When you want to heat something up quickly, the microwave is often your first choice kitchen appliance. While microwaves are handy, they aren’t always the best way to heat up food or beverages. There are also some limits on the kinds of containers that you can put into the microwave.
In recent years, scientists have advised Americans to not heat up plastic in the microwave – which includes paper cups. Most paper cups have a coating to make them water-resistant, which is typically made from plastic or wax. Putting a paper cup in the microwave can cause chemicals to leach out of this coating, affect the structural integrity of the cup, and even present a fire hazard. While custom paper cups are great, they should not be heated up in the microwave.
At Disposable Design, we pride ourselves on selling the highest quality custom-printed disposable products to independently owned and operated food service businesses throughout the United States. Our promotional products – including paper cups – are an easy, cost-effective way to expand your marketing efforts. Reach out today to talk to a member of our branding team about how we can help your business grow.
How Paper Cups Are Made
Paper cups are typically made from wood pulp. The pulp is made by mixing cellulose fibers and water in an industrial blender to form a slurry. The slurry is then cooked in an open-air vat before being filtered through screens, cleaned, and bleached. The pulp is then dried in a series of rotating drums.
To make the cups, the food-grade paperboard is turned into reels, which are cut into sheets. The sheets are stacked and then cut into cup sidewall blanks. These blanks are then inserted into cup-forming machines. These machines apply heat and pressure to first wrap the blanks into a cup shape before adding the bottom of the cup.
The seams of the cup will then be heated by the machine to make the cups resistant to leaks. The machine then trims the cups into their final shape. This also includes curling the rim of the cup to make drinking easier.
Paperboard is the main component of paper cups. However, paper is generally not resistant to liquids on its own – as anyone who has used a paper straw knows. To make paper cups leak-proof and suitable for both hot and cold beverages, a thin layer of polyethylene (PE) or wax is applied to the interior of the cup. This food-safe coating acts as a barrier to prevent the liquid from seeping into the paperboard.
While there are a number of alternatives to PE and wax – such as polylactic acid (PLA) and water-based coatings – paper cups do require some type of coating so that they can be used for their intended purpose. Without a coating, these cups simply wouldn’t hold liquid. Instead, they would disintegrate – making them pretty useless.
Can I Microwave a Paper Cup?
Once new and exciting technology, microwaves are now standard in most American kitchens. Microwaves work by generating electromagnetic waves – or microwaves – which are absorbed by water molecules in food. This causes the water molecules to vibrate rapidly and produce heat, cooking the food from the inside out.
Microwaves are incredibly convenient, but users still have to be careful with them. For example, you can’t put metal inside of the microwave – and more recent science has proven that it isn’t a good idea to put plastic in the microwave. When you microwave plastic, the material heats up and becomes softer and more porous. This can cause harmful chemicals and microplastics to be released into your food – which presents a health risk.
For this reason, experts generally recommend against microwaving paper cups. This is true for almost all paper cups, whether or not they have a plastic-based coating. Here is why:
- Plain paper cups do not have a plastic or wax coating. However, when the paper cups are heated up, they may burn or tear. As such, it isn’t safe to microwave even plain paper cups.
- Wax-coated paper cups are typically used for cold beverages. When these cups are microwaved, the wax will almost certainly melt. The wax will then leach into your food or beverage – and the cup may fall apart.
- Plastic-coated paper cups (such as cups with a PE coating) are more durable than wax-coated cups. However, when these cups are heated, that coating will likely release chemicals. It isn’t a good idea to microwave plastic-coated paper cups.
In summary, there are 3 main risks when it comes to microwaving paper cups: chemical leaching, structural integrity, and fire hazards. It isn’t worth taking any of these risks to microwave a disposable paper cup.
There are some paper cups that are specifically labeled as being safe to microwave. However, you should always check the label before putting anything into the microwave. Generally, if you need to reheat a beverage, your best option is to use a microwave-safe vessel – such as a ceramic mug. This will help to protect your health and prevent issues such as burns from picking up a structurally weak paper cup with a hot liquid.
Growing Sales With Branded Paper Cups
Just because paper cups can’t be microwaved does not mean that they’re a bad investment for your business. In fact, custom paper cups can be hugely beneficial to your business. They’re a cost-effective way to advertise, allowing you to market your business for minimal cost. When you serve your drinks in custom-printed paper cups, your customers will carry your business name and logo around with them – generating brand impressions for cents on the dollar.
Disposable promotional products are also more hygienic and convenient than reusable cups. They make your business look more professional and are perfect for both dine-in and take-out service. If you are already using disposable cups, it makes sense to expand your branding reach for minimal added cost by purchasing custom cups.
Disposable Design offers a full range of disposable products, including multiple options for paper cups. Our line includes:
- Custom paper cups with a PE lining, perfect for both hot and cold drinks
- Custom coffee cups for hot beverages, complete with double-wall construction
- Custom ripple cups, which are thick enough to forgo a coffee sleeve for hot drinks
We also offer custom plastic cups, custom biodegradable cups, and custom stadium cups – along with a host of other custom promotional products.
Get Custom Paper Cups from Disposable Design
Paper cups shouldn’t go in the microwave – but they can and should be used at your business. Our custom paper cups are suitable for both hot and cold beverages. They are ideal for food trucks, cafes, restaurants, and all other food service operations.
Based in Michigan, Disposable Design works with small and medium-sized businesses to provide them with the custom-branded products that they need at a fair price. Using custom disposable cups can help you increase your marketing efforts for pennies on the dollar. If you need custom paper cups, custom plastic cups, custom coffee sleeves, custom napkins, or another product, we are here to help.
To learn more about our products or to speak to a member of our branding team, fill out our online contact form or hit the live chat button at the bottom of the screen.
