Lindsay Girl asks…I have used extra virgin coconut oil in my hair as a deep conditioning treatment once a week for several years now. I melt the oil in the microwave. This morning I was reading in an article on the naturallycurly.com website that the author of the article “heard” that you shouldn’t warm coconut oil in the microwave because that will “alter the bonds” in the oil. What say the Brains? Can I safely put the coconut oil in the microwave to melt it? Or is there a better way?
When LG raised this question in our Forum we said “no problem.” But after further consideration we realized that there is some risk involved with heating coconut oil in a microwave oven.
Do not liquefy coconut oil by microwaving. Despite what some claim online, it is not recommended to use a microwave to liquefy coconut oil. You only need to bring coconut oil to a warm 76 °F or 24 °C to enjoy its liquid state.
The danger of microwaving coconut oil
Coconut oil penetrates hair because of its size and the configuration of its carbon chain. Unless you’re heating it above the point where it will decompose, microwaving it should cause no problems. In other words, “melting” it is just fine. BUT you need to be very careful when using this approach. Here’s why:
Microwave ovens work by exciting the bonds between atoms, causing them to vibrate. The motion of the molecules vibrating and bouncing around generates heat. Different substances will absorb microwave radiation differently depending on a property called the “dielectrical constant”. Water molecules have a high dielectical constant; they are very mobile and will bounce around a lot. Oil molecules are larger and more fixed. Their dielectrical constant is smaller so and they will take longer to heat up. HOWEVER, the specific heat capacity of oil is less than water which means that oil will hold about twice as much heat as water will. And that means that it’s easy to over heat oil to the point where it could burn you. (f you really want to geek out on dielectrical constants and specific heat capacity check out this thread about microwave absorption by oil in the Physics Forum.)
Is It Bad For Your Coconut Oil To Always Melt And Solidify? (Dr. Mandell)
FAQ
Is it bad to microwave coconut oil?
Does coconut oil lose its benefits when heated?
Does melting coconut oil damage it?
Is it bad to reheat coconut oil?
Is it safe to microwave coconut oil?
But after further consideration we realized that there is some risk involved with heating coconut oil in a microwave oven. Coconut oil penetrates hair because of its size and the configuration of its carbon chain. Unless you’re heating it above the point where it will decompose, microwaving it should cause no problems.
Is it safe to take Virgin coconut oil every day?
As part of an overall healthy diet, small amounts of virgin coconut oil can safely be consumed everyday as part of an overall healthy dietary pattern. As a significant source of saturated fat in the diet it should be consumed in moderation on most days(10% of calories or less) along with other healthy fats from nuts, seeds, extra virgin olive oil, avocado, and oily fish. It is a good plant-based alternative to butter. Although just like butter, too much can raise LDL cholesterol, which can be problematic for those at risk for atherosclerosis. Compared to refined coconut oils, virgin coconut oil contains higher amounts of antioxidants such as vitamin E and polyphenols. Cold-pressed virgin coconut oil uses a low-heat method of extraction and is a quality choice.
How do you make coconut oil in the microwave?
Take a heat resistant container, and place the amount of coconut oil you need into it (plus a little extra, as mentioned above). Place the container into the microwave and heat it for 15 seconds, at full power. Remove the container and stir the contents well to mix it up. Return the container to the microwave, and heat for another 15 seconds.
How do you heat oil in the microwave?
Alternatively, you can heat your oil differently, whilst still using a microwave: Place a glass of water into a microwave safe bowl. Heat it on full power for 30 seconds. Remove it, and place your container of oil into the glass. Leave it for 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until it has melted to the consistency you want.