Range de Can makes microwaving metal cans safer than ever, says Daiwa Can, the product’s developer in Japan. This innovation may sound risky, but Daiwa’s clever design focuses on reducing microwave hazards while warming canned food.
Range de Can looks simple. It’s a plastic base that clips onto the bottom of a can—not the top. Yet its function is vital. Daiwa explains that microwaving cans can create electrical sparks. This usually happens near the can’s bottom, where space is tight and energy gets trapped.
Normally, free electrons escape the metal when hit by microwaves. These electrons can ionize nearby air, forming small lightning arcs. However, Range de Can raises the can slightly, increasing clearance and lowering spark risk. According to company tests, spark rates dropped from 28.3% to 0% using this method.
However, Range de Can makes microwaving metal cans safer than ever only if used correctly. First, users must open the can before microwaving it. A sealed can may explode from internal pressure. Secondly, not all food heats evenly in metal. Metal reflects microwaves, which might prevent proper heating. But metal can also distribute heat faster, depending on the can’s shape.
Additionally, not all cans or microwaves are built the same. Microwave wattage, layout, and can coatings can impact performance. Some cans have linings that might break down under microwave heat. So users must check their equipment and packaging before use.
Promotional photos mostly show canned fish. This makes sense. Canned fish tends to be packed in shallow containers that reheat more evenly. Also, manufacturers often cook the fish inside the can, meaning the material can handle high temperatures.
At this stage, Range de Can is not yet widely available. Daiwa Can has not finalized mass production or released full usage guidelines. As a result, its current use appears best suited to small, low-profile cans—like mackerel—rather than tall cans like spaghetti meals.
Still, Range de Can makes microwaving metal cans safer than ever, offering a fresh way to reheat canned goods without transferring them to new containers. For now, it offers both novelty and function for Japan’s canned food lovers
