Can you microwave takeout containers?

Takeout packaging is chosen to be cheap and to survive a twenty-minute journey, not to be reheated. Foam clamshells soften, thin polypropylene tubs warp, waxed paper cartons have a coating that melts, and Chinese food pails often have a wire handle that arcs. Even where the plastic itself is polypropylene, which tolerates heat well, the container may not have been tested for microwave use and will not carry the mark. The safe move is to look at the base and, if there is no mark, use a plate.

How to do it properly

1. Look at the base for microwave-safe text or the wavy-lines symbol
2. Remove any wire handle, foil lid or paper label first
3. Use 50-70 percent power for oily dishes such as curries
4. Stop and transfer if the container starts to soften

What goes wrong

• Wire handles on food pails arc and burn the carton
• Greasy food creates hot spots that deform untested plastic
• Wax-lined cartons melt their lining into the food

Other options

• Tip the food onto a plate and cover it with a second plate
• Keep one glass container for reheating leftovers

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 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.