Yes, you can put a glass bowl in the microwave but some special glass materials cannot be put in the microwave unless labeled as microwave-safe.
It is found that the glassware is chemically inert which means it does not release any chemicals to react with the food. Therefore, glassware is said to be relatively safe.
As compared to plastic, glass is good to put in the microwave while heating the food. But there are some exceptions which you should follow.
Given below are the types of glass which you can and cannot microwave.
Microwave-safe Glass Bowl
- Glassware with labels as microwave-safe
- Pyrex glassware
- Glassware that successfully passes the microwave test
Not safe to use in microwave Glass Bowl
- Colored glassware
- Glass ceramics
- Glassware with metallic trims
- Glassware that does not pass the microwave test
In the above table, it is indicated that pyrex glassware, glassware with labels as microwave-safe, and glassware that has passed the microwave test can be used in the microwave.
On the other hand, some glassware is said to be not safe for microwaves due to various reasons.
In colored glassware, dyes are added to color the glassware due to which they become unsafe for heating in the microwave. When they are used, some chemicals are released and make the food hazardous especially when the food is in direct contact with the glassware.
In glass ceramics, ceramic clay is used which when heated and cooled down quickly, internal bonds are changed and thus, the glassware may get broken.
Also, the glassware with foil trim has metal which can cause sparks during microwaving and can be dangerous for the glassware.
How to tell if a bowl is microwave safe?
To tell if a bowl is microwave safe, you need to perform the below-mentioned test:
- Examine the bowl – Look at the bottom of the bowl or underside of it for any label. The containers that can be used in the microwave are labeled as ‘microwave-safe or has wavy lines drawn in the microwave, or #5 is marked. Sometimes, it might be written as ‘Not for use in Microwave’. If nothing is mentioned, go to the next step.
- Set the microwave – Make the settings to their highest power. Different microwaves have different settings for which you need to look at the manufacturer’s manual. In most microwaves, the highest power is the default setting.
- Fill the bowl with water – Add water to the bowl and put it in the microwave. If the bowl is big, put a cup of water in the bowl and don’t pour water in the bowl itself.
- Set the time for 1 minute – Microwave the bowl with water for 1 minute. After this time, if the bowl is warm or hot, it can be said that the bowl is not microwaved safely. But, if the bowl is cool and the water is hot, it can be concluded that the bowl is microwave safe.
Now put a mark on the bottom of it with a permanent marker as microwave safe or non-microwave safe. This will help you in the future to know whether you must use it in the microwave or not.
You must take care to use only those utensils which are microwave-safe, in the microwave. If this is not done, both the dinnerware as well as the microwave will be ruined. While using a microwave, you should take following precautions:
- The first one is to use a dish that is microwave safe for which you need to check. Some containers can melt, break, or scald in the microwave whereas some containers can damage the microwave like those having foil lining.
- You should not microwave containers that are cold like butter tubs as when these are heated, chemicals can be released into the food.
- Glass and ceramic dishes with gold or silver rims should not be used in the microwave.
- Frozen trays and containers should not be reused.
Is a microwave safe bowl oven safe?
No, a microwave safe bowl is not always oven safe. It is not essential that a bowl that is safe to be used in a microwave can also be used in the oven. But there are some dishes which can be used in both microwaves as well as the oven.
If the bowl is made up of the following material, it can be used safely in the microwave and oven:
- Ceramics
- Pyrex
- Stoneware
Some plastic bowls are microwave safe but these cannot be put under high heat for a long time. If these are kept in the oven, they can melt which can damage the food and the oven both.
On the other hand, some bowls can be used in the oven but are not microwave-safe like bowls made up of stainless steel and cast iron. If these are put in the microwave, they can get damaged.
If a particular bowl is not labeled as either microwave-safe or oven-safe, do not use it in either of these. This will damage the item or the appliance.
Glass bowl broke in microwave, why?
Glass bowl broke in the microwave because you used a bowl that was not microwave-safe. The glass bowl may have tiny bubbles which during the heating process could get expanded. If enough expansion occurs, the glass bowl will break.
Sometimes, even if you are using the same glass bowl which you have earlier used in the microwave, it breaks. This is because there is an expansion of the bowl material when heated and if heated for a long duration, it will expand more.
If you open the microwave door suddenly and the bowl is cooled, the outside of the bowl will shrink before the inside due to which the outside of the bowl will be under tension. This will cause the bowl to break.
Can we bake cake in a glass bowl in the microwave?
Yes, we can bake a cake in a glass bowl in the microwave but it should be microwave safe. The glass bowl made up of pyrex or borosilicate can be used in the microwave as these are strong materials that can withstand temperatures up to 300 degrees Celsius.
Glass bakeware can distribute heat evenly due to which cake is baked at an even rate. It does not heat up quickly as it is a poor conductor of heat but once it gets warmed, it remains warm for a long duration due to which cake gets baked in a better way.
Can any glass bowl go in the microwave?
No, any glass bowl cannot go in the microwave. Only those glass bowls which are labeled as microwave-safe can be used. In case, the label as ‘microwave-safe ‘is not present in the glass bowl, do a quick test by the procedure mentioned above.
It is also not advised to use a glass bowl with metal trims as sparks can be produced which can cause the bowl to shatter. Also about colored glass, Only those should be used in the microwave which is labeled as ‘microwave-safe.
This is because the dye used in the glass bowl may not be safe for the food.
How long can a glass bowl be in the microwave?
A glass bowl can be in the microwave for about 120 seconds at a go and then food should be stirred. If it is not as hot or warm as you desired, you can microwave it again for a maximum of 2 minutes. Repeat the process of stirring and heating till you get the desired temperature of the food.
It is not necessary that all the glass containers can be used in the microwave as the quality of all glassware is not the same. You should follow some heating and safety tips while using a glass bowl in a microwave.
- Use a good-quality glass bowl made from a reputable brand.
- Ensure not to overheat the glass bowl while microwaving as it may cause damage to the cookware if overheated. Always heat the glass bowl for a maximum of 2 minutes with a stir in between and then repeat the procedure if required.
- You must take care not to microwave glass bowls with air bubbles and metal trims.
Is a glass bowl with a lid microwave safe?
Yes, a glass bowl with a lid is microwave-safe if it is labeled as ‘microwave-safe ‘or it has successfully passed the test which you have performed on it.
When the food is covered while heating in the microwave, it heats evenly and there is no overcooking. But the lid should not be airtight, it should be vented so that steam produced can escape.
If the glass bowl is completely closed with a tight lid, there is a chance of it exploding. Sometimes the lid itself is not microwave-safe and so in such cases, it is used to cover the food while serving or storing.
Conclusion
Based on the above discussion, it is evident that a glass bowl can be used in a microwave only if it is ‘microwave-safe. If there is no such label in the bottom of the glass bowl, you should first carry out the microwave test and then use it for heating in a microwave if it comes out to be safe.
Some types of glass bowls should not be used in the microwave like colored or have a metallic trim. On the other hand, glass bowls made up of pyrex, borosilicate, and those which are labeled as ‘microwave-safe ‘can be used without any second thought in the microwave.