Community Chat

[patmth]

Hi Does anyone know what the white stuff on lock and lock bowls, etc. They have been heated in microwave oven and in dishwasher. Don't understand why. Will try to upload a pic. Thanks for any help.

[Mominohio]

To me this looks like you heated foods too hot in the bowl.

Any plastic will start to melt and look like this when hot liquids or foods are in contact too long at too high heat.

I'd discard this and not use it. 

I never put Lock and Lock in the microwave, even though they say it is safe. 

[Q4u]

This happens to every lock n lock item I've ever had as well as other microwave safe plastic containers.  I don't scorch them either but I imagine the edges get really hot compared to the center.

I also make a Spaghetti based cassarole and the tomato in it stains the containers after awhile.....  when they get really bad I throw them away and treat myself to some new ones.....

[Marp]

The marks look like what happens when fat or grease is heated in the microwave.  Fats and oils get hotter faster than the food and etches/scars the plastic.

[Annabellethecat66]

Like @Q4u said, when you use something that contains a lot of accidity (like tomato based products) i.e. spaghetti sauce, etc. it seems to happen to me.

I don't know if it works but there is something advertised that if you use it on these kinds of products it will get rid of these stains.

Here's something

:http://askannamoseley.com/2011/07/how-to-remove-food-stains-from-tupperware/

Here's something else:

http://foodal.com/knowledge/cleaning/11-ways-remove-stains-plastic/

Just google how to get rid of stains on tupperware (same thing).

[Gemspirit]

I've looked at your photo. It brings me back to the Tupperware days. I had a friend who was a rep.. She used to rinse the T-ware in icy cold water before adding in super starchy foods like, potatoes and pasta. Same thing for accidic foods as you and others noted. Especially tomatoes mainly cooked forms 

It worked for me! I like lock n lock very much. But still have a few old T-ware plastic containers. 

[MsLomo]

I have learned not to use the tops in the microwave. I use a small sheet of wax paper on top instead -- and if I'm having something with parmesan cheese on it, I add it after it's been heated in the microwave. I agree about tomato sauce causing stains, too.

[DoneTryin]

ITA with comments already  made about what caused it.  I've pretty much reduced my microwave use to once or twice a week & only heat food/liquid in glass dishes.  I use my Lock & Lock for dry & refrigerator storage only.  Yes, I know it dirties an extra dish to transfer something into glass, but I just flat out don't like heating in plastic.  It doesn't pain me at all to wash another dish.  smile

[Mominohio]

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@DoneTryin wrote:

ITA with comments already  made about what caused it.  I've pretty much reduced my microwave use to once or twice a week & only heat food/liquid in glass dishes.  I use my Lock & Lock for dry & refrigerator storage only.  Yes, I know it dirties an extra dish to transfer something into glass, but I just flat out don't like heating in plastic.  It doesn't pain me at all to wash another dish.  smile

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@DoneTryin

I never use plastic in the microwave either. 

I found a great solution for not having to transfer things I know will end up reheated. I got a nice big set of Pyrex storage bowls.

They come in sets of multiple sizes from really small to rather generous, have really strong, well sealing lids (they aren't water tight like the lock and lock though), clear heavy glass that you can see through (and not forget what you have in the fridge!!).

When I'm putting away something that I know I will be reheating, I just grab one of those instead of the Lock and Lock. They are so sturdy, including the lids, I expect them to outlast me!

And as a bonus MADE IN AMERICA!!!!

[chickenbutt]

It is the nature of this type of plastic that it will pit, peel, and stain when you use it in the microwave.    Why they tell people to use them in the microwave - I have no idea because this WILL happen.  It's not a defect of the product.  It's just the nature of that type of plastic.  For this reason, I don't put my L&L in the microwave and they stay pristine for many years.