Enjoying a hot beverage in the winter time only to have it turn cold long before you are finished drinking can be a frequently occurring, irritating experience. Luckily, with the help of a microwave you can make that drink hot again in seconds. But is this always a good idea and are all mugs microwave safe?
Most ceramic mugs and glass mugs are safe to put in the microwave. Metal mugs and mugs containing any metal components should never be microwaved. Some plastic mugs might also be microwave safe but it’s best to avoid microwaving plastic due to the toxins it can release.
It can be confusing to know whether or not a mug is microwave safe if it doesn’t explicitly say so on its label. With all the different materials that can be used to make a mug, it isn’t guaranteed to be safe to use in the microwave even if it is ceramic. Today we will provide you with the info you need to know which types of mugs and brands are microwave safe and tips on how to verify that yourself.
How Do You Know if a Mug Is Microwave Safe?
The surest way to know if a mug is microwave safe is if it is stated outright on the mug’s label or the packaging it came in. As mentioned before, ceramic is a generally safe material for the microwave, however, there are many other components that can make a mug unsafe to put in the oven. The type of ceramic and the color and application of the glaze can affect its compatibility with a microwave.
A common way to test if a mug is safe is to fill it with water and put it in the microwave for one to one and a half minutes. If the handle is hot to the touch and impossible to grasp then the mug is not the best for use in the microwave. This test can be used even on mugs that are deemed microwave safe because even those may overheat up to a point that can cause burns.
Glass mugs, while not as common as ceramic mugs, are generally safe for use in the microwave if the glass is thick enough. Be aware that certain types of glass can burst under high heat. To avoid this, you can do the test from above for only a minute and if the glass remains cold and the water inside is hot then it is safe for the microwave.
Anything containing metal should never be put in the microwave because the metal may spark and cause a fire.
While many plastics are deemed microwave safe they could release harmful toxins into your food or drinks and may even melt if the plastic is too thin. It’s best to avoid microwaving plastic unless it’s specified by the manufacturer as microwave safe. Even then, the microwave-safe label just means that no damage will occur to the mug and there’s no risk of sparking but it does not provide a guarantee that any harmful substances from the mug won’t reach the food.
Is It Safe to Put a Travel Mug in the Microwave?
A lot of mugs designed to take beverages to go are made of or include metal components so it is not advisable to microwave these types of mugs. Others are made with a double wall of ceramic which should not be put in the microwave because it could crack.
The best option to avoid the issue of needing to reheat something in a travel mug is to get one that keeps liquids hot. These types of mugs are generally made of metal but their heat-retaining design should keep you from encountering the dilemma that would lead you to the microwave in the first place.
Why Do Some Mugs Get Hot in the Microwave and Others Don’t?
Some mugs, mostly those with darker colored glazes, have a high level of a metal called manganese which causes the mug to heat up more. Lighter colored glazes won’t have this problem but that doesn’t mean every white ceramic mug is microwave safe.
The quality of the ceramic object is important. Cheaper made, bisque ceramics tend to be thicker and absorb more heat. Higher end ceramics like porcelain generally don’t have this same problem and are microwave safe if they have no metallic detailing.
The application of the glaze can also affect the way that the mug heats. Poorly or unevenly applied glaze will let in moisture that causes the mug, especially its handle, to heat up a lot. This can also happen with age and frequent use. If the glaze starts to crack then it also starts letting in more moisture which leads to overheating.
Are Starbucks Mugs Microwave Safe?
Starbucks is pretty much the supreme ruler of coffee in America so it’s not a surprise that they manufacture a lot of their own mugs and that there are a lot of coffee lovers out there who collect them but are all their mugs microwave safe?
Any ceramic Starbucks mug without a metallic finish in its design is safe to use in the microwave but you should always make sure the label at the bottom of the cup confirms this. Since many of the collectible Starbucks mugs have intricate illustrations on them it could be easy to miss some metallic coloring and it’s not advisable to microwave a Starbucks mug unless it’s labeled as safe.
The reusable Starbucks travel mugs that resemble their single-use cups are marked as not microwave safe. Why is this the case if most of their other mugs are microwave safe? Well, these mugs are double walled which can cause heat to get trapped and crack the mug.
Are IKEA Mugs Microwave Safe?
Ikea is definitely the most popular one stop shop for furnishing and supplying your home with everything that it needs including a large selection of kitchenware. The company is known for their quality yet affordable home goods which seems to include their mugs but are they microwave safe?
The answer is yes, Ikea mugs are microwave safe. While the 20 or so models of mugs that Ikea offers are made from a variety of materials, most are made from Feldspar porcelain which is meant to be a more resistant and durable material than that which most other average mugs are made of. Ikea also offers four different types of mugs made from tempered glass which are also microwave safe.
The only Ikea mug which is not officially deemed as microwave safe is their travel mug.
Are Redbubble Mugs Microwave Safe?
Redbubble is an online shop where any artist can provide artwork to be printed on a number of different items. This means that you can get yourself a mug with a design from your favorite independent artist. This makes redbubble an interesting and exciting place to get unique mugs but what is the quality of these mugs and are they microwave safe?
Yes, Redbubble mugs are generally microwave-safe but you might run into the problem of the handle getting hot after a lot of use and frequent microwaving. They are run of the mill ceramic mugs and deemed microwave-safe according to their label so the same rules apply as to most of the other mugs discussed here. There seems to be no reports of microwaving affecting the art work on the mugs which would probably be the biggest concern in a product like this.
Redbubble travel mugs, much like most travel mugs mentioned in this article, are not recommended for use in the microwave.