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Using a microwave in the kitchen may be time-saving and an amazing experience. This versatile kitchen tool can essentially do anything, from baking brownies to making potato chips. Above all, it is a crucial time-saving tool for every kitchen. Despite its convenience, it has limitations, and caution should be exercised to avoid damaging or harming the appliance. The microwave can become harmful or be completely ruined if the wrong material or food is heated in it. Hence, we've included everything that you should never put in a microwave in this section.
Paper Bags
Every paper bag is not the same. A brown paper lunch bag is different from a popcorn bag because it contains susceptors that absorb microwave-generated radio waves. But ordinary bags, such as those found in grocery stores, lack this feature. If heated, they may emit unpleasant odours and pollutants and are prone to catching fire due to the rapid heating from microwaves.
Plastic
Some plastic containers are safe to use in the microwave, but there are several you should stay away from. Single-use plastic containers for yoghurt, cottage cheese, or other foods should never be microwaved. Plastic take-out containers that aren't labelled as microwave-safe must also follow this guideline. Similarly, avoid using plastic containers that are cracked, worn out, or discoloured. The best plastic containers for microwave use are typically those made for longer-term storage, such as Tupperware.
Aluminium Foil
Although aluminium foil is excellent for baking in the oven, you should never (ever) use it for microwave cooking. In essence, a microwave works like a mirror since the interior is comprised of metal. When aluminium foil is exposed to microwaves, it will reflect the heat rather than absorb it, which will cause the metal to burn quickly and possibly catch fire. This has the potential to start a fire in addition to significantly harming your microwave. Use plates or containers that can be heated in the microwave whenever possible to reheat your food.
Styrofoam
When heated, food-safe foam is a form of plastic that can leak dangerous chemicals into the air and into your meal. Foam does not maintain its heat stability when exposed to microwaves. It might warp or melt.
Eggs
A full egg in its shell being microwaved can be hazardous and untidy. The egg may explode and create a mess due to the high steam production during rapid heating. So, no matter what you may have read online, please refrain from attempting to cook hard-boiled eggs in a microwave.
Grapes And Small Round Fruits
Don't sprinkle some grapes on top of your muesli and then microwave the entire thing. The sugary pulp of the grapes immediately transforms into molten plasma when they get extremely hot. This is because grapes contain a significant amount of water, which can turn to steam when heated rapidly in a microwave. The steam creates pressure inside the grape, which can cause it to burst open. Additionally, the high sugar content in grapes can contribute to the explosion, as it can cause the grape to spark and ignite. Therefore, it is not recommended to microwave grapes or any other small, round fruit.
