After a busy day at work, you decide to reheat leftovers for dinner tonight. Whether it’s pasta, chicken, or any other delectable dish, you find it still secure in the Pyrex container you stored it in last night. Just as you are about to put it into the microwave, you stop and wonder, “is glass microwave safe?” If you are worried about it being a silly question, don’t. It’s always good to make sure that we are keeping our appliances and our home safe, so there is no shame in wondering if the glass is microwave safe. In fact, you can read this blog to find the answer to the question, “is glass microwave safe?”
Is Glass Microwave Safe?: It Depends On The Glass
While glass is generally considered microwave safe, it would be misleading to say that all glass qualifies as microwave safe. Ultimately, the question of if glass is microwave safe depends on the type of glass and what kind of glass item (container, pitcher, etc.) is being put into the microwave. First, let’s take a look at what makes glass microwave safe.
How Do You Know What Makes Glass Microwave Safe?
Many sources will simply tell you to find a symbol on glass material that indicates its microwave safe status. This symbol usually looks like squiggly lines layered on top of each other. But what if you wanted to know, beyond just simply saying so, what constitutes a microwave safe glass? The answer to that question is that most glass deemed microwave safe, such as ones produced by Pyrex, for example, are manufactured using borosilicate glass.
Borosilicate glass is made of thermal-resistant properties that allow microwave radiation to pass through rather than be absorbed by it. That said, the heat produced by the microwave will still heat up food as needed, but without the anxiety of whether or not your glass container will explode looming. While borosilicate glass is not necessarily the only material that makes glass microwave safe, it is the most reliably microwave safe compared to containers made of soda-lime glass that often vary in their thermal resistance.
What Kind of Glass Is Not Microwave Safe?
Aside from the absence of the squiggly lines to indicate whether or not something can be put into a microwave, there are also specific kinds of glass that should never be put into the microwave. The following types of glass should be kept out of the microwave at all times:
1. Glass Ceramics
Glass ceramics are an interesting case because some implements made of this might sometimes include the microwave safe symbol. When the symbol is included, it means that the item can go in the microwave. Otherwise, when in doubt, keep glass ceramics out of your microwave.
2. Decorative And Metal-Trim Glass
Do you own glass containers or implements with intricate decorations or designs on them? Do any of them come with a metal trim that resembles gold or silver? If the answer is yes, keep these glass items out of your microwave. The heat of your microwave will not only damage these glasses, but substances like metal will absorb the radiation, creating a spark and causing an explosion.
3. Colored Glass
If you own a glass pitcher or container made of colored glass, your safest bet is not to put it in your microwave. Unless this item comes with the microwave safe symbol, putting these types of glass into your microwave will make your food dangerous to eat due to the additives in most colored glassware.
4. Cracked Or Chipped Glass
Putting a glass implement that possesses even the smallest crack or chip in a microwave can bring disastrous results. The microwave’s heat will compound the already present damage to the point of possibly shattering it. Even if that glass item comes with the microwave safe symbol, it’s best to keep it out whenever you see cracks or chips.
Appliance Repair Carrollton Is Here For Your Microwave Needs!
Hopefully, you now know the answer to your question: “is glass microwave safe?” can be summed up as “yes, depending on the glass.” The best rule of thumb is to look out for that symbol and or use glass from brands that are well-known for manufacturing microwave safe items. If you find yourself experiencing any challenges with your microwave oven, Appliance Repair Carrollton will be here to help. Contact us today for your microwave needs.