If you landed on this page, you probably want to know if you can microwave bamboo bowls/plates?
Today, I am going to answer that burning question with this short guide.
You will learn why bamboo plates, bowls and utensils should not go in the microwave.
With that said, let us get right into it.
Can You Microwave Bamboo Bowls?
Bamboo is extremely durable, however most manufacturers recommended that bamboo bowls or plates should not be microwaved. The way the microwave heats things up can cause significant damage your bamboo bowl or plate, which will shorten the overall lifespan of the product.
What Happens When You Microwave Bamboo Bowls/Plates?
Bamboo fibre products are extremely durable, this is why you will often find that bowls or plates will not break easily.
With such durability, they should be microwave safe right?
Unfortunately, bamboo containers react similarly like when wooden bowls are microwaved. They will dry out and eventually crack, which reduces the products lifespan.
Let’s us take a deeper look at what happens when you microwave bamboo bowls or plates.
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1. Dry Out
The microwave works by heating water molecules. While bamboo has very little water content, the, what little moisture that is found in bamboo containers can easily dry out when microwaved.
This will eventually cause them to crack and become unusable.
This is why it is recommended that bamboo containers should be oiled when used regularly, so as to prevent over-drying.
2. Warp
Aside from bamboo plates and bowls drying out, there is a possibility that they could warp.
Depending on how they are made, the glue that holds the pieces together could be heated in the microwave, which would cause it to melt, resulting in warped plates or bowls.
A couple of people on Twitter found out the hard way why it should not go in the microwave.
How to Serve Hot Food in a Bamboo Bowl/Plate?
Ideally, if you do want to enjoy warm food in your bamboo bowl, the guys at hunker.com have a recommendation.
On their website, they state “Don’t use a bamboo bowl in the microwave; instead, heat food in a microwave-safe container and transfer it to the bamboo for serving.”
Despite the durability of bamboo containers, they should only be used to serve slightly warm foods, not ones that are steaming hot like soups or stews.
These bowls are prone to cracking or warping and will become unusable when exposed to extreme heat.
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Wrapping it up
As you can see, if you are looking to keep your bamboo bowl or plate for a long time, then do not put them in the microwave.
Most manufacturers warn against microwaving these products and you should follow their instructions if you want to not destroy your items.
With that said, I wanted to hear from you.
What did you think of this article? Did it answer your questions? Was there anything you wished was included?
Let me know by leaving a comment below.
