Microwave in the kitchen is an assistant to the modern housewife. This device has become so tightly integrated into our lives today that many no longer imagine how they could do without it. In the microwave, you can not only heat food, but also defrost them, and many housewives even cook independent dishes in the microwave.
The purpose of the microwave oven
The microwave oven is designed to reheat chilled food, defrost food and cook semi-finished products. 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 the 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 rules of operation of the microwave guarantee the safety of its use.
Also rulesoperation of microwave ovens prevent the leakage of electromagnetic energy: with the door open or the facing panels removed, the magnetron will not turn on. The resulting vapors are removed from the chamber on their own, sometimes with the help of a fan.
Microwave Rules
Microwave in the kitchen is a fairly common device today, and it entered our lives about half a century ago. But there is still a heated debate about the dangers and benefits of a microwave oven. To be able to use this device as safely and comfortably as possible, several simple rules have been developed:
- Proper installation. Improper installation of an electrical appliance may cause breakdown, short circuit, fire or even explosion. Here it is important to choose the right surface for installation: strong, even, stable, suitable in size. The device must not fall or tilt.
- Separate grounded outlet for microwave. The microwave oven is a fairly powerful appliance. Grounding will secure if there is an overload of the network or a short circuit.
- 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. A 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 not put a microwave on the refrigerator, otherwise it will work at full capacity,cooling products. Close to a TV or radio, electromagnetic waves will interfere.
- The rule of cleanliness. Breakdowns and problems sometimes arise due to untimely maintenance. After use, wipe the inside of the microwave with a damp sponge and mild detergent. Chlorine, alkali and other aggressive agents should not be used. The ventilation grill also needs timely cleaning - it needs to be vacuumed from time to time.
- You can't ignore the instructions. Of course, reading thick books with instructions is quite tiring, but each model has its own unique features, which are not the best option to study by "poke" method.
- Universal usage rules for all microwaves. Do not turn on an open or empty oven, use metal objects or utensils with a golden rim, do not heat eggs, food in closed or vacuum packages, canned food. Do not operate a defective device - with damage, sparks or suspicious sounds.
Placing the microwave in the kitchen
As we have already found out, the microwave is a great helper in the kitchen, which heats up, defrosts, and cooks food. And modern models even have an oven function. This is how the oven and microwave are combined in the kitchen.
That is why you need to place this appliance in the kitchen as conveniently as possible. The rules for safe placement of the microwave are described above. One can only add that it is not worthinstall the device near the dining table, as the magnetic field of the switched on equipment can affect SIM cards and battery charge 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 food and clean the microwave.
Accommodation Options
There are a lot of options for placing a microwave. It will depend on personal preference, and on the characteristics of the cuisine, and on some other factors. We will look at 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 not to press the microwave against the wall so that it does not overheat. It is enough to leave a small space between the microwave and the wall - about 15-20 cm.
Option 2: window sill
This option is quite common, especially if space in the kitchen is limited. It is important to take precautions carefully here. The width of the window sill must necessarily match the dimensions of the appliance so that the microwave oven is stable.
Pros:
- window sill is almost perfect in height for easy operation;
- this arrangement frees up work surfaces.
Minus:
temperature fluctuations can adversely affect appliances (in summer, a microwave oven can overheat under the influence of sunlight, and in winter it can consumeadditional energy due to proximity to cold glass). Therefore, this option is good either for a very wide window sill (so that 15-20 cm remains between the glass and the window sill), or for a window overlooking an insulated balcony
Option 3: "island"
The special "island" for placing the microwave is also very convenient. Thus, it will be out of sight, but at the same time remain available for use. The "island" itself can be used as an additional place for various kitchen utensils.
Pros:
- free up the main, frequently used places in the kitchen;
- located away from the cooking area, which means that households using this appliance will not disturb anyone during cooking.
Cons:
- located quite low, which is not very convenient for operation;
- if there are small children in the house, this placement is not safe;
- so that the supply of electricity to the "island" is not noticeable, such placement must be thought out in advance, at the stage of rough repair.
Cupboard for microwave in the kitchen
Microwave cabinet is another great option for placing a microwave oven.
Kitchen cabinet is an interior element for the rational organization of room space. Food, household utensils, household appliances and built-in kitchen appliances are placed on this piece of furniture.
Traditional kitchen cabinet is the top and bottom horizon connectedsidewalls, rear wall and shelves. The cabinet for the microwave in the kitchen is a box in which there is a niche for mounting appliances with special openings for laying cables.
As a rule, microwave ovens are installed on column cabinets, or in cabinets of the lower row. The main advantages of such furniture are space saving and aesthetic qualities.
The cabinet for the microwave must be of a reliable design that can withstand the weight of the appliance. Also, the cabinet should have ventilation holes that will remove hot air. Some models may have no rear wall at all, allowing air to circulate freely.
The dimensions of the installation niche for the microwave are determined by the size of the appliance plus 2-3 cm.
Built-in microwave
Appropriate models of microwave ovens allow you to "embed" them in special niches. Often they use the space under the countertop for this, freeing the work surface itself.
Keep in mind that a device that is too small will not be comfortable to use.
There are also kitchens with a built-in microwave - this is when a niche is made directly in the wall. This is possible with proper planning. Here you have to navigate by the parameters of the device.
Kitchen with a built-in microwave is also stylish and beautiful, and not only convenient. But this option must be chosen before buying a kitchen set, determine the height and specific location of the microwave oven. The designer will only have to bring the wishes to life. He can offerseveral standard options or develop an individual plan.
Microwave in a small kitchen
It is not so easy to place a microwave in a small kitchen - for this you will have to allocate additional space, which is not there anyway. Here are some unusual solutions for a small kitchen:
- Installing a microwave oven above the stove. Probably, this option is not the most harmonious, but it saves space in a small kitchen.
- The microwave on brackets is a convenient way when the appliance is installed between the top cabinet of the kitchen set and the countertop. At the same time, it is important to remember that there should not be heating elements under the microwave, such as a kettle or a slow cooker, as hot steam can ruin the oven mechanism.
When placing a microwave in the kitchen, there may be other options, as long as they are liked by the household and are easy to use.
Some useful tips
Placing the microwave in the kitchen should be not only convenient, but also safe. A good option would be to build the oven into the kitchen set, but if it was not possible to think it over in advance, then the following tips may help:
- Installing a microwave in the kitchen at eye level will allow you to use it as conveniently as possible in accordance with its intended purpose. It will also protect the device from small children who may accidentally turn it on or open it.
- Usually the microwave door opens to the left,therefore, here you need to think about free space so that nothing interferes with the opening of the oven.
- You can install any items on top of the microwave, for example, a bread box. The main thing is to remember that these items are not heavy and do not completely cover the ventilation holes (if any). Proper operation of the microwave in the kitchen ensures its trouble-free operation.
- Be sure to use a special lid-cap during cooking, which will protect the inner walls 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. The extra heat from the microwave will negatively affect the operation of the refrigerator, causing it to run at full capacity.
- Cleanliness, and again cleanliness. 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 once a week.
- If you have neglected the rules of cleanliness, and there is dirt inside the microwave oven that is difficult to remove, you can resort to emergency cleaning. You can heat water with lemon juice or lemon slices in the microwave (citric acid is also suitable). This procedure will soften the dirt, and it will be easier to remove them. But it is not recommended to often resort to such a trick, since over time acids corrode the inner walls of the device, andit may fail prematurely.
