In everyday life, we use saran wrap frequently to seal leftovers, meat, fruits and vegetables. And when you need to reheat leftovers, it’d be so much more convenient if you can put the saran wrap with the food.
However, is it safe to put saran wrap in the microwave? Can you microwave saran wrap?
Well, it depends. Unfortunately, there’s no definitive answer to this question. Read on to learn more.
Types and Characteristics of Saran Wrap
The saran wrap on the market can be broadly divided into 4 categories, according to its material and manufacturing process:
- PE (polyethylene) saran wrap
- PVC (polyvinyl chloride) saran wrap
- PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride) saran wrap
- PMP (polymethylpentene) saran wrap
The PVC saran wrap can be used to seal low-temperature and room-temperature food with low-fat content only, such as vegetables, fruits, and eggs. That is to say, it can’t be in contact with leftovers, meat, seafood, and more.
And the PE saran wrap is the most common saran wrap available. It can be used to seal meat, leftovers, fruits, and more. However, it’s not recommended to put PE saran wrap into a microwave.
As to the PVDC and PMP saran wrap, they are good for most occasions. They can withstand high temperature from 140℃~180℃. And most microwave-safe saran wrap available today are made of these materials. However, it’s not safe to use it in a convection oven.
Can You Microwave Saran Wrap?
There are saran wraps on the market that are considered safe to put in the microwave by FDA. The microwave-safe saran wrap is far superior to ordinary saran wrap in terms of heat resistance and non-toxicity.
That is to say, this type of saran wrap can be safely used in the microwave, and will not cause health hazards.
The best way to know whether the saran wrap is safe to be used in a microwave is to verify the microwave safety symbol.
Therefore, if you’re going to use the saran wrap in the microwave, look for the “MICROWAVE-SAFE” label on the saran wrap package.
How to Safely Use Saran Wrap in the Microwave?
Ahead are the precautions you should take for safely using saran wrap in the microwave:
1. When cooking foods with saran wrap, don’t let the saran wrap come in contact with food directly.
There are fats and oil in the foods, and the fats and oil may respond to PVC or plasticizers when heated. And then, you could take in toxic substances along with the food.
Therefore, it’s recommended to put the food in a bowl and then seal it with saran wrap. In this way, food and saran wrap won’t come in contact directly.
2. Use a fork to make a few holes on the saran wrap after it sticks to the bowl.
The small holes can help release the humidity emitted by heating food, and hence your dishes would taste better. Also, it would help prevent the expansion of gas and make the saran wrap burst.