Aluminum foil is surprisingly functional and reasonably priced when it comes to kitchen tools. But what about when you want to heat up some foil-wrapped leftovers or make foil-packet dinners on the fly? Can you put aluminum foil in the microwave?
Technically, the answer is yes, but doing so calls for safety measures and sound judgment. (Find out if cardboard can be heated in a microwave.)
What is Aluminum Foil?
One of the most widely used kitchen materials, aluminum is frequently used in cookware. This is thanks to its excellent ability to both conduct and retain heat.
Furthermore, the substance is lightweight, reasonably strong, and simple to mold. This makes it desirable to manufacturers and well-liked by home cooks.
What about aluminum foil though? This stuff is equally versatile, and is frequently used for covering leftovers, wrapping over food so it retains its heat, and cooking meals in the oven.
We all throw a piece of foil in the oven without giving it a second thought, but what about the microwave?
Also Read: How Does A Microwave Oven Work – Complete Guide to Use It in 2023
How Do Microwaves Work?
In the simplest terms possible, microwaves operate by creating waves that stir the water molecules in your food. This heat is then conducted throughout the food..
Metal containers are useless for heating food in a microwave because they reflect all of the electromagnetic waves.
Your microwave will be destroyed even more effectively if you reflect all that energy back into its walls.
IMPORTANT: Check your microwave’s owner’s manual before continuing. It might provide detailed instructions on using aluminum foil. Follow that advice!
Is It Safe to Microwave Foil?
Because they use strong radio waves to quickly cook food, microwaves are incredibly practical. They do this through radiation—which is also how we feel the heat of the sun. They blast energy-rich, short-range radio waves into food. The insides of microwaves are reflective, allowing the radio waves to bounce around and travel through the food, causing the molecules inside the food to vibrate. The faster they vibrate, the more the food heats.
While some plastics, glass, and ceramics do not absorb radio waves at the same frequency that they do, water, fats, and sugar do (which is why you can microwave them without getting burned on the container).
Metal, meanwhile, is reflective, causing the radio waves to bounce off without giving the food a chance to heat up. What about aluminum foil, though? Due to its thinner construction, it is more susceptible to being set ablaze by microwave currents.
But if you follow certain safety precautions, you can put aluminum foil in the microwave.
- Make sure the foil is smooth, not wrinkled.
- In order to reduce the risk of fire, only use brand-new foil in the microwave. Brand-new foil won’t have any wrinkles.
- Use smaller plates to ensure that there is space (ideally at least one inch) between the foil and the walls and ceiling of the microwave.
- Don’t put aluminum cookware, like pie plates, cake pans and bread loaf tins, in the microwave. It’s dangerous and your food won’t cook because the metal will reflect the waves rather than allowing the food to absorb them.
What about microwaving other leftovers? See our guide to heating takeout containers in the microwave.
Check if the following Materials can be put in the microwave oven:
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- Is Melamine Safe for the Microwave – How About Melamine Dishwasher – Home Services Offers
- Is Pyrex Safe In The Microwave – What to Pay Attention – Home Services Offers
- Can you Microwave Plastic Tupperware – Solved 2023 – Home Services Offers
- Can You Put Paper Plates in the Microwave – Is It Safe to Use? – Home Services Offers
How to Microwave Aluminum Foil
Is it okay to microwave aluminum foil?
According to the USDA, it is possible to do so safely, but you need to follow some very specific precautions:
Only Use Small Pieces of Aluminum Foil
Metal blocks microwaves, which are instead absorbed by the food. The food won’t heat up properly if aluminum foil is used to cover the entire dish.
That presents its own risks, of course.
You can, however, use very small pieces of aluminum foil to shield parts of the food.
You can use a little smooth foil there if there are any areas you want to keep from overheating.
Don’t Use Old Or Scrunched Up Foil
Further up the page, I made reference to the chance that sharp edges would cause sparks.
For this reason, it’s essential to use completely new, entirely smooth aluminum foil.
You won’t need to be concerned about creating those sparks if you do this.
Shape the Foil Around the Food
Applying the aluminum foil should be done so that you can shape it to fit the food.
This will lessen the possibility of producing dangerously sharp edges.
