The 5 Best Bowls For A Microwave
There is nothing worse than filling up a bowl with the plan of putting it into the microwave to warm up your lunch and then finding yourself wondering if that bowl is actually safe for use in the microwave. Is it going to melt, spark, or crack?
We’ve got you covered. Whether you need to heat up your dinner or you want to melt some butter for a family-sized bowl of popcorn, we’ve researched the best bowls for microwave food.
So what are the best bowls to microwave? Our favorite products include well-know brands like Corelle and Nordic Ware, as well as biodegradable dishes, bright and child-friendly options, and incredibly stylish porcelain dishes.
In the following article, we’ll explain exactly why we chose the best bowls for microwaving so you can analyze the features and potential pitfalls to see how they might work into your personal lifestyle.
What Does Microwave-Safe Mean?
Many people assume that microwave-safe simply means that the dish will not warp or otherwise be damaged by being placed in the microwave, but that isn’t the whole story.
In order to be specifically designated as microwave-safe, the dish itself should not become hotter than room temperature, even after being heated through use.
Many dishes are promoted as being microwave-safe even if they do get hot to the touch, and we’ve included some of these in our list of the best 5 bowls, but we’ve added a special disclaimer to let you know which these are.
The bowls are still fantastic for use in the microwave, they just need to be handled carefully.
What Materials Are Microwave-Safe?
The most common materials that microwave-safe dishes are made out of are glass-ceramic or heatproof glass.
Corelle dishes are made from glass, so they’re a popular microwave-safe dishware product. Silicone is also safe to use in the microwave.
Ceramic is usually safe for use in the microwave, but check the bottom of your dish because not all are but they will specify on every dish.
You can also use certain cooking paper products, such as parchment paper, wax paper, paper towel, and oven cooking bags. Vented plastic bags and plastic containers can also be used in a microwave, though it’s good to always make sure any plastic is BPA-free or specifically labeled microwave-safe.
You should not put China in the microwave without checking to be sure it is microwave-safe, because they often have metal in them which can cause sparks or worse in your microwave.
Never put anything that has Styrofoam in your microwave either.
What is the Symbol for Microwave-Safe?
Dishes will often have different symbols printed on the bottom of the dish or, at least, on the packaging when you initially purchase the product.
A microwave-safe symbol will always include wavy lines. Sometimes the symbol is only wavy lines, other times it will have a dish under the lines, use the word “micro” or even “microwave” or be inside the shape of a simplistic microwave.
Wavy lines are only used to represent microwave safe, so anytime you see them, you can feel confident your dish is safe for use in your microwave.
Some other symbols you may see include diagonal lines or diagonal water drops, which indicate dishwasher-safe, or a snowflake, which shows your product is safe for freezer storage.
The 5 Best Bowls For A Microwave
There are many reasons you may find yourself in need of a microwave-safe bowl. From warming up your leftovers to melting chocolate, we’ve searched Amazon for the best bowls for microwaves.
| Rank | Recommended Product | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Corelle Soup/Cereal Bowls Set | Oven-safe |
| 2. | Unbreakable Cereal Bowls | Biodegradable |
| 3. | Youngever Microwave-Safe Plastic Bowls | Large size |
| 4. | Sweese Porcelain Bowls | Beautiful design |
| 5. | Corelle Soup/Cereal Bowls Set | Prep & serve bowls |
Our top 5 choices are listed again below – with explanations of what we deem to be the products’ best features as well as any downfalls they may have.
1. Corelle Soup/Cereal Bowls Set
Corelle has long been the standard in fashionable and practical dinnerware.
There is a good chance that you already have a beloved Corelle casserole dish in your cupboard that you simply can’t live without. And their plate settings are always among the most popular best sellers.
Key Features:
- These glass bowls are made 3 layers strong are chip and crack-resistant.
- Safe for not just the microwave, but also the dishwasher and even the oven.
- Bowls are stylish and strong, yet space-saving and sleek for small cupboards.
Biggest Drawbacks: These are 18 oz bowls, which is the smallest bowl in our top 5 favorites. This can be a good thing if you are paying attention to portion control or have children, but if you’re used to the large or extra-large 24–32 oz bowls they will feel a bit small to you.
