If you are wondering if you can microwave Styrofoam take out boxes, we’ve got you covered. Popping food in the microwave is a quick and easy solution to make yourself a meal, snack, reheat some leftovers, or grab a quick bite to eat on your lunch break at the office.
Of course not everything can be put in a microwave and that includes certain types of plastic and certainly not metal. You may have ordered a take away from a local restaurant but it comes in a Styrofoam box. The first thing that comes to your mind will be ‘Can you microwave styrofoam take out boxes’?
Table of Contents
Can Styrofoam Cups Be Microwaved?
Yes, Styrofoam cups can be microwaved as long as the label is marked microwavable safe. You can heat your coffee, tea, soup, or whatever else you may be having as long as the packaging says so.
What Is Styrofoam?
Styrofoam is a type of polystyrene that’s trademarked by the Dow Chemical Company. Most commonly found in the building trade, styrofoam has become incorrectly synonymous with all plastic containers for the food industry.
Many US states have banned these types of containers due to their environmental impact. Decomposing this type of material can take years and a lot of plastic waste goes into the ocean. This of course can be devastating for wildlife on a global scale.
Polystyrene is used to make a range of items, from toys to the automobile industry. The versatile plastic is mixed with other plastics, dyes, and many more chemicals.
Styrofoam Containers
-
- Coffee Cups – Small white cups you will have most likely seen in a waiting room or your workplace are plentiful. A cheap option to serve hot and cold drinks. Popping them in the microwave to heat up your tea is probably not the best idea though.
- Soup and Noodle Cups – A quick and simple solution for a quick bite to eat are these types of microwavable cups. You can either boil some water or pop them straight in the microwave with cold water.
- Plates – Chances are you will have seen styrofoam plates at a party, BBQ, or other events to serve up some food. A cheap and useful option for these types of occasions, you can use these to serve food but you shouldn’t pop them in the microwave. Stick to the birthday cake!
- Take Out Boxes – Taking home leftovers after a nice meal at a restaurant, ordering some food from your favorite Chinese restaurant, or using your own as part of your business, styrofoam take out boxes have many uses.
Styrofoam In Microwave Dangers
Styrofoam is a popular choice of container, whether it be take out boxes, cups, or other uses in the food industry. The cost-effective material is used but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is without its dangers. Polystyrene contains the carcinogens styrene and benzene.
Can You Microwave Styrofoam Take Out Boxes?
Yes, you can microwave styrofoam take out boxes. We don’t recommend it though, microwaving your food can be done in a much safer manner. If you have a microwaveable bowl, jar, cup, or any sort of dish we would recommend using that.
If you don’t have any other choice but to microwave styrofoam take out boxes then there are a few things you can do to minimize chemical leakage into your food.
- Set the timer to 30 seconds and keep the heat on medium or low using the microwave display. This has been shown to reduce the chance of anything seeping into your food.
- If the container appears to be cracked or melted in any way, bin it along with the food.
- Check the label to see if the take out box is microwavable safe.
Most containers should come with a warning if they are not suited to be put in the microwave. If the take out boxes are microwaveable safe you can use them with no problem. We recommend only using these types of containers though. The good news is that they are relatively cheap and available in most supermarkets or you can buy them online.
FAQ’s
Find answers to some common questions about microwaving Styrofoam below.
How Can You Tell If Styrofoam Is Microwavable Safe?
You can tell if Styrofoam is microwavable safe by checking the label. The label on the bottom of the packaging or container should tell you if it’s microwavable safe. If you have some loose ones and are unsure, it’s best to use another type of container or buy some new ones.
Can You Microwave Styrofoam For 30 Seconds?
Yes, you can microwave Styrofoam for 30 seconds. It’s recommended if you need to microwave styrofoam, perhaps a take out box, you should only do so for 30 seconds at a time. Don’t microwave on full heat, set the power at low or medium level. This will reduce the chance of any carcinogens leaking into your food.
Does Styrofoam Melt in the microwave??
Yes, Styrofoam does melt at high temperatures in the microwave. That’s why we recommend only microwaving for 30 seconds at a time on a low-power setting. When Styrofoam melts harmful toxins will be released into the air or your food. If you see smoke from your microwave, turn off the power at the main switch as the styrofoam has most likely melted.
