Can you microwave ceramic?

Fired, glazed ceramic is essentially inert at microwave temperatures and passes microwaves through to the food, which is why it is the default safe choice. Two things break that. Gold, silver and lustre decoration is metal and arcs exactly like foil, and porous unglazed or crazed pottery absorbs water into the body, which then heats and can crack the piece or make it painfully hot. Old and handmade glazes are also worth caution because lead-bearing glazes were common before modern limits and can leach into acidic food.

How to do it properly

1. Check the rim and pattern for any metallic sheen before the first use
2. Prefer pieces marked microwave-safe by the manufacturer
3. Do not move a cold dish straight from freezer to microwave
4. Use a cloth or mitt — ceramic picks up heat from the food and stays hot

What goes wrong

• Metallic decoration sparks and is permanently damaged
• Porous or crazed pottery absorbs water, overheats and cracks
• Old or craft glazes may not meet current limits on lead leaching

Other "can you microwave" questions

• Can you microwave styrofoam? It depends — Only if the container is labeled microwave-safe, and most takeout foam is not.
• Can you microwave aluminum foil? No — No — foil reflects microwaves and the edges arc, which can start a fire.
• Can you microwave plastic containers? It depends — Only ones labeled microwave-safe — cold-storage tubs are not among them.
• Can you microwave eggs? It depends — Beaten or pricked eggs, yes. A whole egg in its shell will explode.
• Can you microwave Tupperware? It depends — Yes, if that specific piece carries the microwave-safe symbol on its base.
• Can you microwave paper plates? It depends — Plain white paper plates are fine; anything with metallic trim or a foam layer is not.
• Can you microwave metal? No — No — metal reflects microwaves, arcs at edges, and can damage the oven or start a fire.
• Can you microwave breast milk? No — No — microwaves create hot spots that scald a baby even when the bottle feels cool.
• Can you microwave takeout containers? It depends — Only if the container is marked microwave-safe — most are not, and metal-handled ones never are.
• Can you microwave cardboard? It depends — Plain dry cardboard is usually fine briefly; anything with glue, staples, wax or foil is not.
• Can you microwave glass? It depends — Yes for ordinary heatproof glass; no for leaded crystal, and never straight from the freezer.
• Can you microwave water? It depends — Yes, but very clean water can superheat and erupt when you move the cup.