Questions you were afraid to ask...write them down

[Cincy'sMom]

I guess I should be dead thanks to my nuke-it box!

Found this (and several other sites singing the same song) >>>

"In general, some plastics are reported safe for use in microwave cooking. If you use plastics in the microwave, identify the plastic and look for an indication that the particular container is microwave-safe. Do not use plastics which you have not identified and Do not use plastics which are not identified as "microwave-safe".
If it doesn't clearly say "microwave-safe", it probably isn't...



NSF, which certifies food-safe items, states:

• Only use cookware that is specially manufactured for use in the microwave oven. Glass, ceramic containers, and all plastics should be labeled for microwave oven use.
• Never use plastic storage containers such as margarine tubs, take-out containers, whipped topping bowls, and other one-time use containers for cooking or reheating food in your microwave. These containers are not heat resistant and can melt, possibly leaching harmful chemicals into your food."
• This page copyright 2006, Stan Protigal
• 
• I've been nukin margarine tubs for YEARS!

Page Citation >>>
http://www.scn.org/~bk269/plastics.html



Type 6 - Polystyrene, styrene, polystyrene foam

Not heat stable. Do not use in microwave. Do not microwave food in a styrofoam container! In addition to not being heat stable, polystyrene is a potential human carcinogen and usually contains bisphenol A.

This is a huge part of what my job is!! Not for food containers, but for medical devices. We are constantently evaluting tubing, and stoppers, and containers, etc. to make sure the amount of plastic additives is minimal even when exposed to high temperatures, or aggressive chemicals. I would personally recommend avoiding plastic in the microwave when you can.

On a side note, based on toxicology data, a 150lb (70kg) person would have to consume 300-700 grams ( 1 to 1.5 lbs) of Bisphenol A before you have serious issues. Microwaving a few times, isn't going to hurt you!!!

[slick]

If I'm heating leftovers at work for lunch, I always nuke them in a plastic container and even eat out of the plastic container. Nuked foods at home go on a plate first. Hmmmmm, come to think of it, maybe that's where I got my cancer from???

One more question about recycling....
I'm looking for a website that lists the numbers and what falls under that category. For example:
#1-glass
#2-XXXXXX
etc.

Milk cartons....what number are they???

[Cinder & Smoke]

I would personally recommend avoiding plastic in the microwave when you can.

NOW she tells me!

... a person would have to consume 300-700 grams ( 1 to 1.5 lbs) of Bisphenol A
before you have serious issues ...

I wouldn't recognise a TruckLoad of "Bisphenol A" if it was dumped on my kitchen floor!

Life is getting Soooo complicated!

[cyber-sibes]

On a side note, based on toxicology data, a 150lb (70kg) person would have to consume 300-700 grams ( 1 to 1.5 lbs) of Bisphenol A before you have serious issues. Microwaving a few times, isn't going to hurt you!!!

Phew! For a minute there I thought I was going to have to add "death by microwaved containers" to my list of things I worry about! Now I'll move it to my list of things I don't neccessarily have to worry about but do anyway!

[Dorothy39]

Yeah, It seems now days, there's something out there that's going to get Ya!!!!

LOOK OUT!!!!

( Life isn't as simple as it used to be )

" Quote from The Graduate" starring Dustin Hoffman~

The future is in "PLASTICS"

[Karen]

Only plastics get numbers - I think of milk CARTONs as the paper ones. But every plastic container should be marked with a little number.

[lvpets2002]

Oh now this makes me feel all good.. So for Lunch when I take my burrito out of the foil to put in a plastic container for the Microwave is a NoNo
For real the shinny side of foil is to go on the pan side & the dull side is next to the food.. Reason is the shinny side reflects the heat of the oven or grill the best.. Well thats my story & I am sticking to it..

[Cinder & Smoke]

For real the shinny side of foil is to go on the pan side & the dull side is next to the food ...
Reason is the shinny side reflects the heat of the oven or grill the best.

Not so sure that's "scientifically correct"!
"Heat" is thermal energy that is conducted or passes through the foil -
the heat energy isn't impressed much with the shiny vrs. dull side.
And you wouldn't want to "reflect" your heat away from the food; you want it
to "pass through" the foil to the food.

