Microwave maintenance: The overlooked element in your appliance and how to clean it effectively

A considerable number of people object to reheating meals in a microwave. They believe that this appliance can alter the taste and quality of food. Fortunately, experts affirm that there's no proven risk of reheated meals negatively impacting health. Indeed, the microwave is an extremely swift and convenient appliance. Using it to prepare or reheat food saves considerable time in the kitchen. This convenience makes it particularly popular among students and office workers. Nonetheless, frequent microwave use leads to various types of contamination. Bear in mind that, like induction or gas cookers, a microwave also needs regular cleaning.

The initial step for effective microwave cleaning involves removing all dried-up food remnants from the inside. However, most people primarily concentrate on cleaning the walls and door. Unfortunately, this overlooks a crucial part of the appliance: the grease filter. It needs regular and meticulous cleaning.

Note, however, that your microwave may also contain a charcoal filter. This filter should not be cleaned. Rest assured, only certain microwave models featuring larger ranges include charcoal filters. So, if you own a countertop microwave model, you don't have to worry about this. Importantly, every household microwave does contain the aforementioned grease filter, which requires profuse and regular cleaning.

The vast majority of microwave manufacturers advise cleaning the grease filter approximately every one to three months. However, the device's frequency of use must also factor in this guideline. So, how can you locate this filter? Usually, the grease filter is situated at the bottom of the microwave and is quite easy to remove. Nevertheless, before attempting to do so, review your user manual and disconnect the microwave from the power source. Most grease filters glide out readily, though some models may necessitate removal of holding screws initially.

After carefully extracting the filter from the microwave, fill your sink with hot water. Next, add a couple of drops of dish soap, immerse the filter, and wait until you can effortlessly wipe off the grime.

If the debris persists, consider adding 1/4 cup of baking soda and a bit more soap to the mixture in the sink. Allow the filter to soak for a while. Additionally, gently scrubbing it with an old toothbrush might help. Once the filter is clean, make sure to rinse it thoroughly with warm water. Finally, after the filter is air-dried, it should be reinstalled in the microwave.