Essential Built-In Microwave Maintenance: Expert Guide for Longevity

Built-in microwaves offer all the convenience of their stand-alone counterparts while adding a sleek and modern feel to your kitchen. The one drawback is that replacing a built-in microwave is a little more complicated and may require professional help. Luckily, some basic maintenance and conscientious cooking and cleaning habits will keep your microwave humming along for many years, long delaying the time when a full-on replacement is unavoidable. 

Why Built-In Microwaves Fail Earlier And How to Prevent It

The causes of microwave oven breakdowns are usually related to electrical or mechanical malfunctions, but those malfunctions arise due to a variety of reasons and circumstances.

• Poor ventilation

Built-in microwaves need sufficient airflow to allow heat, moisture, and aerosolized oils to dissipate. Clogged filters or tight-fitting cabinets inhibit ventilation, straining the appliance’s electrical components.

• Improper installation

A faulty installation can take years off of an appliance’s lifespan. If the installer doesn’t account for adequate ventilation, the microwave will suffer greater wear and tear with virtually every use. Improper or inadequate mounting hardware can also lead to misalignment, straining the entire appliance and promoting mechanical problems.

• Excess moisture, grease, and food residue

Microwaves are designed to handle moisture and aerosolized oil, but excess exposure can wear down the component parts quickly. Avoid excess moisture and grease by cleaning up spills quickly, maintaining a clean filter, promoting airflow, and avoiding using the appliance for extended periods with little rest in between.

• Electrical surges

Power surges are responsible for some of the most common electrical appliance failures. A sufficiently powerful surge can render a microwave inoperable.

Daily Habits That Extend Your Built-In Microwave’s Life Expectancy

Microwave oven maintenance doesn’t have to be especially complicated. A handful of everyday habits that become second nature can add months or years to your appliance’s lifespan.

1. Wipe down the interior of the microwave after each use, and clean up splatters and spills immediately.
2. Use paper towels or parchment paper to cover foods while cooking or reheating to contain splatters.
3. Never microwave metal, aluminum foil, paper bags, styrofoam, or single-use plastics. Depending on the material, these items can cause arcing, melt, catch fire, or release toxic chemicals into your home.
4. Avoid running your microwave for lengthy periods of time. Frequent and extended heating cycles can expose the magnetron and other components to too much heat, exacerbating wear and tear.
5. If your built-in microwave is above your stovetop or range, use the ventilation feature while cooking. Boiling water on the stovetop, for example, exposes the microwave above to tremendous amounts of hot steam. Employing the fan will vent this steam properly.
6. Treat your microwave with care. Open and close the door gently to avoid damaging the latch. 
7. Use gentle cleaning products and materials when cleaning your microwave. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners or abrasive sponges and brushes.

How to Know When Your Built-In Microwave Is Near the End of Its Lifespan

There are some telltale signs that a built-in microwave is due to be replaced soon. Actively monitor for the following concerning symptoms.

• Inadequate or uneven heating
• Longer cooking times
• Sparking or arcing even in the absence of metal inside the microwave
• Unpleasant odors, such as that of burning plastic or electrical material
• Unresponsive buttons or control panels
• Flickering or scrambled digital displays
• More frequent error codes or messages
• Automatic resetting or shutting down
• An outer cabinet that’s warm or hot to the touch

Also keep your microwave’s age in mind. Even if you haven’t noticed any problems, a built-in microwave that’s around 10 years old is probably due for a replacement soon. If you keep up with your cabinet microwave maintenance, you may very well get another few years out of it, but nothing lasts indefinitely.

Built-In vs. Countertop Microwave Care: What Changes?

Almost all of the principles outlined above apply for both built-in and countertop microwave oven maintenance, but there are some minor differences in care to be mindful of.

• Ventilation. Airflow isn’t as much of a concern with countertop microwaves because they typically sit in the open air. If you own a built-in microwave, you have to be sure that it has been installed with adequate ventilation.
   
• Cleaning considerations. It’s easy to wipe down the inside and outside of a countertop microwave. A built-in microwave, because it’s mounted within a cabinet, may have slightly more complex cleaning requirements. You may need to clean or replace a filter, for example, or wipe down vent channels that are usually out of sight.
   
• External heat and moisture exposure. Built-in microwaves are often mounted above stovetops and ranges, where they are then exposed to heat, steam, cooking vapors, and aerosolized oils. This exposure means you have to be careful to run your kitchen fan whenever you cook on the stovetop or range to mitigate the effects of the heat and moisture.

When to Call a Professional for Built-In Microwave Maintenance

Microwaves are easy to maintain, but you’ll want to call a professional or use your home warranty or appliance insurance for most problems that arise. Worsening functionality, frequent error codes, arcing, strange smells, and other problems usually point to electrical failures or worn internal components. 

Resolving problems with a built-in microwave often takes some professional know-how. If you attempt to tackle the problem yourself, you risk making maintenance errors that can exacerbate the problem or introduce a new one. There are also safety considerations, such as the risk of electric shock.

The Secret to Long-Lasting Kitchen Appliances

Your microwave isn’t the only appliance that benefits from care and maintenance. All kitchen appliances will last longer if you keep to a regular maintenance schedule and have minor malfunctions resolved as soon as they crop up. 

Maintaining the continued health of your home systems and appliances is markedly easier with Liberty Home Guard’s assistance. Our top-rated home warranty services can cover virtually every appliance and system you own, and they can save you from surprise out-of-pocket expenses when something breaks down unexpectedly. Learn more by calling (833)-545-6630.