How to Clean a Microwave Oven

By : Zurana Masud | 2 Comment | On : April 15, 2017 | Category :

How to Clean a Microwave Oven

 A microwave oven (commonly referred to as a microwave) is a kitchen appliance that heats and cooks food by exposing it to microwave radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum. This induces polar molecules in the food to rotate and produce thermal energy in a process known as dielectric heating. Microwave ovens heat foods quickly and efficiently because excitation is fairly uniform in the outer 25–38 mm (1–1.5 inches) of a homogeneous, high water content food item; food is more evenly heated throughout (except in heterogeneous, dense objects) than generally occurs in other cooking techniques.¹

Splattered meat curry, different sauces, cheese, oily substances and persistent odors of food during microwave heating look terrible, smell bad, and decrease the efficiency of microwave. Sometimes, kids at home don’t operate microwave properly and cause food explosion within the microwave and the situation gets worse. In this situation, everyone needs the effective procedure to clean the microwave using kitchen and available materials at the home. Here, I will discuss some effective cleaning method of microwave without using harsh and hazardous chemicals, to protect our food from chemical contamination during heating. Hopefully these trick will make all microwave users pleased to clean the microwave regularly. I will also mention some common tips herewith to make microwave functioning properly.

First of all, unplug the microwave oven. Then take a damp or moist non-abrasive sponge and start cleaning the loose dirt present at the interior of the oven, starting from top to bottom and back to forth. Any of the following method can be used to clean microwave using available kitchen materials.

Method-A: Use of White Vinegar

Materials:

Microwave safe glass bowl, paper towel, white vinegar, lemon, Dish washing soap, clean water

Procedure:

At first, fill a microwave-safe glass bowl half full of water and add a tablespoon of white vinegar. Cut a lemon in half and place both halves in the water (This will serve as a good cleanser as well as deodorizer).

Then place the bowl over turntable of the microwave. Turn on microwave heating for 5 minutes or more/less until steam formation noticed on the walls of the microwave. This steam will lose the dried matter. Remove the glass bowl and clean the inside of the microwave with a clean paper towel. Take out the glass turntable and wash it like a dish with dish washing soap with care. Wait to dry the microwave completely before use.

Always keep in mind that some of the stains or dirt may be permanent especially old ones and in this case, try another method for best result.

After cleaning the interior, it is essential to clean the microwave oven from the outside. Glass/ Window cleaner can be safely used to clean the exterior of the microwave door, the handle, the buttons, and the sides. It might be started from the front, cleaning the door, hinges, any crooks that have present and the back of the oven where grease or sticky debris may notice.

Method-B: Use of Baking Soda for immovable oven stain

Sometimes oven darts are very difficult to remove that they are hardened and set onto the surface from the high heat of the oven. They become immovable with the time they remain on the surface. Baking soda can be used to remove this type of stubborn stain effectively.

Materials:

Microwave-safe glass bowl, clean cloth or paper towel, baking soda, white vinegar, Dish washing soap, clean water.

Procedure:

First, remove oven racks, glass turntable from microwave oven. Then apply or sprinkle baking soda (approximately 1/4 inch thick) to all stained surfaces especially to thick or greasy dirt areas of oven’s interior including the oven door. Baking soda paste, made with enough water may be used to easily reach the place where sprinkling of soda is not easy task.

Then spray water or pour enough water to saturate the baking soda onto the surface of the oven. The goal of the spray water is to form paste-like consistency with no dry powder. Sometimes, white vinegar can be applied over the baking soda with a spray bottle. The combination of vinegar and baking soda may form foamy bubble through a chemical reaction and should take care during this step.

Next, damp baking soda surface should leave undisturbed in oven for the overnight (at least 12 hours).  After at least 12 hours, wipe away the soda paste and dirt from oven surface with a moist paper towel to remove solid residue. Plastic or silicone spatula can be used to gently remove hardened soda paste from the surface.

Then spray water and wipe interior surfaces again with a damp cloth or paper towel to completely remove the baking soda. Then spray some white vinegar lightly which will react with remaining baking soda and form foam. Then again wipe surfaces with a clean cloth or paper towel to clean and dry the internal surface.

This process can be repeated, if some dirt or stains still persist in the oven. Oven racks or turntable can be cleaned by following the same procedure or may use dish wash soap.

As before, it is essential to clean the exterior of the microwave oven to make it functioning properly. Glass/ Window cleaner can be safely used to clean the exterior of the microwave door, the handle, the buttons, and the sides. It might be started from the front, cleaning the door, hinges, any crooks that have present and the back of the oven where grease or sticky debris may notice

Method-C: Use of lemon extract or vanilla to get rid of bad smells of a Microwave

There are several methods to get rid of the awful odors of a microwave, but the use of lemon extract or vanilla essence is very effective and easy to use at home.

Materials:

Microwave-safe glass bowl, clean cloth or paper towel, Lemon, Vanilla essence, clean water.

Procedure:

At first, fill a microwave-safe glass bowl half full of water and add 4 tsp or 20 ml lemon juice or extract. Then place the bowl over turntable of the microwave and then turn on microwave heating for 6 minutes. The door remains close and allows the bowl to remain in the microwave for 1 hour to remove the bad smell. Wipe out the lemon extract from the surface and clean the surface with damp clean paper towel or cloth.

The method to get rid of bad smell using vanilla essence is same as the lemon extract. In this process just use vanilla essence (2tsp) instead of lemon extracts in water and places the bowl in the microwave. Then turn on microwave heating for 6 minutes. After that, allow the bowl to remain in the microwave for 1 hour to remove the bad odor and then clean the surface with damp clean paper towel or cloth.

 

Common tips:

• Never place metal in a microwave because microwaving metal can cause a fire.
• Never use hazardous and unapproved chemicals to clean microwave.
• In order to let the microwave oven dry after cleaning, leave the door open for a few minutes after cleaning procedure.
• Try to clean up all dirt and stain in the microwave immediately after use.
• Always try to clean microwave twice a month.
• For all time cover food loosely when heating it.
• Try to use a non-abrasive scrubber or sponge to get rid of greasy dirt.

Reference:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwave_oven

How to Clean a Microwave Oven, Submitted by: Masud