBob 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Putting plastic in the microwave causes cancer in lab mice... but ONLY in the state of California....
Why are all these Californian people feeding mice microwaved plastic anyway?
2007-05-10 06:08:06 · answer #5 · answered by Respectful_AlphaMale 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
U can but be careful if u get it too hot the plastic can out gas into your food.
2007-05-10 08:26:10 · answer #6 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