Can you microwave paper towels?

Plain paper towel is a standard microwave cover: it absorbs splatter, lets steam through, and is transparent enough to microwaves that it does not heat much on its own. Two caveats. Recycled towels occasionally contain flecks of metal from the recycling stream and can spark, so plain white is the safer choice. And a completely dry towel run for many minutes with little food underneath can scorch, so damp it slightly for long jobs like crisping bacon.

How to do it properly

1. Use plain white towel with no printing or embossed dye
2. Damp it slightly if the run is longer than about three minutes
3. Do not wrap food tightly — the point is to let steam out

What goes wrong

• Recycled towel can contain metal flecks that spark
• Dry towel on a long run can char

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.