View topic - Are lunch bags safe for microwaving popcorn?

Author Message Mary

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Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 6:03 pm

 

   Post subject: Are lunch bags safe for microwaving popcorn?

TV chef Alton Brown makes MW-popcorn by putting popcorn+oil+salt in a brown paper lunch bag, and zapping it as usual. This sounds easy and cheap and fun. But I worry that there might be dangerous chemicals in brown paper lunch bags. Any ideas?

kgb1001001

Joined: 21 Dec 2005
Posts: 108

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 9:32 pm

 

   Post subject: They're fine

Paper lunch bags are already meant to come in contact with foods, hot or cold. If they contained anything toxic, the FDA would already have sounded the alarm about their intended use. Alton's use is not that far off -- the only difference is that the heat is maintained for a few minutes in the microwave -- they should be perfectly safe.

Gabrielle

Joined: 27 Oct 2006
Posts: 5

Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2006 12:15 am

 

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There is no problem with using the paper bags. I would, however, not use recycled ones.

Guest

Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 6:10 pm

 

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Thanks for your replies. They gave me courage to try it last night, and it worked great!

GaryProtein

Joined: 26 Oct 2005
Posts: 535

Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 1:58 pm

 

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I wouldn't use a pastic bag because it would lock the steam in making tough popcorn.

Guest

Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 9:40 pm

 

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Plus I'd be afraid that plastic would melt, or give off toxic fumes, when heated.

I've settled on paper lunch bags (labeled as such) with the open end folded over twice. I've tried (1) plain popcorn, (2) popcorn with oil, (3) popcorn with oil and salt, (4) plain popcorn in a bag with holes, and (5) popcorn with oil in a bag with holes. (The holes were punched with a standard paper punch).

The lightest, fluffiest was (5). It came out even better than popcorn popped on the stove in a pot with oil.

GaryProtein

Joined: 26 Oct 2005
Posts: 535

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 11:31 pm

 

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When you make popcorn on the stove, NEVER cover the pot with anything but a screen type pot cover. A collander upside down covering the pot is also fine. The steam MUST be allowed to escape unimpeded. The steam is what makes popcorn tough.

LoraA444

Joined: 07 Jan 2007
Posts: 1
Location: Bethel, CT

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 7:32 pm

 

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I always use the brown bags for popped corn. Yummy!

Want more information on custom microwave popcorn bags? Feel free to contact us.

kim

Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 6:36 am

 

   Post subject: Here is an article about pot. hazard fr. microwave popcorn

Check it out here - there is a chemical used to make butter flavoring called diacetyl that releases toxic fumes when heated and has "completely destroyed the lungs" of popcorn factory workers. No one knows if it is dangerous on the consumer level since the FDA won't investigate the issue and the EPA is limiting the release of their information to flavor manufacturers (personally, I don't think they should be allowed to withhold any information - tax dollars fund the studies which I do think should be done, but all information should be made public).

kim

Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 6:39 am

 

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as for the paper bag leaching chemicals, i'd imagine unbleached would be better as the aforementioned article suggests. really not sure about potential chemicals in paper or if recycled versus non recycled would be better. haven't come across literature on that yet. you might also consider the glue they use on the paper, though i'd imagine they'd use something as non toxic as elmer's. but you never know.

pilot guy

Guest

Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:46 am

 

   Post subject: Re: Here is an article about pot. hazard fr. microwave popco

Check it out here - there is a chemical used to make butter flavoring called diacetyl that releases toxic fumes when heated and has "completely destroyed the lungs" of popcorn factory workers. No one knows if it is dangerous on the consumer level since the FDA won't investigate the issue and the EPA is limiting the release of their information to flavor manufacturers (personally, I don't think they should be allowed to withhold any information - tax dollars fund the studies which I do think should be done, but all information should be made public).

Just about any oil that is aerosolized will cause serious lung problems, so I doubt it is just the result of the chemical. Haven't you ever heard of lipoid pneumonia for example.

IndyRob

Joined: 17 Dec 2006
Posts: 77

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:56 pm

 

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.

I'm a big fan of AB, and have tried the microwave lunch bag trick. But IMHO, pop your corn in a pan with coconut oil. It's still not healthy, but a far more pleasant way to die

JulieB

Joined: 30 Oct 2011
Posts: 8

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 3:39 pm

 

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Here's another thought for a quick toasted cheese sandwich, to avoid the grill. . .not the same, but less the fat. Toast bread, make cheese sandwich, place in lunch bag, heat very quickly. . .about 2 seconds. Will depend on your microwave. Not like Grama used to make, but it's a warm Office Special alternative in crunch time.

livinlargeinthesun

Joined: 04 Nov 2011
Posts: 1

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 2:19 pm

 

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I have never heard of popping popcorn this way. I will definitely have to try it. Thanks!

Dude111

Joined: 23 Sep 2010
Posts: 142

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 8:39 am

 

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Welcome.....

I dont see why they wouldnt be OK..

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Metals including stainless steel and aluminum foil

Anything made of or containing steel, iron, copper or other hard metals should never go in your microwave. Metal surfaces reflect microwaves, which increases the heat inside the appliance and could lead to a fire. If you’re storing leftovers in a metal container, remove the food and place it in a microwave-safe container instead. 

When it comes to aluminum foil, things can get tricky. Technically foil can be microwaved, but its surface needs to stay as flat as possible. Wrinkles or crumpled foil can cause “arcing”—that is, it can cause electric sparks to shoot across the surface of the foil, potentially damaging your microwave or causing a fire. In addition, food wrapped in aluminum foil may not cook or reheat properly in the microwave—the foil will reflect the radio waves instead. Each microwave is different, learn more about how a microwave works or consult your owner’s manual to determine if aluminum foil is safe. And when in doubt, avoid placing any kind of metal in your microwave.

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