microwaving nalgene plastic bottles?

[FrugalGuy]

Does anybody know if you can microwave nalgene plastic bottles? My mom put her tea in it so I was wondering if it can be safely heated up in it.

 

[Howard]

Should be OK.

 

[KingNothing]

You can boil those bottles, so I can't imagine that microwaving would harm them.

 

[Kyteland]

Lexan is microwave safe, but the lid isn't lexan. I would imagine it would melt in the microwave.

http://www.gelexan.com/gelexan/features.html

Kitchen Safe

From the freezer to the microwave to your table, dinnerware, food storage containers, beverage bottles and housewares meet the requirements of the FDA and good taste ? in styles and flavors. And, with LEXAN resin's durability, food service products can survive nicely on the patio, at the campsite and in the dishwasher.

 

[KingNothing]

I boiled my Lexan bottle whole and it was fine, lid and all.

 

[Kyteland]

Here's a better link

http://jove.eng.yale.edu/twiki/bin/view/Experimentalproduct/NALGENE

NALGENE bottles are composed of several different varieties of plastic. The main chamber is made of polycarbonate, also known as LEXAN. This super-durable plastic is highly resistant to impact, staining, and odors. It retains these properties from -135o C (-211o F) to 135o C (275o F). It is also dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. A microwave test showed that water could be safely heated up to coffee/tea temperatures without damaging the bottle. It was not tested until failure. The cap is made of polypropylene because it provides the best leak-proof seal for the top. It is also sturdy, but is somewhat weaker than the LEXAN and operates in a temperature range of -40o C to 135o C. This is the weakest part of the bottle and the only reason they ever break usually, although it can hardly be considered a failing. The only reason the cap can be considered ?weak? is because the LEXAN is virtually indestructible. It would be a rare occurrence indeed for a bottle to break under normal operating conditions, and it even holds up very well under extreme conditions (I have seen a bottle fall from a height of 30 feet, hit a rock on impact with the ground, and crack the rock without causing any damage to itself).

So the lid looks good to go in the microwave too, as long as you don't overdo it.

 

[Gooberlx2]

You can autoclave Nalgene stuff. Not sure about the regular bottles, but I know they make lots of containers for chemlabs.

 

[TheBDB]

The plastic isn't going to absorb the microwaves, but it will absorb heat from the liquid. However, water for tea won't get hot enough to damage the plastic.

 

[Kyteland]

Bump for someone stupi.. I mean, brave... enough to try this and report back results.