From the first day of buying a microwave, the user feels its benefit: with a modest size, it copes with heating, defrosting and cooking. How long will she last? If it is in your interests to extend the life of the microwave oven, it is worth observing not only the rules prescribed in the operating instructions, but also ensuring proper care.
On average, manufacturers promise about 6 years of uptime.
Microwave resource
How many years can I use a microwave oven? It all depends on the maintenance and care of the equipment. It doesn't matter what type of microwave you have: solo or multi-functional (with grill and convection), small or roomy, built-in or stationary - the rules are the same for any technique.
With regular observance of all the manufacturer's instructions, the period of use is significantly increased. Many companies claim that the stove will work without failures for at least 6 years. But this small figure is not the limit of possibilities, if you devote a little time to your "assistant".
Fact! The brand also plays a role. Choosing a high-quality microwave LG, Bosch or Samsung, you can count on a significant "shelf life", in contrast to the products of cheap Asian brands.
The duration of use of the appliance is closely related to quality, which should be paid attention to at the acquisition stage. It is important to choose the most resistant coating of the camera: choose ceramics or BIO-ceramics, such spraying is unpretentious in maintenance. To repair scratched inner walls is troublesome and expensive - you will learn more about this on the page "How to paint the microwave inside if the coating has peeled off."
Important! Greasy stains and deposits are easier to wash in the “Steam Cleaning” mode. It is worth overpaying for such a function in order to keep the camera in integrity longer.
If you are in doubt about ceramics, choose a different type of coating by reading the review “Which microwave coating to choose”.
Subtleties of installation
Much depends on the location of the appliance in the kitchen. Adverse "neighborhood" can significantly shorten his age. Experts do not recommend placing such appliances next to the microwave oven, bottom or top: a refrigerator, a washing machine and a dishwasher, tiles and heating radiators.
Read more about the joint installation of some appliances in the kitchen on the pages: “Can I put a microwave on a refrigerator”, “Can I put a TV on a microwave”.
Another undesirable position is right next to the kitchen set. There is a risk of blocking the ventilation holes in the body of the microwave oven, which can damage it. The minimum distance from the oven to the walls of the furniture is 10 cm.
If heating appliances or appliances with a high degree of heating are installed near the microwave, this can lead to overheating of important components of the equipment. Read more about the nuances of the location on the page "Where to put a microwave in the kitchen."
Useful user tips
The correct use of the microwave device is directly proportional to the average duration of its operation. Follow simple recommendations to avoid premature crashes and breakdowns, extend the performance of the equipment:
- Warm food in specially designed containers, for example, in heat-resistant glass products. Metal products or plates with a gold border - taboo. Negligence or carelessness of the user can lead not only to damage the device, but also to a fire. What other dishes cannot be heated, read in a separate review.
- Using plastic, check if there is a permit badge on it. Some products are so unstable that they will easily melt even in the weak mode.
- Do not start an empty microwave to prevent the magnetron from breaking. It costs a little cheaper than the stove itself, so repairs will not help.
- Keep an eye on the stove during operation. Some foods may catch fire if overheated.
- No steaming mode? Then avoid high humidity in the chamber: cook broths and soups on a regular stove or in a slow cooker.
- Choose the dishes according to their size so as not to scratch the inner coating. This will lead to further damage, in the best case, the products simply warm unevenly. Square dishes should only be used in stoves without a turntable.
- Microwave Oven Door - No Railing! Do not lean on it, otherwise it will sag and the waves will seep into the environment. This does not threaten you, and the quality of the microwave will noticeably decrease.
How to cook
We will not teach you how to cook pilaf or make meatballs, but we will give tips that will help prolong the microwave operation:
- Do not warm the dish for longer than necessary. Note that at the end of the regime, cooking lasts for another 5-10 minutes.
- Keep track of the weight of the products: each model has its own rules for defrosting or cooking. Serving too small portions is also not worth it - for example, one sandwich. If you really need to heat one pie, put a container of water next to it.
- Do not warm eggs, tomatoes - any products in the shell filled with liquid. Or wait for a spectacular explosion and prepare a sponge with a camera cleaner.
- Plastic containers with tightly closed lids - a direct path to the "BOOM!". The cover will fly off.
- Before cooking, it is better to pierce the vegetables with a toothpick or cut with a knife so that the steam can escape and the skin does not burst.
- Warm sausages or sausage? Do not forget to get rid of the peel.
- Drying vegetables, fruits and herbs in the cell is prohibited!
A few care tips
Forgot to wash the camera on time, the fat had tightly stuck to the walls? Do not rub it with a brush: put a glass of water in the chamber for 5 minutes and run the most powerful mode.
A drop of lemon juice added to the same glass of water will help get rid of “aromas”.
It is recommended to wash the turntable with ordinary soapy water. You cannot scratch and rub with abrasive means - neither the camera, nor the body.
Read more about leaving on the pages: “How to wash the microwave”, “How to clean with vinegar”.
Observing simple rules, choosing the right dishes, from time to time paying attention to the device, you can safely use it for more than 6 years. If you have problems, on our site you will find a lot of useful articles on the repair of microwave ovens.