I am lost without my microwave but I almost never use plastic in it. When my dad bought our first microwave back in the late 70's he told us to never use plastic because it melted I find it easier to just avoid the plastic rather than risk melting. For a little fun in the microwave, stick a marshmallow on a plate and microwave for 10 seconds. Watch what happens!

Thanks for your answers. They are useful for me. When I wrote, I was worried because I read the food in microwave was affected its quality because the bond of the food were changed or transformed with the microwave. I didn't know about BPA plastics and it's very important to know it now. I won't use plastics with BPA in the microwave and in my kitchen.

Greetings.

Claudia Alexandra.

Claudia, I did a little research on microwaving plastics and found that 1) you might not want to microwave any plastics at all, and 2) you definitely don't want to microwave any plastics that you suspect may contain BPA. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a carbon-based synthetic compound used to make certain plastics; it has been in commercial use since 1957. BPA-based plastic is clear and tough, and is used to make a variety of common consumer goods (such as baby and water bottles, reheatable containers, sports equipment, CDs, and DVDs) and for industrial purposes, like lining water pipes. BPA exhibits hormone-like properties at high dosage levels that raise concern about its suitability in consumer products and food containers. Since 2008, several governments have investigated its safety, which prompted some retailers to withdraw products containing BPA. A 2010 report from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified possible hazards to fetuses, infants, and young children. Since that time numerous studies performed at the National Center for Toxicological Research have been performed that addressed many of those issues. The European Union and Canada have banned BPA use in baby bottles. I am not sure where you live Claudia but as of 2014 there are no BPA labeling requirements for plastics in the US. So, go ahead and use your microwave, just make sure the containers you use are BPA free. Here is a link to a Wikipedia page on BPA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A

Inherently, microwaves have no impact on food quality. But as Yumee Jang says, heating plastic near food can have negative effects, but this would be true in an oven or on a stove as well. Also, heating your food until it is black and burnt will introduce carcinogens, but this is also true for an oven, grill, or stove. My mom sent me microwaveable glassware: http://www.pyrexware.com/

Claudia Alexandra Bojacá Torres I myself is a fan of the microwave specially when I'm on the go, I had the same question and did my research as well as ask some of our experts when I was on set. In my knowledge microwaving is safe as long as you use the right type of container to heat your food. If you are using plastic make sure the label indicates it is microwave safe, if you use the wrong plastic unhealthy chemicals can seep into your food. If you are concerned about losing nutritional value when microwaving, no need to worry. Microwaving food does not zap out the nutrition in your food.

I hope this helped.

Yumee

Hello.

I would like your mind about the use of the microwave, the impact of the microwave in the food. Thanks.

Claudia.