Can you microwave a styrofoam cup

Microwaves have been around for decades and are known for making kitchen work — namely heating food — much simpler than it was in the past.

However, due to health concerns, you may wonder what types of containers are best when it comes to microwaving your foods and beverages.

This article reviews whether you can microwave styrofoam, if doing so is safe, and precautions you can take.

Styrofoam is a term that’s trademarked by The Dow Chemical Company. It refers to a type of polystyrene foam that’s commonly used in the building industry (1).

However, in some countries, such as the United States and Canada, the term is often incorrectly used to refer to a type of expanded polystyrene foam that is injected into molds to make disposable take-out containers, plates, coffee cups, and packaging peanuts (2, 3).

These containers are popular because they’re cheap and act as a good insulator, meaning they keep foods and beverages warm.

Though polystyrene containers were popular in the past, they have slowly been banned in several cities in the United States, such as San Francisco and Seattle, due to environmental and potential health concerns (4).

Environmentally, the containers do not decompose easily and are difficult to recycle. Also, animals may mistake them for food and eat them (3, 5, 6).

From a health perspective, they contain a compound called styrene, which has raised some concern, as it has been linked to cancers in animal and human studies (7).

Summary

Styrofoam is incorrectly used to refer to polystyrene foam containers that are commonly used to serve warm beverages and food.

There is some concern about microwaving polystyrene foam containers.

One key reason is that they contain a compound called styrene, which human and animal studies have linked to cancer (7, 8, 9).

In addition, when foods or beverages are microwaved in containers made from polystyrene or plastic, substances used in manufacturing may leak into the food. This especially applies to fatty foods, such as meats and cheeses (10).

However, it’s important to note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates plastic and polystyrene containers, cups, and plates and tests their safety and use in microwave ovens (11).

That means any polystyrene or plastic products that have the microwave-safe label have been tested for safety in the microwave.

On the other hand, avoid microwaving food in polystyrene containers that are not labeled as microwave safe, as their safety is not assured. This precaution is not specific to microwaves and also applies to other heating methods.

Summary

You can microwave foods or beverages in polystyrene containers that are labeled microwave-safe. Conversely, avoid putting polystyrene containers without microwave-safe labels in the microwave.

If you are concerned about heating food in a polystyrene container, here are some tips to help you microwave food safely:

• Use a microwave-safe container. If you are using a styrofoam container, check to see if it has a microwave-safe label.
• Transfer food to ceramic or glass before microwaving. Alternatively, transfer the food into a ceramic, glass, or pyrex container before heating.
• Use the stove or an oven. Another way to avoid any potential risks is to transfer the food into a pot or pan to heat on the stovetop, or into a baking tray to heat in the oven.
• Check for scratches or cracks. Polystyrene and plastic containers that are old or have scratches or cracks should be disposed of, as they may leach potentially harmful chemicals.
• Vent the container before heating it. This prevents pressure from forming, causing food inside the container to explode.
• Carefully remove the container. Use mittens or gloves to remove the container after heating to avoid burning your hands.

Summary

The above tips may help you microwave or reheat your food safely. When microwaving, always use containers that are labeled safe for such use.

Avoid microwaving polystyrene containers that do not have a microwave-safe label, as their safety cannot be assured.

That’s because polystyrene containers contain a compound called styrene, which has been linked to cancer.

However, containers with a microwave-safe label have been tested and shouldn’t pose any styrene-related risks.

If you have any concerns, transfer your food into a microwave-safe ceramic, glass, or pyrex container prior to heating it.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure to learn more.

Microwaves have been making our kitchen work easier and faster since the 1960s. Even though reheating coffee in the microwave is much easier than the past, you may question if is it safe to microwave coffee in a Styrofoam cup? 

To provide you with a clear cut answer — traditional Styrofoam is not completely microwave safe, but microwaving coffee in a styrofoam cup ultimately depends on factors like type of material, heating time and power level.

The safety of the container is one of the main concerns when heating food and beverages in the microwave. Due to overwhelming health concerns, microwaving styrofoam can be dangerous and we need to think about which type of container is best suited for heating in the microwave.

Today, you can resolve all your queries through our article. So, before using a Styrofoam cup in microwave oven, here are all the details you need to know about it.

At first, you should know the fact that some kinds of Styrofoam coffee cups are safe to use in a microwave, as long as the disposable cup is properly labeled. 

So, the answer is a big yes. You can use Styrofoam cup in the microwave and heat your coffee if it is labeled as microwave safe. 

In addition, you need to check the heating temperature and time. Set the power level temperature to medium and nuke for 30 seconds or less to maintain safe standards. Styrofoam coffee cups can melt in the microwave oven at a certain point, but sticking to these safety measures will significantly reduce the risk.

