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Tips For Cleaning Your Microwave
By Appliance Chief | July 31, 2007
Many microwaves have a program that tells you how much time it will take to cook certain items. You just push a button and voila. Well, not always.
On many microwaves, the popcorn setting does not match the time stated on today’s pre-packed corn kernels. As a result, many people have over-cooked this item and wound up with a microwave that has awful brown stains. As well, the odor of the burnt popcorn never seems to go away. To get your microwave sparkling and fresh again, here are some tips:
- Wipe any crumbs out of the inside. Use a bowl that is safe to put into the microwave and fill it with about two of water. Add about one-third cup of vinegar, put it into the microwave and heat for about five minutes. You will find that the inside gets steamy and softens any food stuck on the inside. Just use a wet cloth, sponge or paper towel to wipe it clean.
- To make your microwave fresh and clean smelling again, follow the previous instructions but instead of vinegar, use two teaspoons baking soda.
- To get rid of any nasty odors, you can also add two tablespoons of lemon juice to one cup of water and follow the same procedure.
- Some people claim that placing a wet sponge into the microwave and setting the heat at two minutes also works. The trick they say is to leave the door closed for about five minutes while the steam works on those nasty left-behind food bits.
- If some food still sticks stubbornly to the inside of your microwave, scrape it off gently with a dull knife. If you want to use a store bought cleaner, make sure it is non-acidic, non-toxic and bio-degradable.
Some things you should not do:
- Some people remove burnt on food using nail polish remover, which contains acetone. This creates a potential health hazard, as the fumes are toxic.
- Some microwave users put a cup of coffee inside and let it boil until it splatters all over. They say they’d rather smell coffee than burnt items. A better option would be to put a cup of coffee crystals inside when you’re not using the microwave.
- Never try taking your microwave apart, as it is a high-voltage appliance and you could easily get shocked.
For everyday maintenance of your microwave:
- Leave a cup of baking soda inside when you’re not using it to combat any odors, just like you do with the refrigerator.
- Cover foods that include liquids or sauces. Otherwise, they will splatter leaving you with another mess to clean up.
- To avoid baked on messes, clean your microwave weekly.
If you determine that you need a professional to inspect your microwave or are looking to purchase a new one and you live in the Los Angeles County area, go to www.chiefappliance.com. Service technicians are available at no extra charge at night and on weekends or holidays.
Topics: Microwave Repair, Microwave |
