Can You Put Paper Cups In The Microwave? (Find Out Now!)
Paper cups are a convenient way to take your drink on the go. However, you may have heard that they aren’t suitable for the microwave. Is this a myth, or is this true?
It is generally advised to avoid putting paper cups in the microwave due to their plastic and wax coating. Brands like DIXIE and Natural Value have some microwave-safe paper cups, although they should only be heated in 1-minute increments. Never put Starbucks paper cups in the microwave, as the colored dye will leach into your coffee, making it toxic.
In this article, we’ll go over whether or not it’s safe to put paper cups in the microwave, which paper cups are the best option, and how to do so properly!
Is It Safe to Put Paper Cups in the Microwave?
Most paper plates can be microwaved, but what about paper cups? There are some key differences.
Some paper cups are safe to microwave for under 1 minute. Unlike paper plates, they are held together by glue that will melt if exposed to extensive heat. Additionally, many paper cups are coated in plastic or wax to make them more durable.
These coatings are often laden with harmful toxins that can either catch on fire in the microwave or run off into your food, making it unsafe for consumption. While a wax covering makes it, so your paper cup won’t get soggy, it’s not an ideal component for microwaving.
However, certain brands have the “Microwave-Safe” label printed on the bottom of their paper cups. These are the ones you want to keep an eye out for.
Can You Microwave Starbucks Paper Cups?
With the holidays right around the corner, who doesn’t want a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks? If your cup of Joe gets cold, it’s essential to be able to throw it in the microwave for a quick reheating.
Unfortunately, Starbucks paper cups are not microwave-safe. Due to the glue and coatings present, high temperatures can warp, melt, or damage the cup entirely. Before you know it, you’ll be out of a cup and your coffee.
Additionally (and especially during the holidays), Starbucks paper cups have beautiful designs on them. What this means is that the paper used to make them has been dyed.
Like wax and plastic, the dye used in paper cups is incredibly harmful when heated and can leak into your drink.
If you ever need to heat up your Starbucks drink, pour it into a microwave-safe cup first. Then, you can enjoy drinking it out of the brand-embellished paper cup!
Can You Microwave Paper Muffin Cups?
There’s really nothing better than a warm chocolate chip muffin in the morning.
Paper muffin (or baking) cups are perfectly safe to be used in the microwave, oven, and even pressure cookers. In fact, they’re designed to be! Most are coated with silicone or Quilon, and neither will run off into your foods.
Unlike paper cups, they don’t have any glue or plastic holding them together. Rest assured, nuking a muffin in the microwave with the wrapper on is a completely safe operation.
Paper Cups You Can Microwave
There are certain paper cups that can be microwaved or are deemed “microwave-safe.” Which brands carry these?
Here are 2 brands that have microwave-safe paper cups:
- Natural Value Microwave-Safe Paper Cups
- DIXIE Paper Cups (certain ones are approved for use in the microwave)
That’s really it- most paper cups are not recommended to be used in the microwave, so don’t try it unless you see a safety label.
How to Properly Microwave a Paper Cup
We have a few recommendations when it comes to microwaving your paper cups (should they be microwave-safe).
Here are some tips:
- Make sure your cup is explicitly labeled as approved for the microwave.
- Remove the lid (often, these are made of plastic and cannot be exposed to extreme heat).
- Only fill your liquid or solid up 60-75% of the way full to prevent spilling.
- Set your microwave on ‘low’ power.
- Nuke your paper cup for 1-minute or less. You can repeat this up to 3 times but never exceed a minute per session.
These guidelines allow you to use your paper cups in the microwave while keeping yourself and your kitchen safe!
Can You Put Paper Cups in the Oven?
Keep in mind that ovens are much hotter than microwaves, and they usually require your items to be inside for much longer.
You cannot put paper cups in the oven because the heat will cause the cup to catch on fire. Paper is a combustible material, and if it’s exposed to high temperatures for an extended period of time, it will ignite. The best way to prevent this from happening is by not putting paper cups in the oven at all!
That being said, as we discussed above, paper muffin or cupcake cups are designed for and are safe to be used in the oven. They don’t have the same coatings or chemical makeup that paper cups do.
If you’re looking for an alternative to using paper cups in the oven, consider investing in some reusable glass containers. They are structured to withstand the immense temperature of an oven and are able to transfer heat more efficiently.
Plus, they’re easy to clean and can be reused multiple times!
Related Questions
Can you put paper cups in the freezer?
Do paper cups hold up to extremely cold temperatures better?Not really- paper cups should not go in the freezer. The arctic temperatures are enough to degrade and even disintegrate paper.Chemical leaching also occurs in very cold climates. This will cause your food to be contaminated and unsafe for consumption, even when it thaws.
Are paper cups biodegradable?
If your paper cup is lined with plastic, like polyethylene, it is not biodegradable.There are, however, some types of paper cups that will degrade into the Earth. These cups are made of PLA, which is a natural corn resin that allows them to break down with the help of microorganisms and other components of soil.It’s best to recycle or toss your paper cups in an appropriate trash can to help eliminate debris on our planet.
Are paper cups safer than plastic?
Paper cups are generally better for the environment due to their biodegradability. Plastic cups can take hundreds of years to break down completely.According to recent studies, plastic makes up about 18% of the world’s trash, while paper only makes up around 12%.Overall, paper is the better option, even though most are still coated with some type of plastic. Reusable materials like glass or ceramic are your best bet!
To Sum It Up
Paper cups are a convenient and cost-effective way to serve drinks.
While most paper cups should not be put in the microwave, there is nothing stopping you from using them for hot beverages like instant coffee or tea! There are a few brands of paper cups that can be microwaved, but they should only be heated in 1-minute increments and not for more than 3 minutes total.
Never put a Starbucks paper cup into the microwave, as the colored dye will leach into your coffee and make it unsafe to consume!
Emily is a copywriter with over five years of experience in crafting content for the home renovation and remodeling industry. She loves house projects, whether it be painting a room or tweaking small design elements to transform a space. Her favorite aesthetic is french modern because of its clean lines and airy feeling! When not writing, Emily loves to travel and check out architectural details all over the world.
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