Can You Microwave Wooden Plates? Is it safe to cook wooden plates in the microwave? That’s the burning question on most people’s minds. Well, the answer is not as clear and simple as you may think. This article will take a look at whether you can put wooden plates in a microwave oven and how to do it safely (if it is possible).
Why Wooden Plates Are Popular In The Kitchen?
Wooden utensils are popular these days. They are made of natural wood materials, so they have a natural flavor and are food safe. They are durable and beautiful. They can be used to replace conventional tableware. They can be used to cook, heat, and serve various foods in different ways. It is suitable for home use and restaurant decoration.
Honeycomb wooden plates are made of natural wood, so they have a natural wood fragrance, freshness, and health. The texture of the wood makes the food more delicious than that of other tableware. The unique texture of the wood releases a soft luster under the light, which is suitable for any occasion. Wood plates can be used in restaurants, hotels, and homes, which is conducive to changing people’s lives and aesthetic tastes.
Wooden pallets are environmentally friendly and recyclable, which is also an important factor in people’s choice of tableware. The environmental protection policy is becoming more and more strict, so people like to choose healthy products for themselves and their families. The wood plate has become one of the healthy products that people like most now.
- Wooden plates do not contain toxic substances or chemical substances that affect human health when heated or cooked with food. The carbon content of the tableware is a few parts per million, which is safe for use and does not contain artificial additives.
- When heating or cooking, wooden plates have high thermal conductivity, so the temperature of the plate surface can be well controlled, making food more delicious and easier to digest.
Can You Microwave Wooden Plates?
The answer is… maybe. It depends on the type of wood and how it was made.
Using a microwave to heat your food always involves some risk. Any material that goes in the microwave will get warmer than its surroundings — sometimes much warmer. That kind of uneven heating can cause damage to your microwave, and even start a fire. It’s not worth the risk to use something that might cause problems.
So, if you’re going to use a wooden bowl or plate in the microwave, make sure it’s safe first!
The Hidden Dangers Of Putting Wooden Plates Into A Microwave
1. It’s a fire hazard.
Body: It has been warned that there is a serious fire risk if you put wooden plates into a microwave. The wood acts as an insulator, trapping the heat generated inside of the plate, increasing the temperature until it reaches the point of ignition.
2. It could damage your microwave.
Body: Separate from the fire hazard, using wooden plates in the microwave can actually damage your microwave. The wood will absorb some of the electromagnetic energy, and when that energy converts to heat inside of the device, it can cause serious damage.
3. It can be unsafe for food.
It’s not just dangerous for your home appliances, but also for you and your family. As well as potentially causing burns from hot spots in microwaved food, it can also cause harmful chemicals to leach into food from plastic-based materials used in many wooden plates today.
Tips To Maintain Your Wooden Plates
1. Do not soak plates in water
Soaking wooden plates can lead to discoloration and warping. Even soaking them for a short time can stain the wood. If you need to remove tough food from your plates, such as dried-on sauce or cheese, dip an old toothbrush in warm water instead of soaking the plate and gently scrubbing off the debris.
2. Use mild dishwashing liquid to wash
Dishwashing liquid is designed to cut through grease and grime without damaging your dishes, but not all detergents are suitable for use with wooden plates or other wood products. Look for dishwashing liquids that are labeled “mild” or “gentle” and do not contain any caustic chemicals. Avoid any kind of abrasive cleaners, such as powders or scouring pads — these can scratch the surface of your wooden plates and leave permanent marks behind.
3. Allow your wooden plates to air dry before putting them away.
This will help prevent cracking and help the wood retain its natural luster. Experienced woodworkers recommend letting your wooden plates air dry for an entire day before putting them away. This will allow the wood to expand and contract freely, thus lessening the chance of warping or cracking.
4. Hand washes wooden plates
If it’s not too dirty and you don’t mind a slightly damp plate, simply rinse under warm water and dry with a towel. Otherwise, use mild soap and then thoroughly rinse with water. Make sure to dry immediately after washing or it could cause the wood to crack or mold because of the moisture.
5. To deep clean, wipe with mineral oil and lemon juice.
For tough stains like coffee or tea, Miller suggests using lemon juice and mineral oil — let the stained area soak for several minutes before wiping clean. You really shouldn’t have much trouble with staining with the addition of lemon juice.
6. Use bamboo steamers with metal racks as a liner
This will help keep wooden plates away from the heat source and protect your plate from warping while you steam them.
7. Do not store wooden plates in plastic bags or containers when not in use.
This can dry out the wood and cause it to warp. We do not recommend leaving your wooden plates outside in the elements (such as on your patio) for extended periods of time. Instead, keep them inside in a cool, dry place when you’re not using them.
8. Sand down scratches.
To help eliminate scratches from your wooden plates, rub some sandpaper across them and clean with a damp cloth afterwards. You can use sandpaper with various grits, depending on how deep the scratch is. If you have very fine scratches, use a fine grit paper and for deeper scratches, use a coarse grit paper.
Can Wooden Plates Store Hot Dishes?
Whether you can store hot dishes in wooden plates depends on the type of wood used in the manufacturing of the plate.
If it is a wooden plate made from ‘any’ type of hardwood, you can safely store hot dishes in them.
Hardwood is a dense wood that is less susceptible to heat and water damage than its more porous counterparts (softwood). And because hardwood plates are less likely to be affected by heat and water, they are also less likely to warp or crack.
Only avoid storing hot dishes in wooden plates that are manufactured from softwood or pasteboard.
Softwood is less dense than hardwood and much more susceptible to heat and water damage that can cause warping or crack. Softwood contains sap and will release toxins when heated. This is not a problem for eating cold food from wooden plates, but for hot food, it becomes dangerous because some people are allergic to such substances and may experience anaphylactic shock. In addition, the heat causes the wood to expand and crack, which is also unsafe.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the answer is yes. You can microwave these wooden plates. However, the exact temperature for this is not documented. It is important to note that microwave exposure is dependent on many contributing factors like the material being microwaved and the length of time it is being microwaved for. To be on the safe side, microwave these plates at a very low temperature for a very limited duration.
