How to reheat egg McMuffin in microwave

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Is it safe to microwave McDonalds?
Can you microwave McDonalds?
How long do you need microwave McDonalds meal?
Things to know before microwaving McDonalds meal

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Whether you love egg McMuffins with McCafe for breakfast, or a Quarter Pounder with fries for dinner, you occasionally have to deal with leftover food. For those instances, what is the best way to microwave McDonalds leftovers without ruining the freshness?

From cheeseburgers to apple pie, McDonalds has fast food meals and finger-licking desserts that appeal to everyones cravings. But how do you microwave McDonalds once the food has cooled down?

For starters, the packaging from McDonalds is not microwave safe. McDonalds food is served in wrappers, boxes and paper cups that are constructed to hold hot food items, but not to reheat food inside of. Furthermore, leftover food requires proper storage and reheating to stay within the safe food handling guidelines.

With the extensive variety of choices on the menu, you need to keep in mind each food requires different heat setting, reheating durations and specialized techniques to make the fast food taste fresh and hot again.

The main issue we face is how to reheat McDonalds in the microwave once it has lost temperature. Hot Big Mac with crispy fries sounds like a perfect meal to fill your hungry belly, but is there safe and easy way to microwave McDonalds?

Is it safe to microwave McDonalds?

According to the USDA temperature danger zone guidelines, leftovers are considered to be perishable. As a result, the fast food items need to be refrigerated or frozen within 2 hours to avoid increased bacteria growth or spoilage.

Reheating a McDonalds burger or coffee in the microwave is quick and easy when you dont have much time to cook. However, its important to recognize that not all fast food packaging is microwave friendly.

McDonalds food can be microwaved, but steer clear of the original packaging. Make sure to check the label on the bottom of the cup, boxes or paper wrapper to determine if it is safe to use in the microwave.

If you are reheating burgers, remove toppings like lettuce and tomato because they will just turn out nasty.

For any fries, apple pies, or chicken nuggets, carefully nuke. Overcooking will make them dry and unappealing, while a rapid build up of steam will make the food moist and soggy.

Can you microwave McDonalds?

In order to determine if you can microwave McDonalds food, start by evaluating what type of disposable packaging you are working with.

You want to avoid any plastic and metal materials. Here are reheating instructions for McDonalds menu items:

Burger: In general, its recommended to deconstruct the bun, meat patty, and toppings to microwave a McDonalds burger. This method helps to heat the layers evenly so that the patty is fully reheated.
Chicken McNuggets: Over orderchicken nuggets on purpose because the are great meal to freeze and eat at any time. However, you want to avoid using the original paper box to microwave McDonalds chicken nuggets. Transfer the McNuggets to a microwave-safe container or preheated crisper pan to bring the old nuggets back to life.
Fries: The fries from McDonalds fries box are served inside a cardboard container that is lined with a grease-resistant coating. These chemical ingredients are not suitable to place in microwave. I recommend to using a microwave-safe plate lined with parchment paper to microwave McDonalds fries so that they turn out hot and crispy.
Apple Pie: When reheating apple pie from McDonalds, its best to avoid using the original box the pie came in. Again, the disposable pie box contains a coating inside that can be harmful and may leach onto the food. Furthermore, the box might trap moisture inside which can cause a soggy pie crust. Microwave a McDonalds apple pie on a microwave safe plate lined with parchment paper or on top of a preheated crisper tray.
Oatmeal: The takeout cup is not microwave friendly, so you do need to be more cautious when reheating the porridge. Reheating oatmeal causes bubbles to form inside the thick mixture that may superheat and explode. To safely microwave McDonalds oatmeal, stop and stir every 30 seconds to pop the bubbles.
McCafe: Paper cups are commonly sealed with glue along the seams and lined with wax coating. The containers are designed to hold hot beverages, but cant stand sudden high heat. Therefore it is not safe to microwave McDonalds coffee cups.Transfer the java into a microwave-safe mug to reheat your favorite beverage.
Boxes: McDonalds burger boxes are made with carton papers that can be used in the microwave. Just make sure to not microwave an empty box because it can burn and cause fire.
Wrappers: Cheeseburger works best to microwave McDonalds wrappers for less than 35 seconds. Moisture can build up inside the paper wrapper that will make the bun too soggy. However, if you sandwich requires more time its best to avoid the paper wrapper because it is coated with a grease resisting lining that can overheat and leach onto food.

When you reheat food, you should now have a clear idea which food requires certain time, temperature and method for the best results.Always check to see if the packaging is labeled as microwave safe, otherwise transfer the food to a dish that you know is safe to use.

The disposable packaging is made with different materials that are grease- and water- resistant. Linings, coatings and packaging materials react differently when used inside the microwave.

How long do you need microwave McDonalds meal?

Fast food from McDonalds reacts differently when heated in a microwave, but I recommend to always use a plate or cup that is labeled as microwave-safe. The USDA safe handling procedures recommend leftover food to be reheated to an internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C.

In addition, here are general guidelines for how long you need to microwave McDonalds meals:

Avoid overheating food using one long cycle.
Reheat using intervals of 35 seconds for coffee drinks.
Reheat a burger patty or chicken nuggets by flipping each side for every 30 seconds for to heat fully.
Stir oatmeal between each period of time.
Start with medium power-level to reheat fast food in the microwave.

The microwave reheats food in the blink of an eye, without using pots and pans. It saves a lot of time and effort, but there is a fine line between heated and overcooked.

So of the time, temperature and microwave power level. Beware the reheating guidelines and treat every meal differently.

Things to know before microwaving McDonalds meal

Some microwaves dont come with a rotating place, therefore it is especially important to ensure uniform heating. Stir and turn the dish so that you avoid cold areas inside the food.

There is no need to make another stop at McDonalds when you have cold leftovers sitting in the fridge. Learn these essential tips before you microwave McDonalds food:

If uncertain, transfer the food or drinks to a microwave-safe dish to reheat.
Add parchment paper to remove moisture, absorb grease and make fried foods crispy.
Use a microwave crisper pan for the best results when reheating McNuggets, fries and hot apple pie.
Avoid using takeout containers in the microwave unless absolutely necessary.
Always partially open the box, wrapper or cup lid before placing into the microwave.
Try to heat up with original packaging for less than 35 seconds per cycle.
To reheat meat, seafood, or dairy, give enough time and spread the food in even layers. Fully reheat to an internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C to avoid causing any food borne illnesses from bad bacteria.

Even for people who love McDonalds, the microwave is a basic necessity to reheat old food. It can absolutely refresh cold leftovers in a matter of minutes.

Use a microwave safe container instead of fully relying on the to-go cups, boxes, wrappers and packaging. Glue is used to hold the containers together, which can pose a health hazard with toxic fumes or chemicals that can leach onto food when heated suddenly.

Follow these reheating tips to safely microwave your leftover McDonalds. Stick to the danger zone recommendations for time and temperature, and fully reheat all leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C to follow safe food handling procedures.