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Published: 2021-12-29 16:16:00 Updated: 2021-12-29 19:13:41
Posted December 29, 2021 4:16 p.m. EST Updated December 29, 2021 7:13 p.m. EST
By Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/5 On Your Side reporter
With all of the supply chain issues, it may be more important than ever to take care of many of the things we have — including appliances.
The microwave is a go-to for so many families.
“We use it all day long, every day for breakfast, for lunch, for dinner," said Caroline Schofield.
It does all of that work and takes a lot of abuse.
To help them last as long as possible, microwaves need a little loving.
Consumer Reports says the average unit should last about 10 years.
To help your microwave live a long life, regularly clean the interior since leftover grime isn’t just gross but can also absorb energy and cause hot spots when the microwave is on that can actually damage the interior. So wipe spills as soon as they happen.
About the door that tends to be slammed, there's some simple but but really important technology inside.
“The door has switches inside that shut the oven off when you open it. There are also latch components that need to stay aligned – so don’t slam the door,” said Tanya Christian with Consumer Reports.
Never run your microwave empty. Microwaves cause the molecules in food to vibrate, creating heat, so with nothing there, the unit can overheat.
Certain items can catch fire or cause sparks and should never be used in your microwave including brown paper bags, metal pans or coffee mugs, takeout containers with metal handles, twist ties or anything covered with aluminum foil.
If you see sparks or arcing in your microwave, turn it off immediately.
“Over the range microwaves aren’t easy to replace, so give them extra care. Use the exhaust fan when you cook to avoid moisture collecting on the electronics of the microwave,” said Christian.
If you have kids using the microwave, make sure they understand the difference between setting minutes versus hours. A simple mistake can fry your microwave.
Finally, clean the exhaust filter by soaking it in hot water and a degreasing detergent. Check your manual before putting it in the dishwasher.
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