Let's be honest there's nothing worse than finding that your morning coffee has gone cold. Lukewarm - kinda passable. But stone cold. Not drinkable.
In truth, you should be blaming your travel mug. Most of the best will keep your drink hot for hours, so either yours is faulty, or you need to buy one with better insulation.
But that's a discussion for another time.
Right now, you've got cold coffee, and you need to warm it up - can you microwave the travel mug?
Before you blast your travel coffee mug with the microwave, you better take a few minutes to read through this article.
There's a good chance that the travel cup you're holding can't go in the microwave, and the end result could be catastrophic; for both the mug and your microwave.
Hang tight. You might be in luck. Some are perfectly fine to microwave, while others are not.
Read on to see if your travel mug is microwavable.
Can You Microwave A Metal Travel Mug?
Short answer. No.
If your travel mug is made from any type of metal, stainless steel, or even has metal components, it's not possible to put it in the microwave.
The metal acts as a shield and won't let any microwaves penetrate through to the drink inside.
This means your cold coffee will still be cold no matter how much you blast it in the microwave. Apart from your coffee staying cold, there is also a risk that any points or jagged edges on your travel mug could cause "arcing, " sparks will fly, and fire is possible.
If you don't want to light up your kitchen like the 4th of July, it's probably best to avoid putting your stainless steel travel mug in the microwave.
Can You Put A Plastic Travel Mug In The Microwave?
Yes and no.
If your travel mug says it's microwave safe, you're good to go.
If the original packaging has long gone, have a quick look underneath your mug - often, there will be a stamped label letting you know.
The "microwave safe" label is usually a microwave with some wavy lines on it. However, not all plastic cups will have a label, especially the disposable kind.
If you find yourself in this situation, you have a couple of options. First, don't risk it and presume you can put it in the microwave. It's best to reach out to the company for clarification.
Unlike metal mugs, plastic won't damage your microwave. Still, some plastics are known to release toxins into your drink when exposed to high heat.
These toxic chemicals can be hazardous and are definitely not something you want to be ingesting.
If the plastic travel cup has a #5 on it, it's made from polypropylene (PP) and generally considered microwave safe. But if you have any doubts, best not to take any chances.
Can You Put A Ceramic Mug In The Microwave?
So far, we have metal, no. Plastic maybe. How about a ceramic travel mug - are they microwavable?
If your mug is made from ceramic and does not contain any metal, you should be perfectly fine to microwave it.
However, suppose it contains some plastic parts, such as a sleeve or a lid. In that case, you must double-check and remove the plastic parts before placing the ceramic mug in the microwave.
Just like plastic mugs, most ceramics will indicate whether they are safe for the microwave so just have a quick peek underneath before you put it in.
How Do You Know If A Mug Is Microwave Safe?
Anything made from any type of metal is a definite no. So you can rule out any of your travel mugs made from stainless steel or those with metal components.
New plastic travel mugs tend to be BPA-free and are microwave safe. But always take a second to see if there are any labels or indications before you do.
One hundred percent ceramic mugs are absolutely fine, but extra caution is needed if they have any plastic components.
No matter what material your mug is made from, be sure that it's clearly labeled as microwave-safe. While ceramic, borosilicate glass, and some plastic materials are resistant to heat, your safest bet is to go with a mug marked for use in the microwave.
Most manufacturers of travel mugs will clearly state if their product is microwave safe.
So if you have to go out of your way to determine if your travel mug is safe to use in the microwave, the chances are it isn't.
You Can Always Reheat
Why take any risks.
Transfer your cold drink to a microwave-safe container first, reheat it, and transfer it back to your travel mug.
Once your hot drink is safely back inside your insulated travel cup, it will stay hot for hours. This time just make sure you drink it before it gets cold. I'm pretty sure there are only a set number of times any type of drink or food item can be microwaved.
Conclusion
If you've gotten this far, you should have a better idea if the mug you're holding in your hand right now is suitable for the microwave.
If it isn't, just transfer the contents to something that is and reheat. Simple.
Remember, the best microwaveable coffee travel mugs are made from ceramic or BPA-free plastic and stay clear of anything made from metal.
Most of the best-insulated travel mugs are designed to maintain the heat and not for reheating things. If your insulated mug can't hold the temperature and isn't keeping the contents warm, best shop around for a new one.
Good news.
We have a range of insulated ceramic coated travel mugs that keep your drinks hot for hours and beverages icy cold for even longer.
👉 Head on over here to take a look at our bestseller.
Mark Morphew is a freelance writer specializing in digital marketing and the hospitality sector. He helps coffee, catering, and food tech businesses create better content that drives more traffic and increases customer engagement.
