The red Solo cup is the quintessential party cup found at gatherings and events across America. Sturdy, stackable, and cheap, these plastic cups hold drinks of all kinds.
But what happens if you need to quickly heat up some cocoa or soup and don’t have a proper microwave-safe container? Can you use a red Solo cup in the microwave instead?
The Short Answer
The short answer is yes; you can microwave a red Solo cup, but only for short periods of time and with caution. Solo cups are made from #6 polystyrene plastic, which can withstand brief microwaving.
However, prolonged exposure to microwave radiation will cause the cup to warp, melt, or leach chemicals. It’s best to microwave Solo cups empty and only to warm, not cook or heat fully.
The Risks of Microwaving Plastic Cups
Heating plastics in the microwave carries certain risks you should be aware of:
- Warping and Melting – Excessive heat can cause the cup to warp, bend, or melt from the high temperatures. This can make the cup unstable or cause melted plastic to contaminate your food or drink.
- Leaching Chemicals – High heat can cause chemicals in the plastic to leach into liquids or food inside. This includes bisphenol A (BPA) and polystyrene, which some studies show may be harmful to humans.
- Sparking Fires – Plastics that contain trace metals can spark fires in the microwave, which is very dangerous. The thin metal layer in some Solo cup designs may cause this.
So microwaving Solo cups poses some risks, especially if heated for too long. Use caution and limit microwave time to avoid these potential dangers.
Microwave Safety Tips for Solo Cups
If you do need to microwave a red Solo cup briefly, follow these tips for safety:
- Microwave an empty cup – Don’t put food or liquids in, as this increases the risk of leaching chemicals. Only microwave the empty cup itself.
- Keep time short – Heat for no more than 10–15 seconds at a time, allowing the cup to rest between intervals. Extended microwave times increase the risk.
- No stacking or lids – Do not microwave stacked cups or use plastic lids, as this can trap heat and melt plastic.
- Watch carefully – Stay nearby the microwave in case any sparking or melting occurs so you can stop it promptly.
- Allow cooling – Let the cup cool down completely before carefully handling it, as it will be very hot immediately after microwaving.
- Check for damage – Inspect the cup thoroughly afterwards for any warping, burning, cracking, or splitting, and discard if any are found.
- Wash before use – Wash thoroughly with soap and hot water before using the microwaved cup for food or drinks.
Following these precautions will reduce the risk of any damage or leaching when briefly microwaving a red Solo cup. But whenever possible, use a designated microwave-safe container instead.
Suitable Uses for Microwaved Solo Cups
While not ideal, a microwaved red Solo cup can work in certain situations if done carefully. Some suitable uses include:
- Warming milk or water – Heat empty cups with small amounts of milk, water, or other non-acidic liquids for 30 seconds or less.
- Softening butter – Soften a few tablespoons of butter for 10–15 seconds. Watch to prevent melting.
- Warming small hands – Place empty cups over kids’ hands for 10 seconds to warm.
- Tempering ingredients – Warm empty cups to lukewarm and then add a small amount of yeast, chocolate, etc. to temper.
- Propping cakes – Warm empty cups to mold and support shaped cakes as they cool and set.
Avoid microwaving Solo cups with acidic items like coffee, tea, juice, or tomato sauce, as these can cause more chemical leaching. Don’t microwave cups for long periods or with large amounts of food or drink inside.
Alternative Microwave-Safe Containers
For anything more than brief warming, use microwave-specific containers instead of Solo cups:
- Ceramic mugs, bowls, and plates
- Glass mugs, bowls, and containers
- Microwave-safe plastic containers
- Paper plates, bowls, and cups
- Microwave-safe silicone cups and molds
These alternatives are designed to resist high temperatures and won’t leach chemicals when microwaved. Choose microwave-safe dishware whenever possible for reliable, safer heating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can red Solo cups be microwaved?
Yes, but only for very short times, about 10–15 seconds. Prolonged microwaving can damage or melt the cups.
Are the new Solo Jazz design cups microwave-safe?
No, the decorative metal rim on Jazz cups can cause sparking fires, so they should not be microwaved.
Can you microwave a Solo cup with food or liquid inside?
No, you should only microwave an empty Solo cup. Microwaving cups with their contents inside poses greater risks.
What happens if you microwave a Solo cup too long?
It may warp, melt, leach chemicals, or even catch fire if exposed to microwave radiation for too long.
Can you microwave paper Solo cups?
No, paper cups contain fibers that can scorch or ignite when microwaved. Only use plastic Solo cups.
Are clear plastic Solo cups safer to microwave?
No, clear cups pose the same risks and should only be microwaved empty for short times like red cups.
The Bottom Line
While not ideal, red Solo cups can be microwaved briefly if needed in a pinch. But only microwave empty cups for no more than 10–15 seconds at a time.
Take precautions and avoid microwaving Solo cups containing food for longer periods due to the potential dangers. For reliable microwave heating, choose containers designed to be microwave-safe.
Hi, I’m Julie, the passionate foodie and founder of Juliesfamilykitchen.com. I created this blog out of a drive to prove someone wrong, and then I realized how much I truly enjoy cooking and trying new recipes. In my free time, when I’m not running around after my kids or spending quality time with my partner, you can usually find me in the kitchen experimenting with new dishes.