Is It Safe To Use Aluminium Foil In The Microwave?
Can We Use Aluminium Foil in Microwave Ovens?
We’ve all heard it countless times: don’t use metal pans and bowls in the microwave. But the question still lingers about whether aluminium foil can be used in microwave ovens. It’s a common kitchen dilemma that leaves many of us confused.
Aluminium foil is a type of metal, but it’s very thin and flexible. Using it in the microwave can sometimes lead to dangerous situations. The intense heat from the microwave can cause problems. So, is aluminium foil microwave-safe? The answer is not a simple yes or no.
Have you ever wondered why your microwave manual says not to use metal, but then you see some foods wrapped in foil? The truth is, while it’s usually a bad idea to use aluminium foil in the microwave, there are some ways to do it safely. By understanding how aluminium foil works and how microwaves heat food, you can learn how to use it without any risks.
Let’s explore how you can safely heat your food in aluminium wraps and understand why it’s usually a no-no.
How Can Aluminium Foil be Used in Microwave: Safety Measures
The microwave and aluminium foil pairing raises lots of questions and opinions. Since microwaves use high-powered energy in the form of radio waves, the food cooks quickly and conveniently. The inside body of the microwave is reflective, and the radio waves bounce around the food at a frequency that allows water, sugar and fats to absorb them, but not metal, plastic or ceramics. Metal being reflective causes the waves to bounce back to the microwave, causing damage to your microwave oven and not heating the food in your metal pot. While the thin aluminium sheets do not have the power to reflect, they rather consume the strong radio waves completely and catch on fire.
So, how can we use aluminium foil in microwave safely? FDA guidelines unfold certain safety measures and instructions on using aluminium foil without igniting or risking damage to the microwave. Let’s understand how can aluminium foil be used in microwave:
Keep the Foil Smooth
It is easy for aluminium foil to get wrinkled on slight folds due to its highly ductile nature. But get a fresh piece and ensure that the foil is smooth and brand new without any crinkles or jagged edges. Since the crumpled foil can be hazardous and lead to fire sparks in the microwave.
Layer it
The aluminium sheets are thin and prone to catching fire. It is recommended that you use at least more than two layers to make a thick shield around your food. This ensures safe cooking. Also, check that you aren't covering up any vents, light or other parts of the microwave's interiors.
Keep it Away from Edges
Ensure that the foil does not touch the walls and roof of the microwave; maintain a distance of at least 1 inch while keeping aluminium foil in a microwave oven. Use food in smaller dishes or plates so that the substantial gap is maintained.
Do not Cover Completely
When using thin foils of aluminium in microwave oven, it is important to note that your food should not be covered more than 25% to make your aluminium foil microwavable! Since metal reflects the radio waves, it bounces around, causing damage to the microwave.
Short Durations
Ensure that you are using the foil-covered food in the microwave for no longer than 30 seconds. This gives ample time to heat the food without risking the components of the microwave or increasing the likelihood of arcing.
Use in Small Pieces
If there are parts of the food that you do not wish to overcook, use a tightly wrapped small portion of aluminium foil on it and avoid loose and hanging shreds of aluminium as it could lead to arcing.
Metal Turntable and Shelf
There are microwaves with metal turntables or metal shelves; in that case, one must completely avoid using aluminium foil in a microwave oven. The shelves, turntables and foil both have metal properties, resulting in extra metal and, thus, too many reflective radio waves, harming the functionality of your microwave.
Understanding Key Concerns and Hazards of Heating Aluminum Wrapped Food In Microwave
There might be serious consequences for treating your aluminium foil just like another microwave-friendly container. The microwave-safe containers do not harm your oven, but the aluminium does. It increases the potential of arcing, making electricity bounce between the foil and metal walls of the microwave, rendering it unusable. Understand the consequences of adhering to the accurate usage of aluminium sheets listed below.
Radiation Leakage
If the microwave gets prone to continuous arcing, it can not only damage its walls or ceilings but can also result in radiation leakage. The harmful electromagnetic waves escaping out of the microwave can cause serious negative health effects.
Electrical Damage
Since we now know well enough how keeping aluminium foil in microwave can cause arcing, it is crucial to understand that the arcing damages the electrical components of the microwave, making it redundant to use.
Fire
Arcing may also result in flaming the aluminium foil in case of serious conditions. This causes fire inside the microwave.
Conclusion
As we come to the end of understanding the components and properties of aluminium foil, you must be aware of how to use your foil wraps safely in the microwave oven. Even though aluminium foil is a remarkable metal when it comes to great cooking and heating, taking a balanced approach is highly advised.
However, you must limit the usage as much as possible since there might be circumstances where using aluminium foil in a microwave oven can be highly risky like your microwave interior made of metal parts that you aren't aware of or you somehow forgot to leave 25% of your food uncovered by the foil. Therefore, it is crucial to be attentive with your aluminium foils.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can we reuse the aluminium foil after microwaving?
It is recommended not to. If you notice any damage on the foil, like teary edges, holes or burned patches, get rid of it immediately. Using damaged aluminium foil in microwave ovens can result in sparks or health issues.
Can the aluminium foil create sparks even in the ovens?
Most likely, aluminium foil does not catch fire in regular ovens as it creates heat rather than radio waves. Thus, the temperature in the oven does not get too high to result in sparks. However, you must avoid putting foils in the oven broilers or self-cleaning ovens.
What is the best alternative material to aluminium foil for microwaves?
When planning to cover food in a microwave apart from aluminium foil, you can go for safe alternatives like Microwave-safe plastic containers, which are specifically designed for microwaving. You can also use glass bowls and parchment paper that do not reflect waves and safely heat your food.
