PSA: Aluminum Take-out containers are microwavable

"This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja:" (hkt00) 09/30/2020 at 15:02 • Filed to: Little Known Facts

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Yes, they are. No sparks, no fire, just hot food.

One caveat. You must remove the foil coated paper lid first or the food will not get hot.

Been nearly 20 years since I’ve used a microwave, but this I remembered.

Update with reference:

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Svend > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: 09/30/2020 at 15:12

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You’ve not used a microwave in 20 years!?

I use mine daily, even if it is to store cooked leftovers to cool before they go in the fridge. 

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > Svend 09/30/2020 at 15:13

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I have not. Not really a fan. Everything comes out better the old fashioned way imho, even if it isn't as quick.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: 09/30/2020 at 15:15

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All metal is technically microwavable, in that you are able to put it in and turn it on.

Past that, good luck!

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: 09/30/2020 at 15:15

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All metal is microwavable. It just might not be good for the microwave. Or it’s fine, it depends on the microwave.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Svend 09/30/2020 at 15:16

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I don’t even own one. They’re unnecessary .

CaptDale - is secretly British > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: 09/30/2020 at 15:16

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Really? That is an odd PSA that I do not believe. Everything I have ever read says even Alum take out canisters are not good to microwave.

Also 20 years? How?

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 09/30/2020 at 15:17

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Take out containers are aok. Don't ask me why they are while aluminum foil will create a lighting storm because I don't know. Saw it printed on one of the paper/foil lids decades ago and have been amazed ever since.

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 09/30/2020 at 15:18

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These are the  exception that proves the rule, or something.

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > CaptDale - is secretly British 09/30/2020 at 15:19

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Unbelievable, but true.

... because I'm old school.

Svend > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: 09/30/2020 at 15:22

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True things cooked the old way taste better but sometimes it’s nice to throw something in the microwave and get on with other stuff, even if it’s to heat leftover food. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: 09/30/2020 at 15:23

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Is this a hot take on cold take out?

Also metal, any metal even aluminum is bad in a microwave . Those atoms in more dense objects vibrate much much faster than water, they get really hot and can cause fires. 

Textured Soy Protein > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: 09/30/2020 at 15:23

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It might not explode but you’re also only heating the food from the top because the aluminum shields the rest of the food from the microwaves.

Science!

Is it safe to use aluminum foil in a microwave oven?

Always consult the owner’s manual of your microwave oven and heed the manufacturer’s recommendations for the use of aluminum foil. It can be safe to use small amounts of aluminum foil in a microwave oven.

Microwaves cannot pass through metal but are absorbed by food. No food completely covered by aluminum foil or in a covered metal pan should be put in a microwave oven because food wouldn’t be available to absorb the microwaves. Operating the oven empty or when the food is completely wrapped in aluminum foil can cause damage to the oven and the food won’t heat.

However, small pieces of aluminum foil can be used to “shield” areas of foods, such as poultry drumsticks and wings, to prevent overcooking.

Some food packaged in foil containers can be safe to microwave. Read the package heating instructions to see if the food manufacturer has specific recommendations for microwaving the product. Because food in these containers will only heat from the top, it’s best to microwave foods only 1-2 inches in depth so food near the bottom will be heated thoroughly before food on top dries and overcooks.

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > Svend 09/30/2020 at 15:25

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Different strokes for different folks. The one I just used is brand new so it didn't color the flavor of the food I reheated, but from past experience they can have an unpleasant effect. Then again it's been 20 years, maybe they've improved.

CaptDale - is secretly British > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: 09/30/2020 at 15:27

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I am just going to go ahead and not though. Any left overs I put in a plate or in a bowl most of the time anyway if I am going to reheat it.

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/30/2020 at 15:28

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Good vibrations for good cuisine. Just remember to remove the lid.

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > Textured Soy Protein 09/30/2020 at 15:29

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Perfect for not chewifying your spaghetti.

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > CaptDale - is secretly British 09/30/2020 at 15:31

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I won’t force you. I’d personally opt out of most plastics though. If I had a dollar for every Tupperware container I ruined reheating pasta sauce in the microwave I’d probably be able to afford a new microwave... Or more Tupperware. Or a treatment for ptfe or whatever was poisoning the reheated food.

Textured Soy Protein > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: 09/30/2020 at 15:32

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Uhh...

Because food in these containers will only heat from the top, it’s best to microwave foods only 1-2 inches in depth so food near the bottom will be heated thoroughly before food on top dries and overcooks.

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > Textured Soy Protein 09/30/2020 at 15:33

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Gotta stop and stir bro. Always.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: 09/30/2020 at 15:33

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I have seen microwaves burn from tin foil in a paper bag, it was kinda cool. 

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/30/2020 at 15:33

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Cd’s are fun too.

