Can you microwave eggs?

Steam forms inside the egg faster than it can escape through the shell or through an intact yolk membrane, and the pressure releases all at once. An egg can burst inside the oven, and worse, it can burst several seconds after you take it out and cut into it, which is how people get facial burns. Scrambled and beaten eggs are fine because there is no sealed compartment. If you poach or bake an egg in the microwave, the yolk must be pierced before heating and the dish should be covered.

How to do it properly

1. Crack the egg into a bowl and beat it, or pierce the yolk twice with a fork
2. Cover the dish so steam is released around the edge rather than through the food
3. Cook in 20-30 second bursts, stirring scrambled eggs between each
4. Cook until firm and there is no visible runny egg, which USDA gives as 74 °C (165 °F) for egg dishes

What goes wrong

• A shell egg explodes, sometimes after removal from the oven
• A pierced but uncovered yolk still spits scalding liquid
• Undercooked microwaved egg dishes have caused Salmonella outbreaks

Other options

• Boil eggs in a saucepan when you want them in the shell
• Use a purpose-made microwave egg poacher, which vents deliberately

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 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.
• Can you microwave ceramic? It depends — Yes for plain glazed ceramic; no if it has metallic trim or is unglazed and porous.