If you need something more heavy duty than that, I’d just use a paper plate or other microwave-safe dishes, rather than layering many paper towels. So stick with just one, or if you must, two paper towels. I’ve read some anecdotal reports that if you layer 10+ paper towels in the microwave, the heat cannot escape as easily, and they will catch on fire. One Paper Towel Is Enough… Don’t Overdo It.Īlthough one paper towel is considered microwave safe, that doesn’t mean you can safely microwave a whole stack of them. So if you’ve chosen recycled paper towels for your kitchen, consider using something else to cover your food in the microwave. Whether it be tiny bits of plastic, metal, or something else, there’s more possibility for melting, sparking, and ultimately fire. The exact composition of recycled paper towels is less consistent and more likely to contain materials that are unsafe to microwave. If you moisten the paper towel, then you can drape it over the top of the container or over the top of the food, and it will stay in place better.Ĥ. ![]() Sometimes a dry paper towel will blow around in the “wind” of the microwave’s fan.The water turns into steam and finds its way into the food. But a moist paper towel draped over a bowl of leftovers can also help make sure it doesn’t dry out. I would personally recommend doing this with stuff like bread products (rolls, tortillas, pizza, sandwiches, etc). In some cases, wrapping your food in a damp paper towel can help prevent it from drying out.As far as fire prevention goes, it’s common sense that wet things are more resistant to catching fire.īut there’s a couple other reasons to dampen your paper towel, too: You May Want to Dampen the Paper Towel.įrom a safety perspective, there is no real need to moisten a paper towel to use it in the microwave. He microwaves a flat paper towel with no problem-but then he tries a crumpled paper towel, and it catches fire.ģ. The video below actually shows a fascinating case study of this. The reason is that the heat doesn’t dissipate as easily from a scrunched up paper towel. It’s safest not to fold, scrunch, or crumple the paper towel. This applies whether you’re putting the paper towel under your food or above your food. It’s safest to lay out your paper towel flat in the microwave. You don’t really want to be eating ink, do you? 2. “For optimal safety use white, unprinted materials.” ( source)Īnother issue with ink is that it can potentially bleed into/onto your food. The USDA makes this clear in their guide to Cooking with Microwave Ovens.Īfter they say that “most” paper towels are safe to microwave, they specify: It’s safest to microwave plain white paper towels, rather than ones with printed designs. 6 Things to Know Before You Microwave Paper TowelsĪlright, are you ready to become a paper towel genius? Let’s dive in… 1. Using a damp paper towel provides additional benefits by rehydrating your food.īelow, I’ll lay out the 6 things you should know if you’re planning to microwave with paper towels! I’ll also share lists from the USDA on which other materials can and cannot be microwaved. Also, you should avoid folding, crumpling, or layering the paper towels. The USDA recommends using plain white paper towels rather than printed ones. Paper towels are generally considered safe to microwave. That said, paper towels are safe to microwave, aren’t they? One time, I had to carry a smoking microwave outside because I tried to make popcorn in a brown paper bag. Unfortunately, I know this from experience. Paper products can catch fire in the microwave. 4 Ways to Use Paper Towels in the Microwave
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