Can cake boxes be microwaved?

Cake boxes should not be microwaved, regardless of whether they are basic or high-end models. Their material properties and structural design are unsuitable for microwave environments. Microwaving can easily damage the materials, release harmful substances, and even pose safety hazards. When microwaving basic cake boxes (such as ordinary white cardboard cake boxes), the white cardboard is easily scorched by the high temperature. Temperatures exceeding 100℃ may produce open flames. Simultaneously, the paper fibers will rapidly shrink and deform when heated, causing the cake to be damaged by pressure (such as the cream collapsing or the cake breaking). Furthermore, white cardboard without any protective coating may release trace amounts of harmful substances from the paper itself when microwaved, contaminating the cake. While mid-to-high-end cake boxes (such as those made of thickened cardboard or corrugated composite material) are made of more robust materials, they still pose safety risks when microwaved. Thickened cardboard is prone to localized overheating during microwaving, leading to paper carbonization. The hollow layers in corrugated composite structures expand when heated, potentially causing the packaging to rupture. Additionally, the PE coating or moisture-proof coating on the inside of some cake boxes can soften and melt during microwaving, sticking to the cake surface and affecting food safety. Even cake boxes with aluminum foil layers can reflect microwaves, generating sparks that may damage the microwave oven or even cause a fire. If you need to reheat a cake, first remove it from the cake box, remove any decorations (such as buttercream or icing), place it in a microwave-safe container (such as a ceramic or glass plate), cover it with microwave-safe plastic wrap (leaving a small opening for ventilation), and microwave on medium-low for 30-60 seconds to prevent the cake from drying out and hardening. Regardless of the type of cake box, microwave heating should be strictly avoided. This is determined by the material characteristics of the cake box (paper, coating, composite structure). There are no cake box models that are microwave-safe. Generally speaking, cake boxes are only used for storing and transporting cakes and should not be used as heating containers. Special microwave-safe containers should be selected for heating cakes.