Plastic containers are incredibly useful for keeping your food away from air. You can use them in the refrigerator, the freezer, and of course the microwave. One of the most popular household brands of plastic containers is of course Rubbermaid.
However, we all know that there are still some plastic containers which aren’t safe for use in the microwave.
So can you safely use your Rubbermaid containers in the microwave?
There’s no need to worry when it comes to your Rubbermaid containers. This particular brand of plastic containers are perfectly safe for use in the microwave. You can use these containers to defrost your favorite foods as well as reheat it in your microwave appliance.
Plastic is one of the more controversial items to heat up in your microwave. This is because some plastics have a lower tolerance for heat when you compare them to other dishes made from ceramic or glass. So there is of course the risk that harmful toxins could leak out into your food.
While containers such as Rubbermaid are perfectly safe to use in the microwave, you shouldn’t take this to assume that absolutely every plastic container is safe to reheat in your appliance.
Today, we’re going to extensively cover the topic of whether your Rubbermaid containers are safe to use in the microwave or not. We are also going to cover the best methods for using your Rubbermaid containers safely in your microwave.
Are Rubbermaid Containers Safe To Use In The Microwave?
Yes, the good news is that Rubbermaid containers are perfectly safe to use in your microwave. However, you will need to use the correct microwave method to ensure that you can reheat your food safely.
It’s important to remember that not all plastics are born equal. The best types of plastic containers to use in your microwave are ones that promise to be BPA free.
Of course, Rubbermaid containers have been BPA free since 2009. However, you will still need to use the correct microwave method according to the instructions recommended by Rubbermaid themselves.
Rubbermaid containers are of course safe to use in the microwave. However, they should never be heated above 212℉. This is the temperature at which water starts to boil.
This is because higher temperatures cause the plastic to become unsafe around food. There will be the risk that it could leak harmful chemicals into your dishes. The longer your container is left in the microwave, the hotter it will get.
It will always be important to look for a microwave safe label on your containers before you use them. This is to ensure that they will be safe for use in the microwave as long as you follow the guidelines outlined by the manufacturer.
If you were to use your Rubbermaid containers at higher temperatures, in your standard oven, for example, these could deform, crack, or melt. This will also cause them to unleash plasticizers, which can then heighten the risk of horrible diseases such as cancer. Plasticizers are what make the plastic flexible.
The good news is that Rubbermaid has extensively tested their containers to ensure that they are safe for use in the microwave. They are so confident in this that they happily proclaim that their containers are safe for use in the microwave.
Is Rubbermaid Plastic Okay To Put In The Microwave?
The great news is that yes, Rubbermaid plastic is perfectly safe to put in your microwave. In fact, these containers have even been labeled as safe for microwave use. This is because since 2009, the Rubbermaid containers have been constructed using BPA free materials.
BPA is a harmful chemical that can leach into your food once it is heated up. So when it comes to buying containers and appliances for use in the kitchen, you should always opt for plastic that is constructed using BPA free materials.
This is because containers made using BPA plastic as well as plastic wrap can allow your food to absorb some of these harmful compounds, which will then make them dangerous to eat.
So, because Rubbermaid containers don’t contain any BPA, this means they are perfectly safe for use in the microwave. As long as you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, you won’t have to worry about these containers poisoning your food or becoming damaged through heat.
However, you should bear in mind that you can only use your Rubbermaid containers for certain types of food. You can’t use them for foods that are high in fat or high in sugar.
This is because these foods are more likely to absorb the plasticizers from Rubbermaid containers. The company specifically warns against using their containers to heat up these types of food.
To get the best results out of your Rubbermaid containers, it will be best to use them according to the guidelines outlined by the manufacturer.
So as long as you are using your Rubbermaid containers to simply reheat food or defrost foods, you can use them in the microwave. This is of course because the plastic isn’t designed to be used at temperatures higher than 212℉.
So you can’t use your Rubbermaid containers in your oven, and you certainly can’t use them for steaming your food. This is because the transfer rate of heat when it comes to steam is roughly 7 times hotter than a direct source of heat. So the boiling water could damage your Rubbermaid containers.
Rubbermaid: Giving You Peace Of Mind With The Microwave Safe Label
You can rest assured that your Rubbermaid containers are safe for use in the microwave if they carry the microwave safe symbol. This can vary depending on how old your container is.
It will either appear as the number 5 inside a triangle, or as a number of wavy lines inside the image of a microwave. If your plastic container has either of these logos on it, you can rest assured that it will be safe for use in the microwave.
