Can You Microwave Cup Noodles?

Instant cup noodles are the best possible snacks for your hunger solution. It doesn’t need high cooking skills or expensive ingredients to make it. Instead, it will barely need only a cup of hot water. 

Yet, some ask, “Can You Microwave Cup Noodles?”

The answer is No. You can’t directly put an instant cup of noodles into the microwave because the cups aren’t microwave-friendly. However, some also say you can certainly microwave cup noodles. But that would require a separate heat-resistant pot. After all, you want to avoid setting your food on fire.

The best way to make instant noodles would be to not follow any complicated steps. However, if you want to try some other options instead of heating that instant cup, let’s know some more necessary facts. 

Why Shouldn’t You Microwave a Cup of Noodles?

Well, microwaving cup noodles is not recommended because there are possible health risks. Instant cup noodles are meant to be eaten with hot water. The cup of these instant noodles is not microwave friendly. 

And this is usually written clearly over the container. Microwaving the cup noodles will transfer harmful chemicals into the noodles. 

Some other threatening factors might stop you while microwaving cup noodles. It can weaken the container by overheating. And it will make the noodles spill. Noodle cups can get damaged as well. 

Instant noodle cups are made of styrofoam. And it can’t have enough resistance to hot water. Styrofoam cups are built with expanded polystyrene. If you microwave the cup noodles, the chemical substances can be released into your food by heat.

Below are the reasons explained why you shouldn’t plan to microwave your favorite cup of noodles.

Leaching harmful chemicals

Instant noodle cups are unpredictable. Microwaving will launch harmful chemicals. Styrofoam is the basic type of plastic cup. This type of cup can be melted instantly by chemicals. And such chemicals will lead to cancer-causing bacteria. 

When placing the noodles over extreme heat, the cup will leach toxic chemicals like styrene into the noodles’ soup. And styrene is known for causing cancer.

Styrene gets softened and starts melting from the cup when you microwave it. So even if you don’t get cancer, it can cause a lot of other dangerous diseases. 

Heating will Weaken the structural integrity of the cup

Instant noodle cups can be weakened by extreme heat. If you keep it directly at a high temperature, The structural integrity gets weakened, and the instant cup starts melting. So, it’s a sure thing that you’ll damage the cup and make a mess with it.

Only Level 5 plastics are resistant to high heat. And noodles, too, are made for one-time use. You can recycle the cup. But using it for a long time, like other bowls in your kitchen, is not recommended.

It’s clearly written “Do Not”: 

It’s clearly written on the cup that “you just do not put the cup in the microwave.” When they mentioned the thing as a warning, it would never be a good move. Instead, you must follow their directions by writing on the cup.

How Bad Is It to Microwave Cup Noodles?

Things can go wrong if you don’t follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This will depend on how and for what time you’re microwaving the cup. 

If the hot temperature makes the cup explode, it can be a mess. If leakages start in the microwave, it can ruin your microwave too. Another bad thing can happen when you’re done with microwaving the cup. 

Even if it doesn’t get leaked, you will be at risk when you want to get the cup out. The cup is not resistant and can get fragile with heat. And you will ultimately burn your hands. 

Finally, here comes the worst thing; the styrofoam reaction. If styrofoam’s chemical elements are mixed with the noodles, it will be toxic. And eating those noodles can make you sick.

Does Microwaving Cup Noodles Cause cancer? : Rumor Or Truth?

Yes, it can be shocking for you. Yet, microwaving cup noodles can cause cancer. It again comes from that cup material named styrofoam and carcinogenic styrene. When you heat that cup of noodles, these toxic elements get poisonous too. 

This also varies on the issue of how much temperature you’re heating the noodles. It’s not a must that you put the cup into the microwave, and the cancer substances will be released. Generally, the cup noodles are safe at 50 degrees (Celcius) temperature.  

And the danger can arrive at 122 degrees. So, it won’t be okay to use extremely hot water in the cup. 

Styrofoam makes the noodle cup reusable. So, manufacturers must pay attention to include this material. This is not basically built to be put into the microwave. You’re supposed to pour hot water, and the noodles will be cooked by themselves.

The Best Way to Microwave Cup Noodles

The best way might be the safest way. It is really a quick and easy snack recipe. You need to follow the written instructions on the cup. 

However, if you’re really desperate to microwave the cup noodles, consider not directly heating them. You can boil water in a pot. And when the water starts boiling, keep the cup in the water. This might be a safer way to provide heat to the cup. This way, you will neither leach chemicals nor damage the cup. 

And for better understanding, follow these step-by-step instructions:

Step 1: Take a bigger pot (microwave friendly) than your noodle cup. Pour some water And microwave it for 2 minutes.

Step 2: Keep that noodles cup in that water-filled pot

Step 3: Leave the lip open slightly.

Step 4: Start the microwave and let it heat for 3 to 4 minutes maximum.

Step 5: Open the cup upside, stir it well, mix with spices, and enjoy it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if you put cup noodles in the microwave without water?

This can get on fire and make a bigger mess. Dry and uncooked noodles can get on fire with high heat. High heat dries the noodles and makes them charred. And such noodles won’t even melt.

What is the best way to make cup noodles?

If you want to make instant cup noodles, you need to follow the directions only. Pour boiled water into the cup and mix it well with additional spices to bring taste. And, if you don’t want to eat that in the cup, bring all the noodles in a cup and mix it well with the same process.

How long should cup noodles sit in water?

Well, it takes only 3 minutes to get your cup noodles cooked. Pour some hot water into the cup and let it sit for 3 minutes. This will make your noodles well-cooked and ready to eat.

Can you cook noodles without boiling water first?

Yes, if you don’t have hot water, you can still cook the noodles. You need to soften the rough and dry noodles. So, cover it with some cold water instead. Give it some time, and the rest of the procedures will be the same.

Last Words

You can certainly microwave your noodles. But when it is put on the instant cup, this can be dangerous. You’ve already known about all the unwanted consequences.

So, it is best if you follow the instructions. However, there are also alternative ways to microwave cup noodles. Again, make it safe and eat this well. And if you’re hot water, then there is no necessity to microwave the noodles.