Can You Microwave Wooden Bowls? (Everything You Need To Know)

Now that more people are actively pursuing sustainable lifestyles, wooden items are gaining popularity, especially in the kitchen.

However, if you have utensils like wooden bowls, you might be wondering if you can microwave wooden bowls. I did some digging, and here’s what I found!

Can You Microwave Wooden Bowls?

Wooden bowls should never be microwaved because the wooden bowl is at risk of drying out, cracking, or catching fire. Most of the time, wooden bowls can only be microwaved safely for ten to fifteen seconds, because microwaves can reach high temperatures real fast. Additionally, any food in the wooden bowl is at risk of overheating and getting burnt.

In case you’re interested to learn more about the qualities of wooden bowls and whether there’s a safe way to heat food in wooden bowls, keep reading!

Can Wood Catch Fire In A Microwave?

Wood can catch fire in the microwave if the wood is exposed to high heat for several minutes. Typically, the thinner the wood, the faster the wood can catch fire.

Consequently, wooden utensils like plates and bowls must not be microwaved regardless if they are thick and pre-soaked.

Is It Safe To Dry Wood In A Microwave?

Wood can be safely dried in the microwave. However, there are certain items like wooden bowls that are better off being dried naturally.

Nevertheless, if you insist on drying a wooden utensil like a bowl in a microwave, do it in one short burst of ten seconds. Heating wooden items for longer than ten seconds can damage the wooden items.

In case the wood is not dry enough for you, let the wood cool for a while then microwave the wood for another few seconds.

Can Wood Dishes And Utensils Go In The Microwave?

While you can take preventive measures to ensure that wooden dishes and utensils don’t get damaged in the microwave, it is still best to avoid microwaving wooden items altogether.

Even if the wooden utensils you microwave don’t show signs of damage at first, continually microwaving wooden utensils will surely result in warping and cracking over time.

What Happens When You Microwave A Wooden Bowl?

Several things can happen when you microwave a wooden bowl. At times, no visible changes might occur, only the obvious change in temperature.

There are instances, however, when wooden bowls can crack immediately right after you microwave the wooden bowl due to reduced moisture and the contraction of wood.

Additionally, thinner and more worn wooden bowls might easily catch fire inside the microwave

Can You Put Hot Water In A Wooden Bowl?

Hot water and liquids like tea and soups can be served in a wooden bowl. Nonetheless, it is not a good idea to leave hot liquids in wooden bowls for too long.

Can You Use Wooden Bowls For Soup?

Wooden bowls can be used to serve soup. However, wooden bowls are not ideal for this purpose because the wood can eventually warp, splinter, and crack.

One compromise you can settle for is to transfer the soup to the wooden bowl only once the soup is warm, not when the soup is fresh out of the saucepan.

Can Wooden Bowls Go In The Dishwasher?

Wooden bowls should never be placed in the dishwasher since wood reacts badly to high temperatures, strong detergents, and prolonged exposure to water.

Continual exposure to these elements will ruin the wooden bowl over time. As such, it is best to hand wash wooden bowls with mild soap and warm detergent.

What Type Of Bowl Doesn’t Get Hot In Microwaves?

Several types of bowls don’t get hot and aren’t at risk of burning in the microwave, namely ceramic, glass, styrofoam, and plastic bowls.

However, make sure that bowls made out of these materials are labeled as microwave-safe by the FDA. Otherwise, it is best to assume that you cannot microwave bowls without microwave-safe labels.

What Are Wooden Bowls Used For?

What Are Wooden Bowls Used For?

Wooden bowls can be used to serve all kinds of dishes, from popcorns and salads to stews and soups. However, some dishes are more ideal for serving in wooden bowls than others.

If you want to maintain the appearance and integrity of your wooden bowl, serving only dry or slightly moist food in your wooden bowl is the best choice.

Nonetheless, the occasional strew should not damage your wooden bowls at once, especially if you wash and dry your wooden bowls correctly.

How Do You Maintain A Wooden Bowl?

Maintaining a wooden bowl is mostly about how you wash, dry, and store the wooden bowl. First of all, you shouldn’t expose wooden bowls to direct heat or sunlight.

Additionally, washing a wooden bowl must be done with warm water mixed with a mild detergent. Moreover, you need to use a soft sponge or cloth, never an abrasive sponge.

After rinsing the wooden bowl, use a towel to dry the wooden bowl and let the towel absorb the remaining moisture in the bowl.

Are Wooden Bowls Sanitary?

Wooden bowls are as sanitary as your cleaning habits allow the wooden bowls to be. If you clean the wooden bowls properly and regularly, the wooden bowls will be safe to use.

Moreover, wooden bowls stop being safe to use when the wooden bowls are splintered and cracked, so you have to replace the wooden bowls as soon as these signs appear.

Why Did My Wooden Bowl Crack?

Wooden bowls can crack for a variety of reasons. Most of the time, it is because your wooden bowl has been exposed to high heat or moisture for too long.

Additionally, storing wooden bowls where the temperature and the humidity regularly fluctuate will compromise the wooden bowls’ structure.

How Long Do Wooden Bowls Last?

When wooden bowls are regularly cleaned, oiled, and buffed using the right tools and methods, wooden bowls can last for several decades and even up to a century.

Take a look at our other articles to learn if you can microwave wax, if you can microwave wax paper, and if you can microwave waffles.

Conclusion

Wooden bowls are sustainable, classy, and sturdy utensils. However, no matter how sturdy a wooden bowl is, wooden bowls must not be used in a microwave.

When exposed to high temperatures, wooden bowls are at risk of warping, splintering, and cracking. In worst-case scenarios, wooden bowls may burn.

To maintain your wooden bowls, keep your wooden bowls away from heat and make sure that you hand wash and towel dry your wooden bowls after each use.

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