Let's Talk BBQ
General => General Discussion & Topics => General Discussion => Topic started by: rwalters on April 05, 2018, 02:44:52 PM
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I place food into a microwave safe bowl.
I cover the bowl with Saran Wrap.
I place the bowl in the Microwave for a few minutes to get the food nice and hot.
Watching the Saran Wrap covered bowl in the microwave, I begin to see the Saran Wrap balloon up from what I would assume is the thermal expansion taking place.
After a few minutes the microwave is done and the food is piping hot.
I let the bowl sit in the microwave for 2-3 minutes before removing.
When I come to retrieve the bowl, the Saran Wrap is no longer ballooning, nor has it simply returned to where is started. Instead, it has now formed a tight suction on the bowl, almost like my food is vacuum sealed.
Why does it do that? What is going on?
Yes, I could Google it, but I thought I'd ask here first ;)
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It's because there is steam blowing up the wrap and a little escapes during this time. When it cools you have less air in the bowl than you started with once the air cools and steam dissipates. This is a very crude explanation BTW......didn't wanna bore ya.
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I never nuke anything in a plastic bowl or even cover it in plastic wrap but Lantern is right :thumbup:
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It's because there is steam blowing up the wrap and a little escapes during this time. When it cools you have less air in the bowl than you started with once the air cools and steam dissipates. This is a very crude explanation BTW......didn't wanna bore ya.
Makes perfect sense... almost like a like a low-tech vacuum sealer. Thanks for satisfying my curiosity :)
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My wife (LVN) says to never ever ever heat food up in plastic. She says to always use glass.
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My wife (LVN) says to never ever ever heat food up in plastic. She says to always use glass.
Uh oh, I’ve been doing it for years! :(
What’s her reasoning behind it?
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My wife (LVN) says to never ever ever heat food up in plastic. She says to always use glass.
Uh oh, I’ve been doing it for years! :(
What’s her reasoning behind it?
Many people think that there are some chemicals in some plastics that, when microwaved, somehow get into your food.
Like you, I've been microwaving in plastic for years and have not seen a side effects to me, personally. But then I use aluminum foil on the grill and in the oven all the time, too.
BD
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NO GONNA GO FULL BLOWN GEEK HERE..BUT:
Plastics contain chemical compounds called "plasticizers". They are the component fo the plastics that give plastics their flexibility .These plasticizers have a less secure molecular bond than than other components int he chemical compound that make up the plastics we use. So, they can become un-bound/disconnected from the long chain of molecules making up the plastic. This can occur under heat, or various forms of radiation. ( UV, infrared, direct heat, etc... as well as ozone exposure just to name a few causes.)
Now, they can wind up in the food. Not a good thing in general - since we do not know the long term effects. But we do know that our bodies were not designed to recognize plastics as a natural material - so the body likely does not know what to do with them. This is not a favorable biologic condition. There are studies that suggest that when confronted with chemicals the body does not recognize, the y often are stored in the liver or other organs, and fatty tissues. Postulations lean toward a carcinogenic outcome as a possibility.
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NO GONN GO FULL BLOWN GEEK HERE..BUT:
Plastics contain chemical compounds called "plasticizers". They are the component fo the plastics that give plastics their flexibility .These plasticizers have a less secure molecular bond than than other components int he chemical compound that make up the plastics we use. So, they can become un-bound/disconnected from the long chain of molecules making up the plastic. This can occur under heat, or various forms of radiation. ( UV, infrared, direct heat, etc... as well as ozone exposure just to name a few causes.)
Now, they can wind up in the food. Not a good thing in general - since we do not know the long term effects. But we do know that our bodies were not designed to recognize plastics as a natural material - so the body likely does not know what to do with them. This is not a favorable biologic condition. There are studies that suggest that when confronted with chemicals the body does not recognize, the y often are stored in the liver or other organs, and fatty tissues. Postulations lean toward a carcinogenic outcome as a possibility.
This makes a ton of sense! Much like consuming artificial sweeteners, our bodies simply don't know how to respond to it. "This is not a favorable biological condition" really sums it up well. Perhaps I'll think twice before using plastic in the microwave again. Smoke and Tee, thanks for the warning and explanation!
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NO GONN GO FULL BLOWN GEEK HERE..BUT:
Plastics contain chemical compounds called "plasticizers". They are the component fo the plastics that give plastics their flexibility .These plasticizers have a less secure molecular bond than than other components int he chemical compound that make up the plastics we use. So, they can become un-bound/disconnected from the long chain of molecules making up the plastic. This can occur under heat, or various forms of radiation. ( UV, infrared, direct heat, etc... as well as ozone exposure just to name a few causes.)
