Can we say that heating a glass jar of soup in the microwave is safe?

Is it possible to heat food in a glass jar in the microwave? Yes, but you need to follow some rules so that the glass does not crack, the microwave does not get damaged, and everyone remains happy and well-fed.

Glass containers are recommended for microwave use as long as they are not thin. In this sense, fireproof glass containers are ideal. But even conventional seaming jars tolerate microwave exposure well.

Do not use cracked glass!

The glass in jars is usually quite thick, so they are great for the microwave - but only if there are no cracks, chips or even air bubbles.

Before heating the jar in the oven, you need to carefully inspect the bottom and walls. If you don't notice something, the can will crack. This can happen both during cooking and at the moment when you take out the food. It’s easier to carefully examine everything than to treat cuts.

No lids!

Be sure to remove the cover. If the steam does not leave the jar, high pressure will build up inside the jar. At best, it will blow the lid off. At worst, it will simply tear the jar into pieces, and the container with soup will turn into a pile of fragments. And if the lid is also metal, then the microwave is likely to catch fire or even explode. You also need to make sure that there are no gilded patterns or ornaments on the jar.

How to boil water in a jar?

This process requires great care.It is best to lower a wooden spoon into the jar, which will distribute the microwave radiation evenly throughout the jar. This way the dishes will not be damaged and the water will heat up well. And yet, if possible, it is much safer and more convenient to boil water the old fashioned way, in a kettle.

How to sterilize a jar?

Sterilizing glass containers in the microwave is simple, quick and effective. The oven will quickly get rid of harmful microorganisms that pose a danger to human health and even life. Moreover, unlike conventional methods, unbearable heat and high humidity will not reign in the room.

First of all, you need to thoroughly wash the jars, getting rid of any traces of detergents. It would be best to use baking soda.

Carefully inspect the glass container for cracks and other damage. If there are any, do not use these banks under any circumstances.

Then do this:

Pour in a little water - just a couple of centimeters. This way you can protect the dishes from damage. It is better to use water from a filter so that there is no residue left at the bottom of the jar.
Place the jar in the oven. Do not use the lid under any circumstances.
Set the power to approximately 700 W.
Sterilization time depends on the volume of the jar. It will take about 5 minutes to disinfect a three-liter container. In any case, boiling will help you get your bearings: after the water has boiled, you need to wait a minute or two and turn off the microwave. The resulting steam kills all harmful microbes.

4-5 small cans fit in one oven. A three-liter jar only fits sideways. It needs to be fixed well by placing it on a cotton towel or plate.

The towel and oven mitts you use to remove the jar from the oven should not be wet. Humidity will lead to a temperature drop, which will cause the glass to burst, ruining the whole project. It’s also better not to touch the neck.

It is better to put hot canned food in jars that have not yet cooled down, and cold canned food in cool ones.

If you need the jar to be sterilized while remaining dry, you need to place a glass nearby. It should be more than half filled with water, but not completely. About 2/3. If the glass is completely filled, water will pour out of it during the boiling process.

In the microwave you can immediately sterilize containers with preparations:

Pour some water into the jars with the preparations for steaming.
Place containers in oven for 5 minutes.
Carefully remove the jars using dry oven mitts.

The beneficial properties and taste of vegetables and fruits will not be lost, since the radiation will not affect them for long.

Whole and thick glass withstands microwave ovens very well. If used correctly there is nothing to be afraid of. Besides reheating soup, you can do a lot of other cool things with a microwave and a jar, like frothed milk for lattes. The main thing is to be careful.