Can Parchment Paper Go In The Microwave | SOLVED

Can parchment paper go in the microwave? People are generally cautious when it comes to microwaving different products… as they should be. If you put the wrong type of product or material into your microwave, things can go terribly wrong. To avoid potential accidents in the kitchen, this article will give you a better understanding of how you can use parchment paper in your microwave oven, without issue.

Can You Microwave With Parchment Paper

Yes, parchment paper can go in the microwave, so long as you are using the right type. There are several different types of parchment paper used for cooking, and some are safer than others. The great thing about this product is its heat-resistant properties. It can withstand more than twice the temperature wax paper can take without its coating melting.

Will Parchment Paper Burn in Microwave

Parchment paper is unlikely to burn if used in your microwave. Avoid heating fatty foods on parchment paper, such as bacon, and sausages. Otherwise, the fat content will run onto the paper’s surface and will get so hot that it could potentially burn.

Will the Silicone Coating Contaminate the Food

The primary reason parchment paper is heat-resistant is due to its silicon coating. This finish provides the benefits of a non-stick surface and of course, the heat-resistant properties for baking, microwaving, and other forms of cooking, where the paper is exposed to extreme temperatures. The silicone coating used is similar to what you find on the surface of paper plates used in catering. You don’t have to worry about the coating contaminating your food in any way, it is specifically designed and tested to perform safely under these conditions.

Does Parchment Paper Make Food Crispy in Microwave

I love using parchment paper in the microwave because it assists in making food crispier, which is ideal for food that we may otherwise need to grill, fry or bake. This is true with leftover pizza. I like to reheat a cold slice of pizza on a piece of parchment paper in the microwave and it warms up to give better results than the floppy pizza you get when placed directly on a dining plate.

Why Use Parchment Paper In Microwave

Parchment paper is a staple in most kitchens, as it’s designed to perform a whole range of useful tasks with countless benefits. More specifically when used in microwaves it has a few notable benefits and I’ll focus on the three most important to me in my kitchen.

Convenient Non-Stick

One of my best qualities of parchment paper is its water-proof and non-stick surface, due to its silicone coating. This allows it to be used across a wide range of food types, from meats containing high levels of fats or liquid, right through to bakery products where the delicate pasty can be easily peeled off the paper’s surfacer without damaging the bake. Of course, there’s the added benefit of parchment paper being disposable, which reduced the time required to clean up after cooking.

Steaming Food

It’s surprising how many people don’t know that you can actually steam food wrapped in parchment paper. You can make a number of tasty dishes including steamed fish or chicken. Or simply steam vegetables for a very healthy and fresh side dish.

All you have to do is create a small parcel, place your food inside and tie off the two ends to retain the steam to cook for contents of the parcel. It is important to allow the steam to vent when you’re preparing food in parchment paper parcels to avoid steam buildup and potential accidents from scolding.

Heat Resistant to 450 Degrees

Parchment paper is insanely durable and heat-resistant. It can withstand temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Compare this to the boiling point of water, which is 212 degrees Fahrenheit and you’ll see how high that temperature is.

Different Types of Parchment Paper

There are different types of parchment paper available with each of them having qualities that lend themselves to different tasks and functions. If you want to ensure maximum safety in your kitchen, you should carefully consider which type of parchment paper you’ll buy the next time you’re at the store.

Bleached Parchment Paper

You can recognize bleached parchment paper by its white color. Although it’s generally considered safe to use, there are tiny amounts of toxic substances called dioxin in bleached parchment paper. There are no proven health risks of such a small amount of dioxin, but it might be smart to avoid this type of paper, and there are safer alternatives, such as unbleached paper.

Unbleached Parchment Paper

Unbleached parchment paper is free from Dioxin. In fact, this natural type of paper doesn’t contain any toxins at all. Unbleached parchment is easy to spot due to its brown color. This would be my recommendation when preparing food in the microwave. If you are unsure whether your paper is safe for use in a microwave, then check the packaging for the microwave-safe symbol, or in some cases, it will state it in writing on the packaging carton.

Wax Paper

Wax paper looks incredibly similar to parchment paper. If you are not familiar with both of these products, you’d probably struggle to tell the difference at first glance. But when it comes down to the actual performance and properties, wax paper, and parchment paper are very different.

I often use wax paper to store leftovers, but I don’t use it as much for reheating food in the microwave. Unlike parchment paper that’s coated with silicone, wax paper, as the name suggests, is coated with wax. It is safe for use in a microwave, but you should know that the wax will start melting at a temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a significantly lower threshold compared to parchment paper.

It’s crucial that you take the time to check whether the wax paper you’re buying has a label that says it’s safe for microwave use. I advise that you never microwave your food for more than four minutes if you’re using wax paper. Otherwise, you might risk contaminating your food.

Which Parchment Paper is Microwave Safe

All parchment paper products are safe to use in a microwave unless stated otherwise on the packaging. Parchment paper and also wax paper are excellent products for reheating food on a non-sticking surface. But I personally like to use parchment paper due to its higher heat threshold and simply because it’s the more versatile of the two, meaning I can just keep a roll of parchment paper in my kitchen and not have to have both paper types.

When I’m preparing food, I’ll often grab some unbleached parchment paper and use it in the cooking process one way or another. I use wax paper too, but I’m more careful when it comes to putting it in a microwave because it has a lower temperature threshold.

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