Microwaves are a great way to heat up leftovers, but they can also be tough on your plates. If you’ve been wondering “why do my plates keep breaking in the microwave,” you’re not alone. It’s a common problem and we’ll provide some helpful tips and tricks to avoid the problem in the future.
Why Do Plates Crack In The Microwave?
The reason for this is because certain plate materials have different properties than others and are prone to melting or breaking when heated by electromagnetic waves. If you’re experiencing this problem, then you’re likely using dishes that are not microwaveable.
In this article, we’ll discuss some things you can do to fix this problem, such as the right types of plates to use. How long a plate can safely stay in a microwave and more.
How Long Can A Plate Stay In The Microwave?
Microwaves are a super convenient modern-day appliance that makes it easy to heat up food quickly, and there’s nothing more satisfying than pulling out a hot plate of your favorite meal after just a few minutes.
However, many microwaves come with one major issue-they are too powerful for certain types of plates!
If you find your dishes start breaking or melting when you try to microwave them, it might be because you’re using dishes made from the wrong material.
There is no hard and fast rule about how long you can keep anything in the microwave before you have to take it out, but some experts say you should never leave any ceramic dish in the microwave for more than two minutes at a time. The best way to test this theory is by time and you will have to experiment a little bit.
Below is a table of the different types of dishware and the amount of time you can keep it in the microwave before taking it out.
| Type of Dish | Time In Microwave |
| Glass | 1-2 minutes |
| Plastic | 1-2 minutes |
| Ceramic | 2 minutes or less |
| China | Don’t put it in the microwave |
| Stoneweare | 2-3 minutes |
The table above is an estimate of the time you can microwave certain dishes. Every dish is different, so keep that in mind when you put it in the micro.
If you find your dishes start melting or pitting when you try to microwave them, it might be because they’re made out of plastic.
It’s not always easy to tell the difference between different types of materials-plastic is, so be sure you know what your dishes are made of. If you can easily feel the heat coming off of your plate, you should take it out-or you risk the plate cracking when it becomes too hot!
How Do I Know If My Plates Are Microwaveable Or Not?
If you want to know if your dishes are microwaveable, there are three things you should do:
Inspect The Dish
Look closely at the bottom of the dish. Look on the bottom of your dishes and you’ll see one or more of these safety labels: “microwaveable,” “Oven/Microwave Safe,” “Microwave Friendly,” “oven/microwave safe.”
Some dishwasher safe products have the familiar dishwasher safe label which consists of wavy horizontal lines.
If it isn’t clearly stated, it may be best to use a different dish or go to the next step.
Test the Dish
Fill the bowl or cup three-quarters of the way with water. Put the questionable dish on a “known” dishwasher-safe plate. Microwave both on high for one minute. After a minute, remove the water-filled dish, using oven mitts or a potholder. Place your hand on the dish to see how warm it is.
If the dish is microwaveable, water will be warm, but the dish will be cool. Vice versa, if the dish is hot and the water is cold, the dish is not safe to use in the microwave, because it absorbs heat, which is dangerous.
Google The Name
Use the Internet to search the name of the manufacturer. There are many known manufacturers that produce microwave and dishwasher-safe dinnerware and dishes.
Below are some manufacturers that produce microwave dishes and containers:
- Cuisinart
- Crate and Barrel
- Progressive Cookware
- Nordic Ware
- Corelle
- AmazonBasics
- Glasslock (Assorted oven-safe containers)
- Pyrex
Is It Safe To Use A Cracked Microwave Plate?
You can, but it doesn’t mean that it’s safe to do so. When a dish cracks in the microwave, it’s mostly a “hairline crack” that is invisible to the eye. So, it’s normal to keep using the plate, until you notice leaks that seep through the dish dirtying the microwave.
When you notice the leaks, you should replace the dish or do a more thorough inspection of your microwave to see if there are any other problems. If you notice the dish is cracked, it’s best to replace it.
Continuing to use a cracked plate can result in steam and heat creating enough pressure to cause it to shatter or explode.
If it’s your only plate, then use the low power settings when heating up food. Be sure not to burn anything while cooking as this could also cause harmful chemicals to seep into your food.
Types of Plates That Are Safe For Microwaves?
Plastic or Ceramic Plates for Microwave
There are several types of dishes and dinnerware available on the market. Below you’ll find the different options as well as the precautions to take before using them.
As you can see from our list below, you have a variety of different dishes that you can use in your microwave to heat up food quickly without worrying about it breaking or melting!
–Ceramic Plates for Microwaves: These are not only perfect for microwaving but also oven-safe and you can use them for everything from storing to serving food.
–Glassware: Glass is the most popular material you find in microwaves because nothing heats up faster than glass. Just be sure you are using tempered or heat-tolerant glasses like Pyrex that can withstand extreme temperatures, which means they will not crack when heated!
–Plastic Plates for Microwaves: Though you can microwave these plates, you must be careful not to heat them too long or you will notice they start melting.
-Metal Dishes for Microwave: You should never use metal dishes in the microwave because it’s possible that a lot of sparks could fly out of the dish when you heat it up.
-Stoneware: A non-porous dinnerware that is more resilient than ceramic. They can withstand high temperatures and can be used in microwaves and ovens.
-Microwave Safe Containers: Most microwaveable containers will be CPET #1 on them, meaning, it is safe to use in microwaves. Avoid using containers with a #7, which means they are made from all types of plastic, and they are most likely not microwave safe.
What To Do If Your Microwave Plate Breaks?
If you look inside the window and notice the dish broke while heating up your leftovers, don’t panic. Here’s what you need to do.
Replace The Dish
If the dish didn’t explode, you can remove the dish from the microwave and change it out with another dish. Set the power setting to a lower temperature. For instance, if you were zapping the food on high, opt for 50% heat.
You’ll have to leave the food in there longer, but hopefully, it will prevent the dish from breaking a second time. Clean up any spills or messes before turning the power back on, as it will help keep the appliance clean and f
Off-Center The Plate
Place the plate slightly off-center on the turntable. This will help heat the food more evenly. When the food sits in the center, it is more likely to overheat, as it is one of the hot spots in a microwave.
This is why you’ve seen people who heat up food burn their mouth after trying to eat it right after taking it out of the micro. You should always stir your food and let it rest before trying to eat it.
If you’re using a plastic or non-microwavable dish, then be sure to keep it out of the center of the turntable.
Can Plates Explode In The Microwave?
An explosion can and has happened when people use the wrong type of glass in a microwave. For instance, temperated glass has the ability to spontaneously explode, for no apparent reason.
That said, tempered glass is stronger than regular glass, and it’s likely the microwave did not cause the explosion. This usually happens when the glass has. a small crack in it, and it’s used in the microwave. The electromagnetic waves shatter it, due to the nickel sulfide inclusions in the glass.
The truth is, you can put any plate you want into a microwave and nothing will happen, as long as it doesn’t contain metal. In order for you to see what people are talking about when they refer to ‘exploding plates,’ all you have to do is break your own dishes in the microwave-but there’s no need because microwaves are safe!
It just won’t create an explosion like many people believe it would.
Conclusion
If your plates keep breaking in the microwave, you’re likely using a non-microwavable dish.
If you find that you’re still having trouble with your plate breaking in the microwave, you might want to invest in a ceramic variety. While these can be expensive for some people, you’ll find that they won’t break as easily and you won’t have to worry about putting them away because they are dishwasher safe.
Ceramic dishes are also safer than glass or plastic because you don’t have to worry about them shattering in the microwave. Always remember that you should never put a metal dish into your microwave.
Now go out there and enjoy a plate of food you know you can eat!
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