Now if you're cooking with SUN light - you don't want to "reflect" it away ...
so you'd want the dull side out. (And a thick book to read while waiting!)

As the Alcoa folks said - doesn't much matter WHICH way you wrap with foil.

[lvpets2002]

I can tell your a fireman.. All I know is that I dont want my food to be running away before I can eat it.. tomato tomoto = potato patoto

Not so sure that's "scientifically correct"!
"Heat" is thermal energy that is conducted or passes through the foil -
the heat energy isn't impressed much with the shiny vrs. dull side.
And you wouldn't want to "reflect" your heat away from the food; you want it
to "pass through" the foil to the food.

Now if you're cooking with SUN light - you don't want to "reflect" it away ...
so you'd want the dull side out. (And a thick book to read while waiting!)

As the Alcoa folks said - doesn't much matter WHICH way you wrap with foil.

[cassiesmom]

Things that come on a roll ... toilet tissue, paper towels ... What direction is it supposed to unroll? Do I install the new roll with the end facing the wall (so it unrolls from underneath the roller), or facing the room (so it unrolls over the top)?

[Cincy'sMom]

Oh now this makes me feel all good.. So for Lunch when I take my burrito out of the foil to put in a plastic container for the Microwave is a NoNo

There are plastics that have less additives then others, and these are marked as microwave safe.

[cassiesmom]

Does a home fire extinguisher ever lose its effectiveness? I received a fire extinguisher 10 years ago as a housewarming gift. I thought that was a great idea and placed it in the kitchen closet. I just replaced my smoke detector because there is a new law in my town that requires carbon monoxide detectors in each residence. So, I bought a combination smoke and CO unit. Solved two problems at once, I wasn't sure how long ago the previous owner put up that smoke detector - and, I needed a CO detector anyway. But there's still a fire extinguisher in my closet that's not getting any newer. I can't find any sort of expiration date on the package.

[Randi]

Ahh, fire extinguisher....I know a little bit about that, as I asked Phred the same question a few years ago.

The one you have weighs so much when it's new, and after all these years, it's supposed to weigh the same to be effective, more or less.

I'm sure Phred will explain this much better and in detail though.

I've had mine for at last 15 years, and I doubt I could lift it up very high if it was neccesary.

Stay safe!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Does a home fire extinguisher ever lose its effectiveness?

... there's still a fire extinguisher in my closet that's not getting any newer.

They do need to be "inspected".

Consider a typical home or vehicle 2 1/2 or 2 3/4 pound Dry Chemical extinguisher
that carries an "ABC" or "Flammable Liquids" label and has a small GAUGE >>>
These need to be "inspected" frequently to be sure the gauge indicates "FULL" and
that there's nothing blocking the discharge nozzle.
Then pick the extinguisher UP and *SHAKE* it - to unpack the dry chemical and
insure that it will flow out the nozzle when needed.

You can do these "inspections" yourself ... for 12 YEARS.

After the 12th Year of the extinguisher's "life" - it gets a lil "dicey"!
The US Dept of Transportation rules state that all stored pressure Dry Chemical
extinguishers MUST be "Hydrostatically Tested" by a certified tester Every 12 Years.
ALL Extinguishers are "dated" with the month/year they were assembled.
THAT date starts the 12 year clock - not when you purchased it.

For small home sized extinguishers, it's a LOT cheaper to go to WalMart, Sears, or your
favorite Hardware store and buy a barnd NEW one than pay a fire extinguisher service center
to empty, hydro test, dry, and refill your old one!

What to DO with the OLD one?
Call your local Fire Station and ask if you can come by some day for a quick class ...
Tell 'em "I'll bring my old extinguisher to use, just need you guys to build a fire and
show me how to use it." (We LIKE building fires! )
After you use it - toss it in the dumpster.

Be Safe!
/s/ Phred

[DrKym]

Never thought of that! thank you Phred! I will be calling in the morning, ours have traveled 3 states with us, and now I will learn to use it effectively and buy new ones!!

May I never need it but if I do, I will be thanking you for the advice of how to use one properly!