Can You Use Plastic Wrap in the Microwave? Here's What You Need to Know

When reheating food, most people use plastic wraps to cover food. It is not only cheap but also ensures that your food is perfectly covered to put the moisture in.

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Plastic plays a crucial role in the kitchen. From storing to serving, there are several ways in which plastic comes into contact with our food every day.

But the big question is, can plastic wrap go in the microwave? You can use plastic wrap in the microwave. In fact, USDA recommends the use of plastic in a microwave as long as it’s labeled microwave safe.

Actually, whether you can use the wrap in the microwave depends on the food you’re heating and the type of plastic in question.

What Plastic Wrap is Microwave Safe?

Using aplastic wrap in the microwave is common in homes and restaurants. Although microwave-safe, the wrap shouldn’t touch your food.

An example of microwave-safe plastic wrap is the Kirkland plastic wrap. This wrap is of superior quality and is safe to use in the freezer and microwave.

The wrap is also very clear, a feature that enables you to see the food it holds within.

Kirkland is a reputable brand of plastic wraps that helps lock in the moisture of your food and keep your food fresher for longer.

Other microwave-safe plastic wrap brands include AEP Zipsafe Sealwrap, Bee’s Reusable Wrap, and Glad Press’n’Seal.

Is it Safe to Microwave Plastic Wrap?

It’s very safe to microwave plastic wrap. You need to check and verify whether the wrap is microwave-safe or not.

Always use a microwave-safe plastic wrap if looking forward to carrying out the process worry-free. And even when using microwave-safe plastic wrap, set the appliance’s power level on the medium or low range.

You also need to maintain minimal timing and ensure that the wrap doesn’t contact the food when heating.

Reason Why Plastic Wrap Shouldn’t Come Into Contact With Your Food When Heating

It would be great if you kept a gap between the top surface of your food and the plastic wrap. Why is this so? Should the wrap come into contact with the hot food, it can melt and mix in your food.

Therefore, to prevent this risk, you need to use a deep or wide bowl for heating and cooking when using plastic wrap.

Keeping the gap between your food and the plastic wrap is a healthy and safe cooking tip that you need to employ when using a microwave.

It would help if you also got microwave-safe plastic wraps from reputable brands. These wraps should be made from high-quality materials to withstand intense heat levels.

How to Microwave Plastic Wraps

If using plastic wrap in your microwave, you need to:

Ensure that the wrap is from a reputable brand.

Use a bowl with high sides.

Ensure that there’s a gap between your food and the plastic wrap.
Set the microwave’s heating temperature on low or medium power.
Avoid heating the wrap for more than two minutes.
Avoid reusing the wrap after it has been microwaved.
Place the wrap loosely over the dish to allow steam to vent when heating.

Alternatives to Plastic Wraps

If you don’t want to use plastic wraps, you can use:

Silicone lids
Paper towel
Microwave cover

Silicone Lids

Silicone lids make the best splatter guards in any microwave oven. You just need to ensure that the lid doesn’t cover the cup or bowl being reheated.

This will leave room for steam and heat to pass through.

Paper Towel

Paper towels prevent splatter in the microwave. Use the paper towel in shorter intervals. This way, you can check both your food and the paper frequently.

Never use recycled paper towels or printed paper towels as they pose a potential safety hazard.

Microwave Cover

Although plastic, microwave covers are also great for covering food splatters. They are reusable and won’t touch your food when heating.

When to Avoid Plastic Wraps

When shopping for plastic wrap, always go for the product marked microwave-safe. Check to ensure that it’s BPA-free.

BPA has a detrimental effect on the prostate gland and kids’ brains. It can also affect your child’s behavior.

Recent research has actually suggested a possible link between BPA and hypertension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can plastic wrap cause cancer?

Plastic wrap doesn’t have dioxins, the cancer-causing chemical, and thus, doesn’t cause cancer. However, one thing to note is that dioxins can form if you burn or melt the wrap.
So, to keep safe from cancer-causing chemicals, avoid burning or melting the wrap in the microwave at all costs. Also, always consider BPA-free wraps.

Q: How long should you microwave plastic wrap?

When microwaving at low levels, you can use the plastic wrap in your microwave for more than 20 minutes. At high temperatures, use the wrap for less than 2 minutes.

Q: Is it safe to wrap hot food in plastic wrap?

No, the plastic wrap can melt and leach into your food.

Q: Why doesn’t plastic wrap melt in the microwave?

Plastic wrap doesn’t melt in the microwave as it prevents steam from escaping and thus gets wet. The moisture prevents it from getting hotter than 212 degrees.

Q: Will plastic wrap melt in the microwave?

Plastic wrap won’t melt in the microwave if it doesn’t come into contact with dot food or intense heat.

Q: Is plastic wrap microwave safe?

Plastic wrap is extremely safe to use in your microwave if labeled as microwave-safe.

Q: How can you tell whether the plastic wrap is microwave-safe?

You can tell if plastic wrap is microwave-safe by checking the product’s packaging for a microwave-safe label.

Conclusion

In this post, asked and answered, can plastic warp go in the microwave⁽¹⁾? It is relatively safe to use plastic wrap in the microwave. Most people use plastic wrap to cover their food but avoid exposing it to extreme heat if microwaving it.

Take precautions when using it as plastic can melt, leach into the food, and present health hazards. Avoid heating it for more than 2 minutes and always keep the heating temperature at low or medium levels.