I have used different brands of bowls in my cooking career, and Ikea is simply one of my favorite. I like the way that they are lightweight and durable. I also like how they stack together, which makes them easy to store.
There are plenty of things you can do with an Ikea bowl. Some people use them for mixing up ingredients for baking. Some people use them to serve food when hosting a party or just when they are having friends over.
But one question that many people have is, can you microwave Ikea bowls? And will they hold up in the heat?
Can You Microwave Ikea Bowls?
Ikea has a wide variety of bowls products made from different materials. All of these bowls are microwave safe as long as they are made of feldspar porcelain, tempered glass, stoneware, or polypropylene plastic. However, bowls made of thin glass, metal, or zip lock bags are not safe to put in the microwave.
Although Ikea bowls made from 2020 onwards are microwave safe, it might not be the case with older Ikea bowls. If you have some old IKEA ceramic bowls that date from long ago, like the 1950s or 1960s, it’s best to err on the side of safety and not microwave them.
This is because old IKEA bowls might have a different composition and were made using different techniques from the current ones, which make them less likely to hold up in the microwave.
Another thing you should be aware of is that Ikea bowls made of polypropylene plastic might warp or melt when heated more than 212 degrees Fahrenheit. You want to keep this in mind when heating these bowls to avoid any accidents.
Some people may also be concerned with the possibility of BPA leaching into the food when heating the bowls in the microwave. But luckily, this is not a problem with Ikea bowls as they are all BAP-free, according to the Ikea website.
What Materials Are IKEA Bowls Made Of?
The most common material for IKEA bowls is Feldspar porcelain. It is fired at high temperatures (around 1400 °C) to create a durable material that is resistant to chipping and cracking.
Bowls made from porcelain are often white or off-white in color with a slightly greyish-blue tone. The body has a high percentage of glass phase, which gives the porcelain its beautiful translucent quality.
Other materials that IKEA bowls are made from include bamboo, metal, glass, stoneware, and polypropylene plastic.
How Do I Know Which Ikea Products are Microwave safe?
The easiest way to find out if an Ikea product is microwave safe is to look for the Microwave safe symbol or instructions on the packaging or underside of the product.
Additionally, the Ikea website also provides a comprehensive list of all of their products and whether or not they are microwave safe. If you’re unsure whether a product is microwave safe, the Ikea website is a great resource.
Usually, those two are enough to figure out if your Ikea bowl is safe for microwaving. But if you’re still unsure, there is one manual test you can do to make sure your Ikea bowl is microwave safe.
How To Manually Test Your Ikea Bowls
It’s easy, and it’s an experiment that anyone can do at home. All you need is some water, the Ikea bowl in question, and a microwave-safe glass measuring cup.
Here’s the step-by-step guide on how to do it:
1. Fill a Microwave-Safe Cup with Water
When you’re testing an Ikea bowl to see if it’s microwave safe, you can do so by putting it in the microwave with a cup of water.
Fill a glass or cup that is microwave safe three-quarters of the way with water. Make sure to use a cup that you know to be safe for microwaving, or else the test may not work.
To be sure, you may want to use a cup that you have successfully used in the microwave before.
2. Place the Ikea Bowl with Cup of Water and Microwave It
After you’ve filled the cup with water, place the Ikea bowl and the cup next to each other in the microwave. Microwave both items together on high power for one minute.
3. Remove and Observe Results
After a minute, take both the Ikea bowl and the cup of water out of the microwave. Be careful not to touch either the water or the bowl with your bare hands, as they will be hot. Use oven mitts or a potholder to handle them.
Then, place your hand on the dish in question to feel how warm it is. If the bowl stays cool, you can confidently use it in the microwave. However, if the bowl is warmer than the water, it is not safe for the microwave.
What Are the Dangers of Using Non-Microwave-Safe Dishes in the Microwave?
Different non-microwave safe materials may pose different dangers when used in the microwave because of their specific reactivity to heat.
The most common danger that arises in the use of non-microwave-safe dishes in the microwave is that they can absorb the energy that the microwave is emitting, and in the process, become much hotter than the food you heat in them, to the point where it can burn your hand or even fracture.
Another danger that can arise from microwaving non-microwave-safe dishes is that they can melt and deform due to the heat generated by the microwave. This is especially likely to occur if the dish is made from a plastic or foam material.
What’s even more dangerous about using non-microwave-safe dishes is that they can start sparking and even catch fire. If you have a dish that contains any kind of metal, whether it’s thinly spread or in large chunks, you’re definitely want to avoid putting it in the microwave because of the fire hazard.
Final Thoughts
Believe me, when it comes to microwaving, you don’t want to take any chances and end up making a mess in your microwave. It’s best to play it safe and always stick with the materials that are traditionally known to be microwave-safe such as ceramic, glass, and stoneware.
Looking for more information on microwaving other Ikea products? Check out our other articles on microwaving stoneware and mugs from Ikea!
