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Can rubbermaid go in the microwave?
Can you microwave Rubbermaid? That’s the question on the minds of many consumers these days. With so many items being microwavable, it can be tough to tell which ones are safe to zap and which ones aren’t.
Microwaving food is a popular cooking method that many people rely on. But can you microwave Rubbermaid containers? Some people claim that you can’t, while others say that it’s safe to do so.
So, what’s the truth? In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the safety of microwaving Rubbermaid containers and provide some advice on how to best use them. Stay tuned!
What Is a Rubbermaid?
Rubbermaid is a brand name for storage containers. These containers are typically made of either plastic or rubber, though some options exist for those who wish to avoid using any specific type of material.
The Rubbermaid company was started in 1920 by Josephine Cochrane, likely best known for founding the product that would go on to become a national phenomenon: The dishwasher.
Fast forward almost a century and Rubbermaid has diversified its product line beyond kitchenware and now offers bins and boxes meant to aid with organization across various work sites, including offices, medical facilities, warehouses, really any kind of business setting.
They have designed their products for this wide variety of purposes by offering many different types of containers that vary depending on what they are meant to store. For example, if you are looking for something with wheels, you’ll want Rubbermaid’s roller bin line of products.
If you are trying to make the best use of your storage space, consider using Rubbermaid containers that stack on top of each other. This way, if you have a shelf or room in your office or facility that is unceremoniously disregarded because it’s just “not used”, at least this area can benefit from increased storage capacity by stacking bins up high and minimizing floor space taken up by items that could otherwise be stored out of sight.
If there isn’t enough free floor space for some reason but there is room on shelves or open wall areas, these bins may also be wall-mounted.
For those that require more flexibility in how they store their items, Rubbermaid offers a variety of containers that come with wheels and can be used as carts. These carts often have the option of having an open shelf on top or stacking multiple units and incorporating bins and drawers for even more storage.
Types of Rubbermaid Product
Rubbermaid products are a popular brand of food storage containers. A few examples of Rubbermaid food storage containers include:
- Lunchbox sandwich kits
- Glass container with easy to find lids.
- Take along containers.
- Lock-its.
Other types of Rubbermaid food storage containers can be bought at stores like Walmart, Target, and other major retailers.
These Rubbermaid products are designed to store almost any type of food securely until you need it again later down the road, which makes them ideal for taking your lunch to work or school.
The take-along containers made by Rubbermaid are airtight so they help prevent spills in your bag as well as around the bottom portion where you pack it in your lunchbox or lunch bag. They are also dishwasher safe so they can easily be cleaned when needed.
Can You Microwave Rubbermaid?
Yes. The containers are labeled microwave safe. Microwave-safe containers are made of plastics that don’t contain chemicals such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or bisphenol A (BPA).
While it is difficult to tell whether a material is safe by simply looking at the container it comes in, the easiest way to find out whether the material is microwave-safe is to check for a label indicating that it has been tested and meets FDA standards for food safety and contact with food.
However, the Rubbermaid website points out that for microwaving purposes, they do not recommend using any lid or wrap with their products, because doing so may result in melting or warping.
Even though you can put them in the microwave without a lid, people often prefer to use lids while heating things like soup and liquids; otherwise, it’s difficult to tell if the container is getting too hot.
You may notice discoloration of your Rubbermaid product if you microwave it for an extended period (over 2 minutes).
According to customer service representatives for Rubbermaid, this does not reduce the quality of the product itself; however, it is still worth noting. This discoloration occurs because the microwave heats unevenly, which can cause food to “bake” on the interior of the bowl or dish.
Food safety is also an issue to consider when microwaving Rubbermaid products. The following information was taken directly from their website:
“Rubbermaid products are made of sturdy plastic that is safe for cooking and storing food. However, you should not use our containers for boiling, in ovens, on stovetops, or hot plates.”
According to this Rubbermaid FAQ page, they do not endorse nor recommend using their containers in a conventional oven (preheated or otherwise), but they say it’s okay if you use them in a toaster oven at “low heat.” This information is only provided as a suggestion, and not as a warning.
Related:
Can Rubbermaid Plastic Go in the Microwave?
Rubbermaid plastic is one of the most common brands of food storage containers. Since it is used to store food, many people wonder if Rubbermaid plastic can go in the microwave.
Yes, Rubbermaid plastic can go in the microwave! All types of Rubbermaid plastic are safe for use in the microwave. These include freezer containers, food storage containers, and any other type of Rubbermaid container regardless of what it is made out of (plastic, stainless steel, or glass).
The good news doesn’t stop there either, you can also put your Rubbermaid lids in the dishwasher!
Just make sure to place them on the top rack so they don’t get water trapped underneath them during a wash cycle. You should always make sure to follow the usage and care instructions on your specific Rubbermaid product.
