A lot of us have various concerns about microwaving our food. But we also should be worried about the containers we use when doing so. In that case, we choose containers that have been labeled as “microwave-safe”.
One of the most popular brands of plastic containers known to be microwave-safe is Rubbermaid. I bet every household uses at least one Rubbermaid container.
But can you microwave Rubbermaid?
This article features all the common questions people have about how microwavable Rubbermaid is. If you ever find yourself worrying about it, then hang on tight and read up.
You’ll have every important thing you need to know about microwaving Rubbermaid.
Can you microwave Rubbermaid?
Yes, you can microwave Rubbermaid plastic containers. Rubbermaid is specifically manufactured to serve as a storage container for food. You can also use it whenever you need to reheat or defrost some of your meals and ingredients in the microwave.
Most Rubbermaid food storage containers will feature some microwave safe label on them. This safety logo will typically come as a number 5 enclosed in a triangle, and a microwave with waves inside it, on your Rubbermaid product. These are called microwave safe symbols and are standard on containers that are microwave safe.
However, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind when using Rubbermaid when microwaving. Keep reading to find out!
Is Rubbermaid microwave safe?
Yes! Rubbermaid containers are completely safe to microwave as long as you observe the proper safety measures on how to do it.
The chemical called BPA is responsible for making some plastic food storage containers NOT safe for microwaving.
Once the plastic that contains BPA heats up, it easily melts little by little and leaches into the food that it holds.
It is extremely dangerous for people to consume food that plastics have leached on because these harmful chemicals will possibly enter our bodies.
With that, it is relieving to know that the products of Rubbermaid are classified as BPA-free plastics. Their products are properly labeled as such. Just look for its BPA-free label to make sure for yourself.
Additionally, if you don’t find any BPA-label on the plastic food storage containers you are using or buying, then it is better if you treat them like non-microwavable containers.
Are ALL Rubbermaid containers microwave-safe?
No, the Rubbermaid food storage containers that were manufactured in 2009 and earlier are NOT considered microwave-safe because they still have BPA.
You can still use your old Rubbermaid containers to store your food. But do NOT use them anymore if you’re going to be microwaving them.
Also, over time, the plastics used in Rubbermaid containers start to deteriorate.
You should make sure that you check the manufacturer’s label (in addition to looking out for any microwave safe label) on how long you can use your Rubbermaid containers.
There is a possibility that your Rubbermaid containers might transfer some harmful chemicals into your food if you still use the old ones that are way past their expiration.
Can you microwave Rubbermaid lids?
Yes. The lids of Rubbermaid containers are also microwave safe. However, you should not microwave your food while the Rubbermaid lid is tightly closed.
You need to have the lid of your Rubbermaid containers a little bit opened or lifted so that your food storage containers are ventilated while you are microwaving your food with them.
If it’s possible, just completely remove your Rubbermaid lid when microwaving your food.
Yes, putting a lid on is helpful when heating your food because it makes it heat up faster.
However, if you keep your Rubbermaid lids tightly shut on their container, the moisture inside will be trapped and will form too much pressure that will force your lid to pop open.
Once your lid suddenly pops from the Rubbermaid plastic containers, there is a possibility that the food you are heating will also spill inside the microwave (and that means you’ll need to clean it up of course).
So, to save yourself from the hassle of cleaning up and wasting your food, I suggest you just use a paper towel or maybe a plastic wrap.
Just make sure that your microwave safe plastic wrap does not touch your food while you’re microwaving it (plastic wraps leach as well.)
Can you microwave Rubbermaid at high temperatures?
No. You cannot and should NOT microwave your Rubbermaid containers at high temperatures.
There is a temperature limit that Rubbermaid containers can hold. It can only stand at 212 degrees Fahrenheit or 100 degrees Celsius, which is the boiling point of water.
Heating your Rubbermaid containers at temperatures more than the temperature of boiling water will damage them. Some of them may be deformed and even melted.
