Can You Microwave Tupperware | Is it Safe?

Microwaving plastic has become a little bit of debate with some manufacturers boasting that their products can be used in a microwave. Microwaving plastic creates toxic fumes which can lead to respiratory problems. The toxins could be coming from the plastic itself. Even if it isn’t you have to face the fact that you could be inhaling toxic fumes that are dangerous to your health.

Tupperware plastic has become the household go-to plastic. However, can you microwave Tupperware plastic, and is it safe?  Tupperware Plastic is considered to be food-safe as it passed the ASTM standards for food safety and also both FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) standards. 

In this article, you will learn all there is to know about Tupperware and whether or not they are safe for use in the microwave.

Can You Microwave Tupperware?

Tupperware brand has been around for more than six decades and has been delivering top-notch quality plastics that are innovative, durable, eco-friendly, safe, and convenient for use. 

The manufacturer designed its products to be safe and does not allow the production of harmful substances (toxic or carcinogenic). Furthermore, these products have gone through careful quality control tests to ensure the maximum quality which is food-grade safe, so you need not worry about their usability in the microwave.

But then there is the confusion about plastic in general not being safe to use in the microwave. To keep you clear and not confused about plastic Tupperware, I will be explaining all the details you need to make sure you choose the right one for use at home. Read on…

Is Tupperware Microwave Safe?

Tupperware has said that all its products follow the safety guidelines outlined by the federal government. The materials used in producing Tupperware are designed for microwaving and strictly comply with the regulations of international bodies including the Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory (TSCA).

How to Tell if Your Tupperware is Microwave Safe

To discard any concern concerning microwaving food, Tupperware published a detailed chart of plastics to further clarify the “Resin ID Codes” found across each of their products.

The quickest and easiest way to verify whether or not the Tupperware product you want to use is safe for use in the microwave is to look under the base of the vessel to see the microwave safe symbol which comprises three wavy lines.

On the other hand, if the Tupperware plastic is missing any labels on the bottom, then you should avoid using such in the microwave, or don’t store food in it altogether. 

Tupperware further expanded into creating a broadly considered microwave-safe and BPA-free product line, although most of its products aren’t for cooking purposes. Since March 2010, all Tupperware products produced in the US and Canada have been BPA-free.

Even though there are tons of products from Tupperware that are designed to be used in the microwave, the brand has gone further in its research and created a plethora of products that are certified microwave safe and BPA-free.

Tupperware Microwave Safe Symbol

A microwave-safe container means that the material used in the container has low water content in it. In effect, the container will not heat and heat will pass directly to the food in it.

You may be confused as to what kind of safe symbols are there for microwave-safe containers. The most commonly used symbols for Tupperware and other brands are the squiggly lines. 

Another symbol is the image of a microwave or a dish with radiation waves.

Microwave Safe Vs Non-Microwave Safe Plastics

After identifying the dangers of the chemical in plastic; the Food and Hygiene Department which oversees the manufacturing of plastic containers by every brand has laid out some stringent rules to be followed before any brand’s product will be considered microwave safe and certified.

The regulatory body evaluates the frequency people are likely to consume food from a container and the duration of use in the microwave, and the ratio between plastic surface area and food. 

It is upon these factors that scientists now measure the quantity of substance coming out of plastic and the extent to which they are absorbed by foods. Manufacturers will have to perform a toxicological evaluation to verify that their containers comply with the regulatory requirements.

So for a plastic container to be considered safe, it has to pass through a sequence of tests to check that it is not carcinogenic and has any other negative effects. And there are the only plastic containers fit for the microwaveable, microwave safe, etc. to their label. And these containers are usually tested for up to 240 hours in the microwave.

How Safe Is Tupperware in Microwave?

Tupperware is high-quality material but is it all that safe? In my own experience, how safe a Tupperware depends on the symbol on the bottom i.e. whether or not it has the microwave symbol or not.

How Long Can You Microwave Tupperware?

Tupperware has several product collections that are considered microwave-safe. But, they are a few important things that you need to know about Tupperware.

According to the manufacturer, you should not heat food with a high fat or sugar content in the container because it can become very hot and cause damage to the container.

They recommended heating the food on medium heat for a maximum of three minutes. However, if you require more than three minutes for heating your food, then you should remove the food from the microwave after three minutes and then stir it before you resume heating it further.

Can Tupperware Melt in the Microwave?

Tupperware is made with durable material, so you should avoid using them above their maximum reheating time. For regular usage, I have not found Tupperware to melt in the microwave unless you want to leave it in for a day or two (joking!).

Can You Microwave Tupperware with a Lid on?

Microwaving food with a lid on helps you avoid unnecessary food splatter. It also locks in steam which helps to heat up the food more evenly and faster.

Tupperware comes with a designated lid and seal that has a steam outlet feature. This vent must be opened when placing food containers in the microwave.

Although food can be microwaved with a lid on, it should not be covered airtight as this can create an explosive food mess in the microwave and also exposes you to trapped steam in the container.

Is it Okay to Defrost Tupperware in A Microwave?

It is perfectly okay to defrost your food in Tupperware in the microwave. The Tupperware Rock N’ Serve and Crystalwave Stack Cooker brands of products are well designed for this purpose.

These products are designed to help you conveniently move foods from your freezer to your microwave and then to your dining. They are moisture-proof, heat-resistant, and airtight.

Simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and use the control panel to set the microwave to defrost. When the microwave beeping has stopped, check the contents. But be careful as the container may have lost some of its rigidity due to the heat and can flex.

Alternatives to Reheat Food in Microwave

There are other possible ways you can reheat your food without the use of a microwave. Below is a list of alternatives to heating food in the microwave.

• On a stovetop. You can reheat food using a pan on a stove pot for a minimum of 165^oF.
• On an electric cooker. Similar to a stove pot, you can also follow the above method but don’t forget to keep an eye on your food to avoid burning.
• In the oven. You can reheat food in an oven until the temperature reaches a temperature of 165^o F.

Tips for Microwaving Food in Tupperware Containers

Below are a few tips for microwaving food in Tupperware containers:

• The power rating for Tupperware products is a maximum of 800W. This means that you should set your microwave to about 65-75% power setting when using it.
• Know the difference between microwave-safe and oven-safe symbols. Clearly, there is a difference between these two. Do not confuse oven safe for microwave safe since the two follow different safety requirements.
• You should not use any plastic in the oven as it can either melt or result in a fire in the oven. Always look at the bottom of your container to ensure you are using the right container in your microwave.
• The ideal container for ovens is usually ceramic or reinforced glass. You can browse Tupperware websites so you could see the different products and their uses before you go and buy from the store. 

You may also be interested in reading Can You Microwave Ziploc Bags

Verdict: Is Tupperware Microwave Safe?

From my experience and the reviews of users online, Tupperware products are durable and safe for use in the microwave and of course, that is when you use the designated Tupperware meant for use in the microwave.

Can You Microwave Tupperware FAQs