Rubbermaid is proud to proclaim that their containers are safe for use in the microwave. If you are in doubt as to whether your plastic container is safe for use in the microwave, you can look for the microwave safe label to put your mind at rest.
You should be able to find this label on the plastic itself, or on the label for your plastic product. It’s important to note that the microwave safe symbol can vary depending on where the product has been manufactured. It can also be used alongside other symbols, such as the dishwasher safe symbol.
Are Rubbermaid Lids Safe For Use In The Microwave?
The good news is that yes, you can safely use your Rubbermaid lids in your microwave. The best way to use your Rubbermaid container with its lid will be to lift this off, and gently place it back on your container at an angle around the corners. This is to ensure that any steam that gets produced during the microwave process can escape.
Make sure to be careful when you remove your Rubbermaid containers from the microwave. This is because the steam trapped inside by the majority of the lid can be very hot, and could even burn you if you were to allow it to come into contact with your bare skin.
As long as you place your Rubbermaid lid at a slightly diagonal angle before you blitz your food, it should be safer to take out of the appliance.
If you are overly concerned about being burned by steam when you remove your hot food from the microwave, there are a range of Rubbermaid lids that feature a vented top. This allows any steam that builds up to escape during the microwaving process.
So the best process for using your Rubbermaid containers with their lids is to leave the lid off at an angle so that steam doesn’t build up inside it. This can prevent the pressure from building up too much inside the container, meaning the food will be less likely to explode all over the place. It will also save you from having to wipe down the interior of your microwave because your food won’t have covered everything!
The other option of course is to leave the lid off when you place your food in the microwave. This will prevent steam from building up during the reheating process. However, you may have to deal with food splattering over your microwave.
Things To Consider Before You Use Rubbermaid In The Microwave
So before you start to use your Rubbermaid containers in your microwave, there are a few caveats that you will need to bear in mind.
Reheating And Defrosting Only
It will be important to only use your Rubbermaid containers for defrosting and reheating your food over short bursts of time. This is because the plastic isn’t designed for use at the hotter temperatures required for cooking food. It can’t be used for temperatures above 212℉.
No High Fat Or High Sugar Foods
It will be best to avoid using your Rubbermaid containers to defrost or reheat foods that are naturally high in fat or sugar. This is because they tend to become very oily once heated, and can absorb plasticizers more easily. Rubbermaid specifically advises against using their containers for heating these foods.
Microwave Safe Label
Rubbermaid containers manufactured after 2009 are perfectly safe to use in the microwave. If you are in doubt as to whether your specific container can be used in the microwave, you should look for the microwave safe symbol on the bottom of the plastic container.
This will either be the number 5 in a triangle, or a series of wavy lines in the image of a microwave.
Place Lids At An Angle
Make sure to place the lids of your Rubbermaid containers at a diagonal angle so that any steam that builds up can escape. You can also use your containers without the lids.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Bad To Microwave Plastic Containers?
Yes, it is bad to microwave certain plastic containers. This is because some plastic containers have been made using BPA plastic. When this is heated up, it releases harmful toxins into your food, which could make you very ill. You should opt for plastic containers that have the numbers 2, 4, or 5 on them. These should be safe to use in your microwave.
How Do You Know If Plastic Is Microwave Safe?
The best way to know whether your plastic containers are safe for use in the microwave is to look for the microwave safe symbol. This will either be the number 5 in a triangle, or a series of wavy lines inside the image of a microwave. This will reassure you that your particular container is perfectly safe for use in your microwave.
What Plastic Should Not Be Microwaved?
The types of plastic which you should avoid using in your microwave include type 3 PVC, type 7 polycarbonate, and type 6 polystyrene. These types of plastic can leach deadly toxins into your food if they are heated up, which will then make you seriously ill.
It will be best to instead opt for a plastic container that features the microwave safe symbol so that you can rest assured that your container is safe for use in your microwave oven.
In Summary
So there you have it! Any Rubbermaid containers made after 2009 will be perfectly safe to use in your microwave because they will have been manufactured using BPA free materials.
You should always make sure that your containers feature the microwave safe label, and that you only use your Rubbermaid containers for defrosting and reheating food. They shouldn’t be used about 212℉.
As long as you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, you can use your Rubbermaid containers and their lids in the microwave.
Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.
I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!
- Top Main Differences Between Tagliatelle And Fettuccine Pasta - March 10, 2023
- The Main Differences Between Red And Green Jalapeno Peppers - March 10, 2023
- Perfect Griddle Cakes To Make Simply Delicious Recipes For The Meal - March 9, 2023