No longer just for popping popcorn or heating TV dinners, the microwave is a kitchen staple both at home and in the office break room! Microwave ovens are so quick and efficient because they channel heat energy directly to the molecules (tiny particles) inside food. Yet, there are many items that are not safe for your microwave. To keep your microwave working longer, NEVER try to heat these items:

1. Paper Bags. Not including popcorn bags, your standard paper lunch sack can catch fire in the microwave! Did you know that popcorn bags have special susceptors in it that keeps the bag from burning? This thin layer of plastic created to handle the radio waves produced by the microwave! The fumes and toxins released from a regular paper bag during the heating process can potentially cause a fire.
2. Aluminum Foil. It’s easy to forget this cardinal microwave rule when restaurants often box up your food in an aluminum container! The metal interior of your microwave is made to reflect radio waves that warm up the food. Aluminum foil and other metal reflect the waves back. This will result in sparks and potentially a fire.
3. Non-Microwave Safe Mugs. Did you know that most plastic travel mugs should not be microwaved? Plastic cups that are not specifically labeled “Microwave Safe” may release carcinogens when heated in the microwave. Also, any mug that has a metallic graphic on it can also cause sparks similar to heating aluminum foil.
4. Eggs in its shell. You can cook eggs in the microwave, but always crack them out of their shell when doing so! Eggs will explode when they are heated to a certain temperature, making a very sticky mess! There have also been cases where the egg will stay intact until taken out of the microwave and can cause damage or harm when exploding in one’s hands.
5. Styrofoam. It’s easy to microwave leftovers straight in its styrofoam container or to reheat a hot drink in a styrofoam cup. Styrofoam is a type of plastic that releases harmful toxins when microwaved. The material is also prone to melting onto your food when it reaching high microwave temperatures.

For more information on what you should or should not microwave, refer to your user manual before microwaving anything that is not explicitly labeled “microwave-safe.” If your microwave is broken, call Westside today to schedule your repair at 515-276-8899.