There aren’t many options when it comes to covering food when cooking and reheating in the microwave. One of the most popular methods for covering food in the microwave is plastic wrap, but many have questioned whether this material is safe to use in this setting.

Is plastic wrap microwaveable? Saran wrap is actually safe to use in the microwave as long as it is marked as such and you don’t microwave it for extended periods of time at very high power.

The dangers of using plastic film in the microwave are discussed in more detail in the following paragraphs, along with a solution.

Is It Safe to Microwave Plastic Wrap?

To cover the food and prevent splattering while reheating it, a lot of people use plastic wrap. According to the FDA, you can use plastic wrap in your microwave if it is safe to do so.

So, before buying the plastic wrap from the market, it is important to verify that the label says microwave-safe. Plastic wraps that are microwave-safe or microwave-proof are created from premium materials and can reheat in the microwave.

For this, microwave-safe plastic films can withstand the microwave’s heat levels and can be used to reheat food in your microwave. It will not affect your health and it is safe to use as long as you follow a few precautions.

For safest results, reduce the temperature of the microwave oven to medium power level, and otherwise it is unsafe to use the plastic wrap in the microwave oven. In addition, you should not put the high fat or sugar dense food items in the microwave with plastic wrap.

Read More: How Does A Microwave Oven Work – Complete Guide to Use It in 2023

Can Plastic Wrap Touch Food in the Microwave?

The FDA suggests avoiding letting plastic wrap come into contact with the food itself. You’ll need to leave space between the plastic wrap and the food’s top surface.

Plastic wrap is safe to use, however it cannot touch the food items in the microwave at the time of heating and cooking. Therefore, if you use plastic wrap in the microwave, you should be aware of this fact.

To alleviate any risk, you need to use a wide or a deep bowl for cooking and heating when using plastic wrap over the top. Unfortunately, you will need to keep in mind that using flat plates in the microwave while covering food with plastic wrap is not advised.

Use a wider or deeper bowl as a container as an alternative to that. You should avoid this risk because if the plastic wrap gets too hot, it might melt and mix with your food.

The food surface and the plastic wrap should have a space between them. This microwave cooking tip is secure and healthy. Above all, you need to choose the microwave-safe plastic wraps from a reputable brand made with quality materials that can withstand the intense heat levels.

Does Plastic Wrap in Microwave Cause Cancer?

According to a common urban legend, using plastic wrap in a microwave can spread cancer-causing agents and harm humans. But is it true?

The common concerns are described in a few facts and specifics below.

You will be relieved to learn that plastic wraps marked as microwave-proof are safe to use in microwaves.

Moreover, the FDA recommends that plastic wrap does not come in contact with food while being heated in the microwave. You should be fine as long as there is space between the food’s surface and the plastic.

Dioxins are a cancer-causing chemical, but they are not present in plastic wrap. The microwave can be used safely for heating and cooking, but if you burn or melt plastic wrap, dioxins could form.

So, plastic films are safe unless they are burned or melted in the microwave oven, also consider using plastic wrap labeled as BPA-free. As a result, when using plastic wraps in the microwave, you must also pay attention to the timing and heating temperature.

Is Kirkland Plastic Wrap Microwave Safe?

The microwave can be used with Kirkland plastic wrap because of its superior quality. From the freezer to the microwave, it is secure to handle those temperatures.

In addition, because the wrap is transparent, you can see the food it is holding. This reputable brand of plastic wrap is very helpful to lock in the moisture of the food and keep food items fresher for longer.

So, you can safely use Kirkland plastic wrap for your microwave usage.

Can You Microwave Plastic Wrap Safely?

Yes, you can microwave plastic wrap safely. The best course of action is to inspect the plastic wrap’s quality and confirm its microwave-safety using the label.

To microwave plastic wrap without any hesitation, you should always use the plastic wrap that has been approved for the microwave.

Even when using microwave-safe plastic wrap, you must maintain a low or medium power setting, keep the timing to a minimum, and keep the food away from the wrap while it is heating.

In this away, you can safely use plastic wrap in the microwave oven.

How Do You Microwave Plastic Wrap?

If you are using plastic wrap in the microwave oven then you will have to follow basic steps to follow:

• Use a dish or bowl with high sides.
• Ensure that the plastic wrap is separated from the food surface.
• Activate the microwave oven’s low or medium power setting for the heating temperature.
• Never heat the plastic wrap for longer than two minutes.

How Long Can You Microwave Plastic Wrap?

You should not keep the plastic wrap in the microwave oven when eating foods higher than 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can microwave plastic wrap for about 20 minutes at low power levels. At high temperature levels, use plastic wrap for less than 2 minutes.

While minimizing heating time and temperature, it is acceptable to use in the microwave as long as you are using a microwave-proof plastic wrap.

Tips to Microwave Plastic Wrap

When it comes to microwaving plastic wrap, there are a couple basic tips to improve safety and reduce concern:

• When purchasing plastic wrap, you must first inspect its quality. Spend your money with a reputable company.
• After having been microwaved, do not repurpose the plastic wrap.
• Ensure that there is space between the food’s surface and the plastic wrap.
• Wrap the bowl loosely in plastic wrap to allow steam to escape when it is heated.

Microwaving Plastic Wrap: Final Thoughts

As we have discussed, it is ok to use microwave safe plastic wrap in the microwave oven. When using it, exercise some caution. because the plastic compounds can leach into your food and present health hazards.

Most importantly, the plastic wrap should not come in contact with the food surface while heating. To keep the plastic elevated above the food, use a bowl with high sides.

Plastic wrap should be heated at low to medium heat for less than 2 minutes. Keep in mind that plastic film is flimsy and not made with strong materials, so time and temperature should be kept to a minimum.

If you have been confidently microwaving plastic wrap, exercise caution now. However, if you have any concern about microwaving plastic, then consider switch to a safer option like a microwave cover or paper towel that are much safer to use when heating food in the microwave.

FAQs

Check the following guides to learn what kind of materials can be put in the microwave!