Can Tupperware Go in the Microwave? (Really Safe or Not)

We reheat food almost every day. However, we rarely seem to care about whether the containers we use are safe enough to hold the food or not until it’s time to push it in the microwave for reheating.

In this post, we’ll discuss Tupperware containers to help you know whether they are safe to use in the microwave or not.

So, can Tupperware go in the microwave? While you can use some Tupperware products in the microwave, there are those that you can’t. This is because not all Tupperware products are microwave safe.

Always check the bottom of the container for a microwave-safe label before using it in the microwave.

Can You Microwave Tupperware?

Tupperware products have been around since 1945. Per their website, their products are BPA-free, a feature that makes microwaving them safer.

Can Tupperware Go in the Microwave

Containers that are safe to use in the microwave come with a microwave-safe label at the bottom. The label features a box with squiggly lines.

Their products are also freezer and dishwasher safe, convenient, and easy to care for. They are also available in different styles and colors to suit your taste.

Is Microwaving Tupperware Harmful?

Microwaving Tupperware is not harmful if warming food under low heat. The risk can, however, increase if heating at high temperature.

Heating plastic in high heat can result in melting and leaching harmful chemicals into your food. And although the general understanding is that Tupperware products are microwave safe, you still need to be extra careful.

Microwaving Tupperware isn’t harmful if you avoid overheating or reheating meals for prolonged periods.

How to Know if Your Tupperware is Microwave Safe

Microwave

Before microwaving Tupperware, you need to confirm that it’s microwave safe first.

The good news is that to reduce the worry about microwaving their products, Tupperware has included a chart of plastics to guide you about the Resin ID Codes used in plastic containers.

To verify if the plastic is safe to use in the microwave, look out for the following indications:

  • 3 to 5 wavy lines
  • Microwave logo with 3 wavy lines
  • Microwave safe label at the bottom of the container

If your Tupperware container doesn’t come with any of these symbols, don’t use it in your microwave.

It’s also important to note that although most Tupperware products aren’t-free tailored for cooking, most are BPA-free and microwave safe.

If a container is labeled #5, it’s created from Polypropylene hence microwave safe. CPET #1 is also microwave safe as it is crystalized to withstand high temperatures.

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How Long Should You Microwave Tupperware?

Microwave-safe Tupperware products should not overstay in the microwave. Do not use them to reheat food for extended periods, especially if it is rich in sugar or fat content.

Fats and sugars have higher heat limits than water and can thus get extremely hot and damage your container.

Tupperware containers have clear instructions that you shouldn’t reheat them in sequences of longer than 3 minutes at a time. If your meal takes a longer heating time, stop the microwave after 3 minutes, stir the food, and resume the process.

Tips to Help You Reheat Food in Tupperware Microwave Containers

Check the microwave-safe symbol

As aforementioned, not all Tupperware products are microwave safe. Double-check the container you intend to place in the microwave to ascertain that it’s indeed microwavable.

A microwave-safe symbol at the bottom of the container is all you need to look out for.

By using a microwave-safe container, you protect your food from getting contaminated by chemicals. Tupperware microwave-safe products can withstand high heat.

Ensure that the Tupperware container is BPA-free

Although newer Tupperware products are made with safer plastic, older products, (more than 10 years) may not be. You, therefore, need to ensure that the container you intend to microwave is phthalate and BPA-free for your safety.

Put the lid on and vent open

It’s very important that you microwave your food with the lid on. This is because direct exposure to microwaves will most likely turn your food chewy.

Keep the container’s lid on but the vent open when microwaving to help the pressure escape. If the container doesn’t have a vent, lifting the edges will serve the purpose.

Microwaving with the lid prevents food from splattering. It also helps the food heat up evenly and faster.

Reheat in a timely manner

When reheating food in microwave-safe Tupperware, you need to do so promptly. Start by reheating the food for 2 minutes at a high temperature.

Take the food out and stir. If it’s not warm enough, resume the process for 30 seconds. Don’t reheat it for too long since you don’t want it to lose its texture or become chewy.

Reheat food in Tupperware containers at maximum temperature

Ensure that you reheat leftovers to a maximum temperature of 70 degrees Celsius( 165 degrees F). This will help kill bacteria that might have come in contact with your food.

Don’t microwave Tupperware with cuts, warped edges, or scraps

If your container has scraps or cuts, avoid using it in the microwave at all costs. This is because the quality might be compromised, meaning that the container might be unsafe to microwave.

Get a new container and use the old one for other purposes.

FAQs

Q. What is special about Tupperware?

Tupperware products last long, don’t smell, are easy to wash, and are made from food-grade materials. Also, most containers from this brand are microwavable.

Q. How do I tell if my Tupperware is microwavable?

Check if the container has a microwave-safe symbol at the bottom. The feature is indicated by 3 wavy lines.
If the container doesn’t have the 3 wavy lines, don’t use it in your microwave.

Q. Should I microwave Tupperware with the lid on?

It’s important that you microwave Tupperware with the lid on to protect your food from getting chewy. Direct exposure to microwaves can destroy the texture of your food.

Q. Is Tupperware safe for hot food?

Avoid storing hot food in Tupperware containers. If you have to store your food in these containers, wait until it cools down.

Q. How hot can Tupperware withstand?

Although made from high-density polyethylene, Tupperware melts at around 137 degrees C.

Conclusion

You can microwave Tupperware (1). if it comes with the microwave-safe label. Don’t assume that all their products are safe to use in the microwave and place a container in the unit before ascertaining that fact.

The truth is – Not all Tupperware products are safe to use in the microwave.

And even if microwave safe, don’t reheat the container for more than 3 minutes at a go. The shorter the intervals, the better.

Also, when using microwavable Tupperware, use medium heat, pop the vent to release pressure, and do not exceed the fill line.