Now, they can wind up in the food. Not a good thing in general - since we do not know the long term effects. But we do know that our bodies were not designed to recognize plastics as a natural material - so the body likely does not know what to do with them. This is not a favorable biologic condition. There are studies that suggest that when confronted with chemicals the body does not recognize, the y often are stored in the liver or other organs, and fatty tissues. Postulations lean toward a carcinogenic outcome as a possibility.
So what about the microwavable stuff, such as breakfast bowls, that are frozen? Do we need to put them in glass bowls? I know they say microwave safe, so I am assuming they are. But what you are saying makes a lot of sense to me.
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My wife started having all kinds of sensitivities to a great many environmental and food things. Plastics and chemicals are a big part of it. She only eats or drinks from glass or ceramic
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NO GONN GO FULL BLOWN GEEK HERE..BUT:
Plastics contain chemical compounds called "plasticizers". They are the component fo the plastics that give plastics their flexibility .These plasticizers have a less secure molecular bond than than other components int he chemical compound that make up the plastics we use. So, they can become un-bound/disconnected from the long chain of molecules making up the plastic. This can occur under heat, or various forms of radiation. ( UV, infrared, direct heat, etc... as well as ozone exposure just to name a few causes.)
Now, they can wind up in the food. Not a good thing in general - since we do not know the long term effects. But we do know that our bodies were not designed to recognize plastics as a natural material - so the body likely does not know what to do with them. This is not a favorable biologic condition. There are studies that suggest that when confronted with chemicals the body does not recognize, the y often are stored in the liver or other organs, and fatty tissues. Postulations lean toward a carcinogenic outcome as a possibility.
So what about the microwavable stuff, such as breakfast bowls, that are frozen? Do we need to put them in glass bowls? I know they say microwave safe, so I am assuming they are. But what you are saying makes a lot of sense to me.
lass and ceramic are your best bets Mike
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If you have a scientific bent, you'll realize that our leader knows whereof he speaks. If you don't, here are the basics...
Plastics contain chemical compounds called "plasticizers"... Of course they do (otherwise they wouldn't be called plastics)
...These plasticizers have a less secure molecular bond than than other components ... It's called "not being wrapped too tight - just like Tim. So, they can become un-bound/disconnected ... I've seen Tim do that. It's not pretty.
This can occur under heat, or various forms of radiation. ( UV, infrared, direct heat, etc... as well as ozone exposure just to name a few causes ...which, in Tim's case may also include abused substances such as alcohol. And we all know what the ozone exposure and lack of heat & light have done to his legs).
Enough for now; it's time for a drink. Aloha.
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If you have a scientific bent, you'll realize that our leader knows whereof he speaks. If you don't, here are the basics...
Plastics contain chemical compounds called "plasticizers"... Of course they do (otherwise they wouldn't be called plastics)
...These plasticizers have a less secure molecular bond than than other components ... It's called "not being wrapped too tight - just like Tim. So, they can become un-bound/disconnected ... I've seen Tim do that. It's not pretty.
This can occur under heat, or various forms of radiation. ( UV, infrared, direct heat, etc... as well as ozone exposure just to name a few causes ...which, in Tim's case may also include abused substances such as alcohol. And we all know what the ozone exposure and lack of heat & light have done to his legs).
Enough for now; it's time for a drink. Aloha.
Well...thanks "TURDDDDDD-DULLLL" ( phonetics were the best I could muster...sorry....) :D
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If you have a scientific bent, you'll realize that our leader knows whereof he speaks. If you don't, here are the basics...
Plastics contain chemical compounds called "plasticizers"... Of course they do (otherwise they wouldn't be called plastics)
...These plasticizers have a less secure molecular bond than than other components ... It's called "not being wrapped too tight - just like Tim. So, they can become un-bound/disconnected ... I've seen Tim do that. It's not pretty.
This can occur under heat, or various forms of radiation. ( UV, infrared, direct heat, etc... as well as ozone exposure just to name a few causes ...which, in Tim's case may also include abused substances such as alcohol. And we all know what the ozone exposure and lack of heat & light have done to his legs).
Enough for now; it's time for a drink. Aloha.
I’ve never met Tee in person, but this clears up a LOT of confusion... thanks!! :)
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My wife (LVN) says to never ever ever heat food up in plastic. She says to always use glass.
Uh oh, I’ve been doing it for years! :(
What’s her reasoning behind it?
