Why Does My Oatmeal Overflow In The Microwave [COMPLETE Answer + 3 Tips]

Originally Created on: May 9, 2023 @ 10:19 am

Why does my oatmeal overflow in the microwave? Picture this: you’re having a busy morning and you decide you’d like a bowl of oatmeal to kick-start your day. You get out the oatmeal, measure some into a bowl, add water, and pop it into the microwave.

What happens next is pretty darn frustrating—you hear sizzling and sputtering coming from inside the microwave, then out comes a bowl of oatmeal that’s overflowed all over the counter!

What gives? Why does your oatmeal overflow in the microwave? Don’t worry—you’re not alone in asking this question. It happened to me too, so I decided to reach out to some of my favorite food science experts for an explanation.

Let’s take a look at what causes this mess and how to prevent it from happening again.

Table of Content

Why Does My Oatmeal Overflow in the Microwave

When heated up in a microwave, water molecules become excited and start jumping around more as they absorb energy from the microwaves. This process of absorbing energy is called “dielectric heating”.

As more energy is absorbed from the environment, pressure builds and causes the food to expand—think of a pot of boiling water overflowing!

This same process is responsible for why your oatmeal is bursting at the seams—as soon as it absorbs enough energy and starts to swell, it has nowhere to go but up because it’s already confined in a bowl.

The ratio of oatmeal to water is important too; if there’s too much liquid relative to oats, then you will end up with an overflowing bowl of bubbling protein-rich goodness.

How Do You Keep Oats From Overflowing in the Microwave?

The key is to make sure you cook your oats correctly. First, use twice as much water as oats for a thick texture.

Then when you put it in the microwave, make sure to stir every minute or two until it’s done cooking. This will guarantee that your oats don’t overflow and that they’re light and fluffy when they come out of the microwave.

If you want to go a step further and prevent them from overflowing altogether, try using a wider bowl; this will help spread out the oats so they don’t get clustered together while cooking.

Additionally, using less water than usual can also help keep things under control.

No matter what method you use—just make sure not to underestimate the power of good stirring! With frequent stirring throughout the cooking process, you’ll be able to prevent any unwanted overflow.

Should You Cover Oatmeal In The Microwave?

It’s no secret that oatmeal tends to overflow in the microwave. But why does this happen, and is there anything you can do to prevent it?

Expansion of Oats

It all comes down to the fact that oats expand when they absorb liquid. Without any kind of lid on top, the oats simply absorb more liquid than they can contain, resulting in an overflow of oatmeal.

So your best bet is to make sure you always put a lid or other covering on top while microwaving your oatmeal.

Pressure Buildup

Another reason why microwaving oatmeal without a lid can cause an overflow is because of the pressure buildup inside the container.

If a hot steam pocket forms within the oatmeal, this pocket will eventually burst and result in an overflow of hot liquid. To avoid this, it’s best to use something that encourages steam circulation, like a paper towel or wax paper.

Finally, it’s important to use a container that’s appropriate for the amount of oatmeal you are making.

Just like overflow happens with boiling water on a stovetop if you don’t use enough pots, it will also happen in the microwave with too little containing space.

So make sure you’re using an adequately-sized bowl and covering so your delicious oatmeal doesn’t wind up all over your kitchen floor!

Should I Microwave Oatmeal With Water Or Milk?

The answer is simple: the more liquid you add, the more likely it is to overflow. So how can you get this ratio just right?

Basically, use water instead of milk, and make sure that your oats are never fully submerged in the liquid.

Water and Microwave-safe Containers

Water has significantly less fat content than milk, so if you wish to keep it healthy, go with water—it’ll also take less time to microwave.

Also, be sure to use a container that’s specifically made for microwaves; these usually have venting spaces or slits at the top to prevent overflowing.

Measuring Cup Trick

Another trick is to use a measuring cup or something with markings on it—this will serve as an indicator where you can clearly see when the liquid has risen too high.

This way, you’ll be able to stop before it overflows and ends up all over your kitchen counter.

Using water instead of milk, as well as microwave-safe containers and measuring cups are great tricks that you can use to ensure your oatmeal doesn’t overflow in the microwave.

How to Make Oatmeal in the Microwave

The good news is that you can still make oatmeal in the microwave—you just have to do it a bit differently. Here’s the scoop:

Less Liquid

When making oatmeal in the microwave, start with a bit less liquid than you normally would. Adding too much liquid makes it more likely that your oats will boil over and leave behind a nasty mess.

Rapid Boil Setting

If your microwave has one, use the Rapid Boil setting when making oatmeal. This setting helps reduce the amount that oatmeal boils over by controlling the power level.

This way, you won’t end up with too much foam or overflowing oatmeal while cooking.

Use a Larger Bowl

Using a large bowl gives your oats more room to expand during cooking, so they’re less likely to spill over. Even if you have to use smaller amounts of oats, always opt for the larger bowl, if possible!

You should also consider using a covered bowl or plate when cooking your oats in the microwave. This will keep any foam or liquids from splattering all over your microwave walls, which can be quite difficult to clean up afterward!

Also Read: Why Do My Lights Dim When I Use The Microwave [BEST Answer +4 CAUSES]

Conclusion

With this knowledge in hand, you can now prepare your oatmeal with confidence. Remember, if your ingredients are too hot, it can cause the oatmeal to boil over in the microwave.

So be sure to use cold liquid, add a bit of extra liquid than the recipe calls for, cover the bowl with a damp paper towel, and watch it closely while it’s microwaving to avoid any overflow mess.

Ultimately, oatmeal is a nutritious and delicious breakfast option and you don’t have to worry about a soggy mess in the microwave with proper precautions.

With a few simple steps, you can nip this kitchen mystery in the bud and enjoy a comforting bowl of oatmeal in no time.