Ever since the invention of microwaves, life has become a treat. We no longer have to go through the hassle of constantly stirring and changing temperatures for our food to get heated up because microwaves can easily get it done within a few seconds. But there is still much confusion regarding its usage. People frequently enquire about the compatibility of a microwave with materials such as stainless steel.
So, can you put stainless steel in the microwave?
No, the most recommended and safest option is not to put stainless steel in the microwave. Stainless steels work just like metals, and metals do not absorb and instead reflect microwaves which can cause sparking or even fire. This is especially true when stainless steel containers have complex shapes and sizes.
But microwaves are themselves made with metals so, the above answer might be a little baffling to you. But don’t worry, we will discuss precisely below to give you a clearer picture.
Compatibility of microwaves and stainless steel
Before we get into the relationship between microwaves and stainless steel, we need to understand how a microwave works. So, when a portion of food is heated in the oven, microwaves, a type of radiation, are produced. These radiations are then absorbed by the food inside, making it possible for them to heat up. The waves are basically absorbed by the fats, sugar, and water content of the food.
Furthermore, for these waves to remain confined within the oven, microwaves have metal walls inside that reflect the waves and do not let them pass outside.
So, when we put food contained in a plastic or ceramic container in a microwave, its sugar, fats, and water content easily absorbs the waves and heats up. It is because materials like plastic or ceramic do not absorb heat, and the radiation passes directly to the food atoms. But, when you put stainless steel inside, the scenario becomes completely different.
Stainless steel is a kind of material that contains chromium oxide on its surface which prevents any oxidation and corrosion of the steel. Moreover, stainless steel acts very similar to metals. This means they do not absorb the waves, but instead, they reflect them.
Under such circumstances, the food inside a stainless steel container does not get the chance to absorb the heat evenly, resulting in cold food. Also, the metal-like characteristics make the waves unable to pass through the dense surface of electrons in the metal, which leads to electrons getting charged up, building electrical currents. These electrical currents are then released as sparks or crackles, which can ultimately result in fire, causing damage to the entire system.
So, very clearly, stainless steel and microwaves have a complicated relationship, which is better left unbothered.
Is stainless steel strictly prohibited?
Although the above-stated reasons clearly recommend not to put stainless steel in a microwave, they are not strictly prohibited. But that will solely depend on the shape and size of the product.
Shapes and sizes matter because when the container is flat and thin and does not reach the sides of the microwave, it can be safely used for heating but not for too long.
But if the container is shaped like a fork or knife, do not use them. It is because of the sharp edges. When sharp edges are present in a product, electrons tend to move up to its corners and create an arc, which can cause sparks and crackles.
Hence, you need to be very careful while using stainless steel. However, there are still high chances of the oven getting damaged under unknown circumstances. Therefore, it is best to not use one at all.
