Putting things on top of my microwave oven was also the biggest concern for me too. I couldn’t figure out why I seem to keep replacing microwaves every year to two years.
Then I think about it. Is it for the items on top I was continuously placing? From that confusion and curiosity, I made a lot of research and found some helpful things to share with all.
First, let me share the answer in simple terms that I have found from my research.
Is It Okay To Put Things On Top Of My Microwave?
Setting things on your microwave safely depends entirely on the weight and material of the object. This area can get hot during operation. That’s why putting some kinds of items like heavy materials on top of your microwave can cause enough distortion to prevent proper sealing of the door. This can cause a serious burn.
Although putting some lightweight items shouldn’t be a problem, but for certain reasons, the best bet is to not putting anything on top of a microwave.
The Main Reason to avoid putting anything on top of a microwave
As an example, one heavy cast iron dutch oven sitting on your microwave long-term can damage the sealing of the door. Sealing microwave doors is one of the most critical engineering concerns when designing and manufacturing a microwave.
It’s for safety because even the smallest opening of a hole in the closure of the door will make a pathway for the energy waves to getaway. If any part of a person’s body is in line with those energy waves, it can be quickly be heated enough to cause a serious burn.
If you’re wearing a ring (gold or any other metal) and rest your hand on the top of the microwave and it has a gap in the door from where microwaves are escaping, the ring can be heated enough to cause really serious burns very quickly.
What Can you Put on top and What you Don’t
Besides the weight of objects, another thing you need to make sure is the things on top is not blocking any air vents, It’s better to not putting anything up there that shouldn’t get hot or might be damaged by moisture if there are vents.
Some microwave oven doesn’t have vents on top. In that case, you just have to be careful about the heat. You could check how hot the top gets by putting your hand on it while it’s cooking something for several minutes. It won’t get very hot if it only runs for a few seconds
Items you can place
You can place any lightweight things and items that can tolerate a little amount of heat. The top of the microwave oven is useful for other little cooking apparatuses like a hot plate, or a couple of plates or different dishes/glasses on it unless they seemed to be too heavy.
Items like lightweight small plants, a couple of loaves of bread, a stack of plastic storage containers, Coffee cups, small plates, Magazines and CDs shouldn’t create any issue.
However, if your microwave heats much higher than normal then it’s better not to put anything directly on top. It’s always better to put things on an elevated shelf (some boards and a piece of plywood) so that there is a gap for air circulation.
Items you shouldn’t Place
You should be careful with putting much weight on top of the microwave oven. It’s better to always avoid any kind of heavy and metal items. Items like a stack of nested cast-iron cookware, even one heavy cast iron dutch oven sitting on your microwave long-term can cause enough distortion.
Even a heavy cutting board placed on top of a microwave will affect a microwave. The weight of the board will put stress on the structure of the microwave. Also adding the cutting board will trap some heat inside the box.
Items like a toaster oven, espresso machine, Radio, heavy jars, potholders, oven mitts and any other heavy and fast heating items are most harmful to your microwave in the long term.
Even you shouldn’t place any liquid items. These can spill and affect how well the door seals, items can slip down and prevent the door from closing properly, and items can slip down and block air vents which can prevent proper circulation of air and heat for your microwave.
Last Few Words
You don’t have to know all details but It’s always best to read at least the main specifications of your microwave. This will help you to understand your appliance more precisely.
The door sealing is most important. Frequently clean and inspect your microwave’s door seal to ensure that it is closing tightly and not allowing any radiation to leak out when it is operating. Microwaves ‘never’ should leak out of the oven.
Will you become more careful about using your microwave from now on? Please leave a comment.
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