10 Things You Should Never Microwave

By Melanie Aman Updated: January 3, 2019

Despite there being a long list of things you shouldn’t microwave, we’re all guilty of pressing the start button without thinking of what we’re putting in our appliance. After all, the reason we love our microwaves so much is that we can simply pop in a dish, hit start, and then work on the dozens of other things on our to-do list. Where would we be without our microwaves?

Unfortunately, it’s pretty easy to start a kitchen fire by not paying attention to what you put in your microwave. Many foods and containers are totally microwave-safe, but others are absolute no-nos. To prevent any damage and to keep you happy and healthy, we’ve rounded up a few items you should never put in your microwave. Keep scrolling to see whether you follow proper microwave etiquette.

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Can You Microwave Chinese Takeout Containers

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Takeout Containers

Before you chuck your Chinese leftovers into the microwave, transfer them to a plate or bowl. Any takeout containers with metal can catch fire and damage your appliance. Be sure to look at the box for an indicator that it’s microwave-safe before nuking it.
Can You Microwave Plastic

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Plastic

You should avoid microwaving plastics unless there’s a microwave-safe label on a plastic container, as the heat can cause toxic chemicals to leach into your food.
Can You Microwave Styrofoam

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Styrofoam

Styrofoam is a type of plastic, therefore it should not be microwaved.
Things You Shouldnt Microwave Nothing

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Nothing

If there’s nothing in your microwave, the appliance will absorb its own waves. This is bad because it can potentially create fires.
Can You Put A Coffee Travel Mug In The Microwave

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Stainless-Steel Containers

Microwaving your travel mug of coffee may actually damage your appliance without warming your coffee. This is because the stainless steel blocks the microwave's heat. Instead, you should transfer your coffee into a microwave-safe mug before hitting start.
Things You Shouldnt Microwave Paper

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Brown Paper Bags

Not only do you run the risk of watching your bag burst into flames, you also have to worry about the high temperatures in the microwave causing chemicals in the bag to give off toxic fumes.
Can You Microwave Chilies

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Hot Peppers

Don’t microwave hot peppers unless you want to pepper spray yourself. Peppers release capsaicin at high heat, which the microwave’s fan will disperse into the air once you open the door.
Can You Microwave Grapes

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Grapes

Microwaving grapes to create plasma is a fun at-home science experiment, but it’s also messy and potentially dangerous if the grapes catch fire and explode.
Can You Microwave Eggs

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Eggs

Hard-boiled eggs are delicious and best made on the stove — not in the microwave. Microwaving eggs creates a whole lot of steam that needs somewhere to go. The likely result is an egg-splosion, which means you have to clean egg guts from the microwave.
Can You Microwave Frozen Meat

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Frozen Meat

Your freezer is probably packed with ground beef if you have a large family to feed. Unfortunately, the safest way to reheat it isn’t in the microwave. It’s hard to tell if your meat is heated evenly depending on how thick it is, and uneven heating can lead to bacteria. Your best bet is to let that ground beef defrost overnight in the fridge.