I know it's fast and convenient to heat coconut oil in the microwave to melt it. But I personally do not recommend this method, unless you're really experienced enough to just melt coconut oil at slightly above its melting point (76 °F or 24.4 °C) and not heat it too much in the microwave. Too much heat generated in coconut oil may alter its healthful properties.
Why do you think some people go to the extent to make cold-pressed virgin coconut oil? That's right, to retain as much nutritional benefits in coconut oil as possible.
What's more, you can't just put the whole coconut oil jar in the microwave and heat it.
If the jar is made of plastic, it may melt with coconut oil if it gets too hot inside the microwave. If it's a mason glass jar, it may shatter and spill coconut oil everywhere. You'll have to clean up the mess and might get burned by the hot oil. Not all glass jars can withstand heat well. Of course, depending on how high the temperature is inside the microwave.
Even if they use microwave-safe plastic or glass containers, it's still not easy to make sure your coconut oil in the microwave is not heated up by too much above its melting point.
Having said all that, I suggest you melt your solid coconut oil with warm water. It may take longer than using microwave. But it's a lot safer and can help keep the health properties in coconut oil as intact as possible.
You might also like to find out...
- Is virgin coconut oil liquid or solid?
- Does coconut oil need to be refrigerated after opening?
- Does coconut oil have protein?
- Does coconut oil raise cholesterol?
- Is virgin coconut oil acidic or alkaline?
- Does coconut oil have omega-3 fatty acids?
- How much coconut oil is safe to eat daily?
- Can you add coconut oil to coffee and is it good?
- What can you eat coconut oil with?
- Can coconut oil cause gas and bloating?