Most people never take microwave maintenance tips very seriously. For the most part, you stick your dinner in and take it out after a few moments. Next thing, you tune in to your favourite show, enjoying the last meal of the day. However, if you keep this up, your microwave will likely not serve you for long.
The microwave is one of the easier to replace home appliances, and it is seemingly low maintenance too. But if you don’t put in the effort, you may find yourself buying a replacement after just a few years. That doesn’t sound too good.
To avoid such situations, knowing how to keep the microwave in great condition is essential. In this article, we will explore useful tips to do just that.
Here’s Your Personalized Microwave Maintenance Checklist
Keeping your appliances in an excellent state saves you a lot of unpleasant conditions. The tips we present in this article are generally not difficult to practice. All you need is the right level of consistency and attention, and your microwave longevity increases.Use permitted containers
It goes without much saying that not all cookware materials are microwave-friendly. That kind and level of heat will mess up many containers. The dangers of using the wrong cookware vary. One such danger is microwave reflection. One of the most important, yet most comfortable to do tips for microwave maintenance is to clean. During use, the food you’re heating or cooking from scratch will spillover. The heat getting to the food causes it to vibrate at a molecular level, hence the spills. If you do a random check, you will likely find grease stains on the inner microwave walls. Food particles that adhere and stain the walls of the microwave also absorb heat. Thus, subsequent use of the microwave may have you complaining about efficiency. It’s simply that the particles on the walls are competing with your food for heat. Furthermore, depending on the type of food particle, the microwave walls may start to rust and break down. In more extreme cases, you may find mould growth. You certainly don’t want your ‘oh-so-sweet’ meal in such unhygienic conditions. To ensure cleanliness, use a damp cloth to wipe down the unit after each use. Make sure you allow the oven to cool before doing this. Also, be sure that the microwave is unplugged. Please keep it clean, and your microwave will last longer.What goes into your microwave?
Strangely – though not so surprisingly – you cannot use your microwave for all food items. It can be very tempting to use your microwave to heat water and save time. However, water is one thing you should avoid putting in your microwave. In an oven, water can superheat, where its temperature is higher than its boiling point, without signs of boiling. In this state, the water is unstable. A simple movement like opening the oven door may cause a disturbance, leading the water to explode out of the vessel. Reports of burns and injuries from this situation exist. Another food item you really should not heat with a microwave is hard-boiled eggs or even de-shelled eggs. These absorb a lot of heat quickly and will explode, leaving you with an eggy mess. It is always better to do a quick check to be sure. This way, you can avoid unsavoury situations.Check the placement
Our list of microwave maintenance tips will be incomplete without discussing the microwave placement. Microwave ovens often have vents for heat dispersion. This is necessary because the unit heats up during use. These vents are usually on the top and sides of the microwave. If you prevent proper heat dissipation, the unit may take much longer than usual to cool down after each use. It is also possible that the appliance overheats while cooking. These only reduce the function or may damage the microwave. It will also be best if you do not place the oven close to sinks or gas cookers. The water may pose an electrical hazard. Also, the extra heat from the stove will prevent proper heat loss. Instead, you should keep the unit close to a power outlet too. If you have to stretch the power cord too much, it will get damaged.The door is important
Different substances react differently to microwaves. For items like paper, plastics, and glass, the radiation passes through them. The food you intend to cook mostly absorbs the radiation. However, metals reflect the waves. If, for example, you use aluminum foil, the waves reflect off it. It burns rapidly and may ignite and explode. This is dangerous for your microwave, and you. Interestingly, not all plastics and paper bags are microwave-friendly. Some plastics may melt under such conditions, possibly damaging your unit and contaminating food. Also, many cookware often have labels to show they are microwave safe or otherwise. Be sure to check them. Also, check for the safety levels of your household items. Just to be sure that you’re doing all you can to make your microwave last longer.
This is as simple as it gets. To get your microwave to last longer, pay attention to the door. Often, we get caught up with other stuff that we don’t shut the oven door well. A common feature for such is to use just an elbow to slam the door.
Over long periods, this may weaken the hinges and also affect the seals. A microwave oven with a bad seal is one that loses heat and is less functional. Equally important, microwave radiation may escape with lousy sealing.
Microwave radiation falls under non-ionizing radiation and is considered safer than other types. However, you still don’t want that seeping around your house. Microwave oven doors are generally a little complex. If the door is faulty, there are microwave repair services available. Call on one.