Styrofoam and polystyrene foam containers are perfect to keep the hot food hot and cold food cold. But if you want to put these in the microwave then you need to know a few important details before proceeding. 

There are two distinct types of Styrofoam coffee cups available:

• Traditional Styrofoam: If you use regular styrofoam to store or transport food, then it is perfectly fine. But if you heat regular styrofoam cups too much, then it will start to melt and also break down. It can leach the toxic chemicals into your food and will pose threat to your overall health. So, you should avoid nuking traditional Styrofoam as best as you can.
• Microwave-safe Styrofoam: This is a newer kind of alternative material that is made with safer materials. Microwave safe styrofoam lowers the risk of chemical levels that can create a hazardous effect. The standard is FDA-approved, so you can feel safer about using this type in a microwave. This specific type is designed to remain stable even at a higher temperature. So, you need to be more careful at the time of buying Styrofoam coffee cups to check for products that you can safely use in it the microwave.

Is it safe to microwave coffee in Styrofoam cups?

Yes, using microwave proof Styrofoam coffee cups in the microwave is safe according to FDA approved standards. However, you will have to be cautious about the heating temperature and timing. 

Before heating, it is important to check the label of the disposable receptacle to make sure you are using a cup that is certified as microwave safe. 

You should not put the coffee cup in the microwave for a long period of time on high heat. The recommended power level is medium heat to reheat your beverages in microwave, especially when using Styrofoam coffee cups.

You should also know the fact that Styrofoam is a type of polystyrene foam that is mostly used for industrial purpose. Styrofoam coffee cups are cheap, lightweight and can act as good insulator as well, so they are widely used in commercial food service. 

It can keep your food and beverages warm for extended lengths of time. The Food and Drug Administration sets the microwave safety standards that are measured and regulated for safe use.

By now, we all know that Styrofoam is a cheap alternative to disposable cups to serve coffee. But if you are worried about the safety measures, then you have no worries. Styrofoam is safe in the microwave and you can heat your coffee in those cups when using microwave safe styrofoam.

How long can you microwave styrofoam coffee cups?

As you are already aware, Styrofoam is the cheapest option in the market and that is why it has become quite convenient for the average retailer. 

Do you regularly microwave coffee in Styrofoam cups? If this is the case, then there are a few precautions to be aware of, including how long you can safely nuke the styrofoam cup.

Start by setting the power level to low or medium temperature, and use less time for heating the disposable cups in the microwave. However, you will have to put these cups in microwave oven for less than 30 seconds at a time. 

You should not nuke styrofoam coffee cups for a long time. It is not at all safe because they can melt, leach harmful chemicals into your hot beverage or possibly catch fire.

Apart from this, a cup of coffee will not take too much time to heat. So, you do not need to heat these cups for a long time.

Tips to Microwave Styrofoam Coffee Cups:

You can safely use Styrofoam cups to heat coffee in the microwave. But for that, you need to follow these important safety tips:

• Select microwave-safe styrofoam cups to reheat coffee in the microwave. This factor is very important and you cannot ignore this fact at all. You should buy the microwave-safe Styrofoam cups and transfer the food or beverages into those cups before reheating in the microwave.
• Set the microwave power to a medium power level. The high temperature setting can damage the Styrofoam cups and it can also release the toxic chemicals into your hot beverage. Therefore, increasing the potential of a negative effect on your health. So, you need to set the medium level of temperature.
• Nuke for 30 seconds at a time. Styrofoam cups in the microwave for less than 30 seconds. The lightweight material is not designed to withstand intense heat for lengthy amounts of time.
• Do not reheat Styrofoam coffee cups more than once. It is recommended to only reheat hot drinks one time in a Styrofoam cup.

Microwaving Styrofoam Coffee Cups: Final Thoughts:

The specifics recommend that you only use microwave safe styrofoam coffee cups, medium power level and heat for 30 seconds at a time. Furthermore, you should only nuke the disposable receptacle one time to preserve the integrity of the material.

Apart from this, you need to check the cracks, pithing and leaks before microwave coffee in a Styrofoam cup. If you notice there are any kinds of holes, leakage and cracks then you should no longer use the container in the microwave or even for normal use as well. 

Styrofoam coffee cups are disposable, cost-effective and lightweight. It is also convenient to use these cups and the insulation properties help to keep hot drinks warm for longer amounts of time. 

Styrofoam is the trade name of polystyrene foam materials, which are widely used for housing insulation. But you will have to be careful at the time of buying and you should select microwave-safe Styrofoam cups if you intend for use in the kitchen appliance.