Written by Marijn
Edited on
24 June 2025
·
14:09
Can metal go in the microwave?
A microwave heats up your meal with electromagnetic waves. These waves create an electric field that's constantly moving. This creates friction between molecules and voilà, you have heat. When you place a metal fork in the microwave, it creates sparks, which causes a fire hazard. In this article, you can read which metal objects you can and can't use in the microwave.
Do not heat forks
When you heat your leftover macaroni with a spoon, there won't be a flame in your microwave. A spoon is big and thick enough to absorb the heat. A fork, on the other hand, collects the electric current at the ends due to its long and pointed shape. This creates sparks and ultimately forms a fire hazard. Stick to spoons, only when really necessary.
Metal oven racks aren't a problem
What about metal oven racks and baking trays for combi microwaves? These objects have a type of coating that can handle heat. This way, you can heat your food without sparks occurring and your microwave doesn't catch fire.
What else isn't allowed in the microwave?
In addition to metal objects, there are a number of objects that aren't entirely suitable for the microwave. We'll explain them briefly below.
- Aluminum foil and aluminum containers: the heat in combination with aluminum causes sparks and a clattering sound. This causes a short circuit in the appliance.
- Plastic polystyrene containers: sometimes, your takeaway meal comes in a polystyrene container. If you heat this up in the microwave, it releases harmful substances.
- Other plastic containers: there are many different types of plastic and not all of them are suitable for the microwave. That's why you should always check whether there's a 'Suitable for the microwave' icon on the bottom of the container. If this isn't the case, we recommend that you always put the food on a plate before heating it up.
Article by Marijn
Microwave Expert.
