I was really excited when I got my new stoneware from Ikea. I had seen it online and was looking forward to using it in my kitchen, particularly for microwaving. It promises a fast and easy way to cook and reheat food in the microwave.
But then I started to worry: is Ikea stoneware truly microwave-safe or not?
You might have heard a story or two about stoneware getting too hot or even breaking in the microwave despite being labeled microwave safe. So, of course, I started to wonder if my new stoneware would break in the microwave.
I started looking online for answers from other people who owned the IKEA stoneware. I wanted confirmation that it is indeed safe to use for microwaving, and here is what I found.
Can You Microwave Ikea Stoneware?
All Ikea stoneware products are microwave safe, including food containers, bowls, glasses, plates, and mugs. They can also be used in the dishwashers for easy cleanup.
To make sure if your particular Ikea stoneware product is microwave safe, you will first need to look for a microwave-safe symbol that usually looks like a microwave with some wavy lines on it.
If you find this symbol on the underside or at the bottom of your product, you will know for sure that it is microwave safe.
If you can’t find the microwave-safe symbol on your product, the next thing you should look for is instruction or acknowledgment that your product is microwave-safe. Look for words such as “safe for microwave use” or “microwave safe.”
If you can’t still find both a symbol and a statement saying your product is microwave safe, you can also look up the specific effect on the Ikea website.
They usually have a page for each individual product, which you can click to see the product’s specifications, which might also include notes about the product’s compatibility with a microwave and other kitchen appliances.
Are All Stoneware Dishes Microwave Safe?
Stoneware dishes have been a popular choice for many households for years. The dishes are attractive and come in a variety of styles and colors. Some stoneware dishes are microwave safe, but many are not.
The major concern with using stoneware dinnerware and cookware in the microwave is the possibility of lead leaching into food when heated in the microwave. Lead is often used in glazes for decorative purposes on some stoneware dishes.
The stoneware dishes sold in the US are subject to the legal and safety limits of lead allowed in dishes, but the same can’t be said in other countries. Stoneware coming from other countries like China may not adhere to the same lead limits and can be dangerous to use.
Another issue concerning stoneware is that some stoneware may contain metals and other materials that absorb heat.
No matter how small or large the amount of metal present in the dish, it can make the dish very hot when heated in a microwave which can be dangerous for those who touch it or try to remove the dish immediately after microwaving.
Therefore, it’s best to err on the side of caution. If you can’t find a microwave-safe stamp or instruction on the stoneware product, don’t microwave it.
How Can You Tell If Your Ikea Stoneware Is Microwave Safe?
There were many stories about microwave-safe dishes turning out not to be safe. They melted, cracked, or be otherwise ruined when heated up in the microwave.
Some even leaked dangerous chemicals into the food, caused a fire, or damaged the microwave.
Not all dishes that are labeled microwave-safe are actually microwavable.
So, it’s a good thing to know there’s an easy way to test if the dishes you want to buy for your kitchen are really safe to put in the microwave or not.
Here’s how you can find out in just three steps.
1. Fill a cup with water.
Find a glass or cup that you really know is microwave safe and fill it three-quarters of the way with water.
2. Microwave both the stoneware and the cup of water.
Take the stoneware that you want to test and place it together with the cup of water you’ve filled side by side in the microwave. If the dish is too large, you can put the cup on top or inside the dish.
3. Compare results after microwaving.
After microwaving both the dish and cup for half a minute, take them out. Use oven mitts or a potholder when removing them from the microwave.
Then, touch the stoneware in question. If it’s cool to touch and the water is warm, it indicates that the dish is microwave safe, and you can start using the dish.
On the other hand, if the stoneware is warm and the water is cold, it means the dish absorbs heat and should not be used in the microwave.
Tips for Cooking with Ikea Stoneware
Knowing which dishes are microwavable and which aren’t is only the first step in using stoneware. You also need to know how to cook with them.
Here are some tips on cooking with stoneware that you can use to make the most out of your new dishes:
- Season your new stoneware dishes before using them for the first time. To help speed up the seasoning process, you can cook foods with high-fat content.
- Be sure that at least ⅔ of the stoneware is covered in food.
- Always pick a stoneware piece that closely matches the size of the food item being prepared to ensure even cooking.
- Avoid extreme temperature changes when using stoneware as it may cause cracking.
- Make sure to follow recipe instructions for food preparation and baking times using stoneware.
- Let your stoneware cool to room temperature first before cleaning.
- Don’t preheat empty stoneware in the microwave or oven.
- Don’t spray cooking spray on stoneware, as it can halt the seasoning process and leave behind chemical residue.
- It’s a good practice to always thaw frozen foods first before cooking or baking them with your stoneware.
Final Thoughts
Ikea Stoneware is safe for microwaving if it has the microwave-safe symbol on its underside. If you don’t see this mark, look to see if the product packaging says that it’s Microwave Safe or “microwave safe.”
You should also do a quick search on the Ikea website for each product to see if there is any specification that says it’s not safe for the microwave.
If you want to be extra careful, you can manually test the stoneware yourself by microwaving it with a cup of water for a minute. After a minute, take it out, and touch the stoneware. If it stays cool while the water is warm, the stoneware is safe to use in the microwave.
Looking for microwaving tips for your other Ikea products? Check out our articles on microwaving Ikea bowls and microwaving Ikea mugs.
Sources:
Ikea Tableware and Glassware Material Guide
