Do you want to reheat a leftover burger from McDonald’s and wonder if you can microwave the original burger box?
Nowadays, we are too busy and barely prepare meals. McDonald’s has become our mainstay.
If maybe you over-ordered, can you microwave McDonald’s burger boxes?
This article contains some illustrations that will help you get answers.
And if it’s safe to microwave, I’ll show you how to do it safely so your burger doesn’t get soggy.
Are McDonald’s Burger Box Microwave-Safe?
Yes, McDonald’s burger boxes are microwave-safe.
They are disposable containers made up of carton boards. It doesn’t contain any plastic or metal coating.
The carton boards also don’t contain any products that can be harmful to your microwave or sandwich.
The inside and middle layers are derived from recycled materials.
Again, the outer layer is sourced from controlled wood forestry.
Reheating a cold burger in its original box can, on the other hand, bring either good or bad results.
Not all ingredients in a burger are the same. They all need to be handled differently, so you don’t end up spoiling your burger.
One pro is that; microwaving your burger while inside the box protects the buns from drying or burning at the edges. The buns will instead stay moist.
Unless stated otherwise on the package, McDonald’s boxes are safe to microwave.
What Is The Difference Between A Burger Box And A Wrapper?
The main difference between McDonald’s wrapper and burger box is the finishing.
A wrapper is made of paper, while the box is made of carton boards.
Again, the wrapper contains wax, while the box doesn’t.
Features of a cardboard burger box;
- Retains warmth
- Heat resistant
- Durable for stacking
- It protects your sandwich from becoming soggy and keeps the buns moist
Cardboard burger boxes are simply purposed for takeout.
Certain key considerations are made by its manufacturers when making the boxes.
On the contrary, the reheating method of McDonald’s wrappers is slightly different.
The wrapper’s inside contains wax that may leak onto your sandwich when reheating. This makes it unsafe for consumption.
Can You Microwave McDonald’s Cardboard?
It’s not safe to microwave McDonald’s cardboard on its own.
It requires to be heated with food that will absorb the electromagnetic energy so it cannot overheat and catch fire.
In general, McDonald’s boxes and cardboard are safe to microwave.
It is just that the disposable container should have food in it. Also, someone must monitor the kitchen appliance during the reheating process.
Reheating food using cardboard is a good alternative solution.
This is because the cardboard absorbs fat, water, and sugar molecules.
In addition, heat circulates well inside the container, thus making your food heat evenly.
Your food will also heat faster inside the cardboard boxes.
Generally, cardboard contains 9-12% moisture content that evaporates when reheating food.
If you microwave it when empty, there is a high chance that it will get dry, heat up, and finally catch fire.
Things To Know Before Microwaving McDonald’s Burger Box
There are many reasons why you may need to microwave cardboard.
It’s a quick and convenient disposable food container, and you are not required to clean it after use.
Different burgers contain different ingredients.
Some contain complex ingredients that require you to evaluate the appropriate tools, temperature, time, and reheating method.
The following are some of the important things you need to know before putting a McDonald’s burger box in the microwave:
- Ensure you don’t microwave an empty burger box
- Look for any labels on the box to confirm the materials used to manufacture it
- If the burger box contains plastic, metal, or wax, ensure to transfer the food to a microwave-safe dish to reheat.
- Check the box for microwave-safe symbols
- Set your microwave on a medium heat level
- Keep checking after every 30 seconds
In conclusion, a pure McDonald’s burger box can be used for reheating in the microwave.
Always ensure before microwaving, the container doesn’t contain harmful materials.
How To Microwave McDonald’s Burger
Reheating a McDonald’s burger is simple and only requires 2-3 seconds.
Here are the simple steps you need to follow;
Take your burger from the freezer or refrigerator and thaw it if frozen
You can defrost your burger by one, placing it in the refrigerator all night.
Second, you can make a defrost setting on your microwave to defrost. This method thaws your burger faster.
Keep checking to ensure your burger doesn’t start cooking.
The third option, you can use clean running water to defrost.
To do this, put your burger in a plastic burger, seal it, and place it under running water for some time.
This may take much time, but it’s a useful option if you are not in a hurry.
Separate the patty from the bun and remove any condiments or dressings
One important rule to be followed when reheating McDonald’s burgers: Always put aside the patty and the bun.
It’s sometimes tempting to microwave the whole burger at once, but this may result in a soggy, unpleasant mess.
Your bun may become overly wet and soft, while the patty may dry up or overcook.
Ensure to separate them before microwaving so that each component cooks to perfection.
Place the patty on a microwave-safe plate or dish and set your microwave to low to medium power
Ensure the dish or plate you intend to reheat with is microwave-safe.
If a dish isn’t microwave-safe, it can melt or burn, thus damaging your kitchen appliance.
Also, microwaving a patty on an unsafe plate may leach harmful chemicals into your patty.
It is always important to use a microwave-safe container to play it safe.
When microwaving multiple patties, ensure to space them apart.
This not only creates enough room for them to reheat but also it ensures they reheat evenly and don’t stick together.
Microwave the patty for 30 seconds, flip it over, and then microwave for an additional 30 seconds
Microwaving your burger patty for 30-minute intervals reduces the risk of overcooking.
It would be best if you also flipped the patty through the reheating process to ensure both sides heat up properly.
Check the middle of the burger to see if it is warm. Add additional time in 30-second increments if needed
If you need to check your burger temperature, you can use either of these two simple methods;
One way; you can use your finger to feel for the temperature. A moderately warm burger feels soft and pliable in texture, while a hot one feels firm on the touch.
The second way; you can use a food thermometer. Place it at the center of your burger, then check the temperature readings.
If the temperature reads around 165 degrees, it is safe.
Once the patty is heated, take it out of the microwave and place it on a plate
After you are through with microwaving the patty, place it on a clean plate.
At this point, we can’t assemble the burger yet.
There is still one thing left to do so that we can now enjoy our delicious burger. That is, reheating the bun.
Wrap the bun in a damp paper towel and microwave it for 10-15 seconds
It’s now time to microwave the bun. It is important to wrap it with a damp paper towel to keep it moist during heating.
Microwave for 10-15 minutes.
The amount of time required to completely heat your bun greatly depends on how powerful your microwave is.
Keep an eye to ensure your bun doesn’t overheat.
Assemble the burger and enjoy
Once you’ve completed heating the patty and bun, assemble your burger.
Enjoy your yummy, reheated McDonald’s burger!
Can You Reheat McDonald’s Burger In The Microwave Twice?
The answer is no.
Reheating McDonald’s burgers twice causes the cheese to get rubbery and the meat also to dry out.
Additionally, the bun may get soggy and distasteful.
The Bottom Line
McDonald’s burger boxes are safe to microwave.
Remember not to microwave the box when empty, as it may heat up and catch fire which will cause damage to your microwave.
If the burger box contains wax, a metal, or a plastic coating, transfer it to a microwave-safe plate to reheat.
You also now understand the steps you need to follow to reheat a cold or frozen McDonald’s burger. Follow them keenly to get good results.