Can You Put Hot Food and Water in Tupperware?

At this point, almost everyone has a Tupperware item. And who wouldn’t want to own one? They are efficient and durable – two features everyone is looking for.

But there is one concern that almost everyone has: is Tupperware safe for hot water or food?

Well, you’ve come to the right place. Today we’re going to answer just that!

Is Tupperware safe for hot water and food?

It should also be remembered that older Tupperware may have BPA and is therefore unsuitable for hot foods and liquids.

Can Tupperware be used for microwaving food?

Apart from the TupperWave Stack Cooker, CrystalWave, and Rock N’ Serve products, Tupperware should not be used for microwaving. Moreover, even with the products that can be used in microwaves, you should still avoid using them to reheat high-fat foods and those with high sugar content. Such foods can damage and even stain Tupperware containers.

And when using these reheatable products, you shouldn’t use them under a grill, on the stove, in a conventional oven, or in any convection oven with conventional settings.

How safe is Tupperware?

A huge factor that affects the safety of Tupperware or any plastic product is the presence of Bisphenol-A (BPA). And while Tupperware stopped including BPA in their products around 11 years ago, it is very possible to still own products manufactured before this decision. Such products should never be used with hot food. There is just too high a risk that they can leach BPA into your food and cause health problems.

However, for the most part, Tupperware products are safe, as long as you don’t heat them.

They are mainly manufactured from Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE) and Polypropylene (PP) – two of the safest plastics for food storage. LDPE is not only considered to be food-grade but is also reusable.

However, it is not always recyclable, you’ll have to confirm this with your local collection service. It is commonly used to package bread, frozen foods, and mustard.

On the other hand, PP is light and flexible, yet tough. It has a high resistance to heat and is unlikely to leach any chemicals. As such, it is popularly used to manufacture yogurt containers and margarine tubs.

When is it time to get rid of Tupperware?

While Tupperware can last for as long as 10 years, there are some signs of aging you should look out for. For instance, you could notice missing lids, weird stains, and odors. This means that it’s time to stop using your containers for food and either throw them out or look for alternative uses.

For instance, you could use them to hold plants, organize your home, or even store your compost.

If you want your Tupperware to last long, there are some steps you can take:

• Use a sponge and warm, soapy water to wash.
• Air dry or dry with a soft towel; keep away from direct heat.
• Don’t use abrasives.
• Store containers without their lids.
• Keep away from abrasive utensils.

What Tupperware alternatives are safe for hot water and foods?

In this day and age, Tupperware is not the only food storage option we have. There are a variety of container materials that are significantly safer to use with hot water and food. These include:

Glass

Glass food containers are some of the safest out there. They neither contain nor transmit toxic chemicals, even when under extreme temperature conditions. As such, they are great for refrigerating, microwaving, and storing hot food.

Since you can see through them, they are particularly great for water and beverages like juice. Glass containers also effectively combat odor and moisture build-up. Though they are heavy and fragile.

Metal

Metal containers are a solid alternative to Tupperware. They are durable and don’t leach any harmful chemicals. Moreover, they can be used in refrigerators and can hold hot food. There are even some that can be used directly on the stovetop. And if you have kids, there’s some good news, they are light, easy to open, and unbreakable.

Additionally, unlike plastic containers, they dry all the way and don’t absorb any odors or bacteria.

If you do decide to go with metal containers, there are two major material options to choose from: aluminum and stainless steel.

Ultimately, they are both safer and much more sanitary than plastic. However, they do face one major setback; they are not safe for use in microwaves.

Ceramic

Ceramics have been used for food storage and preparation for thousands of years. They are natural, non-reactive, and toxin-free. As such, they are great for hot foods, microwave use, and refrigerator use. You can even use them in the oven if you like.

However, like glass, they are heavy and can easily break, making them unsuitable for travel.

Paper

With the rising popularity of home food delivery services, paper food containers have become quite common. Popularly made from cellulose paper fibers, these containers can accommodate both hot and cold foods. Moreover, they are biodegradable and can be safely added to your compost pile.

What’s more? They are usually designed to be leak-proof.

If you need these containers for a business, you can even get them designed and printed using FDA-approved inks. It also helps that paper containers can easily be recycled into fiberboard, wrapping paper, or even paper sacks without degrading in quality. And even if they make their way to a landfill, they can safely rot there.

All things considered, paper food containers are both safe and great for the environment.

Make a choice

Ultimately, it is up to you to choose what is best for you. You may just decide to wait till your food cools to use your Tupperware or you may go with a different type of container altogether. Just make sure it serves your needs without posing a health hazard or hurting the environment.

And don’t forget, always take proper care of your Tupperware. The longer it serves you, the better it is for everyone!