When buying coffee, most coffee shops serve it in disposable paper cups with plastic lids, which aren’t meant to keep the drink warm for an extended period. So once it gets cold, you may want to use a microwave to reheat it quickly. \if you want to learn more about best microwaves, just click here.

But again, the main question is, can you microwave coffee cups?

While there’s no solid evidence that microwaving coffee cups is unhealthy, you should not microwave coffee cups. Reason being, these cups are made of materials that can be problematic if put in the microwave.

Read on to understand why coffee cups are not safe for use in the microwave without turntable.

What are coffee cups made of?

Like we had mentioned earlier, coffee is mainly served in disposable paper cups. Paper is not the only element present in the cup; it contains a plastic polythene lining usually bonded to the cup, which makes it waterproof therefore able to contain the beverage.

While this might be a good thing, coffee cups pose a huge problem when it comes to microwaving. Research shows that microwaving a product made of plastic can cause additives to leach into your drink or food, some of which can be harmful.

Now let’s look at some of the different types of coffee cups that are mainly used.

Types of coffee cups

There are different types of coffee cups out there, and they include;

Recyclable coffee cups: these cups are manufactured with a plastic coating, and some are made with glue and other materials that aren’t safe for use in the microwave.

Styrofoam coffee cups: Styrofoam can be set in microwaves to reheat beverages, unless it has the “safe for microwaving,” label, so not all are safe for use in the microwave.

Regular foam coffee cups: foam cups should Not be set in microwaves to reheat coffee because they can easily melt.

Why is it not safe to use coffee cups in a microwave?

Microwaves have become an essential gadget in the kitchen, especially when one wants to reheat food or a drink. However, when it comes to coffee paper cups, the case is different. Coffee cups are made of paper lined with wax and plastic on the inside.

The glue that holds these materials together can withstand the heat of freshly prepared coffee but not beyond that. Microwaves work by generating molecules to the drink to make it hot.

Take a scenario where a half-full coffee cup is set in the microwave; in most cases, the part that contains the coffee might be okay, but the dry part might begin to fall apart, or even worse, it might catch fire while in the microwave. This is because plastic lining and glue aren’t designed to handle high heat produced in the microwave.

Is reheated coffee good?

Now let’s expound more on this; according to experts, coffee is a one-time kind deal, meaning it’s only good if taken after it’s been freshly brewed. Coffee should be drunk the first 30 to 60 minutes after it’s been prepared; otherwise, it will not be very sweet. This is because its flavor begins to evaporate once it starts to cool down.

How can you reheat takeaway coffee?

If you have to reheat your cup of coffee, the best way would be to heat it using a stovetop at low temperature. You can also reheat it in a microwave using something else other than the coffee cup, like a ceramic or glass cup.

How can you reheat the coffee when there’s no other option other than a microwave?

As much reheating coffee using paper cups is dangerous, you can always give it a try. Just remember to be extra careful when doing so.

To reheat it, place the paper cup inside the microwave and set it on low or medium heat. Let it sit in the microwave and keep checking it at a one-minute interval.

Note: your beverage might not get as hot as you would want but will get warm enough to be drunk.

How can you tell if a cup is safe for use in the microwave?

The best and safest way to reheat your coffee is using a microwave-safe container or cup.

If a coffee cup is microwave safe, it should contain the “safe for microwaving” label at the bottom. However, most disposable coffee cups don’t include such labels, but you can always check on the company’s website for clarification.

Bonus safety points

• Remember to remove the lid of the cup before placing it inside the microwave.
• If the coffee cup sits in the microwave for too long, it might begin to warp.
• Since microwaves don’t heat food or drinks evenly, you should keep stirring the drink to ensure it heats up uniformly.
• If you’re using a microwave-safe container, like a ceramic cup, the heating time should be short.
• When taking out the heated coffee from the microwave, use a glove to pick it as it can be extremely hot.
• If you’re reheating leftover coffee that contains milk, heat it to 165F to minimize the growth of bacteria.

Conclusion

Unless using a microwave to reheat your coffee is the only way out, never microwave your paper coffee cup. It is extremely dangerous and unhealthy too because of the chemicals it produces when heated.

But if you are a person who cannot function without coffee but is always busy running errands that you forget about until it gets cold, you can always get an alternative to reheat it. However, reheating it is never a great option as it loses its original taste. Coffee is best drunk while hot!