Can You Microwave Styrofoam?

While Styrofoam or polystyrene foam containers do an amazing job in protecting your foods in the refrigerator, these containers are not made to withstand the microwave

So no, you cannot microwave Styrofoam.

Since they are plastic, the foam may melt inside your microwave, which means chemicals will be released into the food. 

As much as you will store your food in these containers inside your fridge, you will need to transfer the food to a microwave-safe tin for heating.

Styrofoam containers can work either way. You can use them to keep the cold food cold or keep the hot food hot.

Besides, they protect the contents and perfectly hold the shape.

Therefore, even when most of them, unless specified, can’t be used in the microwave, they are still handy utensils to include in your kitchen.

And here's why you shouldn't risk microwaving it...


Why you can’t microwave Styrofoam

Styrofoam is always stable and in the best condition under normal use.

However, everything changes when the material is exposed to high temperatures and even gets worse when it comes close to extremely high temperatures. 

Styrofoam melts when exposed to high temperatures, therefore breaking down to release toxic chemicals that contaminate your food.

Even worse, the compounds are carcinogenic in high levels and may pose a serious threat to your reproductive system and health in general hence should be avoided.

Is there a microwave-safe Styrofoam?

There is a special microwave-safe Styrofoam made with safe materials with low amounts of hazardous chemical compounds. 

They are designed to withstand high temperatures and remain stable. For such containers to be considered microwave safe, they should include labelling on the container.

To clearly answer whether you can put Styrofoam in a microwave, you need to know whether the container is microwave-safe or not.

Microwave safe Styrofoam can be put in a microwave provided the container has labelling showing it is safe.

Even when using a microwave-safe Styrofoam container, be keen on how the container looks and discard immediately in case of damages.

So is it dangerous to microwave Styrofoam?

Styrofoam can only be microwaved if it has a microwave-safe label showing it is safe to microwave it.

Any other Styrofoam is not safe to microwave.

FAQs

Is Styrofoam Microwave safe?

Generally, Styrofoam is not microwave safe unless it is a special microwave-safe Styrofoam labelled as safe.

Is it dangerous to put Styrofoam in the microwave?

Yes. Putting Styrofoam in a microwave is dangerous.

Is microwaving Styrofoam bad?

Yes, since it may melt and contaminate your food.

Is microwaving Styrofoam toxic?

Microwaving normal Styrofoam releases toxic chemicals in the food, which may be dangerous to your health.

What happens if I microwave Styrofoam?

It melts and releases dangerous chemicals to the food.