Which Food Containers Are Safe for the Microwave?

Find out which materials are microwave-friendly, and which ones you should avoid.

Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture.

Kristy Del Coro is a registered dietitian nutritionist, RDN, and professionally trained chef with more than 10 years of experience in the field of culinary nutrition. Her strong background in nutrition science, sustainable food systems, and culinary education makes her exceptionally qualified to write about food that is good for us and the planet—while not sacrificing flavor.

Emily Peterson is an experienced fact-checker and editor with Bachelor's degrees in English Literature and French.

Anastasiia Tretiak

Some materials are fine in the microwave and some aren't. And then there's plastic. Some experts say no plastic containers should be used in the microwave—ever. "The material contains chemicals that may leach into food when it's heated," says Olga Naidenko, Ph.D., a scientist with the Environmental Working Group, a health-research organization. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deemed plastics labeled "microwave-safe" are suitable for microwave use. "No studies have shown short- or long-term health consequences from heating microwave-safe plastics," says Michael Herndon, an FDA spokesman.

The bottom line? There isn't one. If you choose to use plastics, stick with those labeled "microwave-safe" (but don't allow plastic wrap to touch your food during heating). If you're wary, use glass or ceramic dishes marked "heatproof" or "microwave-safe."

To loosen your microwave's splatters and stains in a flash, try this favorite Real Simple technique: Heat a bowl of water and lemon juice on high for 5 minutes, then wipe the oven clean with a solution made from 1 cup water and 1 tablespoon baking soda.