Table of Contents
Introduction
Using food wrap to preserve and pack food is becoming increasingly popular. Moreover, most of us have a habit of reheating food in the refrigerator with the microwave to save cooking time. However, can you microwave saran wrap? Please read the article below!
Can You Microwave Saran Wrap?
The answer is yes. With the role of protecting and sealing food, food wrap can be used under normal conditions in the refrigerator and can also be used in the microwave.
However, not all types of food wrap can be used in the microwave. This is something that everyone needs to understand when using food wrap. If used incorrectly, food wrap will bring you many health dangers.
According to Food Safety and Inspection Service – USDA(FSIS), It would be best if you only used the food wrap that the manufacturer has marked on the outside of the package as “Microwave-Fridge Safe.” If the food wrap you buy doesn’t have any notes about using it in the microwave, you must not use them to put them in the microwave.
Additives added when manufacturing saran wraps, such as DEHA and DEHP, will turn into hazardous substances that are dangerous to human health and can easily be released into food when exposed to high temperatures.
Therefore, the food wraps used in the microwave need to ensure that no additives are easily melted or degraded when exposed to high temperatures.
Does Plastic Wrap In The Microwave Cause Cancer?
Many people mistakenly believe that using plastic wrap will cause cancer, but it also depends on the type of wrapper you use. As for food wraps that are not intended for use in the microwave, you absolutely must not wrap them to reheat them in the microwave!
Even for the wrappers that can be used in the microwave, we also advise not to use them for too long to avoid the high temperature of the food causing the film to melt and stick to the food.
How To Microwave Saran Wrap In The Right Way
After answering the question “Can plastic wrap go in the microwave?”, you need to know how to microwave it. Every step is safe and simple if you pay attention to a few points below.
- Do not leave food covered with film in the microwave for too long: Although some types of food wrap can be used in the microwave, if the time in the oven is too long, it cannot guarantee that the toxic substances will not melt, contaminate the food, and cause harm to health.
- Limit contact between food wrap and food: The minimum distance between the wrapping film and the food is 2.5 cm, do not wrap the movie too close to the food to avoid chemicals being contaminated with food, especially water.
- Pay attention to temperature and time: Food should not be left in plastic wrap for more than two minutes and at temperatures higher than 150 degrees F.
How Long Can You Microwave Plastic Wrap?
With the low power level, you can reheat food with cling film in 20 minutes. However, with a power level as high as 150 degrees F, you should only leave it for about 2 minutes maximum. Otherwise, the plastic in the wrap will cause side effects that affect your health.
Which Types Of Food Should Use Saran Wrap?
There are several types of food that are recommended to be wrapped with Saran wrap when using the microwave, including:
- Foods with high moisture content such as vegetables, fish, and poultry.
- Foods that tend to splatter or pop such as bacon, sausages, and popcorn.
- Foods with sauces or gravies such as pasta dishes, casseroles, and stews.
Wrapping these foods with Saran wrap can help prevent splattering, retain moisture, and ensure even cooking. It is important to use microwave-safe wrap and to leave a small vent to allow steam to escape during cooking.
Conclusion
To ensure your family’s health, choose food wraps of clear origin, the best quality, with no signs of deterioration or mold, and should not be cheap, regardless of the quality of the wrapper. We hope the above article provides sufficient information about “Can you microwave saran wrap?”.