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Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

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Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#81

Post by moffkalast »

kevincox wrote: post #60
moffkalast wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

For travelling I think something like a stainless steel food jar makes more sense since it's light, has an even more robust screw seal, and is easier to hold when eating. Not as cheap though.

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#82

Post by eljimmy »

reaperducer wrote: post #52
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.

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.

Why not use a paper towel?

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#83

Post by hnlmorg »

reaperducer wrote: post #52
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.

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.

There's plenty of places that sell glass dishes with glass lids. I hadn't even heard that plastic lids were thing until I read your post so had a look on Amazon and even on there it seemed to be ~50/50 mix of plastic and glass lids.

You don't need to go vintage either. The Pyrex dish I bought around 5 years ago, to replace another Pyrex dish that I accidentally dropped, came with a glass lid. And the set it was replacing, which was maybe around 10 to 15 years old, had glass lids too.

As for being microwave safe, I thought the whole point of Pyrex dishes were that they could be thrown in the oven, microwave, under a grill and pretty much everywhere? Or does this vintage set have visible signs of age, which makes you concerned?

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#85

Post by robbiep »

jalk wrote: post #57
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.

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

That’s silicone - and (after a quick fact check) essentially inert biologically

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#86

Post by swsieber »

yetihehe wrote: post #80
danielbln wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a daily Aeropress user, I wonder if I should maybe switch to something else. Thoughts?

As aeropress user for many years, I don't think there's noticeable amount of microplastics coming from it, paper filter would also help with filtering out ANY debris. But, now microplastics are even in air you breathe, coming from anyone using artifical fibers near you.

> As aeropress user for many years, I don't think there's noticeable amount of microplastics coming from it

How does one notice microplastics? Do you notice microplastics from anything?

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#87

Post by jb1991 »

cubefox wrote: post #59
jb1991 wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

The main reason I like it is beacause after it is "seasoned", or after some regular use, it has a lot of the qualities of non-stick yet has none of the chemical coating.

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#88

Post by adrian_b »

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.

Borosilicate glass is much less heavy.

Unfortunately, borosilicate glassware is more difficult to find, so even if I would like to use it exclusively, besides some borosilicate items like teapots, double-wall glasses for hot or cold drinks, glass vessels with glass lids for microwave cooking, I still use other heavier items made of tempered glass, e.g. bowls, other sizes of vessels for microwave cooking and rectangular vessels with glass lids for storing food in the refrigerator.

You are right that I normally do not carry food away from home in tempered glass vessels and this is the only purpose for which I use polypropylene boxes, but when I have a borosilicate vessel of suitable size I do not hesitate to use it. Even if it is not so light as PP, the weight is manageable.

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#89

Post by ClumsyPilot »

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).

> discussed in HN as they also bought Instant Pot, and have gone bankrupt

For the past 15 years there has been a trend of private equity buying brands and destroying them.

Why does this keep making them money? What is this "failure capitalism"?

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#90

Post by wheels »

helpfulmandrill wrote: post #76
wheels wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most folks that cook a lot don't use non-stick pans much anyway because they just don't last very long. I keep a couple around for eggs and pancakes, but that's it. The usual recommendation for skillets is carbon-steel and cast iron because the seasoning does provide some non-stick properties. I have the full gamut with carbon steel, cast iron, non-stick and stainless steel, and find myself mostly leaning on the carb…

I tried carbon steel but I couldn't get the seasoning right, and it flash rusted every time I washed it. Also, to someone used to non-stick or stainless steel, it often looks kind of dirty - its difficult to distinguish between "good but unattractive seasoning" and "you didn't wash your pan well enough".

Weird. I've never had carbon steel rust at all. I suspect you're cleaning it too intensely in an attempt to get what you perceive as dirtiness out. The checkered seasoning is kind of a badge of honor for cooking nerds. Here's what mine look like:

https://imgur.com/a/IdtnjLL

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