Wendy’s wrappers are a solid no fwiw. Assuming you were planning on eating what was inside the wrapper anyway.

MUSASHI66 > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: 09/30/2020 at 15:34

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What you are looking for is a toaster over. It is an answer to every food reheat question. Put the whole container in and it reheats nice and even. I use my toaster oven a ton, and that’s why we got the big, fancy one.

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > MUSASHI66 09/30/2020 at 15:36

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Amen. I have a nice convection toaster oven back at my place and absolutely love it.

MUSASHI66 > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: 09/30/2020 at 15:38

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I actually prefer pizza from a toaster oven over fresh, but I am weird. 

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > MUSASHI66 09/30/2020 at 15:43

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You need an air fryer...it’s hands down the best thing for reheating most foods.

Svend > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: 09/30/2020 at 15:48

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So true, if we were all the same, life would be boring. 

MM54 > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: 09/30/2020 at 16:01

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I had an apartment which had a microwave with a metal rack installed in it. I was very ske ptical and after it threw its first spark it went into the cabinet above the microwave until the day I moved out.

nerd_racing > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 09/30/2020 at 16:02

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Air fried chicken wings are the bomb diggity. 

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: 09/30/2020 at 16:07

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I believe you, but I am not going to try it.

MUSASHI66 > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 09/30/2020 at 16:08

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Isn’t that just a convection oven?

Aremmes > MUSASHI66 09/30/2020 at 16:12

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Different things. A convection oven uses convection (obvs) to circulate heat, while an air fryer uses a fan to force air around.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > MUSASHI66 09/30/2020 at 16:12

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Both use the same principle s, but are laid out physically a bit differently, which is why an air fr yer can heat foods quicker.

https://www.cnet.com/news/air-fryer-vs-oven-baking-which-is-better-way-cook-frying/#:~:text=While%20a%20full%2Dsize%20convection,the%20bottom%20of%20your%20food.

MUSASHI66 > Aremmes 09/30/2020 at 16:15

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Yeah, convection in a toaster oven is just a fan moving hot air around. It just moves a bit slower than in an air fryer. 

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > MM54 09/30/2020 at 16:24

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That's a new one to me. Never seen a microwave with a metal rack in it, but I haven't really been paying much attention either.

onlytwowheels > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: 09/30/2020 at 16:36

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I remember freaking out one day at the shop when a guy put a pot pie in an aluminum p ie plate in the microwave. I thought for sure disaster would ensue. Nothing happened, except the warming of his lunch.

BigBlock440 > MUSASHI66 09/30/2020 at 16:45

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Yes, a convection oven in a more inconvenient layout  

sn4cktimes > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: 09/30/2020 at 16:55

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As an aside, I’ve noticed a lot of people here seem to dislike microwaves and prefer “toaster ovens”. I fall on the opposite side of the line here. I already have an OVEN for my oven / baking / broiling / convection-based needs. Sometimes I just wanna blast something with radiation (usually liquid) and get it hot NOW. I have a toaster for toast. I also had a toaster oven at work for two things, heating a bearing / rod oven. That is my rant.

TLDR : I don’t dislike Toaster Ovens. But I also don’t like them.

Future next gen S2000 owner > MUSASHI66 09/30/2020 at 16:59

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Convection oven pulses the fan when adding heat, “ air fryers” continuously run a fan. That’s the difference. They are basically the same.

ranwhenparked > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: 09/30/2020 at 18:31

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I honestly never knew that

ranwhenparked > MUSASHI66 09/30/2020 at 18:34

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Toaster ovens are great, but we were never allowed to have one growing up because “they take up too much space on the counter” - as if the Keurig, the drip coffe e maker, the hot water maker, the toaster, the bread box, the ornamental sugar/flour/salt tins, Longaberger baskets, and napkin holders are all so essential. Don’t know why I’ve never bought one as an adult, should just go do that. The regular oven takes way too damn long to heat up.

MUSASHI66 > ranwhenparked 09/30/2020 at 18:41

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Get it, you won’t regret it. I use it constantly. 

hedbutter > MUSASHI66 10/01/2020 at 09:35

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Second this. We have the one below and almost never use our normal gas oven when cooking meals for the two of us. Only time the gas oven is used is during meal prep (4/5 things cooking at once) or meals where everything wont fit in the toaster oven (rarely). The airfryer is OK on this, but you need to add a second tray to catch any drippings (made the mistake of no catch plate with wings, it was smokey, haha).

https://www.amazon.com/Breville-BOV900BSS-Convection-Brushed-Stainless/dp/B01N5UPTZS

MUSASHI66 > hedbutter 10/01/2020 at 14:36

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We have pretty much that identical model as well. It’s spectacular. 

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > MUSASHI66 10/07/2020 at 04:24

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This is the right answer. Toaster ovens are the best way to reheat everything.