Tin foils or aluminum foils are everywhere. We use it to wrap food, pack, store, and whatnot. They are the go-to materials that we have known ever since our school days. But when it comes to microwaves, tin foils may not act as the same reliable sheets as usual.
We have always been warned about what to use and what not to use inside a microwave. And especially metals have always been on the blacklist. So, have you ever wondered what happens when we use tin foil in a microwave?
Can you put tin foil in the microwave?
The answer to that would be yes, but one should not. Tin foils are thin sheets of metal, so they are as dangerous as other metal containers, but if you follow proper measures, tin foils can be a reliable material. However, using them without caution can turn the whole picture upside down. This is true, especially when the foil is crinkled and has sharp edges. Because, similarly like other sharp metal objects, the sharp ends of a tin foil can also lead to sparks and fire that you would not want to face.
But tin foils are a basic material that one cannot avoid in their daily use. Therefore, if you are still confused about whether to use tin foil in a microwave or not, refer to the explanations below to help yourself make the right decision.
What happens when tin foils are put in a microwave?
First, let us try to understand metals and microwaves. Microwaves are appliances that have magnetrons that produce electromagnetic waves into the food cavity. These waves excite the water molecules in the food, which allow them to vibrate and produce heat.
So, when we use neutral materials like plastic or ceramics, the waves pass through them and enter the food molecules. But when it comes to metals, they reflect the waves like a mirror reflection instead of allowing them to pass through, the very reason why microwaves have metal inside them to keep the waves confined to enter the food. When this happens, the electrons start to charge up at the metal container’s surface, overheating it, and then causing arching when placed close to other metals inside the machine. Therefore, metals are rendered dangerous.
Now, coming to tin foils, they act similarly. But unlike other metal objects, tin foils are very thin and light. That makes them unable to properly reflect the waves, which means they heat up more quickly and catch fire faster. This is especially true when the foil is wrinkled. Electrons tend to move up to the sharp edges of the wrinkled foil and result in an arch, ultimately fire.
Therefore, tin foils are also rendered dangerous as other metal objects. However, as mentioned earlier, they can be safe if you adhere to proper measures as follows.
- Always use a foil container that is marked as microwave safe.
- Do not use wrinkled foils. Use smooth foils with fewer wrinkles to have a better experience.
- Never wrap the food with tin foil completely. Always leave a small opening for the waves to reach the food.
Hence, it is true that tin foils can be both a reliable and dangerous material when it concerns microwaves. However, if you are still not confident, it is better not to use tin foil for microwaving whatsoever.
