The appliance has sure come a long way. Before the air fryer was the star of the show, it was the microwave that has been warming up coffees, reheating prepacked frozen lunch boxes, and even afforded some easy kitchen hacks such as melting chocolate for quicker baking. So it’s no secret that its practicality and constant use make microwave repair a regular occurrence.
Did you know? The microwave oven has ancient roots. It was discovered somewhere in the 1800s when a man called James Clerk Maxwell found his chocolate melting in his pocket after being exposed to microwaves. Since then, the microwave has provided numerous contributions to science including the mundane such as burglar detection and removal of contaminants in the soil, not to mention culinary delights.
Some of these techniques mentioned here are not so old, however, and it doesn’t take rocket science to work out.
Do not use metallic containers
Metals can potentially spark or at least have their shapes warped when microwaved. Avoid using these metallic containers, aluminum foil or ceramic dishes that have silver or gold etched into the design.
You can use plastics but with caution, as the plastic tends to leak into the food. Have you ever noticed that the containers sometimes get stained by the food inside? What to use instead: ceramic, glass, or plastic containers that are microwave safe.
Do not Cook uncovered food
A lot of food can explode when cooked inside the microwave oven. Eggs are especially notorious. You can opt to place them in a glass of water with a glass lid. Or even with a paper towel. The safest bet is using microwave lids.
Do Clean
Microwaves do deserve a regular cleaning or two. The safest medium is paper towels. Small towels can be used provided that they’re clean and used only once. You can always have several at hand, then wash after one use. As for the detergent, use the mildest soap you can. Stubborn grime can be scrubbed more easily if you microwaved a glass of water first. The steam will provide a safe and easy loosening of the food particles.
Do Close that door–carefully!
Microwave doors are actually very delicate. Most models in the market have as many as three locking mechanisms to keep it in place. But people tend to have the doors broken before anything else. Close the door slowly, and do not open it while the microwave is still cooking. You can use the pause button first, before opening the door.
Do Use the programs for a specific food.
This allows a more efficient way of cooking the food while maintaining the appliance’s integrity.
Don’t put anything inside the oven other than food and its container.
Most materials cannot stand microwaves. Clothes can combust inside, possibly making another reason for a repair. When we’re at this topic, it is also not advisable to try warming the microwave without anything inside. Its components are not equipped to absorb the waves, which may result in Appliance damage, the turntable, for example.
Do Prevent surges-related damages.
Use an appliance transformer or an anti-surge extension for your microwave oven.
All in all, microwaves have a 10-year lifespan, so the ultimate tip to prevent paying for a repair is simply to replace it! Just simply check with your local repair shop to see if the repairs cost more than purchasing a new one.