Wondering whether you can microwave Starbucks cups? Well, you just stepped in the right place.
Today, we will take a detailed look at whether or not you can microwave Starbucks cups.
This article contains important yet useful information about Starbucks cups. In the end, everything regarding microwaving Starbucks should be at your fingertips.
Can you microwave Starbucks cups? Here is all you need to know.
Is It Safe To Microwave Starbucks Cups?
Starbucks cups are made using adhesive glue to attach the pieces. Most Starbucks cups also contain a wax and plastic lining.
These cups are designed to hold hot drinks, but at times, they may melt and lose shape when exposed to high-temperature levels.
When your Starbucks cup heats up and the wax melts, it can release harmful chemicals into your beverage, making it unsafe for consumption.
Remember not all cups react the same way, but a lot of takeout coffee cups are not safe to heat in a microwave.
If you wish to have a hot cup of coffee, it means you need to heat the cup for a longer time or set higher temperatures. This will be unsafe.
Starbucks cups are made to not withstand reheating temperatures. Microwaving them will give negative results.
Always check the label at the bottom of your Starbucks cup indicating whether it’s safe to heat.
What Are Starbucks Cups Made Of?
Nowadays, Starbucks cups are designed in a way that resembles many other types of coffee cups.
They are made up of paper coated with plastic, hence making them waterproof to keep your beverage contained in the cup. Your beverage can’t leak.
The plastic lining makes them unsafe for microwaving because the plastic may heat up and melt thereby leaching hormone-disrupting elements into your beverage.
Cups with plastic lining are also difficult to recycle in recycling facilities because they are not equipped to remove the plastic lining from the paper cup as required.
Starbucks announced on the internet its plans to eradicate plastic straws and introduce cups with better compostability and recyclability.
Starbucks Company wishes to switch to another type of lining, which would be safe for the planet.
But the company wouldn’t make their cups microwave-safe. This is because of the flammable nature of the paper cups, and you wouldn’t be happy if a fire started.
It is currently not safe to microwave Starbucks paper cups, and probably it still may not be safe in the future.
Related: Can you microwave Yeti cups?
Different Types of Starbucks Cups
To be sure whether a Starbucks cup is safe to microwave or not, you need first to evaluate the type of material the cup is made up of.
Below are heating instructions for the different types of Starbucks cups used to serve your favorite beverage:
- Glass bottles
The glass bottles of Starbucks coffee drinks are easy to grab and are available in the local market at a low price.
Water expands as it freezes. So, if the glass bottle is left in a freezer for a long time, it may shatter.
Additionally, the Starbucks glass bottles are not safe to heat in the microwave. You have to transfer your beverage to a microwave-safe cup for reheating.
- Ceramic mug
Depending on the Starbucks ceramic mug’s construction and finishing glaze, the inner lining and coating may be safe for microwaving.
Ensure to check the bottom of your ceramic mug for actual details concerning the different types of theme design.
The ceramic mugs are likely to heat faster than other Starbucks cups, so you’ll need to adjust the microwave power settings accurately to reheat your drink.
- Paper cup
These types are not microwave-safe. They are designed to hold hot drinks.
Paper cups are attached using adhesives. They are then lined up with a plastic or wax lining. As a result, the paper cups are non-microwable.
The paper cup may burn at the bottom. This will melt the glue and destroy the lining of your cup.
On top of that, harmful chemicals leach into your coffee affecting its taste. The cup may also start leaking the hot drink.
- Plastic cup
The plastic Starbucks coffee cups are not safe for microwave use.
Test whether your cup is microwave-safe by filling it half full with water, then heat it in the microwave for 30 seconds. If the plastic cup heats more than the water, then that means it’s not safe for use in the microwave, and vice versa.
Single-use Starbucks cups are suitable for a takeout service or refilling drinks at the stores, but they are not made in a way to withstand the enormous heat in a microwave.
Get entertained by a cold drink in your plastic cup rather than reheating it in the microwave.
- Tumbler
Most tumblers have a double layer of insulated walls to ensure that your beverage stays hot or cold for a longer time.
Unluckily, double-layered tumblers are not safe for microwave use because too much heat will destroy the insulating layer.
The tumblers are commonly constructed with stainless steel or acrylic plastic. Starbucks tumblers aren’t recommended for microwave use.
- Reusable cup
Starbucks plastic reusable cups are made of 5 polypropylene plastic-type, which is used best for cold drinks, but it’s still said to be safe for use in the microwave.
With proper care and cleaning, the reusable cup can be reused time and time again.
Make sure to microwave at medium level and not for more than 30 seconds. Keep stirring your beverage until it heats to your desired temperature.
The reusable cups are constructed using different materials, giving different results.
Whenever you need to reheat your beverage in a Starbucks cup, you now clearly understand how to do it
If your routine includes taking hot beverages multiple times a day, choose a glass cup or a ceramic mug with a lid to ensure your drinks stay hot for a long time.
