Microwaves are associated with high-speed cooking and reheating any kind of food but the electromagnetic waves emitted in the microwave can heat the plates. The water molecules in the microwave get heated and excited by these waves, so if the plate used in the microwave has moisture, it will get hot to touch.
For the question, does Porcelain get hot in microwave? No, porcelain does not get hot in the microwave. It is a ceramic material made when a material like kaolin is heated in a kiln at a high temperature of 1200-1400 degrees Celsius. This temperature is higher than any temperature a microwave can reach.
Due to this, porcelain dishware can easily resist microwave heat without being damaged. Most of the porcelain dishware are marked as microwave-safe by the manufacturers but there are some which are not safe to use in the microwave.
The porcelain plate with any metallic decoration on the rim should not be used for heating food in the microwave as gold and silver can get damaged in the microwave and the metal decorations can also produce sparks that may lead to a fire.
Can porcelain go from fridge to microwave?
No, Porcelain can not go from fridge to microwave as it can crack, shatter, or break due to rapid change in the temperature in spite of porcelain being microwave safe.
There are chances of breaking cold porcelain as there is no proper transition of temperature from a cold environment to a hot microwave.
While using a cold porcelain dish in the microwave, the following tips should be followed:
- While using cold porcelain in the microwave, the temperature should be increased gradually.
- It is good if you bring cold porcelain to room temperature and then use it in the microwave.
- The cold porcelain bowls with food can be defrosted in the microwave on defrost or low-temperature setting.
- While reheating food in a porcelain dish, high heat should not be used. It is suggested to use medium temperature to avoid damage to the porcelain dish.
Is porcelain good for health?
Yes, porcelain is good for health as it is a non-toxic material and there is no leaching of chemicals in the food while preparing and serving food in it.
But porcelain with vibrant and colorful designs is not recommended to use as these contain cadmium and lead which are harmful substances and can liquefy in hot temperatures. Also, the same material is used to coat the porcelain to make it look shinier.
Therefore it is recommended to use vitrified porcelain for daily use as this has a commercialized glaze that is toxic-free and so will not leach in the food. If you are using enameled variants, get it verified from the manufacturer that the enamel is not fixed with cadmium, lead, or any other toxic material.
Is porcelain heat resistant?
Yes, porcelain is heat resistant as it does not burn, smoke, or emit harmful substances when subjected to heat.
It is heat and UV resistant as it is a non-porous variant of ceramic that has got amazing durability. While making a porcelain dish, it is fired at high temperatures and therefore, it is microwave, oven, freezer, and dishwasher safe.
It does not crack or break easily but in certain conditions, there is a chance of it getting cracked or broken especially when the porcelain is placed at a high temperature inside the oven, it can break as porcelain expands faster. Similarly, when it is placed in cold water to cool quickly, it may break easily.
Thus, it is recommended to use porcelain dinnerware properly so that they do not get damaged. Porcelain is a durable material and is the favorite dinnerware of most of us.
How much heat can porcelain withstand?
Porcelain can withstand prolonged and intermittent heat without changing its appearance, chemical, and physical properties. Porcelain can withstand heat from 1200 degrees to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Porcelain can work well for normal use in a microwave. However, it does not break at any amount of heat but when carried from a cold to hot temperature or vice versa, it can break. At a temperature of 1600 degrees Celsius or above, porcelain can melt.
Porcelain vs ceramic heat resistance
Porcelain is fired at high temperatures and is made up of clay of a specific variety along with finely grounded sand and feldspar. Ceramic is made up of natural red, white, or brown clay and is fired at a high temperature so that water content gets reduced.
Both of these are fired at high temperatures but porcelain is denser than ceramic and is less porous. Due to this, it is more durable and heat resistant as compared to ceramic products.
When compared in terms of pricing, ceramic products are cheaper in comparison to porcelain. There are more designs available in ceramic dishware as compared to porcelain dishware but since it is not durable and heat resistant, people prefer to buy porcelain instead of ceramic.
Conclusion
Most of the porcelain dishware is safe to use in the microwave and does not get hot when food is heated or cooked in it. But the porcelain plate with gold or silver trim or metal paint is not advised to use in the microwave as these can get hot easily and often cause sparks. Thus, the incidence of fire can occur when these are used.
Therefore, you must be careful in selecting the right porcelain dishware even though porcelain is said to be microwave-safe.