Dust plus grease on your vents accumulates over time, leading to a very sore sight for anyone looking to use the kitchen appliance. The best news is that it is typical for dust and grime to accumulate.
What is not okay is leaving the dirt in place, despite using your microwave to heat food every other day. Here is how to clean microwave vents with ingredients you can find easily at home or the shop.
A Quick Guide to Cleaning Microwave Vents
Microwaves are among the most commonly used household appliances. If you get one of the best convectional microwaves, you can use it for years without breaking down.
However, even the best microwaves build up dust from the grease splatters and dust with continued use.
This quick guide will guide you on how to clean your microwave vents in just a few simple steps.
Using Readily-Available Degreasers at Home
These are cleaning agents you can make from the comfort of your kitchen. The homemade degreasers are also cheap.
The most common selection includes white vinegar, baking soda, or lemon juice.
1. Lemon Juice
When using lemon juice as your degreasing agent;
- Squeeze 2 lemons to extract the juice
- In a bowl, mix 3 cups of water and the lemon juice
- Heat the mixture in the microwave for 3 minutes
- Leave the microwave for another 10 minutes
- Wipe down the residue on the microwave vents with a damp cloth
Remember, waiting gives the lemon juice and water mixture time to loosen any baked-on grease on your microwave vents.
2. Baking Soda
To use the baking soda vinegar mixture
- In a bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda with 3 cups of water
- Soak your towel in the mixture
- Wipe down the microwave vents with the towel
- In another bowl, mix equal parts water and vinegar
- Place the mixture in the microwave
- Heat the mixture in the microwave for 3 minutes
- Wait for 10 minutes for the mixture’s steam to loosen any caked-on grime
- Wipe down the interiors of the microwave with a damp cloth
Using Commercial Degreasers
Usually, these all-purpose cleaners are safe to use. The only downside is that they leave an odor behind, depending on their component formulation.
These commercial degreasers remove stubborn stains from ovens, stovetops, range hoods, and cooking pots. However, you should be more careful whenever you get your cleaning agent in a bottle.
Liquids reach the nooks and crannies of the microwave, which means that if it encounters dust, you will end up with a clogged microwave.
To clean your microwave:
- Using a screwdriver, unscrew the microwave grill or vent from the microwave
- Remove the vent
- You will notice a filter; remove it for cleaning
- Apply a generous amount of your selected commercial degreaser to the microwave vents
- Allow the degreaser to sit in for a few minutes
- Using a toothbrush or a soft scrub brush, clean any remaining stains from the microwave vent
- Flip the vent and clean the underside as well
- Rinse in clean, warm water
- If you need to reach deeper to remove any dust or grime, use Q-tips
- Dry the vent completely before fitting it back into the microwave
Safety Tips When Cleaning Your Microwave Vent
Food splatters are inevitable in a microwave. Even the smallest microwave ovens require some cleaning occasionally. When doing so, you should adhere to some precautions. These include:
- Ensuring that you unplug your appliance before starting any work on it
- Never spill any liquids on the electrical inlets
- Always dry the microwave thoroughly before putting it back together
- When heating your mixtures in the microwave, always use microwave-safe bowls to avoid disastrous meltdowns
Bottom Line
Microwaves are common appliances in homes. Their fast-heating properties make them a favorite, especially in households where leftovers are a favorite.
It is easy to ignore the microwave because it is not as open as the sink or countertop. Once you shut the door, you may forget about your microwave until the next time you use it.
This leads to an unpleasant accumulation of grease, food particles, dust, and liquids, which clogs your microwave vents. However, with the guide on how to clean microwave vents provided above, you can complete an entire clean-up session in less than 20 minutes.