View topic - Are lunch bags safe for microwaving popcorn?

Mary

Guest

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Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 6:03 pm

TV chef Alton Brown makes microwave popcorn by putting popcorn, oil, and salt in a brown paper lunch bag and microwaving it. This sounds easy, cheap, and fun, but I worry about dangerous chemicals in brown paper lunch bags. Any ideas?

kgb1001001

Joined: 21 Dec 2005
Posts: 108

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 9:32 pm

Paper lunch bags are meant to come in contact with foods, hot or cold. If they contained anything toxic, the FDA would have already sounded the alarm. Alton's use isn't far off—only the heat is maintained for a few minutes in the microwave. They should be perfectly safe.

Gabrielle

Joined: 27 Oct 2006
Posts: 5

Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2006 12:15 am

There’s no problem using paper bags. However, I wouldn't use recycled ones.

Guest

Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 6:10 pm

Thanks for your replies. They encouraged me to try it last night, and it worked great!

GaryProtein

Joined: 26 Oct 2005
Posts: 535

Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 1:58 pm

I wouldn't use a plastic bag because it would lock the steam in, making tough popcorn.

Guest

Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 9:40 pm

Plus, I’d be afraid the plastic would melt or give off toxic fumes when heated.

I've settled on paper lunch bags (labeled as such) with the open end folded over twice. I've tried:
(1) plain popcorn,
(2) popcorn with oil,
(3) popcorn with oil and salt,
(4) plain popcorn in a bag with holes,
(5) popcorn with oil in a bag with holes.
The lightest, fluffiest was (5). It came out even better than popcorn popped on the stove in a pot with oil.

GaryProtein

Joined: 26 Oct 2005
Posts: 535

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 11:31 pm

When you make popcorn on the stove, NEVER cover the pot with anything but a screen-type pot cover. An upside-down colander covering the pot is also fine. The steam MUST be allowed to escape. The steam is what makes popcorn tough.

LoraA444

Joined: 07 Jan 2007
Posts: 1
Location: Bethel, CT

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 7:32 pm

I always use brown bags for popped corn. Yummy! Want more information on custom microwave popcorn bags? Feel free to contact us.

kim

Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 6:36 am

Check it out here - a chemical used in butter flavoring called diacetyl releases toxic fumes when heated. It has "completely destroyed the lungs" of popcorn factory workers. No one knows if it's dangerous to consumers because the FDA won't investigate, and the EPA is limiting information to flavor manufacturers.

kim

Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 6:39 am

As for paper bag chemicals, unbleached bags might be better. Not sure about potential chemicals or if recycled versus non-recycled is better. Consider the glue used on the paper; it might be non-toxic like Elmer's, but you never know.

pilot guy

Guest

Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:46 am

Check it out here - a chemical used in butter flavoring called diacetyl releases toxic fumes when heated and has "completely destroyed the lungs" of popcorn factory workers. No one knows if it's dangerous to consumers because the FDA won't investigate, and the EPA is limiting information to flavor manufacturers.

Almost any aerosolized oil can cause lung problems, so it might not just be the chemical. Have you heard of lipoid pneumonia?

IndyRob

Joined: 17 Dec 2006
Posts: 77

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:56 pm

I'm a big fan of AB and have tried the microwave lunch bag trick. But IMHO, pop your corn in a pan with coconut oil. It's still not healthy but a far more pleasant experience.

JulieB

Joined: 30 Oct 2011
Posts: 8

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 3:39 pm

Here's another idea for a quick toasted cheese sandwich: Toast bread, make the cheese sandwich, place it in a lunch bag, and heat very quickly, about 2 seconds. This will depend on your microwave. It’s not the same as a grill, but it’s a warm alternative.

livinlargeinthesun

Joined: 04 Nov 2011
Posts: 1

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 2:19 pm

I have never heard of popping popcorn this way. I will definitely have to try it. Thanks!

Dude111

Joined: 23 Sep 2010
Posts: 142

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 8:39 am

Welcome...

I don’t see why they wouldn’t be OK.

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Metals including stainless steel and aluminum foil

Anything made of or containing steel, iron, copper, or other hard metals should never go in your microwave. Metal surfaces reflect microwaves, increasing the heat inside the appliance and potentially causing a fire. If you’re storing leftovers in a metal container, transfer the food to a microwave-safe container instead.

When it comes to aluminum foil, things get tricky. Technically, foil can be microwaved, but its surface needs to stay as flat as possible. Wrinkles or crumpled foil can cause “arcing”—electric sparks shooting across the foil surface, potentially damaging your microwave or causing a fire. In addition, food wrapped in aluminum foil may not cook or reheat properly in the microwave; the foil will reflect the radio waves. Each microwave is different, so learn more about how a microwave works or consult your owner’s manual to determine if aluminum foil is safe. When in doubt, avoid placing any kind of metal in your microwave.

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