Wet the plastic container first, as the interaction between the microwave's heat and water is what causes sterilization. Place the plastic container in a microwave on high power for approximately two minutes. Be cautious as both the dishwasher and microwave can melt plastic.
To sterilize plastic containers and lids:
Soak in hydrogen peroxide (3%) for about 10-15 minutes, give them a quick rinse and leave them out to dry in a clean environment. Or, spray with isopropyl alcohol (70%) and leave to air dry in a clean environment.
Is it safe to sterilize jars in the microwave? Yes, it's safe to sterilize jars in the microwave. However, it's not the safest or most effective method of sterilizing jars. This is because, as the internal temperature of a microwave is hard to measure, it's less reliable than using boiling water or an oven.
Use glass, ceramic and plastic containers and plastic wrap that are labelled as microwave safe. Always follow the instructions on the label when you use microwave-safe containers to heat food. Never heat or store food in plastic containers that were not intended for food.
It's a bad idea to heat food in plastic.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), microwaving food is generally safe. However, microwaving in plastic containers is associated with increased leaching — the transfer or leaking of chemicals into food.
This study has shown that representative fungi, viruses, and aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, including spore formers, can easily be killed in a conventional microwave oven with proper modifications. Metal instruments, including air turbine handpieces and burs, and acrylic dentures can be sterilized in short periods.
To sterilize water, keep it boiling.
If you're boiling water to purify it, heat it in the microwave long enough to kill the microorganisms. The Centers for Disease Control and the Environmental Protection Agency recommend boiling the water for at least one minute, or 3 minutes at altitudes above 6,562 feet (>2000 m).
Yes, water can be boiled in a microwave using a microwave-safe container.
Rinse them with vinegar.
After washing your containers with hot water and dish soap, fill them with white vinegar and let them sit for at least three minutes to remove icky, lasting smells. Then, pour out the vinegar and wash again with soap and water.
It's not a really good idea to store vinegar in plastic containers. Vinegar is acidic, so it will eat away at your container until there is a hole.
The plastic and glass surfaces on most small kitchen appliances, such as blenders, coffee makers, and toasters, are safe to clean with vinegar, but you want to avoid any rubber parts or metal that vinegar can corrode. This includes stainless steel.
The FDA has received reports of serious skin burns or scalding injuries around people's hands and faces because of hot water erupting out of a cup after it had been over-heated in a microwave. Over-heating of water in a cup can result in superheated water (past its boiling temperature) without appearing to boil.
Water temperature must be at least 180°F, but not greater than 200°F. At temperatures greater than 200°F, water vaporizes into steam before sanitization can occur. It is important to note that the surface temperature of the object being sanitized must be at 160°F for a long enough time to kill the bacteria.
Boiling the water kills microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or protozoans that can cause disease. Boiling makes the tap water microbiologically safe. How long should I boil the water? Bring tap water to a full rolling boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using.
It is important to remember that microwaves don't kill bacteria unless the food is heated long enough. Microwave cooking can be uneven just as with frying and grilling.
The disadvantages of microwave irradiation are from its limitations and preparation. Although it can sterilize just as much and some cases even a wider variety of materials, this procedure can only sterilize a limited amount of materials at a time.
Sterilise easily, anywhere
The microwave steam steriliser can be used to sterilise baby bottles and other products in just 2 minutes, killing 99.9% of germs and bacteria. The exact length of the cycle depends on the wattage of your microwave. 2 minutes at 1200–1850 W, 4 minutes at 850–1100 W, 6 minutes at 500–800 W.
If you're going to microwave food in a plastic container, it's best not to use the plastic lid. The concentration of steam that will be produced in a covered container raises the internal temperature of the container even further, which can lead to more leaching of chemicals into your food.
It's always better to reduce exposure if you can! Microwaving BPA containing plastics resulted in release of some BPA, though not exceeding the established safe level. Studies show that exposure to low doses of BPA could have effects on human health, particularly during early stages in life.
Exposure to BPA is a concern because of the possible health effects on the brain and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children. It can also affect children's behavior. Additional research suggests a possible link between BPA and increased blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Antimony can be leached from water bottles made of PET plastics. The rate of leaching is low at a storage temperature of 25°C. However, at temperatures of 50°C and above, antimony release can occur very rapidly.
According to Tupperware, plastic Tupperware can go in the microwave as long as it has the microwave safe Tupperware symbol. The Tupperware microwave safe symbol looks like 3-5 wavy lines, and you'll find it on the bottom of your food storage containers.
No. Microwaving plastic bowls breaks down chemicals in the plastic and increases the level of toxicity released into foods—even those items labeled “BPA-free” or “microwave safe.” There is no such thing as a microwave-safe plastic dish. Glass food storage containers can be safely microwaved, but plastic cannot.