Is It Safe to Use Saran Wrap in the Microwave?

I don't like the way it "melts" either and I think there is a possibility that it breaks down as you described regardless of what the research may or may not say. I just use one of my everyday dishes as a cover and I either vent it or don't.

Doesn't it just melt? I don't know if it's toxic (though I would assume melted plastic IS toxic) but I don't even get how what she's doing works. I use a paper towel.
Maybe you could google this or look it up on a cooking or science site.
And if your MIL wants to keep doing it, even if it is potentially dangerous, well I guess that's her business, right?

It's interesting that you asked this. My daughter just questioned my use of saran wrap in the microwave. I'm a registered sanitarian (health inspector) and spend most of my (working) day in licensed food facilities that use microwaves and many of them use a plastic wrap when covering the food. The plastic wrap serves a couple of purposes, it protects the microwave from the food as it expands and "pops" with heat, and it also acts as an insulator to the food being microwaved - allowing the already microwaved food to use its recent heat to help heat the remainder of the food. Part of the job requires me to attend continuing education about food safety. In the 30 plus years I've been doing this I can't remember learning about any toxicity associated with saran wrap. I do know that some brands of plastic wrap do melt - and that can't be good. At home I try to use wax-less paper wraps to cover. I will try to research further. (I can just hear my daughter: "I told you so Mom!" Lol.)

we don't own a microwave. and i would not put plastic wrap in one if i did have one

Everything I've read said any plastic is a no no in the microwave but it's all about odds and what you are comfortable with. As for me, no, I don't use it and I fuss at my husband for heating things up in plastic bowls! :)

I've heard that too. I use glass bowls or plates and cover with a wet paper towel or another glass bowl or plate to catch splatters.

I don't. I just find it hard to remove and I had a nasty burn once by removing it.

I just cover with a plate or paper towel.

Just read the box of the type we have here (not same brand as Saran). Microwave directions say just to leave a space between the wrap and food.

I'm sure it will have directions on the box. Some things say, "do not use in the microwave" so warnings should be on there. Everyone is afraid of everything now days so I'm not surprised if there will be "opinions" on this subject. lol Good luck.

https://plasticsinfo.org/Functional-Nav/FAQs/Plastic-in-M...

That link explains a lot about using plastics in the microwave.

Bottom line:

1. Avoid using cheap (like dollar store or no-name) plastic wrap. Quality plastic wraps like Glad and Saran are fine to use. Some people call all plastic wrap "saran wrap", like calling all facial tissues "kleenex" so make sure your MIL is actually using quality wraps, not money-saving cheap wraps.

2. Avoid using old plastic containers (like the ones your grandmother still has in her cupboard from the 1930s) or plastic containers that are not meant for storage and re-use and re-heating (like the ones only intended for getting a salad home from the deli) in the microwave, and make sure the plastic container says microwave-safe (Rubbermaid, Glad, Ziplock).

3. Avoid letting the plastic wrap actually touch the food. There are a couple of reasons: if the food is high in fat, the fat can heat enough to cause the plastic wrap to soften or melt a little. Another reason is that the food can get too much condensation from being wrapped too tightly. The plastic wrap should serve the purpose of preventing the food from kind of blowing up (you know, where a bean pops, or sauce bubbles, and you end up having to clean the microwave top and bottom).

4. Be careful when removing the plastic wrap - it can trap steam and cause burns.

I've heard this.
I use it to cover a bowl if the bowl is deep enough so the food in it isn't in physical contact with the plastic wrap.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/microwaving...

I use it all the time. Read the box. It's perfectly fine. They make it to go in microwaves.

I wash potatoes then poke holes in them with a fork. I wrap them in saran wrap and microwave them for about 5 minutes. They turn out fine.

I don't know about the saran wrap, but my mom stopped warming up food in the microwave because she read somewhere that it isn't good for you. SigSo she takes a long time warming up stuff in the oven to eat. Makes me crazy.

Don't just go by something you heard or read. Actually try to find vetted resources.

Ew, no, don't do it. But don't get into a fight or power struggle with MIL over it. As long as she doesn't live with you and you don't eat a lot of food she prepares, you will be fine. Our bodies are all filled with BPA's anyway.

I personally don't care and I use Saran wrap or a plastic colander over my dish.

You get people who freak out about stuff like this. If it's not Saran Wrap, it would be something else to spread fear.

Just do what is right for you and your family.