Is Melamine Safe for the Microwave – How About Melamine Dishwasher

Ivy Smith February 9, 2023 in Kitchen & Food, Microwave Oven - 7 Minutes

Read Time:6 Minute, 31 Second

In recent years, dinnerware made of melamine has grown in popularity. One of the main factors in its widespread use is its adaptability in terms of design and color options, which is combined with its useful applications as a lightweight, strong, and affordable option.

Many customers have good reason to inquire about melamine’s safety and usage recommendations given how commonplace it has become. If melamine is dishwasher and microwave safe, that is the question that is asked the most.

Table of Contents

Can I Microwave Melamine Dinnerware?

Melamine is not a fire hazard if microwaved. Melamine is not flammable because of its chemical makeup, which makes it heat- and fire-resistant. At very high temperatures, melamine can, however, contaminate foods and beverages, especially when food is microwaved in dinnerware.

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

With acidic foods, this is more prevalent. If this occurs, melamine may lead to health issues like kidney-related problems like kidney stones or kidney failure.

This is precisely why the FDA discourages microwaving melamine dinnerware. It should be stated that there is generally no risk of melamine entering food outside of when it is microwaved.

Melamine dishes can also melt and warp when microwaved for an extended period of time, resulting in permanent damage.

Check if the following Materials can be put in the microwave oven:

Melamine Composition and History

Melamine is a chemical substance made from which Formica, laminate flooring, and even cleaning sponge-like foam erasers are produced. Dinnerware is made by combining melamine and formaldehyde, which results in a resin that is simple to mold into plates, bowls, and cups. (Read More: 10 Best Mop For Laminate Floors – Best Ways to Clean)

As a more affordable substitute for bulky crockery, melamine kitchenware first hit the market in the 1940s. Kitchenware under the “Melmac” brand, popular in the 1950s, is still collected today, largely for the brand’s vast array of pastel colors and nostalgia. Even today, numerous companies sell their own lines of melamine kitchenware.

Microwave Safe Plastic Plates

When it comes to plastic plates, some are microwave-safe but many are not, especially if they’re vintage. Look for words or symbols that are embossed on the reverse of the plate. If the plate is safe to use in the microwave, it will say “microwave safe” on it or show a symbol featuring parallel rows of squiggly lines. While the icon for microwave-safe dishes varies from one manufacturer to the next, the squiggly lines are a constant component of all of them.

The majority of takeout containers, yogurt tubs, water bottles, and condiment containers are examples of other plastics that shouldn’t be used in a microwave. In the microwave, plastic wrap is not a wise choice either. If you must cover your food to stop it from splashing, drape a paper towel loosely over the plate.

Melamine Microwave Dangers

Melamine is fire- and heat-resistant due to its chemical makeup, but it should not be heated to high temperatures, especially if it contains food or liquids. Chemicals from the plate could leak into the food when using melamine in the microwave; the more acidic the food and the hotter the temperature, the more melamine will leak into the food.

Although very small amounts of melamine may not be harmful, regularly consuming melamine-contaminated foods increases the risk of kidney stones, kidney failure, high blood pressure, or kidney infection.

How Should I Heat My Food?

If you want to microwave food, you should use ceramic, glass, or another type of cookware that has been microwave-approved.

It is then safe to transfer and serve the heated foods or drinks in melamine dishware.

Is Melamine Dinnerware Dishwasher Safe?

Melamine can withstand the temperatures of dishwater because, as was already mentioned, it has a high level of heat resistance.

Because of its toughness, your dishes won’t be susceptible to being quickly broken or losing their color from frequent washing or humidity.

Another benefit of using melamine cookware is that it dries out more quickly. As such, Inmiron’s dinnerware is 100% dishwasher safe.

Exist any hazards or negative effects?

Melamine poisoning from food contamination is the main worry associated with the substance.

A small 2013 study published in JAMA Internal MedicineTrusted Source asked 16 healthy volunteers to consume hot noodle soup served in melamine bowls. The researchers collected urine samples from the participants every 2 hours for 12 hours after eating the soup.

When the participants first consumed the soup, between 4 and 6 hours later, the researchers noticed a peak in the amount of melamine in their urine.

The researchers were able to identify melamine from the soup consumption, despite noting that the manufacturer of the plate may have a bearing on the amount of melamine present.

To make sure the participants didn’t already have melamine in their urine when the study began, samples were taken before the soup was consumed. The study’s authors concluded the potential for long-term harm from melamine exposure “still should be of concern.”

The risk of kidney problems, such as kidney stones or kidney failure, increases if a person consumes high melamine levels. An article in the International Journal of Food Contamination suggests that regular, low-level melamine exposure may raise the risk of kidney stones in both children and adults.

The fact that doctors are unsure of the effects of chronic melamine exposure is another worry regarding melamine toxicity. Currently, animal studies are the main source of research. They do know that some melamine poisoning signs include:

Blood in urine
Pain in the flank area
High blood pressure
Irritability
Little to no urine production
Urgent need to urinate

Seeking medical help as soon as you can is crucial if you exhibit these symptoms.

Alternatives to Melamine Dinnerware

Think about switching to bowls and plates made of ceramic or glass instead of using any kind of melamine or plastic in the microwave. If you enjoy serving foods on melamine, save the dishes for sandwiches or for serving foods, rather than reheating them. When buying new kitchenware specifically for the microwave, look for microwave-safe symbols or wording, either on the bottom of each item or on the packaging if buying a set.

Even plastic marked “microwave safe” may develop problems in the future. The likelihood that harmful chemicals will leak into food increases with the amount of use and scratching that the plastic has received. Either discard older microwave-safe plastics or reuse them for other purposes, such as serving cold foods. You can organize small, loose items in desk drawers or store craft and workbench supplies in old plastic containers.

The Bottom Line

Melamine is a type of plastic found in many reusable plates, utensils, and cups. The FDA has ruled that melamine is safe to use, but that you shouldn’t use it in a microwave.

Melamine works well because it doesn’t conduct heat. Given that melamine is an insulator, it is said to be able to withstand both hot and cold temperatures. This is good news since the tool won’t become hot so it can be used to handle hot water as well as other hot food. You won’t feel the heat on your hands while using it as a serving tool. Not just hot food, but also cold food, can be handled and served using this.