Can bamboo bowls be used in the microwave?

I don't have any personal experience - however these two references say you should not microwave them:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Bamboo-Bowls---How-to-Ca...

http://www.chefsuccess.com/archive/index.php/t-491...

And this description of microwaveable bowls from a site that sells them says they are not to be used in the microwave:

http://prostores2.carrierzone.com/servlet/bamboo4s...

Some of the concern is that the bamboo, while it is "wood" is made of laminated or glued together pieces of smaller bamboo. Heating them could cause warping or separation of the layers.

Bamboo Bowls

I would try an inexpensive one first to see if the microwave harms them. It rearranges the molecules of items, so I wouldn't use a wooden or bamboo, or anything like that in it. I would use plastic or paper in preferance so I didn't mess up one of my rare treasures!

Bowls are hard to turn! Bamboo is a very hard to carve wood, Bowls in general are likely to explode while turning or carving so are slightly precious. I am not at all sure I would trust them in the microwave.

Yes, however I found the bamboo (and it was from an oven) made the food taste different. Microwave may not spoil the taste of the food. The bowl now lives in the bin.

Yes, just like wood.

they sound cool and yes its wood

You can try it if you want.