They may be too dangerous to use because of potential leaching, or you may not be able to use them because they already lost their shape.
Hence, Rubbermaid food storage containers can only be used for reheating food and not cooking (we’ll discuss this later on).
There probably will be some recommendations from the manufacturers found on its packaging about the limitations of Rubbermaid containers.
It’s better if you check them first before using your Rubbermaid food containers for reheating food.
What should you NOT microwave with Rubbermaid?
You should avoid microwaving oily, fatty, and sugary foods while using Rubbermaid plastic containers.
Even if Rubbermaid products are labeled as microwave-safe, it is not okay to use them to reheat all kinds of food in it since they might heat up too high and damage your plastic container.
Some of the foods that you should NOT microwave with Rubbermaid are those that have too much oil, sugar, and fat.
You should also avoid heating tomatoes or anything that has tomatoes in it in your Rubbermaid containers because this will stain and ruin its quality.
How do you safely microwave Rubbermaid?
There are various things that you should remember to make sure that you are safely microwaving your Rubbermaid food containers.
I have made a list that you can go through to see whether you’re handling your Rubbermaid containers correctly and how to do it if you’re not.
- Remove all the packaging and label materials from your Rubbermaid container before using it in the microwave to make it easier to clean and to avoid potential leaching as well.
- Read the Rubbermaid manufacturer’s guide or note. You will find their recommendations on how to properly use your Rubbermaid container as well as the things that you should NOT do to avoid damaging it quickly.
- Use your Rubbermaid container for reheating or defrosting ONLY. As said earlier, Rubbermaid plastics can easily warp. So, you should avoid using it when cooking directly.
- NEVER use your Rubbermaid containers even for steaming since this can also damage it (steaming gives much more heat than microwaving on a high setting).
- When microwaving, be sure to use ONLY the low until medium heat setting. Using the high setting may potentially damage your Rubbermaid food storage containers.
- Make sure you heat your food at very short intervals using the microwave oven. Around 1 minute or less than that is the recommended amount of time that your plastic container can withstand.
- NEVER let your food overheat while using your Rubbermaid food storage containers in a microwave. If you do need to heat your food to a higher temperature, it’s better that you use a ceramic or glass container instead of your Rubbermaid plastic container.
- Do NOT fill up your Rubbermaid container too much. Your food might spill when you microwave it. Also, it might not heat up evenly, and you may think of leaving your Rubbermaid in the microwave longer. Avoid doing this so that you don’t damage your Rubbermaid container.
- Avoid putting the lid on your plastic container when microwaving it (like what we talked about earlier).
- Lastly, NEVER microwave your Rubbermaid plastic containers while it is empty. The heat will be concentrated only on your container and cannot transfer anywhere (the food would absorb the heat from it). Hence, your plastic container will easily get deformed and may potentially become unusable.
Conclusion
So, there you have the hidden (not really, to be honest) truths about your trusty Rubbermaid plastic containers. Now, you don’t have to worry about whether you’re handling it correctly.
Just come back to this article and check out some of the DOs and DON’Ts stated here and you’ll be just fine.
FAQ
Are there any harmful chemicals that can leak from Rubbermaid containers when microwaved?
No, Rubbermaid products are made from BPA-free materials and are safe to use in the microwave.
Are there any heat resistant gloves that I should use when microwaving Rubbermaid containers?
While it’s not necessary to use heat-resistant gloves when microwaving Rubbermaid containers, it is always a good idea to use oven mitts or tongs to handle hot containers.
Are there any other plastic container brands that are microwave safe other than Rubbermaid?
Many other brands of food storage products also offer microwave safe containers. It is important to check the label or packaging to ensure the container is specifically marked as microwave safe.
Can rubbermaid containers be used for food storage?
Yes, rubbermaid products are widely used for food storage due to their durability and ability to keep food fresh.
Are rubbermaid containers made of BPA-free materials?
Yes, rubbermaid products are made of BPA-free materials, making them a safe choice for storing and reheating food.