10 things you should avoid to putting in the microwave for healthy cooking

In this blog, we will be counting down the top ten things you should never put in the microwave. Before we begin this list, we’re looking at the items that don’t look dangerous to stick in a microwave but are.

#10 plastic containers and bags

A lot of food comes in plastic so, it’s always advisable to remove the food from the plastic before inserting it into the microwave oven.

Because on heating food with plastic to high temperatures plastic can let out toxic fumes and chemicals like BPA and phthalates.

These harmful chemicals can seep into your food which has some serious health side effects like disrupting hormones.

Safer material alternatives to plastic cookware include glass and ceramic. If you’re planning to use plastic wrap to cover your food then using a paper towel instead will be safer for your health.

#9 Styrofoam

Styrofoam is a kind of plastic polystyrene foam or Styrofoam containing chemicals like benzene and styrene which have been known to cause cancer after eating food stored in Styrofoam that was heated up in a microwave.

It is also found that occasionally people have experienced side effects like headaches, loss of hearing, and depression.

So, just to be safe the next time while heating something with Styrofoam. Take the contents out of the container and put it on a plate wrapped in a paper towel. Either you can check if the Styrofoam is labeled microwave safe.

#8 Processed types of meat.  

Jerky foods like hotdogs or beef are the worst food to put inside microwave ovens. Processed meats possess chemicals and preservatives to extend their shelf life. It does not react well with microwave radiation.

A journal food control performs study and has observed that microwaving processed meats can result in the increased production of harmful chemicals known as cholesterol, oxidation products, or Co peas.

These harmful chemicals are thought to be a cause of cardiac disease. It Is advisable to, go for stove cooking if you are a lover of processed meat or avoid the meats entirely.

#7 Food that has been reheated many times.  

Food that is reheated many times is harmful as repetitive heating diminishes the food quality, especially if it’s been sitting in the refrigerator for more than a few days.

Other foods like chicken, rice, potatoes, or anything that has cream or milk could cause food poisoning.

The food prepared with cooking oil can release free radicals after heating in the microwave many times. These free radicals have been known to be one of the main causes of cancer.

#6 Nothing

This may look senseless but one of the worst things you can put in a microwave is “nothing at all”. If there will no object inside a microwave while it’s turned on there’s will be nothing to absorb the electromagnetic waves.

Being putting it empty out so the waves return to the magnetron, the part of the microwave which creates waves. Running it without anything inside can damage magnetron.

If this goes on for too long it might end up destroying the microwave, causing it to explode or catch fire.  

#5 Grapes

Fruits lose essential nutrients by putting them inside the microwave. According to a report from Harvard Medical School after microwaving grapes, it will quickly turn into plasma.

This may lead to a mini-explosion or several depending on the number of grapes you put in inside the microwave. This could create a mess for cleaning the microwave oven from the inside.

#4 Water  

Although it might sound like heating your drinks and beverages in the microwave is a convenient way but the process could cause you more trouble if not treated properly.

After microwaving water for enough time, it can come to a superheated state without actually having ever come to a boil.

As a result, the superheated water could ruin your teabag, or worse yet either it could splash up and scald you.

It’s best to use a stove burner to get water to a proper boil even if you have to wait a few minutes for it to kick in.

#3 Eggs

If you’re looking too hard to boil eggs inside the microwave, please note down it is not your friend.

When eggs are heated up to high temperatures like those produced in the microwave steam builds up inside. I

f the shell is completely intact the scheme has no place to go and is collected in the top resulting in the egg eventually exploding.

Instead of a delicious breakfast, you’ve got a big mess on your hands. So, when you’re heating eggs in the microwave make sure they’re not in their shells. If you want hard-boiled eggs, it’s better to get a pot and water.

#2 Hot Peppers

You might be fond of spicy peppers, but this is the wrong kind of cooking altogether. So, many things can go wrong if try to get hot peppers in the microwave for starters. The capsicum contains “capsaicin” the ingredient that releases hot vapors on microwaving.

When those vapors come into contact with your throat and eyes it can cause a stinging sensation similar to pepper spray potentially more dangerous. Hot peppers that have been microwaved can explode or catch on fire especially if they’ve been dried before.

#1 Metal

While there are exceptions to the rule of not using metal inside the microwave. For the most part, does not belong in the microwave to bounce back electromagnetic waves emitted from the microwave.

Metal objects creating sparks tin foil is okay in small amounts as long as it’s laid out smoothly. However, if the foil is heated for a longer time or arranged in a crumpled-up shape it is likely to catch fire.

If you plan on microwaving your Chinese, take it out of the container and put it on a plate and whatever you do, do not leave your fork inside it. 

Conclusion

It is advisable to follow microwave safety measures and read the operation manual for effective and efficient cooking even if your microwave is tech advanced made for anything to cook.

Read more food, kitchen, cooking tips, microwave oven articles and business articles written by our guest authors.