The microwave has rescued many a cold cup of coffee and plate of leftovers.

But, every once in a while, we get a little too confident.

Not everything in the kitchen belongs behind that little glass door. 

Some foods can explode. Others may heat unevenly, create sparks, or leave us with a meal that's considerably less exciting than intended.

So, before pressing that convenient 30-second button again, here are 10 foods you shouldn't microwave, at least not without taking some important precautions.

1. Eggs in Their Shells

If you've ever wondered, “Can you microwave eggs safely?” the answer is yes, with one very important caveat.

Don't microwave them in their shells.

As an egg heats, the steam builds up faster than it can escape, turning breakfast into a tiny pressure cooker. 

Eggs can also explode after they're removed from the microwave, which is an unpleasant surprise nobody ordered.

Instead, crack your eggs into a microwave-safe dish. Your breakfast will still cook, just without the potential special effects.

2. Hard-Boiled Eggs

Removing the shell doesn't necessarily end the egg drama.

A reheated hard-boiled egg can develop pockets of superheated water and steam inside. Cutting or biting into it may then trigger a sudden eruption.

If you’d like your hard-boiled egg to be warm, chop it before you reheat it.

3. Grapes

Grapes look innocent, but they are not.

Researchers have shown that grapes placed close together in a microwave can concentrate enough electromagnetic energy to create plasma, complete with sparks and flashes.

It makes for fascinating physics, but terrible kitchen planning. The experiment can damage or destroy your microwave. 

Let’s save the grapes for snacking.

4. Hot Peppers

Microwaving a hot pepper won't necessarily destroy your appliance, but opening the door afterward may make you deeply regret your choices.

Hot peppers contain capsaicin, the compound responsible for their heat. 

When peppers are cooked, those compounds can become airborne. 

Poison Control says that inhaled capsaicin can irritate the respiratory system and even trigger breathing problems in susceptible people.

Instead, cook your hot peppers somewhere with good ventilation. Your eyes will thank you, too.

5. Baby Formula

When it comes to microwaving baby bottles safely, the FDA and CDC are unequivocal: don't use the microwave.

Microwaves heat liquids unevenly, meaning a bottle that seems comfortably warm on the outside may have dangerously hot pockets of formula. 

Those hot spots can burn a baby's mouth and throat.

Formula doesn't need to be warmed at all. But, if you prefer to warm it, the CDC recommends placing the bottle under running warm water instead.

6. Breast Milk

Breast milk gets the same microwave ban.

Again, uneven heating can create hot spots that can scald a baby's mouth. 

The FDA recommends warming a bottle under hot running water or placing it in heated water instead.

Give the bottle a gentle swirl afterward and test the temperature before feeding.

7. Baby Food in the Jar

Here, it’s the jar that’s the problem.

Baby food can heat unevenly, with the hottest part sitting in the center.

Instead, transfer the amount you need into a dish, microwave it, stir it thoroughly, let it stand, and test the temperature before serving.

8. Whole Stuffed Poultry

A whole stuffed chicken or turkey is already a project. The microwave doesn't need to join the committee.

The USDA specifically advises against microwaving whole stuffed poultry because the bird can cook before the stuffing becomes hot enough to destroy harmful bacteria.

Stuffing should reach 165°F.

For this particular dinner, give the microwave the night off.

9. Large Cuts of Meat on High Power

A giant roast and the HIGH button aren't friends.

Microwaves don't cook thick foods uniformly. 

Large cuts should be cooked at 50% power for longer periods of time so the heat has time to reach the center without overcooking the outside.

Otherwise, cold spots can remain where harmful bacteria can survive.

This isn't an absolute microwave ban, but it’s definitely a ban on throwing a giant hunk of meat in there at full blast and hoping for the best.

10. Food in the Wrong Plastic Container

Finally, sometimes the food is innocent, and its container is the troublemaker.

Cold-storage tubs, takeout containers, foam trays, and other plastics that aren’t intended for microwaves can warp or melt. 

The chemicals can also migrate into the food.

Look for a microwave-safe plastic container, or move your meal to microwave-safe glass or ceramic cookware.

Some Foods Need a Little More Respect

Plenty of foods that explode in the microwave are perfectly safe if they’re prepared differently. 

An egg isn't dangerous because a microwave has seen it. The shell and trapped steam are the problem.

That's a useful rule for microwave cooking, generally speaking. 

Vent foods that need venting, stir foods for even heating, use containers designed for the job, and follow the instructions on the package.

The microwave is still one of the greatest inventions for those of us who remember our coffee 45 minutes after making it.

We just shouldn't ask it to turn a grape into plasma.

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