Microwave-Safe Tiffin Box/Container Recommendations for Office Use

Social Off-topic & Debates
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I’m looking for a microwave-safe lunch box for office use for someone. Something I can just toss into the microwave without having to transfer food or worry about it cracking. I’ve ruled out glass because it’s heavy and I don’t want to risk it breaking in my bag or at work.

Now I’m wondering about silicone and plastic. Are they actually safe to use in the microwave? I see a lot of stuff labeled BPA-free or food-grade, but I’m not sure if they leach anything when heated. If you’ve been using one regularly, I’d love to hear how it’s held up.

What do you use for your office tiffin? Is it leak-proof, easy to clean, and light enough to carry around? Would really appreciate any recommendations or experiences.

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I use stainless steel tiffin. this one to be exact. The 600 ml units are fine. Don’t use the smaller 450 ml units - the cover clamps have issues. Since it is steel, heating in microwave upto around 80-90 secs is ok but beyond that it gets too hot to handle.

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I have been reading about steel containers being used in microwave nowadays. I had always read before that steel or metal inside a microwave is a no no as it could explode. Are these special containers ?

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Kindly add “Box/Container” next to Tiffin so as to read Tiffin Box/Container in the title.

I was looking at microwave food options rather than the container to use in Microwave.

We have glass containers in our Lounge, which we use to transfer the food and reheat. I agree its trouble but it is best. This container as above is new to me and interesting. Will this work on all Microwaves or any special ones.

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Though the same, just for caution avoid any metal utensil with sharp edges and put in micro only for 1 min max.

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I don’t own big silicone containers. But I have used small reusable silicone muffin cups in our microwave. The recipe called for both microwaving and baking.

So, I think silicone containers should be fine but I’m not sure if there are any big travel proof silicone containers; anything that goes in microwave has to have vents to prevent steam & pressure build up in the container unless you plan to carry a separate lid with vents.

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The brand I mentioned uses the kind of steel which is supposed to be microwave safe. However I just checked and their website seems to be down. Hmm.. :thinking:

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Best is to get a ceramic bowl or plate . After microwave wash it and keep it in the draw .

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I now exclusively use borosil glass tiffins. Used tupperware earlier - but realised that after long use, repeated heating - the plastic gets stained with oil, haldi, etc. Which means that plastic is definitely getting into the food. Shifted to glass ..

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Borosil is the best. Or IKEA 365 glass containers. Or any other borosilicate glass containers. Prefer flexible silicone lids vs hard plastic ones. Avoid metal since they can cause arcing inside the microwave, especially if they have sharp edges.

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Anything made of or containing steel, iron, copper or other hard metals should never go in your microwave. This is because metal surfaces reflect microwaves, which in turn increases the heat inside the oven and could lead to a fire.
In your case you may try Milton/Borosil/Tupperware

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That’s no entirely correct afaik. STS304 stainless steel is microwave friendly.

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tupperware is the goat imo

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Correct.

The walls of the microwave’s chamber are made of stainless steel.

Any good conductor is fine. It is the bad conductor’s that heat up.

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Apparently it’s not just the metal composition (alloy) but also design (corners etc.) that matter -

Personally I would avoid whatever “steel” stuff is being peddled here as microwave safe. No use risking it when you have safer alternatives out there.