Gone are the days when you had to carry a bulky thermos flask to keep your beverage either cold or hot.
Yeti cups provide the same convenience of keeping your drink at an optimum temperature while being light enough to carry around.
They also come in various colors, shapes, and sizes, allowing you to settle on the most suitable one to meet your needs.
But, can you microwave Yeti Cups?
No, you should not microwave Yeti cups. Stainless steel, which is the material used to make Yeti cups, is not microwave-safe. Metals like stainless steel reflect off the microwaves instead of absorbing them, which creates a fire hazard.
More so, how they are insulated will inhibit the contents from getting heated.
As you read further, you will find out why it is unsafe to microwave Yeti cups, whether you can safely heat beverages in a Yeti cup, and some tips for safely using a Yeti cup. We will also answer some frequently asked questions regarding this topic.
How do Yeti cups work?
Yeti cups keep beverages hot or cold through their insulating properties.
If you take a Yeti cup apart, you will find a double layer of stainless steel, with a gap separating the interior and exterior.
This gap is the vacuum that prevents the movement of heat in or out of the cup since heat does not travel through voids. That is why your drink retains the same temperature inside the Yeti cup, whether hot or cold.
What happens when you put a Yeti cup in a microwave?
Microwaving a Yeti cup risks damage to the mug and the microwave. Additionally, it poses a fire hazard.
Yeti cups are made from stainless steel metal. Generally, metals are not microwave-safe because their molecules lie too close to each other. This structure prevents the absorption of microwaves that facilitate the heating of foodstuff in a microwave oven.
When a Yeti cup I microwaved, the microwaves are reflected off the cup’s surface, which leads to sparking, a fire hazard. Additionally, since the waves do not penetrate the mug as needed, the contents do not get heated efficiently, and you may not notice any significant difference in the temperature of your beverage.
Reasons why you cannot microwave Yeti cups
1. Yeti cups do not absorb microwaves
Stainless steel, the material used to make Yeti cups, does not absorb the microwaves that facilitate heating in a microwave. Therefore, the contents will either not get heated or take too long before acquiring any significant temperature rise, rendering it an ineffective method to use.
2. They are not microwave-safe
Yeti cups are not microwave-safe because they are made from stainless steel. The metallic surface of the cup will reflect microwaves rather than absorb them, which can cause sparking.
Additionally, the microwaves can get reflected into the magnetron part of the appliance, which will cause it to overheat and result in a fire or a damaged microwave. The magnetron is the part of the microwave that produces the actual microwaves.
3. The cup can get too hot, causing severe burns
Stainless steel molecules have electrons that get pulled by the microwaves, and this causes the surface of the cup to heat up very quickly. When you or an oblivious person handles a microwaved Yeti cup, you expose yourself to severe burns.
4. There is a risk of arcing
Arcing occurs when electricity jumps between two conductive points. Since steel is a good conductor of electricity, the microwaves can induce an electric current in the Yeti cup, which can then jump between different points of the mug or between the mug and conductive parts of the microwave.
When this happens, an explosion is imminent, and there is no predicting the amount of damage that could lead to.
5. The cup may get damaged in the process
The lid of the Yeti cup is made from plastic, but it also contains a metallic element. When exposed to microwaves, the cover, which is not microwave safe, can succumb to high temperatures from the microwaved cup and the microwave and melt.
The microwaves will also damage the magnetic element in the lid, rendering the cup less valuable since the top is an essential part of insulating your beverage.
Will a Yeti cup catch fire in your Microwave?
Yes. This is certainly a possibility when microwaving a Yeti cup.
Microwaving your Yeti cup can cause sparking, resulting in a fire. Arching is also associated with microwaving metallic objects, and items with pointed or jagged tips are at greater risk for this. During arching, the electric current jumps between two points, which can result in fire or an explosion.
What to do instead of microwaving a Yeti cup
Pour your beverage into a microwave-safe cup and microwave to the desired temperature, then transfer it back into the Yeti cup.
This is the appropriate method to use when you need to reheat your beverage. This way, both the microwave and the cup remain safe from electrical and fire hazards.