How Long Do You Need To Microwave Starbucks Coffee?
All Starbucks cup types react differently when used to heat beverages in a microwave.
Always use Starbucks cups with a label indicating they are safe to microwave.
The answer on how long you should microwave Starbucks coffee also depends on the type of coffee.
The best way to heat your coffee is by making accurate settings of temperature and time:
- Fill your beverage in a microwave-safe cup halfway
- Set the microwave power to medium-level
- Keep stirring your coffee each period
- Reheat at intervals of 30-45 seconds
- Proceed with reheating until your desired temperature is reached
Be aware that reheating your coffee so many times gives it a bitter taste rather than the fresh, original taste.
If your coffee has milk, ensure you place the drink in a refrigerator if it’s not consumed within 2 hours.
How Do You Know If A Starbucks Cup Is Microwave Safe Or Not?
So far, you’ve learned that there are Starbucks cups that are safe for microwave use and there are those that are unsafe.
How are you able to discern this?
An excellent way to check if a Starbucks cup is microwave-safe or not is to check for the words “microwave-safe” at the bottom of your cup.
Another best way is to check for the recycling code at the bottom of your cup. Recycling codes vary from 1-7. Code 5 indicates your cup is microwave-safe.
Even though your cup indicates recycling code 5 that does not always mean to heat in a microwave.
Ensure to also look for instructions on the cup before microwaving. If the instructions are not specific, don’t attempt to do so.
Even if the cup has recycling code 5, other factors also determine if it is safe for use in a microwave, such as its thickness and design.
If you are curious if the Starbucks cup is safe for microwave use or not, you can perform the following easy test:
- Pour some water into your Starbucks cup and place it in the microwave
- Microwave for one minute
- Carefully remove your cup from the microwave after heating it for one minute.
- When you touch it, if the cup is hot or warm, it’s not safe for microwave use.
- If the cup is slightly warm or cool to the touch, then it is microwave-safe.
The Best Way to Microwave a Starbucks Coffee
If your coffee is delivered in a plastic cup, you need to transfer it to a microwave-safe container for microwaving.
If you are using a Starbucks reusable cup, simply heat it on medium power level while stirring until it is hot enough to your desire.
When heating coffee using a glass or a ceramic cup, try to use the low power of the microwave. This will also ensure the cup’s handle doesn’t get too hot to hold.
Leave your coffee for 1-2 minutes after removing it from the microwave to allow it to cool. This ensures you don’t burn your mouth.
Things to Know Before Microwaving Starbucks Cups
Starbucks coffee is literally enjoyed hot unless you’re taking a blended Frappuccino or drinking iced coffee.
What if you’ve leftover coffee and want it hot again? Would you reheat the Starbucks coffee in a microwave?
There are a few things you are required to be aware of before microwaving Starbucks cups:
- Microwaves emit harmful radiation that is linked to blood sugar imbalances, cancer, and digestive issues.
- Coffee contains essential nutrients such as potassium and magnesium, which can be destroyed by microwaving.
It’s very important to be aware of the side effects of microwaving before deciding whether to microwave your beverages.
Why You Shouldn’t Microwave Starbucks Cups Of Coffee
You may have noticed that some Starbucks cups indicate “Do Not Microwave” at the bottom.
I’ll take you through the reasons why you shouldn’t microwave Starbucks cups, but remember, as we said earlier, not all Starbucks cups are safe for microwave use.
- The material of Starbucks cups
Starbucks cups that are not microwavable are made using paper, which is lined with a plastic coating to make it waterproof so that it doesn’t leak.
Again, the material used to make the cups makes them hard to recycle.
Unlike solid containers, which are excellent and safe for reheating varieties of foods and beverages, paper products are not safe.
When the cups are put in intense heat, they tend to lose their shape, start to leak, and sometimes fall apart.
- Toxic leaching
As we mentioned above, Starbucks cups are put and attached using wax or glue.
When the cups are exposed to too much heat, the wax melts and gets released into your beverage, making it harmful.
Consuming the beverage means introducing toxins into your body’s system. These toxins can cause pathologies.
- Leaking
The intense heat in the microwave causes your Starbucks cup to deform and may start to leak.
- Weird taste
In case the cup burns when microwaving, the taste of your beverage may be altered, and I am sure you wouldn’t like this.
The Bottom Line
To sum it up, Starbucks cups are not safe for microwaving due to various reasons we’ve discussed above.
These cups also contain a label at the bottom indicating they are not microwave-safe.
However, there are different types of Starbucks cups described in this article that are microwave-safe, and you can use them to reheat beverages.
Never forget the following heating tips:
- Transfer your beverage from the Starbucks cups to microwave-safe cups for reheating
- Set the microwave heat to a medium level
- Reheat using intervals of 30 seconds
- Stir your beverage at intervals while microwaving
- Reheat until your desired temperatures are reached
Before putting a Starbucks cup in the microwave for reheating, ensure it has a microwave-safe symbol for better results.