Do you want to reheat a ready-to-drink cup of coffee in a microwave? So good, it will make a hipster cry, especially during those wintry months.
Maybe you have a Keurig coffee maker to help brew a lightning-fast cup of brown water to satisfy your caffeine kick on your way to work.
McDonald’s serves you tasty coffee drinks suitable for food pairing. Pair it with your breakfast – pizza or fried egg.
Like many here, however, you may not get a chance to drink your coffee right away. But can you microwave McDonald’s coffee cups? Or can you microwave coffee cups?
The simple answer is No. McDonald’s serves its hot, delicious drink in cups made of cardboard material with a plastic lining inside. The cups are ideal to withstand hot drink’s heat and not extreme heat like that in a microwave.
What Are MacDonald’s Coffee Cups Made Of?
Most coffee cups are made of paper, much like McDonald’s cups. The cups are made of paper as the primary material, and if you’ve noticed, there’s plastic or wax coating on the inside.
The plastic lining keeps your coffee from seeping out. One major setback is that 60 percent of cups feature polyethylene, which is a human carcinogen. And this poses a big threat where reheating is concerned – this time using a microwave.
Are McDonald’s Coffee Cups Microwave-Safe?
No, MacDonald’s coffee cups are not microwave-safe. Coffee cups from McDonald’s are suitable for hot drinks but aren’t designed to withstand the heat inside the microwave.
Why can you not microwave McDonald’s coffee cups? These cups are made from cardboard material and glued with plastic on the inside.
The plastic lining could melt when exposed to heat, causing toxic chemicals to leach into your coffee.
The heat could as well burn the cup, causing the liquid to leak. So, it’s not safe to microwave coffee cups.
If you’re a coffee aficionado, it’s advisable to use microwave-safe cups. They should be made with the right materials that can handle room temperature. For better results, opt for ceramic, Pyrex, or glass cups.
How Do You Know if McDonald’s Coffee Cup is Microwave-Safe or Not?
You can look for a label that says “do not microwave” in the cup. That’s a good indication that you’re not supposed to toss the cup in a microwave oven.
Besides, you can experiment with the safety of your cup by yourself. Here are the steps to follow;
- Fill half of the cup with water and throw it in a microwave for about 30 seconds.
- Check out if the cup is cool while the water turns warm. If so, the cup is microwave-safe.
- If the water is cool and the cup is warm, this coffee cup isn’t microwavable.
It’s not a good idea to microwave coffee in McDonald’s cups. The cup contains plastic materials and adhesives.
If you really want to reheat your coffee, the best way to go about this is to use a microwave-safe cup rather than a disposable one. Not only coffee, avoid microwaving disposable papers provided with other fast-food meals.
How Long Does McDonald’s Coffee Last?
After spending some bucks to buy McDonald’s coffee in your home, you’ll be absolutely concerned about your leftover drink. How long will your beverage last before it goes bad?
Quick Answer; McDonald’s coffee can last for up to 2 weeks as long as it’s in the fridge.
But if you stored a mug of coffee mixed with milk, then consider the USDA temperature danger zone guidelines that urge households to refrigerate perishable items within 2 hours.
Beverages like dairy may develop harmful bacteria when left at room temperature.
Store your milk in your fridge as soon as you’re done drinking. This allows it to last longer. You can reheat it some other time during the day.
Qualities of a Microwavable Coffee Cup
- Made of microwave-safe and BPA-free materials
- Can maintain the temperature a bit longer – for hours, that is.
- Good quality and size that meets your needs
- It comes with a lid to keep it from cooling quickly
Microwavable Tips for Microwaving McDonald’s Coffee Cups
The cups are not designed for reheating or cooking. They’re great for carrying drinks with you everywhere. Unluckily, the cup keeps the beverage hot for one hour at most, depending on the environment.
Here are bonus tips to know before you think of microwaving your McDonald’s coffee cups as a way of revamping its hot flavor.
- Use different power levels depending on whether you’ve mixed it with dairy like latte or cappuccino or not.
- Leave the lid off while you reheat coffee using a microwave-safe cup
- If it’s a plastic cup yet microwave-safe, let the heating take the shortest time possible
- Stir the leftover coffee after some seconds to distribute the warmth for evenly heating. Some microwave heat unevenly
- If the coffee cups have a ‘do not microwave’ label, just transfer your beverage to a mug or glass.
Final Thoughts
McDonald’s coffee cup isn’t microwave-safe unless it has a ‘microwave-safe label.
The plastic and wax-coated can melt inside a microwave, leading to harmful leaching chemicals into your drink.
If you realize that you need to heat your coffee, use alternatives like glass cups.