It is not recommended to reheat food in the microwave using styrofoam as the material remains stable during normal use but it begins to melt or break down at high temperatures.
Thus, it is correct to say that Styrofoam melts in the microwave and may cause toxic chemical styrene to leach into the food even if there is no visible damage on the foam.
Styrene present in Styrofoam is considered a possible carcinogen that poses threat to the health and reproductive system of humans and animals.
There is a less common type of Styrofoam that passes FDA requirements and is considered microwave-safe. This microwave-safe Styrofoam is made up of safer materials and has Styrene in lower levels.
It also has greater stability when heated and therefore, can be microwaved but ultimately, it is up to you to microwave this Styrofoam or play it safe.
In case you see any visible sign of damage to the Styrofoam after removing it from the microwave, it is wise to discard the food and the container both.
How long can you microwave Styrofoam?
You should microwave Styrofoam for not more than 30 seconds on low or medium power. It should be used in the microwave only if you are short of time or out of other options to reheat the food.
If Styrofoam is heated for a long time or at high power it will melt. However, microwave-safe Styrofoam is a better choice as compared to the traditional Styrofoam as you can use it to reheat food as long as you do not microwave them for a long time (half an hour or more).
While using Styrofoam in the microwave, you should look for the below-mentioned tips:
- Look for the microwave-safe label on the back of the Styrofoam container. Most manufacturers provide you with a label or warning to let the user know whether the container is microwave-safe or not.
- Never overheat Styrofoam. It should not be microwaved for more than 30 seconds. If the temperature of the Styrofoam reaches 200 Celsius or more, it will start to melt and release a toxic chemical, styrene into the food that will be extremely harmful to your health.
- Always check the FDA approved label on the bottom of the Styrofoam container. If the container contains this label, it can be microwaved for 30 seconds.
Can you defrost Styrofoam in microwave?
No, you cannot defrost Styrofoam in the microwave. For defrosting anything in the microwave, you need to heat it at a high temperature for a long duration and when Styrofoam is either heated at a high temperature or for a long duration, it will melt or get damaged.
Also, there will be chances of releasing toxic material into the food. Therefore, you should avoid defrosting Styrofoam in the microwave.
However, if you want to defrost the food items present in the Styrofoam container, it will be preferable if you use a microwave-safe container. For this, transfer the contents to a ceramic or glass container before microwaving.
Can you microwave Styrofoam take-out boxes?
No, you cannot microwave Styrofoam takeout boxes as these have a low melting point. These boxes may melt when heated in the microwave before the food gets reheated.
Styrofoam take-out boxes are good to keep hot food insulated while transporting but are not a great option when used for cooking or reheating food in the microwave.
However, there are microwave-safe Styrofoam boxes that have a symbol on the bottom of these containers. These boxes can be used in the microwave but be cautious in using them.
Only a small amount of food should be reheated in these boxes in the microwave at low temperature and never overheat the Styrofoam containers.
Is Panda Express Styrofoam microwave safe?
Generally, any Styrofoam containers are not microwave-safe and the same thing is with Panda Express Styrofoam containers. When heated in the microwave, these Styrofoam containers may get melted and leach harmful chemicals into the food.
But Panda Express is testing a new service container that is made up of polypropylene. These are more environmentally friendly, recyclable, dishwasher safe, and microwave safe.
The lids of these containers are specifically designed that snap on for better secure take-out use. These resemble a Panda paw and have three compartments for entrees and one section is for a side dish.
Is number 6 Styrofoam microwave safe?
Number 6 Styrofoam is not microwave-safe unless it is marked as microwave-safe.
This type of Styrofoam is commonly used as a disposable product for takeout meals, serving plates at a family buffet, or to-go leftovers serving plates.
Generally, number 6 Styrofoam is a foam container that is used to transfer food. When it is heated in the microwave for a long duration or at a high temperature, it may get melted and impact the food.
It may produce toxins and leech them in the food making the food unfit for consumption. Thus, it will be better if you use number 6 Styrofoam for camping, outdoor activities, hiking, and transfer of food.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it is found that Styrofoam containers are not good to use for reheating food in the microwave as these may get melted and the harmful chemical, styrene present in them, may leech into the food, making it unfit for humans and animals.
You may use microwave-safe Styrofoam but that too at low temperature and for a short period that is not more than 30 seconds.
For playing safe, always transfer the food from the Styrofoam containers into a microwave-safe ceramic, glass, or pyrex container before using in the microwave.
Hope this article is helpful to you and you get enough information about Styrofoam containers.