A Little Science 07 20 2025

 So I have an orange cup.  And it seems like it gets hotter in the microwave quicker.  So the question is, do certain colors heat up quicker in the microwave oven?

And the answer is apparently no.

https://www.google.com/search?q=do+certain+colors+heat+up+faster+in+the+microwave+oven&client=firefox-b-1-d&sca_esv=b76488d702878571&sxsrf=AE3TifN8REambxy1ObyFP6iiE95oXn9oug%3A1753026088645&ei=KA59aLbfJsC_p84PlZ7hyQ8&ved=0ahUKEwi2k66K48uOAxXA38kDHRVPOPkQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=do+certain+colors+heat+up+faster+in+the+microwave+oven&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiNmRvIGNlcnRhaW4gY29sb3JzIGhlYXQgdXAgZmFzdGVyIGluIHRoZSBtaWNyb3dhdmUgb3ZlbjIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKABMgUQIRigATIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKABSI9MUNwBWL1KcAR4AZABAJgBggGgAfEnqgEFMzYuMjG4AQPIAQD4AQGYAj2gAsYpwgIKEAAYsAMY1gQYR8ICDRAAGIAEGLADGEMYigXCAgsQLhiABBiRAhiKBcICCxAAGIAEGJECGIoFwgIREC4YgAQYsQMY0QMYgwEYxwHCAg4QLhiABBixAxiDARiKBcICCxAuGIAEGNEDGMcBwgIEEAAYA8ICChAAGIAEGEMYigXCAgUQABiABMICCBAuGIAEGLEDwgIOEC4YgAQYxwEYjgUYrwHCAggQABiABBixA8ICCxAAGIAEGLEDGIMBwgIQEC4YgAQYsQMYQxiDARiKBcICChAuGIAEGEMYigXCAg4QLhiABBixAxjRAxjHAcICBBAjGCfCAhYQLhiABBixAxjRAxhDGIMBGMcBGIoFwgIQEAAYgAQYsQMYQxiDARiKBcICDRAAGIAEGLEDGEMYigXCAgUQLhiABMICCxAAGIAEGLEDGIoFwgIGEAAYFhgewgILEAAYgAQYhgMYigXCAgUQABjvBcICCBAAGKIEGIkFwgIIEAAYgAQYogTCAgUQIRirAsICBRAhGJ8FwgIHECEYoAEYCpgDAIgGAZAGDJIHBTMxLjMwoAeq0QOyBwUyNy4zMLgHtSnCBwkyLjMyLjI2LjHIB5wB&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

But then the question becomes, could certain materials heat up quicker in the microwave oven.  And the parameters being that they would not deteriorate any faster for having that property? 

But an interesting answer to a different question popped up in the results for what heats up faster in a microwave.

"Although fats and sugar typically absorb energy less efficiently than water, paradoxically their temperatures rise faster and higher than water when cooking: Fats and oils require less energy delivered per gram of material to raise their temperature by 1 °C than does water (they have lower specific heat 

capacity) and ..."

 

 

What I am getting at is could my specific orange cup in question have different material properties that cause it to heat up faster other than color?

 

And perhaps could color coatings be made "With additives" that heat up faster in the microwave? 

 

Do you know the why of that question?

Energy conservation.

 

Does anyone sell or market a coffee cup that heats up faster in the microwave?

 

But per google results here is the answer:

 

Why do some coffee cups get so hot in the microwave?

Material Composition: Not all ceramics are created equal. Some ceramic materials may contain metal oxides or other additives that can absorb microwave energy, causing them to heat up. If the mug's handle has a different composition than the body, it may heat more quickly.Mar 7, 2017

 

 But what is metal oxides a euphemism for?

 

So here is a list of metal oxides copied directly from Google.  And the one I was wondering about isn't listed: LEAD OXIDE.

 

"Common ceramic coffee cups primarily contain metal oxides from naturally occurring minerals like clay, quartz, and feldspar.

 

The main metal oxides include:

• Silicon dioxide (SiO2): A major component of clay and quartz, it provides strength and vitrification (glass-like properties) to the ceramic.
• Aluminum oxide (Al2O3): Found in kaolin and other clays, it contributes to the hardness and chemical stability of the ceramic.
• Potassium oxide (K2O) and Sodium oxide (Na2O): Fluxes that help the other materials fuse during firing, affecting the melting point and viscosity of the glaze and ceramic body.
• Calcium oxide (CaO) and Magnesium oxide (MgO): These act as fluxes and modifiers, influencing the glaze's properties and the strength of the ceramic. 

• 
  

Other potential metal oxides (in smaller amounts or specific glazes):

• Iron oxide (Fe2O3): Can impart earthy tones to the ceramic body or glaze.
• Titanium dioxide (TiO2): Used as an opacifier in glazes, it creates opaque white or pastel colors.
• Zirconium oxide (ZrO2): Can be used to increase the toughness and chip resistance of the ceramic. 

• 
  

Important considerations

• Lead and Cadmium: While less common in modern ceramic glazes due to safety regulations, some older or vintage mugs may contain glazes with lead or cadmium, which can be harmful if they leach into food or drinks.
• Food-safe Glazes: It's essential to ensure that any ceramic mug used for hot beverages has a food-safe glaze that doesn't contain lead or other toxic metals.
• Manufacturing Variations: The specific composition of metal oxides can vary depending on the type of ceramic (earthenware, stoneware, or porcelain) and the manufacturer's chosen materials and firing processes. 

• 
  

In conclusion, ceramic coffee cups primarily consist of silicon dioxide and aluminum oxide, alongside other metal oxides like potassium oxide, sodium oxide, calcium oxide, and magnesium oxide, all derived from natural materials. "

 

 So lets say a coffee cup had lead oxide in it?  And I really don't know in depth chemistry about possibilities as such.  But would there be a simple test you could use with your microwave oven and a infrared laser thermometer (They only cost $7, don't loose your shirt over it.)  Whereby if it had lead in it and you heated it for 52 seconds the temperature reading then taken would indicate so?

 

And don't you just love the people who tell you that they have made something that is toxic or a toxin chemically inert?  What a load of bird mouth. 

 

© 2025 Thomas Paul Murphy 

Good Google search results on this "how to tell if your coffee cup has lead in it"