DISCLAIMER: Can get warm to the touch after extended heating.
2. Unbreakable Cereal Bowls
We love dishes that are versatile, and these unbreakable cereal bowls fit that bill exactly.
They’re pretty in pastel colors and very fashionable, but they’re also durable and safe enough for no-fear children’s parties.
They’re a good size for a variety of meals, from cereal to soup, and they are always cool to the touch, even when taking them out of the microwave.
Key Features:
- Made from wheat straw fiber which is completely biodegradable, sustainable, and natural.
- They’re called unbreakable for a reason – they’re nearly indestructible.
- Despite their heartiness, these bowls are very lightweight and pretty too.
Biggest Drawbacks: Because these bowls are made directly from wheat, they are not gluten-free and those with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivities may experience a reaction from eating out of these bowls.
3. Youngever Microwave-Safe Plastic Bowls
Youngever is a super fun brand that appeals to families who truly appreciate bright, bold, and fun colors in their lives.
These bowls will make cereal, soup, or any kind of noodles much more entertaining to serve and enjoy.
If you like the brand, they have an entire collection of plates and cups, as well as large popcorn bowls and even taco holders!
Key Features:
- At 32 oz, these bowls are the largest microwave-safe cereal/soup bowls on our list.
- 9 bowls come at a very reasonable price and in a range of fun colors.
- Restaurant quality – they’ll stand up to a busy household and they’re dishwasher safe as well as microwave safe.
Biggest Drawbacks: They may be large bowls, but they’re also thin. This means if you fill a bowl to the brim and warm up soup, for example, they will be hot to hold and transport. Because they’re thin, the material does seem softer when they’re hot. If you know this ahead of time, it’s easy to prepare and transport accordingly.
DISCLAIMER: Will be hot to the touch after extended heating.
4. Sweese Porcelain Bowls
Microwave-safe becomes much more appealing when your dishes look good enough to serve straight from the microwave.
This curve design is sleek yet simple, and these bowls look just as good when they’re neatly stacked on your shelves as they do serving up salads, soup, or even your morning cereal.
Key Features:
- Very stylish, modern design that looks great serving anything.
- Freezer safe, as well as microwave and dishwasher safe.
- Porcelain doesn’t stain and washes very easily.
Biggest Drawbacks: Porcelain is a sturdy, high-quality product, but it is also the bowl most likely to break if dropped. It’s also the heaviest bowl, which can be a pro or con, depending on your preferences.
DISCLAIMER: Will be hot to the touch after extended heating.
5. Nordic Ware Mixing Bowl Set
Sometimes you need to warm something in the microwave that is bigger than a single serving, especially on leftover night.
For that, you need a prep and serve bowl, and this set from Nordic Ware is the perfect solution. You can prep, warm, serve, and store dinner and leftovers easily in these versatile bowls.
Key Features:
- Comes with 4 bowl sizes: 2 quarts, 3.5 quarts, 5 quarts, and 7 quarts.
- Bowls are made with BPA-free and Melamine-free plastic with non-slip silicone bottoms.
- Nest perfectly for storage and are all beautiful coastal colors.
Biggest Drawbacks: The particular material these bowls are made out of can stain, which is unfortunate if you’re making sauces with rich colors. They also don’t come with lids, which means in order to use them as storage containers as well as prep and serve bowls you have to find an alternative way to seal them – such as with plastic wrap.
Related Questions
Can You Microwave Glass Jars?
Yes, glass is generally microwave-safe. However, you should always check the bottom of the jar just to be safe, and never microwave a jar that is completely sealed or with any metal lids.
How To Know If Plastic Is Microwave-Safe?
The best way to know if your container or dish is microwave-safe is to look for the symbol on the bottom. You’ll either see wavy lines or there may even be an explicit warning against placing the item in the microwave.
Can Corelle Be Microwaved?
Yes, Corelle dishes are made from high-quality glass and they are safe for use in your dishwasher. Many are even safe for your oven up to a certain temperature.
Up Next: The 5 Best Oven Safe Skillets