Can You Microwave Rubbermaid Lids?
Rubbermaid lids can be microwaved.
That’s a relief! The Rubbermaid lid in this picture survived the microwave, but it was warped out of shape. I wonder how well it will seal now?
May I suggest that if you must put your Rubbermaid lid in the microwave, you slip a piece of paper between the rubber and the plastic to stop them from touching? That way you won’t warp your lid when it melts! Here is an exploded view to show where the problem comes from:
In case you were wondering about Rubbermaid containers in general, their website has no information on whether they are safe for use in a microwave or not. However, there is a great page with pictures here; scroll down until you see the picture of a Rubbermaid container melted in a microwave. The article states that “The melt marks are permanent.”
As for plastic wrap, their website does say that it is not meant to be used in high heat situations, just regular oven use, stovetop cooking, etc., so I guess you shouldn’t put them in the microwave either! Sorry if this was all obvious to everyone else but me. It’s my first time thinking about these things!
How Do You Know if Rubbermaid is Microwave-Safe or Not?
Rubbermaid containers are microwave-safe, but it depends on the kind of Rubbermaid container.
Polyethylene terephthalate is a type of plastic that is used for Rubbermaid containers.
Microorganisms are not able to break down this material, which means it does not release harmful chemicals into your food when you use these containers to reheat your food.
When microwaving any plastic container, always make sure the container doesn’t have any cracks or sharp edges that could lead to dangerous cuts or punctures in the plastic.
Also, be careful using metal utensils with Rubbermaid containers because this can also damage the plastic and create holes where metal shavings may eat your food.
The majority of Rubbermaid containers are microwave-safe; however, there are some exceptions to this rule.
For example, the Rubbermaid Reveal container is made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic and is not microwavable.
The Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids container is also not microwavable because it has a venting system for steam release when you microwave your food in this specific set.
Different types of household plastics have different chemical properties, which means they do react differently in certain situations.
However, having general knowledge about how these plastics will react in certain situations can help keep our families safe.
Understanding what could happen if we use the wrong kind of plastic for microwaving foods is just one way to stay safe.
Also, make sure to check the bottom of your Rubbermaid containers for microwavable labeling to be sure they are microwave-safe before using them in the microwave.
You must take precautions when microwaving Rubbermaid containers because not all of them are safe to use in the microwave.
If you’re unsure about whether or not the specific container you have can go into the oven, then it’s best to play it safe and find out before putting your health at risk.
Rubbermaid Microwave Safe Symbol
The Rubbermaid microwave safe symbol, as used on the majority of Rubbermaid brand products that are microwavable, is a black square with three black squares inside it that form a pattern reminiscent of the No Entry traffic sign. Microwaveable items made by other manufacturers also use symbols similar to this one.
This symbol indicates whether or not the product should be used in the microwave. The word “microwaveable” or “not recommended for microwave use” will appear below this symbol if it cannot be safely used in a microwave oven.
However, while the Rubbermaid microwave safe symbol is certainly easy to identify, its meaning can often become blurred over time.
For example, items that have been damaged through heavy wear and tear may not be able to withstand the heat used in a microwave oven.
There are also other indicators on the packaging which should be given due consideration before attempting to use any given product in a microwave oven. Some manufacturers include an additional instruction stating specifically whether or not their products are suitable for domestic use or commercial applications.
These warnings will often instruct consumers to consult with staff before using these items in a business setting. It may also give them permission to do so provided they remove all labels first and comply with specific instructions.
Safety Tips for Microwaving Rubbermaid
There are a few safety tips that need to be considered when microwaving Rubbermaid containers. First, always make sure the lid is vented before microwaving food in the container. This will allow steam to escape and prevent the lid from popping off.
Next, avoid using high heat settings when microwaving food in Rubbermaid microwavable containers; reduce heat levels by 50% or more if necessary.
Microwave ovens can produce very dry heat which causes some types of plastics to leach chemicals into the foods they contain at higher temperatures; this is especially true for fatty foods like cheeses and meats because fats absorb chemicals easily.
Lastly, do not use any plastic containers without lids (like margarine tubs) in an oven that is used for food. Many of these types of containers are not meant to hold up under the high heat conditions of the oven and can melt or warp, creating a risk of burns when removing them from your microwave oven.
Microwaving plastics are generally safe but it pays to be careful with some microwaves hotter than others.
Be sure you know what type of plastic product you are microwaving before putting it in the microwave, so you don’t put yourself at risk for an unpleasant experience.
Check the bottom of the container; if there is no recycling symbol (three arrows in a triangle) on it then assume that it is made out of plastic (polyethylene terephthalate), which has been known to leach into foods when microwaved.