Additionally, it will save you plenty of time and energy because heating drinks in a Yeti cup could take forever if you can even get the heat through in the first place.
How long does a Yeti cup keep beverages hot?
Four to six hours is the average time that a Yeti cup keeps beverages hot. You can pour water into the cup even though it is boiling since the stainless steel can withstand these temperatures. Keeping the lid well secured will help the beverage hot for longer. If you notice your Yeti mug cooling drinks faster, then it is likely that the insulated part is compromised.
Valuable tips for using your Yeti cup
Follow these safety tips and guidelines when using your Yeti cup to make it last longer and prevent potential accidents.
- Avoid heating or freezing the mug. Heating or freezing beverages using a Yeti cup will likely damage the cup. Since metals expand when heated and contract when cooled, exposing the cup to freezing or hot temperatures may interfere with its structure and damage the vacuum, which will affect its ability to keep your drink hot or cold.
- Do keep your mug as clean and dry as possible. Yeti mugs create the perfect mold and bacterial growth conditions due to the darkness, warmth, and humidity inside. If not properly cleaned and dried, Yeti mugs can obtain a musty or fishy smell, which is very unpleasant. Bacteria and fungi are also health hazards that can cause severe illness. Therefore, clean and dry your mug correctly before use. You can use Yeti cleaning tablets, an efficient and hassle-free method to keep your mug hygienic.
- Avoid using for storing carbonated drinks and perishable food or drinks. Putting hot food or carbonated drinks in a Yeti cup will result in pressure build-up over time. This pressure makes it hard to remove the lid, and forcefully removing it can lead to injuries. According to the manufacturers, Yeti cups are not made for hot food or carbonated drinks. These cups perform best when used for hot or cold beverages.
Faqs on Can you Microwave Yeti Cups
Is it safe to microwave Yeti cups?
No. Yeti cups are made from stainless steel, which is not a microwave-safe material.
Microwaving a Yeti cup can cause damage to both the mug and the microwave since stainless steel reflects microwaves instead of absorbing them, which can cause sparking. The material is also a good conductor of heat, and it can get too hot in the microwave and cause burns during handling or even burn parts of the microwave.
Can you put a stainless steel cup in the microwave?
No, stainless steel is not a microwave-safe material because of its molecular structure—the molecules in the metal lie close to one another, preventing the microwaves’ absorption. Instead, the waves reflect off the surface of the steel cup, which can cause sparking.
Due to the metal’s good conductivity, putting it in the microwave will likely cause it to overheat. If you handle it in this state, you expose yourself to burns.
Can you microwave an insulated tumbler?
No, you should not microwave an insulated tumbler. Microwaving an insulated tumbler is likely to cause damage to the tumbler. Additionally, there is a risk of explosion due to intense pressure buildup inside the tumbler.
Insulated tumblers are designed to keep contents hot or cold but are not for use in microwaves.
What happens if you put a metal cup in the microwave?
The microwaves will not penetrate the metal. Instead, they will get reflected off the metallic surface, which may cause sparking. Sparking is a fire hazard because it can easily ignite any combustible materials in the microwave.
Some metals are excellent conductors of electricity, which can cause them to get too hot in the microwave and burn parts of your appliance or even cause burns to your hands as you handle it.
Why are Yeti cups not dishwasher safe?
They are dishwasher safe. Yeti cups are durable enough to withstand dishwasher conditions. Cleaning your Yeti cup in the dishwasher is an easy and convenient way to keep it clean and hygienic.
The high temperatures in the dishwasher will kill off bacteria in the cup that would otherwise pose a health risk to you.
However, the lids are not dishwasher safe, as you risk damaging the rubber gasket.
Conclusion
Microwaving Yeti cups is neither safe nor effective. You risk damaging your mug and the microwave, which are expensive to replace.
The cup is not designed for microwaving but rather to keep your beverage hot or cold, which is what it accomplishes best.
Though the likelihood of fire and explosion is relatively low when microwaving for short periods, it is still possible and should not be overlooked.
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