Red Solo cups are recognizable and well-liked products the Solo Cup Company has ever made. Red Solo Cups have become synonymous with partying across the US since they first hit the market in the 1970s. They were even the subject of a country song. They are common in the US, so don’t be shocked to see them strewn about in football stadiums and college campuses across North America.
Of course, when people are having a good time, and Red Solo Cups are involved, you’ll regrettably discover them being thrown out and lying around everywhere. However, wait on, are they machine-washable and reusable? Red Solo cups are “top rack safe” and can be placed in your dishwasher. Red Solo cups are safe for the top rack of a dishwasher.
Are Solo Cups Dishwasher-safe?
Yes is the short answer, but there is a “but” somewhere. Since they are “top rack safe,” plastic Solo cups can be put in the dishwasher. If you try putting paper cups in, you’ll probably get a lot of cardboard.
However, as long as you put them in the top rack of your dishwasher and nowhere else and they’re made of plastic like the Solo cups, there shouldn’t be a problem. In my search for more information on this subject, I came across this article discussing the safety of reusing plastic cutlery and Solo cups. Even though solo cups and plastic utensils can be reused, watch out for cracks since those tiny clefts or slits can store bacteria.
They can also become less durable if you wash them in the dishwasher; however, hand washing is preferable. The study was supported by Alexandra Davis, a plastic engineer who spent ten years working for the largest privately owned thermoplastic compounder company in the world.
What Are Solo Cups Used For?
Wherever a beer party takes place, Solo cups are the preferred option. They hold 18 ounces and are thicker and more sturdy than a typical throwaway cup. The fact that they won’t break if you drop them is another benefit.
Squeezed by the ham-sized fists of frat jocks or dumped by high school cheerleaders who have had one or two too many, they can stand up thanks to their thick molded polystyrene.
In flip-cup competitions like the one between Jimmy Fallon and Kate Upton, Solo cups are renowned for their ability to endure the punishment. They succeeded in maintaining their form and integrity, and they now tower over party cups made by rival companies like Dixie’s.
Red isn’t the only color of Solo cups. You can also purchase light green, dark blue, and other colors. However, the red cup is the one that most people think of when they hear the phrase “solo cup.” In fact, the sale of Solo cups is in the red by 60%.
What Material Do Solo Cups Contain?
Polystyrene, a plastic, is used by Solo to create its 18-ounce cups. You’ve heard of it before because it used to produce a variety of foods, beverages, and packaging. For recycling, the word “Polystyrene” is shortened to the letters “PS” and is quantified using the number assigned to it, number 6.
Polystyrene, a plastic, is used by Solo to create its 18-ounce cups. You’ve heard of it before because it used to produce a variety of foods, beverages, and packaging.
The Red Solo Cup
Being a thermoplastic, polystyrene may be molded. It is recyclable; however, many recycling facilities are not set up to handle it. So, getting rid of red Solo cups is more complex than you might imagine, especially when you consider that polystyrene emits a gas that could harm human health if burned. Because of this, you ought to reuse them wherever possible.
BPA Worries And Plastic Cups
Bisphenol-A is identified by the initials “BPA.” Regarding plastics and food, there is much debate because BPA has been linked to health problems, especially in young children.
Different kinds of plastic are used in the manufacturing of plastic cups. So, before you purchase any plastic products, check the labels to see if they contain BPA, one of the critical components of polycarbonate.
Don Huber, the director of product safety for Consumer Reports, said dishwasher heat could cause BPA and phthalates from plastic objects rinsed in them to leak out.
The best thing is that red Solo cups don’t contain BPA, which will make you happy. In other words, Solo cups are BPA-free.
Suppose you have purchased any plastic items advertised as dishwasher-safe. In that case, it is recommended to put them in the top rack of your dishwasher to keep them as far away from the appliance’s heating element as possible.
Drinkware That Can Be Washed In A Dishwasher
Used drinking glasses can quickly accumulate during a hot summer day if you’ve been having a party, and the simplest method to clean them is to put them in your dishwasher. The following types of drinkware are acceptable to use.
-
Tumblers
Dishwasher-safe tumblers made of stainless steel or hard plastic are acceptable. If they are plastic, keep in mind that the top level of the dishwasher is where they should belong. While you can clean plastic straws by hand, the same is true for cup tops.
-
Mugs
Dishwasher-safe mugs are made of ceramic. On the other hand, dishware made of porcelain should be washed by hand and is not appropriate for dishwasher use. Always turn the cup handle away from other items when placing the mugs in the dishwasher to prevent damage.
-
Cups
Cups made of glass and rigid plastic can be washed in the dishwasher. Glass is always completely safe and can be placed anywhere in the apparatus. Even hard plastic cups are acceptable, but keep in mind that, to reduce heat exposure, plastics should be placed in the top dishwashing tray.
-
Glasses
Wine and shot glasses, for example, are often dishwasher safe. I can only recommend avoiding placing them in your dishwasher too closely together to avoid the possibility of glass chipping.
-
Water Bottles
Dishwashers often tolerate plastic or stainless steel water bottles rather well. However, they frequently become stuck with food particles from other cookware in the washing; as a result, my sanitary advice is to hand wash them rather than put them in the dishwasher.
How Does The Phrase “dishwasher safe” Works?
Sadly, there isn’t a single global dishwasher-safe symbol. Emblems are used differently by various product makers.
You’re likely to encounter two of the following dishwasher-safe symbol types:
Dishwasher Safe For Top Rack
Dishwasher safe refers to products that fall under the category of “materials acceptable for washing in dishwashers,” which are those that are displayed in the section above.
An item is presumed suitable for your dishwasher’s top rack if it is marked “top rack only.” Once you put them in the bottom tray during the washing cycle, however, discoloration and deformation will be visible.
Typical Representations Of Tableware
Although it should go without saying, when anything is marked “top rack only,” it is meant to be placed in the top rack of your dishwasher. Once you pub zazat them in the bottom tray during the washing cycle, however, discoloration and deformation will be visible. As previously said, the dishwasher heater elements are typically found under the bottom of the machines, so that’s where it becomes hot. The upper tier, in contrast, maintains a slight cooling effect despite being heated.
A typical dishwasher-safe emblem resembles a square box with plates and glasses inside of it. This symbol indicates that the goods can be used in the top rack or any rack configuration. Some symbols on things show water drops or diagonal lines. Across the entire box, the lines or drops are depicted by the symbol. It’s a given that you can wash the item in either the top or bottom rack. According to the “top rack only” symbol for dishwasher safety, the drops or lines end at the top of the plates or glasses.
A dishwasher-safe emblem will occasionally indicate the maximum safe temperature at which you can wash the item. Words are sometimes used in symbols to make their meaning clearer. A picture is worth a thousand words since it might be difficult to describe anything in words. Please review this page on the washmode.com website for further information and to eliminate confusion.
What Temperature Causes Solo Cups to Melt?
Plastic has a melting point, much like every other substance. At a temperature of 170°C, most plastics start to melt. Between 100°C and 120°C, the recyclable No. 6 Polystyrene used to make red Solo cups will begin to melt.
Pouring hot liquids into them is not advised due to the possibility of the shape warping at a lower temperature. Additionally, heating red Solo cups in the microwave is not a good idea. The cup might bend or melt as a result of this as well.
Hiiii! My name is Ruth and I am an experienced chef with a passion for food and cooking. My love of baking began when I was nine, and I have since been refining my skills in the kitchen ever since.
