Can You Put Parchment Paper in the Microwave?

Parchment paper has diverse uses. It can be used to bake, cook, reheat or even pack foods. Therefore it is not strange to wonder can you put parchment paper in the microwave oven.

Parchment paper are perfectly safe for use in your microwave. Its silicone coated exterior allows it to withstand most microwave oven heat levels. Unlike waxed paper, it is non stick and can withstand high temperatures.

In this article, you will learn about the various uses of parchment paper and tips to maintain safe practices while using parchment paper in your microwave oven.

Also Read: Can You Put Ziploc Bag in the Microwave?

Can You Put Parchment Paper in the Microwave?

It is perfectly safe to use parchment paper in the microwave. It is a thin silicone coated paper. It has been processed to make it non stick. It is usually used in cooking and baking.

Parchment paper is sometimes mistaken for waxed paper but they are quite different.

While parchment paper can withstand high heating conditions and can be used in various oven types, wax paper is coated in wax which will usually melt in extreme heat.

Wax paper is extremely flammable and is mostly used in room temperature. Although, it is sometimes used in the microwave oven, it cannot be used in other oven types. In a convection or toaster oven, wax paper will likely to burst into flames and burn.

One exceptional feature of parchment paper is that it can be used as an alternative to oiling or greasing your baking pan.

And while parchment paper can be used as a substitute to wax paper, wax paper cannot be used as a substitute for parchment paper.

Types of Parchment Paper

There are majorly 2 types of parchment paper, the unbleached and the bleached parchment paper. Both parchment paper types are safe to use in the microwave oven and can both be used to cook and bake.

The major difference between the two paper types is the color. The bleached parchment paper is treated and bleached to white. While the unbleached parchment paper is brown in color.

It is not processed at all but can still be used to cook. Both paper types can perform the same functions and are usually used to cook in the microwave oven.

On the other hand, the unbleached parchment paper is the costlier of the two because it is not treated with the various chemicals used in bleached parchment paper. It is usually used by people who want to avoid chemicals in their kitchen products.

Why You Should Consider Using Parchment Paper for Your cooking in Microwave

Longer Life Span for your Cooking Pans

Using parchment paper to cook your meals will reduce the wear and tear that might result from constantly washing pans that have burnt food in them.

Since you’re cooking directly on the parchment paper, the chances of this is almost non existent.

You Can Easily Move Your Food

Parchment paper can be used to line baking pans. When they are taken out of the oven, you can easily use the extended sides of the parchment paper to take it out of the pan.

It is quite easy since the parchment paper is non stick. Once you give extra allowance with the parchment paper, you can easily carry your food out with the excess.

It is Non Stick

Using parchment paper for your cooking helps you to avoid all the stress of spraying your oven tray with oil or some other ingredients to avoid your food sticking.

You can easily cut a piece of parchment paper and cook your food on it. And because it is non stick, it is quite easy to separate from the food.

The stress of washing sticky bowls and pans is also largely reduced when you use parchment paper. Your food is directly put on the parchment paper and because the paper is non stick, it is easier to manage.

Parchment Paper is Versatile

The possibilities of the uses of parchment paper in your kitchen is seemingly endless. It can be used to store foods, to bake, to cook e.t.c

Once you start using parchment paper, you will discover more use and advantages of the paper in your kitchen.

Parchment Paper Temperature Limit

Parchment paper is suitable for most microwave oven temperatures and can withstand up to 450° in heat. Most parchment papers usually have a temperature limit of 400-500°.

Microwave, fortunately, do not reach such high temperatures.

Microwave oven heat passes through containers or papers into the food.

Alternatives to Parchment Paper

What do you do if you don’t have parchment paper at home and you need something to line your food with before popping in the microwave oven? Below are some healthy alternatives to parchment paper in the home

• Silicone Molds: this is a more durable alternative to parchment paper, can be used in the microwave oven.
• Baking mat: this is sometimes referred to as silpat and can be used as an alternative to parchment paper. Though slightly more expensive, it is more durable than parchment paper
• Wax paper: only microwave oven safe wax paper can be used as an alternative to parchment paper in the microwave oven.
• Plastic: Microwave safe plastic is one of the best and cheapest alternative to wax paper. It is generally non-stick.

Tips For Using Parchment Paper in Microwave Oven

Regulate Heat

Like most containers or items that are usually used to cook in the oven, extreme heat might cause damage to your food and oven. Therefore keep oven temperature levels below 450° F.

This will help to reduce possible accidents in your kitchen and keep your food safe and healthy while it is cooking in the microwave.

Always Check if the Parchment Paper is Safe for Use in Your Microwave

This might seem like the long route since most brands say it is perfectly safe to use parchment paper in the microwave oven and it might be true. On the other hand, microwave oven brands usually state expressly what can and can not be used in their microwaves.

If you’re not totally sure that parchment paper can be used in your microwave oven, you should consider using an alternative container.

This is also important because recycled parchment paper can have some extra elements added to them. If it is still safe to use in your microwave oven even after recycling, they will usually state this on the parchment paper packaging.

Avoid Putting it Close to the Heating Element

While solo microwave ovens do not have heating elements. However, convection or grill microwave ovens can sometimes have this feature.

In this oven type, always avoid your oven heating element with your parchment paper.

Oven heating elements are usually the hottest parts of the oven. Which means that paper can easily burn when put too close to it.

If you have an oven with a heating element, ensure that there is no extra parchment paper sticking out of your oven safe ware to avoid the paper catching fire and burning down your microwave.

Also Read: What is Grill Microwave?

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed whether can you put parchment paper in the microwave oven. Microwave do not produce extremely high temperature like other oven types. This makes a lot of kitchen items microwave safe.

Parchment paper can be used in most microwave ovens once the normal precautions are followed.

The major advantages of using parchment paper in your microwave is that your food doesn’t get stuck to the parchment paper or your pan. With parchment paper, the cooking process is less complicated and stressful.