Last update on 2025-01-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I noticed that we have been using our microwave bowls more often than before since we are spending more time at home, because of the reasons we all know. I do not like to eat my leftovers cold and I get really grumpy when I am hungry. So, in order to not be “hangry” I just heat my food. So that got me thinking about how safe and healthy it is.
Nowadays heating our food in microwave safe dishes or bowls is more than an automatic thing to do. It is a necessity because of the number of things we have to do in our daily days. So, we do not want to spend time in the kitchen. Here I am going to tell you about the best microwave bowls we can use.
I am still trying to understand the whole thing about high radio frequency radio waves, but I know they are used in many aspects of our lives. We used them to watch TV, to talk on our phones, At hospitals and clinics, and at homes when we use the microwave bowls to heat or cook food. It has been proven their safety and what can be really dangerous is heating water or other liquids in the microwave because we can get burned severely if we are not handling things carefully.
What makes something safe to microwave?
We have to be careful with the types of bowls we use. If we are using plastic material, then we have to make sure they were made with the right material that keeps cool and does not leach our food.
We have to use the bowls that have the microwave-safe symbol, so we know it won’t heat up because there is no water in it.
Also, we have to use things that are not broken or ruined. Microwave safe dishes will melt neither with hot food on it nor in the microwave. And, very important, they won’t leave any chemical residues on our food. That is why we must take the lid off when heating our meals.
Also, we have to pay attention to the melamine bowls, since this material is not safe to use in a microwave because it may get damaged and its chemical may leach into the food.
Buyer’s Guide: How to choose the best microwave bowls.
There are four things we have to keep in mind when buying our bowls.
Material
I know that we all should know that there is something called BPA. But, I Didn’t. I just had assumed all bowls could be used in my microwave. However, I did some research and I found out that BPA is an industrial chemical that is used to make plastic resins and epoxy resins. For example, all grocery bags used to be made of this chemical.
BPA stands for Bisphenol A., and it is most commonly found in plastic packaging, bottles, some bowls and dishes, and lining of beverage and food cans.
Unfortunately, It is known as a hormone disruptor that has been somehow linked to many health issues in all human beings.
Fortunately, it’s been a while since many scientists have provided new formulas that have eliminated BPA from plastic containers, such as PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP, or PS. All of these resins do not contain BPA, nevertheless, there are companies that still use it on their products though.
So, every time we want to be sure that our microwave safe plastic is actually safe, we have to look for the ones that have “BPA-free” on the label.
Other excellent material for bowls is glass, ceramic or porcelain. Those are incredibly easy to clean and there are beautiful options, but they are breakable if not handled carefully.
Capacity
Well, if you are like me that loves eating, and by that I mean a big quantity of food on my plate,then, you will agree with me that we rather
have a big microwave bowl than a small one that makes me go and heat more food again.
Now, if you are not like me, then, you just buy a bowl with the capacity that suits you the best.
Functionality
This is the next thing to be considered. What else besides using it to heat food in the microwave can we use it for? There are some types of bowls that can be used as vegetable drainers or pasta drainers. There are others that can be taken to the office or to the park by attaching to them some handlers. They are really useful to mix salads, as well.
Shapes
We can find circle ones and round ones. But which ones are the best? According to studies the best microwave bowls shapes are the round ones or oval ones because the food gets evenly heated since the waves do not get trapped on the corners of the square ones.
How To Know If Plastic Bowls are Microwave-Safe?
When we want to know (and we should) if the microwave bowl we are using is “BPA FREE”, we can do two things. First, check with the company where the object was made and second and easier, see on the back of the dish or bottom of the bowl or dish what number it has.
The ones we can use are from 1 to 6, usually inside of the recycling symbol, but do not use the ones that have a “ 3 or 7”. If it is a 3, then we must not use it at all for things related to our food or health. If a 7 we won’t be able to figure it out since that number is considered as the reference for resin use, which can be BPA and Polycarbonate (PC) resin, which is poison to us.
Can the symbol BPA -free be changed after production?
No. Those BPA codes are embossed onto the bowls, containers and dishes during the manufacturing process. The symbol is embossed onto the mold so it cannot be changed in post production. In the United States it is required to have a “certificate of Compliance” identifying the resin used in the process. So the companies and people like you and me that have to use these kinds of products are and feel safe.
Top 5 Best Microwave bowls.
1. DOWAN Ceramic Mixing Bowls for Kitchen
Last update on 2025-01-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I love this set of 3 ceramic bowls because they are the right size for my necessities. As I told you before I like to eat a big amount of food at a time. I prepare my own food so I get to use a lot of my bowls not only to prepare it but also to serve my food, and so far they have not gotten scratches from me mixing things. It is really good to make all kinds of delicious salads with my favorite vegetable broccoli
They came in three different sizes. The big one is 9.3 x 5.2 inches and I used it to mix my ingredients. The middle one is 7.6 x 4.1 inches , and it is really useful to eat my pastas and, cantonese rice and soups. and the small one its 5.4 x 3.1inches and it is big enough for my kid to eat his cereal.
