Solo cups are so helpful at parties. They come in many colors, but the red ones are the most popular. They are lightweight and disposable plastic. Thus, you don’t have to stress about cleaning up after the party. Some wonder if red solo cups are microwave-safe.
Their plastic is sturdy besides being disposable. Thus, some people reuse them. However, the number 6 plastic that makes solo cups is hard to recycle, although it’s cheap to produce. Only a few companies dedicate their efforts to recycling solo cups. Therefore, you can collect them and give them a call, and they will collect from your home address.
You can’t microwave red solo cups. They melt under extreme heat and will melt within a few seconds in the microwave. Thus, you’ll need to clean up the mess and lose your drink. If you take it out before it melts, it could have leached harmful chemicals into your beverage.
Why They Are Called Red Solo Cups
Solo Cup Company has been making disposable plastic utensils since 1936. The brand grew in popularity and now tops disposable plastic markets. Therefore, you’ll barely miss solo cups at parties. Most of the time, they would be red.
The most common type of solo cups is the red plastic ones. However, you can find other types as follows;
- Clear solo cups are best for colored beverages. They help you identify your drink faster.
- Red solo cups fall under the colored solo cups category. You can find them in red, green, blue, and pink. They are common at parties and especially in party games.
- Insulated solo cups keep your drinks cold for a long time. They are common in outdoor events when people want to keep their drinks cold.
- Reusable solo cups are made of aluminum or stainless steel. Although the material is different, they maintain their design.
How To Tell if a Solo Cup is Microwave-Safe?
The easiest way to tell if a material is microwave-safe is to check for the ‘microwave-safe’ label. If you don’t find it in words, you can check the three waves mark at the bottom of the vessel. If the cup has no marks, you should never put it in a microwave.
Another way is to pour water into the solo cup. Microwave it for about 30 seconds. If the water gets warm and the cup is still cold, then you can microwave the cup. However, it would help if you were close to your appliance during the experiment. Check through the glass door. If the cup starts melting, remove it from the oven immediately.
Effects of Heat on Red Solo Cups
Number 6 plastic makes red solo cups. It has a low melting point, thus easy to mold. However, it’s hard to recycle solo cups. Constant disposal of the cups can cause an environmental mess.
Most plastics are not suitable for microwaves. They melt at about 338 degrees Fahrenheit (170 degrees Celsius), with red solo cups having even lower melting points. Solo cups become soft when you pour hot drinks into them.
The plastic that makes solo cups contains phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA). They leach into foods and drinks when subjected to high temperatures. Therefore, solo cups are unsuitable for hot drinks as you are likely to consume the toxins.
Plastics degenerate when subjected to high temperatures. Since solo cups have a thinner plastic than reusable cups, you might suffer burns if you don’t hold your drink with care. The red solo cup may also chip, crack, or break with constant heating and cooling.
It will melt if you leave the solo cup for several minutes in the microwave. You might damage the microwave or even explode. If your device survives, you’ll have trouble cleaning the mess.
Safety Measures when Microwaving Red Solo Cups
Even after warnings from several sources, people may still choose to use red solo cups in a microwave. Thus, they need some safety measures to ensure safety when reheating their beverage.
Test if your solo cup can withstand the microwave. Thus, toss it inside the microwave when empty. If it doesn’t melt after 30 seconds, then you can use it to heat your drink for 30 seconds. Avoid heating water in a red solo cup. The water heats up quickly and will deform your red solo cup before 30 seconds are over.
It’s safer to use high-quality plastics in the microwave. They have higher melting points, and some are microwave-safe. You can check the microwave-safe mark in any plastic before using it in a microwave.
Alternative Materials for Microwaving your Beverages
There are several materials you can use in a microwave. Instead of risking consuming BPA and phthalates, you should use microwave-safe materials.
Glass
Glass is a common microwave-safe material. It neither reacts to microwaves nor leeches harmful chemicals to your food. Pour your drink into a glass before microwaving.
Pyrex
Pyrex is a type of glass that makes measuring cups. It’s safe to microwave like other glass materials. However, it would help if you did not leave it inside the microwave for as long as it may shatter. Also, do not place it in cold water after reheating your drink. The sudden change in temperatures may crack it.
Ceramic
Ceramic makes most coffee mugs in the market. The material can withstand high heat in the microwave. Also, it doesn’t leach chemicals into your beverage.
Porcelain
Porcelain is also a microwave-safe material. You can reheat your drink in a porcelain cup without fear of consuming toxic chemicals. However, the decorations on the cup (if any) may deform after reacting with microwaves.
Paper
Some papers are microwave-safe. Before you use a paper cup, you should check for a microwave-safe mark or sun a microwave test. Toss the paper cup in a microwave and switch it on for about 30 seconds. If the paper doesn’t smolder or change color, then it’s safe to reheat your drink. Don’t use waxed paper in the microwave, as the wax will melt.
Materials with Microwave-safe Mark
The universal method to identify a microwave-safe material is checking the mark. You can find the mark in materials you never thought could go in a microwave.
There are plenty of microwave-safe plastics on the market. They are thick and have the waves mark at the bottom. Some will even have a removable sticker when new.
Some companies make microwaveable stainless steel. However, it would help if you were cautious when microwaving steel.
Silver and gold are also safe to microwave. However, gold-plated cups may have a thin film that may not protect the non-microwavable metal inside. Take caution when using gold-plated cups.
Related:
- Silent Microwaves Reviews
- How many watts does a microwave use
- Can you put stainless steel in the microwave?
Conclusion
We’ve cleared doubts about whether red solo cups are microwave-safe. It’s safe not to use red solo cups in a microwave. They have a low melting point and may create a mess in your microwave. The spills can even damage your entire device.
Red solo cups contain BPA and phthalates. They are a health hazard when you consume them. Thus, before reheating, you should pour your drink in microwave-safe cups like glass, ceramic, porcelain, or microwave-safe plastic. If you lack an alternative, you can microwave for a few seconds to warm the drink. However, you’ll expose yourself to harmful chemicals.