I don't really know, she uses all these big fancy 4-6 syllable words and I just tune her out and keep eating......:)
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My wife (LVN) says to never ever ever heat food up in plastic. She says to always use glass.
Uh oh, I’ve been doing it for years! :(
What’s her reasoning behind it?
I don't really know, she uses all these big fancy 4-6 syllable words and I just tune her out and keep eating......:)
Boy, talk about a strong argument for not using plastic wrap... LOVE IT! lol!!!
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When I read the title of your post, I am really surprised you got so many replies.
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When I read the title of your post, I am really surprised you got so many replies.
OH BAM!!! Can't wait to see how the mod's handle this slam ;)
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They know I am kidding. I have been here since this started and they just kind of shake their heads and say "that boy ain"t right".
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They know I am kidding. I have been here since this started and they just kind of shake their heads and say "that boy ain"t right".
No worries by me... I like your type (cuz I am one)! 8)
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When I read the title of your post, I am the really surprised you got so many replies.
OH BAM!!! Can't wait to see how the mod's handle this slam ;)
They go easy on TP around here. But they throw the book at me.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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When I read the title of your post, I am the really surprised you got so many replies.
OH BAM!!! Can't wait to see how the mod's handle this slam ;)
They go easy on TP around here. But they throw the book at me.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I am right here for ya buddy if you need a shoulder to cry on... :'(
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According to everything i can find the chance of the plasticizers getting into your food is slim to none. This is an old article but seems to say the same as the other things I read.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/30/microwaving-with-plastic-wrap-safety_n_1121271.html
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When I read the title of your post, I am the really surprised you got so many replies.
OH BAM!!! Can't wait to see how the mod's handle this slam ;)
They go easy on TP around here. But they throw the book at me.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Not at my house..... we go thru a LOT OF T.P..... :D
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Well back to the original question of why does it do this....
Boyles law of gases.
Air molecules expanded when heated and as the pressure increased on the fixed volume contained by the plastic wrap (it can only expand or balloon to a point and then the pressure leaks out past that point). When it cooled there are less air molecules trapped inside the plastic wrap so once back to room temp, it actually creates a partial vacuum causing the plastic wrap to be sucked down against the food and container.
Same principal is how Ball jars work in canning (the lid part).
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Well back to the original question of why does it do this....
Boyles law of gases.
Air molecules expanded when heated and as the pressure increased on the fixed volume contained by the plastic wrap (it can only expand or balloon to a point and then the pressure leaks out past that point). When it cooled there are less air molecules trapped inside the plastic wrap so once back to room temp, it actually creates a partial vacuum causing the plastic wrap to be sucked down against the food and container.
Same principal is how Ball jars work in canning (the lid part).
That makes sense! Thanks bud... I actually feel a bit smarter now :)
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According to everything i can find the chance of the plasticizers getting into your food is slim to none. This is an old article but seems to say the same as the other things I read.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/30/microwaving-with-plastic-wrap-safety_n_1121271.html
While Huffington Post offers a vomitous volume on all things political...as do far too many others nowadays....I would not think of any them as an authority on health and wellness. NIH, FDA, CDC, and other agencies...perhaps. And - frankly....a lot of the internet today has suspect objectivity. In other words, WHO paid for the article to be written? What was the vested interest?
Polymeric materials, including re and post reacted polyols, monomers, epoxies, methyl-methacrylates ( acrylics as a group..),vinyl and poly-esters, urethanes, PVCs, and HDPEs all materials that I have worked with in a number of manufacturing and field applications.
There are reasons that plastics are marked with specific symbols is to give us an idea about their safety for food containment under specific conditions. In other words - one plastic that can contain acidic materials....may not be safe for heating any foods in. So...Lets look at some real world plastics/plasticizer issues. But the numbering system is not a complete story.
How about this: we are currently reading and hearing about "micro plastics" in bottled water. This is NOT water that has been heated, or exposed to microwave radiation. It has been filtered ( at best...buyer beware, read the label, etc...)
Your car's dash. If left in a sunny, hot environment, it will - with time - dull, become hard and brittle, ...and crack. Why? Plasticizer migration. Glass and porcelain are as inert as possible.
SO - the more flexible the plastic, the higher the percentage of plasticizers. Heat, UV and IR can all accelerate greatly the plasticizer migration out of molecular bond. Since we know that heat can accelerate the migration....WHY would you want to use plastics in a microwave oven?
We each pick our "poisons".....Some folks still believe that cigarettes will not hurt them. It's just the chemicals in the tobacco...... ;) ::) 8)