How Do You Prevent Plastic Food Containers from Warping or Melting?

The deformation and melting of plastic food containers not only affect the user experience, but also may lead to safety hazards of chemical migration.
1. Understanding the thermal deformation mechanism of plastic containers
Polypropylene (PP) begins to soften at 120-140°C, the glass transition temperature of polycarbonate (PC) is 147°C, and the melting point of polyethylene (PE) ranges from 115-135°C. The essence of deformation is the disentanglement and rearrangement of polymer molecular chains under the action of thermodynamics. According to a study by the US FDA, when a container is deformed, its structural integrity may be lost, resulting in a 3-5 times increase in the risk of release of additives such as bisphenol A.
2. Key protective measures
Material selection specifications
Identify food-grade certification marks (such as FDA, LFGB)
PP5 material (melting point above 160℃) is preferred
Avoid PET (No. 1) and PS (No. 6) containers
It is recommended to use industrial-grade products with clear temperature resistance ranges
Temperature control technology
When microwave heating:
Power does not exceed 800W
Single heating time is controlled within 3 minutes
Maintain the distance between the bottom diameter of the container ≥15cm
When covering, keep 1/4 opening to ensure steam discharge
In the steaming environment:
Water temperature is strictly controlled below 95℃
Use a special steaming rack to avoid direct contact with the bottom
Processing time does not exceed 15 minutes
Mechanical stress management
The temperature of the loaded food needs to be reduced to below 60℃
Use corrugated non-slip design shelves when stacking
The loading volume does not exceed 85% of the container volume
After refrigeration, the temperature needs to be gradually increased (20℃ every 10 minutes)
III. Professional maintenance plan
Cleaning procedures:
Water temperature ≤70℃
Neutral detergent concentration 0.5%-1%
Steel wool is prohibited (polyester fiber scouring pad is recommended)
Invert on ventilation grid rack when drying
Storage requirements:
Vertical arrangement with 0.5cm spacing
Ambient temperature ≤40℃
Avoid direct sunlight (ultraviolet rays will reduce the crystallinity of the material)
Regularly check the integrity of the container edge (dimensional tolerance should be tested after 10 uses)
IV. Alternative solutions
For frequent high-temperature use scenarios, it is recommended to use:
Tempered glass container (temperature range -20℃-300℃)
Food-grade silicone container (temperature resistance -60℃-230℃)
Ceramic container (select underglaze color craft products)
Experimental data show that the service life of PP5 container in microwave environment can reach more than 200 times when used correctly, while incorrect use may cause obvious deformation in the 5th time. Through scientific material selection, standardized temperature control and systematic maintenance management, the service life of plastic containers can be effectively extended by 3-5 times while ensuring food safety.