Can You Microwave Tupperware?

This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links, at no cost to you.

Tupperware is a well-known manufacturer of food storage containers.

When it comes to food storage, they are strong and lightweight.

They are plastic wrapped with an airtight cover and are created in the United States, which is something I enjoy about them.

Many homes now come standard with microwave ovens. They may be used to warm up leftovers, melt cheese and butter over nachos or popcorn, brew coffee, and more! Can Tupperware be microwaved? Concerned about the safety of microwaving plastic containers like Tupperware, this topic is often posed.

Short answer: You may microwave the plastic Tupperwareis usually marked as microwave-safe containers or has an imprinted microwave-safe symbol. However, follow the manufacturer’s directions on the microwave-safe label to find out how long and at what temperature it may be heated.

What is Tupperware?

Tupperware was created in 1946 by Earl Tupper and advertised as a lightweight, unbreakable good plastic. Remember, plastic food containers were made possible due to product lines and quick assembly, giving more and more people access to products they used to see as a luxury. Plastic tupperware containers allows people to store food product, and ensure there were little to no messes thanks to plastic lids and high quality grade materials.

The good idea of “Tupperware parties,” in which the host offers the chance for the guests to buy Tupperware items and receives a fee for the sales, helped the Tupperware company become well-known.

The maker claims that Tupperware is made of high-quality, durable, and secure materials.

Polypropylene and low-density polyethylene make up the majority of Tupperware’s composition. Reusing this kind of plastic is safe.

BPA is often used in the manufacture of many microwave containers. BPA is a dangerous chemical that harms reproductive cells, disrupts hormones, causes diabetes and obesity, and alters blood sugar levels.

BPA has been shown to leach into food from containers. When they are subjected to high temperatures, they may potentially leak out of plastic containers.

The good news is plastic products from Tupperware don’t contain Bisphenol-A. You may use it securely without worrying about leaching for your regular requirements.

The business follows a rigid policy while producing its goods, testing its materials during the heating process and melting point to see what they can withstand. Microwave containers are only made of plastic that is approved for use with food.

Table of Contents

Are all Tupperware Products Safe to Use in the Microwave?

No, you can not heat all plastic Tupperware containers in a microwave. Because they aren’t designed to be cooked in a microwave, most plastic containers marked “Tupperware,” and other popular brands used for microwaving will melt if they are. You have to make sure you are using microwave-safe tupperware products that can be used in a microwave oven.

You may also consult a Tupperware chart of plastic container safety to determine whether one is secure. Tupperware items will mention the components and plastic number; you should avoid plastics with the numbers 1, 3, 6, or 7. The plastics in numbers 2, 4, and 5 are safer.

Difference Between a Microwave Safe Plastic & Non-Microwave Safe Plastic

There are two key distinctions between plastic containers that can be for microwave use and those that cannot. One factor determining if something has been built to resist high temperatures from being cooked in a microwave is the design and the sorts of plastic materials used. The usage of hazardous substances by the container also makes a difference.

In food packaging, plastic comes in two varieties. While excellent plastics can resist the high heat of microwaving, inferior plastics may cause chemical leaching and other harmful consequences that are hazardous for you. BPA is a prevalent chemical that causes worry.

Many different plastic containers contain BPA, also known as Bisphenol A, a plastic hardener. This substance has been recognized as an endocrine disruptor associated with various human health concerns, including cardiovascular disorders, problems with fertility, increased risk of cancer, diabetes, and more.

It is also necessary for the containers to be BPA-free and labelled as microwaveable for them to be safe for use in the microwave. Never microwave or even store food in a plastic Tupperware container that isn’t marked with a microwave-safe and BPA-free emblem on the bottom of the container.

How Safe Is Tupperware?

The Tupperware website claims that all its wavy lines, including food storage and microwave cooking oil containers, are free of dangerous chemicals like BPA or polyethylene terephthalate. Is it real, though?

According to current research, even though Tupperware has been selling BPA-free goods in the US and Canada since March 2010, some of its food storage containers still employ polycarbonate (plastic #7), which has been demonstrated to cause BPA to leak into food after prolonged usage.

How to Use Tupperware Safely in Microwave?

Here are a few guidelines you can use while using Tupperware in the microwave to ensure your food is properly cooked.

Avoid rough scrubbing or scratching the container. Harsh scrubbing may lead to the coating chipping away and releasing toxic substances.
Before you microwave the Tupperware, open the vent.
Always reheat meals for brief intervals—no more than three minutes.
Foods with a lot of sugar or fat should not be heated. These foods have very extreme heat tolerance.
Never reheat leftovers in the microwave more than once.
Tupperware should only be used to reheat meals in the microwave, never for cooking.
To microwave food, set the power to medium-high.
Do not fill over the line.
Make careful you only use Tupperware food containers with the numbers 2, 4, and 5, and always verify the recycling number.
Use a microwave with a rotating control panel if you have one to turn the food evenly.

Can You Microwave with a Tupperware Lid On?

If you use a microwave-safe Tupperware container with specially engineered lids and a steam-vent function, you can microwave Tupperware with a lid on. This method of microwave cooking can prevent spills and messes inside your microwave.

But keep in mind that the vent has to be opened before you microwave the Tupperware. Opening the vent will stop hot liquid from spilling out of your Tupperware and also stop steam from accumulating within the plastic, which might lead to a hazardous pressure buildup.

Good Alternatives to Reheat the Food Using Microwave

You may reheat your meals in various methods, including the microwave and other containers. For instance, you may microwave glass or ceramic containers without being concerned about harmful chemicals leaking into your meal. You may also reheat meals on the stovetop or in a toaster oven.

Which Methods of Reheating the Food in a Microwave is Safe?

There are several best ways to reheat meals. Here are several secure methods for reheating food:

Over the stove. You may use a pan on the cooktop. Reheat food until a food thermometer reads at least 165 °F.
Inside the conventional oven. Cold food should be reheated in a toaster oven until it reaches a maximum temperature of 165°F inside.
Inside a microwave. Use medium-high power and cook the meal in the microwave until it reaches at least 165 °F for reheating food. For even medium heating, stir, cover, and rotate the meal.
Never reheat leftovers in a slow cooker or steam table since the food may spend too long in the “danger zone” (between 40 °F and 140 °F). At this range, bacteria start to increase swiftly.

Final Verdict

I like using Tupperware in the kitchen since it’s reliable and effective for preserving leftovers and reheating them after being frozen overnight without being concerned about damaging surfaces like some other kinds of glass containers.

But the main concern is the safety of Tupperware plastics.

Without a doubt, microwave cooking in plastic containers may leak toxic chemicals into food, increasing cancer risk and other health issues.

Sources

Recommended Reading: