There is a saying that “safety is more important than convenience!”
In this modern world, electric appliances make our life more comfortably easy. But, we should also follow safety measures while using them.
A few days ago, one of my friends asked me about microwaving various items. And one of her quarries was, can I microwave a blender bottle?
Now, if you have the same concern as my friend, I will help you in this regard. Today, I am going to give a well-detailed answer to the question, are blender bottles microwave safe? Besides, I will tell you whether there is any risk of doing it and other safety matters.
First of all, to know whether a certain thing is microwaveable or not, you need to learn about it in detail, like what they are made of, etc. So, here is all you need to know about a blender bottle.
All About Blender Bottle
Blender bottles are a less advanced but more handy version of a blender. They are an excellent alternative for making smoothies if you don’t have a blender at home. Also, they are easy to carry around.
Alright, let’s learn thoroughly now.
What Is A Blender Bottle?
A blender bottle is a mixing cup that has a wide opening mouth with a flip cap. It allows you to add and mix ingredients. Also, it usually has a built-in spiral metal ball made from surgical steel, which is called BlenderBall.
This ball helps to blend ingredients quickly. You just need to put the BlenderBall into the bottle with all the ingredients, screw on the lid, and shake well. You will have a tasty drink within a minute.
What Is Blender Bottle Made of?
According to the type of blender bottle, they are made of various products. The blender bottle Classic is made out of #2 HDPE and #5 PP plastic. It is the same type of plastic used for most food containers, like ketchup bottles and margarine containers.
On the other hand, the blender bottle SportMixer and GoStak cups are made of BPA-free Eastman Tritan plastic.
Besides plastic, there are also blender bottles that are made of glass and metal.
What Is The Use of Blender Bottle?
A blender bottle’s purpose is to mix dry and wet ingredients together in order to make tasty blended drinks easily. Additionally, a blender bottle can help you quickly make smoothies, various savory and sweet sauces, and salad dressings.
These bottles are highly portable and convenient. Therefore, if you are on a mission to stay in good shape and go to the gym, this bottle can serve you drinks whenever you want in the fitness center.
Besides smoothies, you can mix various ingredients with this shaker bottle and take full advantage of its great features.
Note that it’s not recommended to mix hot or warm liquids inside a blender bottle. Doing so may create pressure inside the container, causing the flip lid to open and spray contents suddenly.
Due to their many benefits, blender bottles are growing in popularity among consumers. And that’s why many different kinds of models are introduced to meet such demand.
Because of its rising popularity, people are using them for many purposes, and that’s why people wonder whether they can put a blender bottle in microwave.
So, can blender bottles be microwaved or not? Let’s see.
Can You Microwave Blender Bottles?
As I stated before, a blender bottle is a convenient way to make a good recipe quickly. But how about hitting your food in that same bottle in a microwave as it will add another convenience, right?
You will see that many of the blender bottle versions available today claim they could be used in a microwave. To learn whether it is true or not, you need to know how their materials react to the heat.
Learn How They React to Heat
Many people think that microwaving plastic materials releases some chemicals known as dioxin that can cause cancer. So if this is mixed with your food, there is a risk.
But, this piece of information is not completely true as plastic doesn’t contain dioxin itself. Dioxin is created when you burn plastic. So, if you use the microwave and don’t burn the food, your food is absolutely safe from dioxin.
Now, because there are different types of blender bottles made of different materials, it is hard to tell which one is microwave safe.
And researchers found that plasticizers called bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates are substances added to shape and stabilize plastic. Due to heat, they may leak, and a tiny amount of these plasticizers may go into food.
That’s when manufacturers were told to carry out a test to see whether their products meet the leaking standards and specifications. The product is either approved for safe use in a microwave or not based on the test data results.
Only products that pass this test have the icon for microwave safety on their packaging. When anything is labeled “microwave safe,” it signifies that using a microwave oven is permitted.
So, even if your blender bottle is made of plastic and has a level microwave-safe, then you are good to go. But, if it doesn’t contain any level, how will you know?
To help you out, I have organized a segment where I will tell you which one is a microwave-safe blender bottle based on their kind.
So, Are Blender Bottles Microwave Safe? Depending on Various Types
Mainly blender bottles are made of three materials; plastic, glass, and metal. Let’s see which one is microwave safe and which is not.
1. Plastic Blender Bottles
The most common type of blender bottle is the plastic ones. But, not all plastic bottles are made with similar materials.
The best ones are made from phthalate and BPA-free materials. And plastic with these components contains harmful chemicals that can leach into your drink and cause major health issues.
Eastman Tritan Copolyester is one of the safest plastics for use in blender bottles. It is renowned for its smell resistance, remarkable durability, and clarity.
Is Plastic Blender Bottle Microwavable?
Even if your blender bottle brand products are BPA and Phthalate-free, putting them in the microwave is strongly discouraged.
Although their plastic is totally microwave-safe, there are other risks. For example, the leak-proof lid can create pressure inside the bottle while heating, causing the flip caps to open unexpectedly and spray liquids.
Additionally, the heat of the microwave can cause your blender bottle to crack or melt based on the materials. Hence, It’s suggested not to microwave a plastic blender bottle.
But, if you find it really necessary to heat your drink, you can microwave it. In that case, make sure you follow the safety instructions. And I have discussed the things you should keep in mind while putting a blender bottle in a microwave in another segment. So, you should check that.
2. Glass Blender Bottles
There are glass bottles for blenders as well. Because they resist odors and stains, glass blender bottles are popular. Because glass is brittle and quickly fractures, most glass blender bottles are enclosed in a protective sleeve, typically made of silicone,
Is It Safe to Microwave A Blender Bottle Made of Glass?
The glass material that is used to make glass blender bottles isn’t heat resistant. Therefore, you can’t microwave a glass blender bottle.
Moreover, the protective silicone sleeve is not the ideal material for use in a microwave.
3. Metal/ Insulated Blender Bottles
The main purpose of insulated blender bottles is to keep your drink cold during hot summer days. They help to maintain the freshness of the drink so that you can enjoy it later in the day whenever you want.
These blender bottles are created with double-wall vacuum insulated stainless steel to keep the contents inside chilled for up to 24 hours.
Are Metal Blender Bottles Microwave Safe?
Metal is an excellent conductor of electricity, meaning if you place it inside the microwave, electricity can flow through it easily. Sparks will start to fly if you microwave a metal blender bottle, which can ruin both the blender bottle and the microwave and perhaps result in a serious accident.
Possible Risks of Microwaving A Blender Bottle
There are several potential risks associated with microwaving blender bottles, including the possibility of the bottle being harmed and chemical exposure.
For instance, many plastics may break down when placed in a microwave, allowing toxins to leach into your food or beverage.
Additionally, heating the contents of your blender bottle in the microwave could not be as successful as using other techniques, which could result in foodborne illness.
Still, if you decide to microwave your blender bottle, ensure you do so safely by paying close attention to the heating process while strictly following the instructions on the bottle.
Things You Should Keep in Mind While Microwaving Blender Bottles
As stated earlier, plastic blender bottles can be microwaved, but you must follow some safety measures. So, here are some safety measures you should take before doing so.
1. Don’t Leave The Metal Ball Inside
Be sure to remove the metal ball from the blender bottle before you put it in the microwave. As I said, power can be transmitted via metal, and it can cause a sparkle.
Hence, never forget to remove the ball.
2. Don’t Overheat
Even if your blender bottle is microwave-safe, you should still be careful about how long you heat it. Generally speaking, you shouldn’t microwave a blender bottle for more than one minute because doing so can overheat the bottle.
It’s recommended to start with just 30 seconds on high if you want to heat up your blender bottle safely. You can then check the temperature of your bottle and its contents and microwave it for an additional 15 seconds or until the appropriate temperature is reached.
Also, remember to keep an eye on your bottle because overheating can happen quickly. And keep in mind that your bottle will be hot to the touch when you take it out of the microwave, so always proceed cautiously.
3. BPA-free
Always purchase a BPA-free bottle. Otherwise, you run the chance of a health hazard, which is bad!
4. Be Careful While Removing The Sealing Lid
The sealing lid of the blender bottles is designed to prevent spills.
So, when you microwave it, the liquid inside heats up to a very high temperature, and your blender bottle may also experience significant pressure buildup inside that needs to escape. But, the pressure won’t be released until you open the bottle because of its special pressure-seal lids.
And due to this pressure, there is a high possibility that the hot liquids will spray around when you open the lid. Also, the lid may come off like a cork of a champagne bottle and spill your food all over the place.
Therefore, be extremely cautious when you open the lid after heating it in the microwave.
5. Make Sure The Blender Bottle Is Clean
Be sure to properly clean your blender bottle before putting the drink and microwaving it. If food residue or liquid is left in the bottle, it will mix up with the new drink, which is not good for your health.
Is It Worth Taking Any Risk?
After taking all the precautions, there are still risks that something may go wrong. That’s why I said it’s best not to microwave your blender bottle.
If possible, simply heat your drinks in a different kind of container that is fully safe to microwave! Even though you might have to wash an additional dish, it is always preferable to be safe than sorry!
Final Words
Regarding the question, are blender bottles microwave safe, the answer is it depends on various things. One thing is sure you should not microwave glass blender bottles in any case.
And if you take the safety precautions that I mentioned while putting the plastic ones. But, again, it’s better to avoid microwaving them cause it doesn’t make sense to take any risk when other options are available.
If you’re on the go, just heat the liquid in a different container, allow it to cool, and then pour it into the blender bottle. That’s the best way for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are blender bottles dishwasher safe?
Yes, all pieces of the blender bottle, including the shaker ball, are dishwasher-safe. You can use the top rack for the lid and cup and place the BlenderBall in the silverware bin.
Can you put a blender bottle in the freezer?
Generally, it’s not recommended to put a blender bottle in the freezer. Just like most plastic bottles, blender bottles may become fragile and susceptible to cracking or breaking if you freeze them.
Can you put hot coffee in a blender bottle?
No. BlenderBottle shaker cups are not designed for use with hot or warm liquids. Because the bottle’s tight seal prevents pressure from escaping, hot or warm liquids may force the flip lid to suddenly open and spray its contents.
Are plastic blender bottles safe to use?
The shaker cups and lids from the BlenderBottle brand are free of BPA, phthalates, and other potentially harmful chemicals that could be harmful to both children’s and adults’ health.
