Q&A for How to Test if a Dish Is Microwave Safe

Metal, styrofoam, ceramic, and chinaware with metal trim should never be microwaved. Some plastic materials can be microwaved, but many of them cannot. It's important to read the label on the bowl before putting it in the microwave if you are unsure.

Most glassware is safe to use in the microwave. The exception is glass with metallic paint or glaze or metal rims. If you're not sure about the type of paint or glaze, avoid microwaving that dish. If you don't suspect metallic paint or glaze, you can test perform the microwave test with a glass of water and see if the bowl heats up.

No, because they can get ruined in the microwave.

Nothing actually happens, unless you use it in the microwave. It then may break or may melt.

With stoneware, it's best to err on the side of caution. If it doesn't say microwave safe, don't use it in the microwave. The major concern with stoneware is the possibility of lead glaze, which can leach into the food if heated in the microwave.

Gryphonware is the trademarked name of the dishes and cookware manufactured for Dollarama. Most of these items are made from china, porcelain, or stoneware. While these materials are generally safe for the microwave, there is no way of knowing what kind of paints and glazes have been used on the items. So unless there's a microwave safe label on the item, it may be best to avoid microwaving it.

Things like paper plates and glass plates usually are safe unless they have a special coating on them (which most do not). Steel bowls cannot go into the microwave. You can also try putting a description of the item into Google and see if you can find out that way.

The ones that aren’t contain leaf glaze and metals. Generally try to find the “microwave safe” sticker and test it out with a 3/4 water test.

In that case, you can use a microwaveable plate and fill that with water. Follow the instructions and you will know if the mug is microwave safe or not.

For the most part, they can be.

There are a few things it could be. For one, it could be burnt sugar or burnt on food. Things like sweet potatoes expel sugary juices when cooked, and these can scorch quickly in the microwave. Another thing it could be is dirty water leaking out from cracks in the glaze. If the dish is made from stoneware, it will absorb water through these cracks, and the possibly expel the water when microwaved. Remember if the dish gets hot in the microwave, it's not meant to go in there.

Generally, the dish will have a mark on it that confirms it can be placed in the microwave. Often it says "Microwave safe." If in doubt, leave it out and use a dish you're sure is microwave safe. See the steps in the article above for a full explanation.

Probably. Try it with the mug/water. If it's still hot after that, then no.

Metal blocks and bounces microwave energy, so it is not a good idea to microwave an aluminum plate. At best, this results in cold spots, as it shields food, and in hot spots, as it refocuses energy. These hot spots can be dangerously hot. It is not unusual for metal items in a microwave to generate sparks, and even start fires.

No, you will ruin bone china crockery with metallic trims by microwaving it. The metallic rim will leave white spots where the silver/gold melts or otherwise comes off. Don’t do it. Also, the bowl will be too hot to touch after one minute but the food will only be mostly warm.

If anything in the microwave sparks do not use it, because it can cause fires, and damage the microwave, and/or item.

Not if they have a lead-based glaze. Test it first. If the cup gets hot during the test, it is not microwave-safe.