Let’s face it: when grabbing a mid-day meal at the closest McDonald’s or Wendy’s, you don’t always have time to finish your food before the end of your lunch break. Whether you’re attempting to save extra fast food chicken sandwiches or a measly half-serving of fries, finding the most reliable and convenient way to reheat your precious leftovers is essential. More often than not, you’ll look to your microwave to get the job done. However, before you grab the extras from your fridge and pop them in this convenient appliance, you may want to remove your food from any and all wrappers or food containers.
Unfortunately, not many fast food establishments offer microwave-safe packaging. For starters, burgers and sandwiches wrapped in foil liners can spark and damage your microwave. While you might think you’re safe microwaving sandwiches wrapped in that universal waxy craft-like paper, you’ll want to remove this as well. Believe it or not, there’s a concerning ingredient hiding in your fast food packaging known as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These semi-toxic chemical compounds, found primarily in the grease-resistant coating of many food wrappers, can leach onto the food you eat — especially after being exposed to heat.
How to properly reheat fast food leftovers in your microwave
If you’re set on using your microwave to reheat the remaining bites of your latest burger and fries, ditch the wrapper and warm your food on a glass or ceramic plate or in a microwave-safe container. If you’re trying to match the convenience that comes with heating food in disposable wrappers, you have a few more options to consider. For starters, parchment paper has a similar look and feel to fast food wrappers, yet this alternative can withstand heat without compromising the quality of your food. Parchment paper is also water resistant, which can help lock in your food’s moisture. For a similar substitute, you can also use wax paper.
Paper plates are a good option since most have curved edges to prevent spills or drips. Just make sure to read the packaging label and look for a “microwave-safe” guarantee. To keep things even more simple and efficient, heat your fast food leftovers on sheets of paper towel. However, to ensure safe handling, use print-free paper towels and heat your food in shorter intervals to prevent overheating. Whether you’re warming the best fast food breakfast sandwich from Carl’s Jr. or a handful of chicken nuggets, you have plenty of microwave-safe options that don’t include your food’s original packaging.