Pros
- No shape changes after many times of using them.
- No problem to store, since they are space saving
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
- Beautiful colors
Cons
- They have no lids.
- They can break.
- They can get chipped.
2. Microwave Noodle Bowl
Last update on 2025-01-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This bowl is perfect for me. First of all, because it is BPA free and second, because my boys love eating noodles, so, I save time cooking the noodles with chicken and veggies, then I just freeze three or four of those noodle bowls and my kids safely heat them any time they feel like it. Nor my kids or I have never burned ourselves when heating soup in them because their lids fit very well.
Pros
- You can heat on it.
- You can cook noodles in it.
- You can freeze food in it.
- It comes with a well fitted lid
- You can take them to work.
Cons
- You have to buy more than once at the time because they only have 32 ounces of capacity.
- You may get a color you don’t like.
3. Set of 4 Unbreakable Wheat Straw Fiber Bowls
Last update on 2025-01-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I feel so good with myself when I see my family eating from those beautiful and eco-friendly bowls. I bought them because they are made of natural biodegradable wheat straw which I think is great . They have non-toxic substances, and of course they are BPA free. I bought two sets of those because it is quite common that our family and friends come over, especially on birthdays and Christmas. They are really lightweight so I can carry them at the same time to the back yard which is usually where we end up gathering. They are 6 inches each. They are one of the best microwave bowls you can have.
Pros
- They won’t break.
- They are eco friendly
- They make your meal with friends time more special.
- They are 4.
Cons
- They can get scratches.
4. The Evelots Microwave Containers
Last update on 2025-01-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I don’t know you, but I always have to heat something small like a hot spicy sauce or some milk for my coffee, or some butter for a recipe, and the fact that this set of 5 colorful microwave bowls brings two small bowls is an advantage that makes everything easier. Also, they can be taken right from the freezer to the microwave. I remember once when I had frozen some leftover “chilli con carne” and a week later I just put it in the microwave and it was still delicious. I had no to worry about changing containers. Just taking out and putting in.
Pros
- All of them come with their lid.
- They have vented lids.
- They do not break.
- Can be frozen
- They come in 5 sizes.
- They come with a comfortable handle.
Cons
- Lids can be misplaced or lost.
- They can get scratched.
5. Zulay Kitchen Microwave Popcorn Popper Collapsible
Last update on 2025-01-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Truth is we bought this bowl to make a joke to my kid’s grandmother, because her name is Zulay. But it turned out to be such a really great popcorn microwave bowl that we bought one for us. It is collapsible so it does not bother our kitchen taking out space. And best of all it does not make a popcorn mess since it comes with a lid. We use it quite often and I found out it is ok for other regular heating, like rice.
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Easy to clean, no oil needed.
- Easy to store.
- Can bring it to other friend’s house.
Cons
- The handles get too hot.
Final Thoughts
When giving my opinion of which one of these 5 best microwaves bowls is best, I would say for sure that Evelots Microwave, Freezer Safe Bowls - 10 Piece Set - With Vented Lids and Handles - Soup Bowls, Ramen, Cookware, Food Container Microwave Safe - BPA Free Plastic are my winners for many reasons, despite the fact that they can get scratched. None of mine have gotten scratch but if I forget or in a hurry and use a metal fork I scratch the bottom.
Other than that, they are very practical; I can use them for heating or storing food or to freeze it. I can use them to prepare my favorite salads, or to mix recipes. I can take them from their handles.
I can leave the lid when heating food without worrying about possible mess inside because the lid comes with a vent that I can open when microwaving.
I really like the brightful colors and the material they used to make them is really sturdy and BPA free.
I can store them one inside the other if I am not using them, which I always am, so that is not a real issue.
If you want me to tell you which other is my favorite, it is for sure our Zulay Microwave Popcorn Popper - BPA-Free Silicone Popcorn Popper Microwave Popcorn Bowl - Collapsible Microwave Popcorn Maker - Family Movie Night Supplies - Red. It’s versatile and practical. Not only can I make popcorn in it, I can use it to heat rice if I want to. Its material is incredibly flexible but hard at the same time.
And I would also say that the DOWAN Mixing Bowls Set of 3, 4.25/2/0.5 Qt Ceramic Mixing Bowls, Easy-Grip & Stability Design, Mixing Bowls for Kitchen, Nesting Bowls for Space Saving Storage, Versatile for Cooking, Baking, Prepping are an excellent set to buy. They are 100% free of Chemical that damage our food and they are so easy to clean. They have the perfect size and colors.
As you know there is no accounting for taste, and between tastes and colors each head is a world.
Take care and enjoy your food.
