A microwave in the kitchen is an assistant to the modern housewife. This device today has entered our life so tightly that many no longer imagine how they would do without it. In the microwave, you can not only heat food, but also thaw them, and many housewives even cook their own meals in the microwave.
The purpose of the microwave
The microwave oven is designed to heat chilled foods, to defrost food and to bring ready-to-cook foods. The energy of the electromagnetic field penetrates the products, so that they heat up in a few minutes. At the same time, vitamins and minerals are preserved in dishes.
For a person, irradiation with microwave energy is safe, since the energy flux density is much lower than the limit values. This means that the operating rules of the microwave guarantee the safety of its use.
Also, the operating rules of microwave ovens prevent the leakage of electromagnetic energy: when the door is open or the cladding panels are removed, the magnetron will not turn on. The formed pairs are diverted from the chamber on their own, sometimes with the help of a fan.
Microwave Usage Guidelines
A microwave in the kitchen is a fairly common device today, and it entered our life about half a century ago. But there is still a heated debate about the dangers and benefits of a microwave oven. In order to use this device as safely and comfortably as possible, several simple rules have been developed:
- The correct installation. Improper installation of an electrical appliance can result in damage, short circuit, fire, or even explosion. It is important to choose the right surface for installation: solid, even, stable, suitable in size. The device must not fall or roll.
- Allocation for microwave separate grounded outlet. A microwave is a fairly powerful appliance. Grounding will protect you if a network congestion or short circuit occurs.
- Ventilation. The oven must not be overheated, so do not move it close to the wall. The gap on all sides should be at least 15 cm. The built-in microwave in the kitchen is, of course, very convenient, but do not forget about the ventilation holes.
- Neighborhood with other household appliances. When installing a microwave oven, one should not forget about the “conflict” of household appliances. For example, you can’t put the microwave on the refrigerator, otherwise it will work at full capacity, cooling the food. Close to a television or radio, electromagnetic waves will interfere.
- The rule of cleanliness. Damage and problems sometimes arise due to untimely care. After use, wipe the inside of the microwave with a damp sponge and mild detergents. Chlorine, alkali and other aggressive agents are best avoided. The ventilation grill also needs timely cleaning - it needs to be vacuumed from time to time.
- The instructions should not be neglected. Of course, reading thick books with instructions is rather tedious, but each model has its own unique features, which are not the best option to learn by typing.
- Universal rules of use for all microwaves. Do not turn on the open or empty oven, use metal objects or utensils with a golden rim, do not heat eggs, food in closed or vacuum packaging, and canned food. Do not operate a malfunctioning device - with damage, sparks or suspicious sounds.
Microwave in the kitchen
As we have already found out, the microwave is a great helper in the kitchen, which heats, defrosts, and prepares food. And modern models have the function of even an oven. So the oven and microwave are combined in the kitchen.
That is why it is necessary to place this device in the kitchen as conveniently as possible. Rules for safe placement of the microwave are described above. You can only add that you should not install the device near the dining table, since the magnetic field of the included equipment can affect SIM cards and battery power in phones.
For your own convenience, it is better to place the kitchen appliance at eye level, so that it is easier to get heated products and to clean the microwave.
Accommodation options
There are many options for placing a microwave. This will depend on personal preference, and on the characteristics of the kitchen, and on some other factors. We will consider some of the most successful accommodation options.
Option 1: Countertop
This is a standard situation. It is convenient if the equipment is used daily. It is important that you do not press the microwave to the wall so that it does not overheat. Between the microwave and the wall, it is enough to leave a small space - about 15-20 cm.
Option 2: windowsill
This option is quite common, especially if the space in the kitchen is limited. It is important that you take precautions carefully. The width of the window sill must necessarily correspond to the dimensions of the device so that the microwave oven is stable.
Pros:
- the window sill is almost perfect in height for convenient operation;
- this arrangement frees up work surfaces.
Minus:
- temperature changes can adversely affect the technology (in the summer, the microwave may overheat under the influence of sunlight, and in winter it may consume additional energy due to its proximity to cold glass). Therefore, this option is good either for a very wide window sill (so that there is 15-20 cm between the glass and the window sill), or for a window overlooking the insulated balcony.
