Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

pubs.acs.org

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

51–60 of 320 posts

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#51

Post by gumby »

GTP wrote: post #13

It was already known that some kinds of plastic release microplastic particles when heated. I assume this is why we have some plasticware that is labeled as being suitable for microwave oven usage, but at quick glance at the abstract doesn't seem they considered this difference. It would be interesting to know the amount of micropastic released by "microwave suitable" plastic vs common plastic.

"microwave suitable" just means "this won't melt if you put it once into the microwave".

Almost as bad as "flushable wipes" which technically can be flushed but should never be as they clog the plumbing and sewer systems. By the same definition airpods and wedding rings are flushable too.

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#52

Post by reaperducer »

nervousvarun wrote: post #9
quaintdev wrote: post #5

Why we don't use glassware? It's perfect for food. 1. Easy for cleaning 2. Good glass container will look new for years with proper washing 3. It breaks. So it requires full attention of person handling it. We all want to live in present moment, don't we? Use glassware and you will be in the present moment more often ;)

Maybe I'm in the minority but we (and everyone else we seem to interact with) use pyrex.

The problem with modern Pyrex and similar glassware is that it usually comes with a plastic lid.

I'm with you in that I only use glassware to store food. But it's a bit annoying to have to put a little plate on top of the Pyrex as a makeshift lid in the microwave.

My wife has an extensive collection of vintage Pyrex with lids, but she doesn't trust they're microwave safe.

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#53

Post by gumby »

renox wrote: post #16
avidphantasm wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed. I haven’t microwaved food in plastic for 20+ years. It just always seemed gross. My biggest beef with plastic containers is that once washed with cheap dish soap (e.g. Dawn) the plastic container and any food stored in it always an forever smell and taste like the fragrance in the soap. I don’t find this to be a problem when using 7th Generation dish soap, which I consider to be far superior.

Microwaved plastic is obviously something to avoid I agree but what I would like to know is what happens on plastic plates in washing machine?

Well they will shed tons of microplastics and the placticisers will gradually leach out due to heat and the harsh dishwasher soap. That eventually destroys your plastic stuff, but the stuff shed goes down the drain and becomes someone else's problem (except you'll get some back when you eat fish, for example).

The same thing happens with your clothes, which these days include a lot of plastic fabric, buttons, etc.

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#54

Post by KoftaBob »

dekken_ wrote: post #20
nailer wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Put your lunch onto a plate and pop a bowl on top of it to prevent spillage. Ceramic doesn’t react.

or put the food in a bowel and put a plate on top of it ;) this, and microwave heating longer on low is my go to for consistent temps

The food ends up in a bowel at the final step, you're getting ahead of yourself! :)

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#55

Post by dcormier »

jb1991 wrote: post #23
andrewstuart wrote: post #21

Slightly off topic but I threw out all my pots and pans with non stick surfaces. Nothing will convince me it’s safe to cook food to high temperature on whatever that chemical coating is. And after a while you notice the surface is wearing away…. where is it going? Into you and your family. All my pots and pans are stainless steel.

Cast iron is also a good material and great for cooking. A nice complement to your steel collection.

Carbon steel is nice, too. The pans made from it are often lighter than cast iron, which is a nice perk.

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#56

Post by reaperducer »

gumby wrote: post #41
nervousvarun wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe I'm in the minority but we (and everyone else we seem to interact with) use pyrex.

Dishes marketed under the Pyrex name are no longer borosilicates. The brand name was sold off (and in fact the company that bought it was recently discussed in HN as they also bought Instant Pot, and have gone bankrupt).

Dishes marketed under the Pyrex name are no longer borosilicates.

They're still glass (tempered soda–lime glass), which is what the OP was talking about, so you're just being needlessly pedantic without adding anything to the discussion.

Also, Pyrex is still borosilicate in Europe, since soda-lime is hard to get there.

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#57

Post by jalk »

nervousvarun wrote: post #9
quaintdev wrote: post #5

Why we don't use glassware? It's perfect for food. 1. Easy for cleaning 2. Good glass container will look new for years with proper washing 3. It breaks. So it requires full attention of person handling it. We all want to live in present moment, don't we? Use glassware and you will be in the present moment more often ;)

Maybe I'm in the minority but we (and everyone else we seem to interact with) use pyrex.

What do you cover the containers with? The plastic covers that comes with pyrex doesn't seems to be anything special.

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#58

Post by buu709 »

LoveMortuus wrote: post #19
quaintdev wrote: post #5

Why we don't use glassware? It's perfect for food. 1. Easy for cleaning 2. Good glass container will look new for years with proper washing 3. It breaks. So it requires full attention of person handling it. We all want to live in present moment, don't we? Use glassware and you will be in the present moment more often ;)

1. Cleaning doesn't really change much if it's plastic or glass. 2. With proper care, I agree, they'll look new/good for many years. Plastics can too, but to a lesser degree. 3. It breaks. 4. Glassware usually costs more. 5. Knowing that I can't break the tub of food that I have in my bag just because I accidentally dropped my bag, releases me of a lot of stress and worry. Don't get me wrong, I do agree that plastics…

If you just go for the cheapest anyways, why are you buying containers at all? I'm in a position that I can afford whatever containers I like, and I use glass for anything that'll be reheated but use plastic for freezing. We re-use butter/yogurt/sour cream containers, and after 2-3 uses toss them in the recycling.

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#59

Post by cubefox »

jb1991 wrote: post #23
andrewstuart wrote: post #21

Slightly off topic but I threw out all my pots and pans with non stick surfaces. Nothing will convince me it’s safe to cook food to high temperature on whatever that chemical coating is. And after a while you notice the surface is wearing away…. where is it going? Into you and your family. All my pots and pans are stainless steel.

Cast iron is also a good material and great for cooking. A nice complement to your steel collection.

What's the difference compared to steel?

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#60

Post by kevincox »

moffkalast wrote: post #8
quaintdev wrote: post #5

Why we don't use glassware? It's perfect for food. 1. Easy for cleaning 2. Good glass container will look new for years with proper washing 3. It breaks. So it requires full attention of person handling it. We all want to live in present moment, don't we? Use glassware and you will be in the present moment more often ;)

Some of us do use it. It just has the slight problem of weighing 200 tons which makes it mildly impractical for anything but use at home.

On the other hand I find that they tend to close tight and be robust. So they are great for throwing in backpacks. Without care most plastic containers will flex and pop open. The weight isn't much issue for one or two containers in a backpack. Health concerns aside a sturdy plastic container would likely be the best option here, lighter and more durable (think Nalgene bottle quality) but those are very hard to find.
Post reply on HN