The safest type of plastic to use in an oven or microwave is (polypropylene), as it is the only kind that has been approved for heating food by the FDA. The problem with this type of container is that it doesn’t seal very well, which means that foods will leak out more often than they would from a Rubbermaid container.
Frequently Asked Questions
1: Is microwaving Rubbermaid harmful?
No. Microwaving Rubbermaid is safe for most types of plastic containers and lids, but there are a few safety tips that need to be adhered to prevent microwave accidents, such as burns and fires.
Make sure the container is vented before putting food in it; if it isn’t, reduce heat levels by at least 50% when cooking foods like cheeses or meats with fatty contents; and do not use any type of microwaveable plastic without a lid (I.E. margarine tubs), as these containers can melt under high heat conditions which may result in potential burns when removing them from the oven.
If you follow these simple steps while microwaving Rubbermaid, there should be no problems. Microwaving is generally safe and almost all types of Rubbermaid containers are accepted in the microwave oven. But it pays to be careful when using some microwaves that tend to heat up hotter than others.
2: Can I microwave a Rubbermaid storage container with a metal handle?
A: Not! Metal will spark in the microwave or oven and melt the plastic if you aren’t careful about how much time you leave your food cooking.
Always remove metal from your Rubbermaid storage containers before putting them into a microwave oven for any amount of time.
For best results, place food in Rubbermaid containers without lids, as these have been approved safer by the FDA for use in a microwave.
3: Why is microwaving Rubbermaid containers safe, but not the other way around?
This all comes down to what types of plastics are being used in food containers and lids. All types of plastic can be microwaved (with a few exceptions like metal), but certain types of plastics should not be put into your food oven because they may leach toxic chemicals into foods at higher temperatures.
4: Is it safe to put Rubbermaid in the microwave?
Yes. Rubbermaid is made out of plastic (polypropylene), which does not leach toxic chemicals at high temperatures and has been approved by the FDA for use in microwaves. Make sure to follow the safety tips listed above and you should be okay.
5: Can you microwave lids?
Lids are usually classed as ‘hard plastics’ because they don’t flex when pressure is applied, unlike Rubbermaid containers which do flex under flexion forces like finger pressure.
All types of Rubbermaid storage containers with lid handles (like margarine tubs) must be removed before microwaving them for this very reason; if a conventional hard plastic lid rests on top of your food during cooking it may melt and cause dangerous burns.
6: Does microwaving Rubbermaid products damage them?
Except for a few exceptions like lids, microwaving should not damage any Rubbermaid bin or container you purchase from the three major online retailers we sell our containers on.
You can even pop popcorn in your Rubbermaid storage container because it’s microwave safe (just follow the popcorn manufacturer’s instructions).
Never put anything other than food into your Rubbermaid, however; if it warps or melts then get rid of it right away to avoid causing accidents that could end up hurting yourself or others!
If you want to be 100% sure about whether a product is microwaveable before purchasing, look at the bottom of the container and see if there’s a recycling symbol (the number ‘5’ in a circle) with the word ‘microwaveable’ or just a regular recycling symbol. If you aren’t sure, don’t risk it and get in touch with the manufacturer if possible.
7: How long can Rubbermaid products last in the microwave?
Rubbermaid is designed to be safe under extreme temperatures, even those found in an average household oven but this doesn’t mean that every container is going to make it through unscathed!
The following guidelines should help determine whether or not your food will retain its quality after being microwaved with Rubbermaid containers.
- Small, thin plastic containers are most likely to warp or melt from direct contact with heating coils. These include fish food containers, hot sauce bottles, small condiment cups, and any other container that is not microwave safe. Avoid using these around the oven unless you want to buy a whole new set for yourself!
- Plastic bowls can also warp if microwaved without an oven mitt because they retain heat well even after being taken out of the oven. If you’re putting some soup into one of these types of vessels before popping it into the microwave, always put on your oven mitts first before handling it, or else it will burn your hands!
- Bowls/ containers made of thicker plastic, such as Rubbermaid Tupperware or containers that are designated to be microwavable, should remain intact even if they get hot.
- Plates/ bowls made of ceramic can also stand up to being placed in the microwave but may crack if they get cold and then hot again because this transition puts a lot of stress on them. This should only happen if you drop dishes while washing them or put them in the sink with boiling water for a long time.
There is no hard-and-fast rule for how long every Rubbermaid product will last in the microwave because it varies from person to person, but following these guidelines can help make sure that your food stays tasty and safe!
Conclusion
Can You Microwave Rubbermaid? The answer to the question is “it depends.” You can microwave Rubbermaid if it’s specifically designed for microwaves, but not all of them are.
For example, some items have metal handles which could cause a fire hazard in your microwave oven.
If you’re looking for an easy way to clean up after dinner or lunch on the go, give us a call today! We’ll be happy to help you find solutions that work best with your lifestyle and needs.
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