Option 3: "island"
A special “island” for placing a microwave is also very convenient. Thus, it will be out of sight, but will remain available for use. The “island" itself can be used as an additional place for various kitchen utensils.
Pros:
- free up the main, often used places in the kitchen;
- It is located away from the cooking place, which means that during cooking, households using this appliance will not hurt anyone.
Minuses:
- It is located quite low, which is not too convenient for operation;
- if there are small children in the house, such placement is unsafe;
- so that the electricity supply to the "island" was not noticeable, such a placement must be thought out in advance, at the stage of rough repair.
Kitchen cabinet
A microwave bedside table is another great option for placing a microwave oven.
The kitchen cabinet is an element of the interior for the rational organization of the space of a room. On this piece of furniture are placed products, household utensils, household appliances and built-in kitchen appliances.
The traditional kitchen cabinet is the upper and lower horizons connected by sidewalls, a back wall and shelves. A kitchen cabinet for a microwave is a box in which there is a niche for mounting equipment with special openings for cable laying.
As a rule, microwave ovens are installed on cabinets-columns, or in cabinets of the lower row. The main advantages of such furniture are space saving and aesthetic qualities.
The microwave cabinet must have a robust design that can support the weight of the appliance. Also in the cabinet should be ventilation openings that will deflect hot air. Some models may completely lack the rear wall, so air circulates freely.
The dimensions of the installation niche for the microwave are determined by the dimensions of the device plus 2-3 cm.
Built-in microwave
Corresponding models of microwave ovens allow you to "embed" them in special niches. Often use the space under the countertop for this, freeing up the work surface itself.
It must be remembered that a device with too small a size will not be convenient during operation.
There are also kitchens with a built-in microwave - this is when a niche is made directly in the wall. This is possible with an appropriate layout. Here you have to navigate by the parameters of the device.
A kitchen with a built-in microwave is also stylish and beautiful, and not just convenient. But you need to choose this option before buying a kitchen set, determine the height and specific location of the microwave oven. The designer will only have to translate the wishes into reality. He can offer several standard options or develop an individual plan.
Microwave in a small kitchen
It’s not so easy to place a microwave in a small kitchen; to do this, you will have to allocate additional space, which is already missing. Here are some unusual solutions for a small kitchen:
- Installing a microwave oven over the stove. Probably, this option is not the most harmonious, but it allows you to save space in a small kitchen.
- A microwave on the brackets is a convenient way when the appliance is installed between the upper cabinet of the kitchen set and the countertop. It is important to remember that under the microwave should not be heating elements, such as a kettle or multicooker, as hot steam can ruin the mechanism of the furnace.
When placing a microwave in the kitchen, there may be other options, if only the household liked them and were convenient to use.
Some useful tips
Microwave placement in the kitchen should be not only convenient, but also safe. A good option would be to integrate the oven into the kitchen, but if you couldn’t think it out in advance, then the following tips may help:
- Installing a microwave in the kitchen at eye level will make it most convenient to use it in accordance with the purpose. It will also protect the device from small children who might accidentally turn it on or open it.
- Usually the microwave door opens to the left side, so here you need to think about free space so that when it opens the oven, nothing will interfere.
- On top of the microwave you can set any objects, such as a bread box. The main thing is to remember that these objects are not heavy and do not completely cover the ventilation holes (if any). Proper operation of the microwave in the kitchen ensures its smooth operation.
- Be sure to use a special lid-cap during cooking that will protect the inside of the microwave from greasy drops, etc.
- As mentioned above, you do not need to put the microwave on the refrigerator. This is an unfavorable neighborhood. Additional heat from the microwave oven negatively affects the operation of the refrigerator, forcing it to work at full capacity.
- Cleanliness, and cleanliness again. Wet cleaning inside the microwave oven is recommended after each use - it will not take much time, but it will ensure the cleanliness of the device. Exterior panels also need to be washed - about 1 time per week.
- If you have neglected the rules of cleanliness, and dirt has appeared inside the microwave oven that is difficult to remove, you can resort to emergency cleaning. In the microwave, you can heat water with lemon juice or lemon slices (citric acid is also suitable). This procedure will soften the dirt and make it easier to remove. But often resorting to such a trick is not recommended, since over time the acids corrode the internal walls of the device, and it can fail prematurely.