Can you put Styrofoam in the microwave? This is something that gets asked quite often.
Styrofoam containers are not meant to be used inside a microwave oven.
So, the answer is no.
In this article, we will deep dive into the details of why you should not put styrofoam in the microwave.
But first, let’s understand a little bit about Styrofoam.
What is Styrofoam?
Styrofoam is actually a trademark name owned by DuPont.
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), commonly referred to as Styrofoam is a solid foamy material most often used to make disposable cups, trays, plates, cutlery, and take-out containers because they are a bad conductor of heat, so they keep your food warm.
In addition to this, styrofoam is also used in storage containers because they resist moisture, for packaging as they provide cushioning to fragile items and body parts of automobiles, and for insulating walls and roofs.
Styrofoam is non-biodegradable and not easily recyclable that’s why many countries have banned the usage of this material.
It breaks easily and can get mixed up in the soil, affecting plants, water bodies, and wildlife if animals mistakenly consume it.
Can you put styrofoam in the microwave?
Styrofoam, aka Polystyrene is made from styrene, which is known to be carcinogenic.
Styrofoam is used for serving hot beverages in the office and at events. They are also used as take-out containers to keep your food warm and for food packaging because they are moisture-resistant.
According to Agricultural & Biological Engineering, the University of Illinois, eating and drinking in styrofoam containers contaminate food by leaching styrene in very small quantities, but its effect on our body is negligible, as confirmed by the National Center for Biotechnology Information and CDC, but only if you consume food in these containers occasionally.
However, avoid microwaving in styrofoam containers because high heat can melt the container and release large amounts of styrene into your food, which can adversely affect your health.
Transfer your food into a ceramic/glass container (without metal trim or paint) or use a microwave-safe plate or bowl to reheat it.
Can you microwave styrofoam for 30 seconds?
Yes, you can microwave styrofoam for 30 seconds but make sure you do not heat it at a high temperature or heat it for too long.
The first reason is – if you accidentally leave food in a styrofoam container for more than 30 seconds, or heat it at a high temperature the container may release a large amount of styrene contaminating your food.
The second reason is – there are several types of styrofoam, some of which are more resistant to heat than others.
If you’re microwaving styrofoam that is not resistant to heat, it will melt and burn due to the extreme temperature of a microwave oven.
This can cause severe burns or injury and damage your microwave.
Reheating food in styrofoam containers (even for a small amount of time) is a personal choice, but I would not recommend it.
Can I microwave ramen in a styrofoam cup?
When exposed to high-temperature, styrofoam releases large amounts of styrene into the food making it unsafe for consumption.
Continuous exposure to high amounts of styrene can cause cancer, as per the reports published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
So avoid microwaving ramen in styrofoam cups, even if you cook your noodles in it occasionally.
Why take a chance on your health when you can use a microwave-safe container for cooking your noodles.
Does styrofoam explode in the microwave?
No, styrofoam will not explode in the microwave, but it may crack, melt or catch fire depending on the type of material used in making it.
Some styrofoam cups and plates are thicker than some flimsy ones, so they might not burn when used inside the microwave, but this does not mean that the container is microwave safe.
Also, avoid putting sauces and dips even in microwave-safe containers as these food items are not meant for microwaving and will explode, creating a mess inside your microwave for you to clean.
How to tell if styrofoam is microwave-safe?
There is no such thing as microwave-safe styrofoam containers and I haven’t seen any.
But if you have come across styrofoam containers (cups, plates, bowls, tumblers, etc.) labeled microwave-safe, avoid using them for microwaving.
As mentioned earlier in this article – you can certainly eat and drink in a styrofoam container, but you should never put styrofoam in the microwave for reheating your food.
EPS also known as styrofoam contains chemicals that leach into your food when exposed to high heat, which can be a health risk.
Always transfer your food to a glass or ceramic container to reheat your food.
Can you put styrofoam in the microwave on defrost?
It may feel convenient to take out your frozen fruits, vegetables, or meat perfectly warped in a styrofoam tray and toss it into the microwave for a quick defrost, but it poses a health risk.
This is because styrofoam may crack or melt and release toxic chemicals like styrene into the food, making it unhealthy for consumption.
Styrofoam is used for packing and storing food because it does not absorb moisture keeping your food fresh for days, but you should not put it in the microwave on defrost.
So to defrost your frozen food items, use microwave-safe containers only.
Final Thoughts
Although styrofoam containers transfer a minimal amount of styrene into food, its effect on our health is negligible.
Eating/drinking hot food and beverages in a styrofoam container is a personal choice, but there are a couple of points to make a note of when dining in a styrofoam container:
- Never reuse the styrofoam container. It’s meant for one-time use only.
- If your styrofoam take-out container develops cracks, do not consume the food as it might have contaminated it.
- Avoid piping hot beverages in styrofoam – like coffee, tea, soup, etc.
- Avoid regular usage of styrofoam containers.
- Never put styrofoam in the microwave for reheating, even if it’s for a few seconds.
We hope that this article was able to clear all your doubt about microwaving styrofoam.
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