Make Some Space Between the Foil & the Oven Wall
Leave at least one inch of clearance space between the top and sides of the microwave, and the aluminum foil you’ve applied.
Not using aluminum foil at all is crucial if your microwave has a metal turntable or metal shelves.
Pay Attention!
You shouldn’t leave this type of task undone while you complete other household duties.
When using the microwave, pay close attention to it. If you see any sparks, shut it down immediately and remove the foil.
Less is More
Use only small amounts of aluminum foil in your microwave, if you must.
This lessens the possibility of the foil making contact with the microwave’s top or sides, especially since the turntable juggles the food inside.
Can You Microwave Foil Trays & Containers?
If so, are aluminum foil pans microwave-safe? That’s aluminum foil covered.
The manufacturer’s statement will determine the answer in its entirety.
Initially, inspect the packaging. If you no longer have the packaging, it’s much better to stay on the safe side and avoid heating it in the microwave
You shouldn’t use aluminum foil pans that have gotten bent or warped, even if they are microwave-safe according to the packaging.
This again increases the risk of generating sparks.
In terms of heating the food well, it’s important to only use shallow trays that are around 1-2 inches deep.
Only the top layer will allow heat to enter the food. If the foil tray is too deep, the food’s bottom portion won’t be properly cooked before the top portion turns dry and overdone.
Tips for Putting Aluminum Foil in the Microwave
- There is some disagreement regarding whether the foil’s shiny or dull side should face upward. It should be possible for the shiny side to reflect more radio waves. Not really, because there isn’t much of a difference in the reflectivity of the two sides, regardless of which side is facing up.
- Check for a microwave-safe label—and for a label that explicitly says it’s not microwave-safe (for example, some microwaveable pizzas include a thin sheet of foil at the bottom, which helps the crust get crispy).
- Avoid using aluminum foil if your microwave has a turntable or shelves made of metal.
- To lower the risk of fire and fully heat your food, only cover 1/4 of it with foil. If you completely cover the food with aluminum foil, the food won’t heat up because the aluminum foil will reflect the radio waves.
It’s best to take extra precautions when microwaving food. If in doubt, put your leftovers in a container that can be heated in the microwave. In the interim, we’ll be zapping some of these delectable microwave dinners for dinner.
What Happens If You Microwave Aluminum Foil?
Why is it bad to microwave aluminum foil in particular when your microwave’s walls are made of metal?
It all comes down to the thickness of the metal.
The sides of your microwave are fairly substantial, and are capable of tolerating the electric fields that flow through them.
It’s a different story for thinner metals, like aluminum foil.
The more delicate foil can be quickly overwhelmed by the current, which could ignite it and cause a fire.
Wrapping Up
Having read all of that, you may well be wondering if the benefits of using aluminum foil in the microwave are worth the risks!
I believe that doing this occasionally is acceptable if you’re willing to use a minimal amount of foil and keep an eye on things.
Just keep in mind to abide by the USDA recommendations I’ve provided in this guide, use fresh, smooth foil, and utilize it sparingly.
FAQs
Is Aluminum Foil Safe to Put in the Microwave?
While it is unlikely that doing so will result in an explosion, it is possible that sparks will form on the foil’s edges, starting a fire.
What Happens to Aluminum Foil in the Microwave?
Even though a microwave oven’s interior is made entirely of metal, there is probably no real risk from its metallic walls. Due to the thinness of aluminum foil, energy is released when food wrapped in the material begins to heat up. This energy has nowhere to go because the food is wrapped in foil. This makes the foil heat up fairly quickly at the risk of catching fire.
What Will Happen If I Put Foil in the Microwave for Only a Short Time?
Even a brief period of time can harm the microwave and even cause a fire.
Can I Eat Food That Has Been Microwaved With Foil?
While you should never put foil in the microwave, if your food somehow makes it out without any serious issues or damage to the microwave, it should be safe to eat.
Does Aluminum Foil Stop Microwaves?
In actuality, using aluminum foil in a microwave oven puts you at risk because the microwaves didn’t stop but instead were reflected by it, which is worse.
Check the following guides to learn what kind of materials can be put in the microwave!