Last Updated on January 1, 2023 by Mosabbir
You can easily forget the microwave while cleaning the kitchen. Yes, its exterior might get a wipe along with other appliances, but what about the internal grease?
If you don’t know how to deal with a dirty microwave, here are some tips that might help. It’s best to avoid dirt and grime accumulation in your household and kitchen appliances.
So, try to clean them at least once a week.
Cleaning a Stainless Steel Microwave
Unplug the microwave before initiating any cleaning steps. Use a damp cloth to remove all the grease and grime accumulations.
Do not use any abrasive detergent or cleaning solution with the fabric. Finish the cleaning with a dry cloth. Try to remove the stains immediately after you spot them.
It’s always easy to clean the spoilsports instantly.
If you prepared more than a few meals in the microwave, use the given steps to soften the stains.
- Microwave a half full bowl of water for three minutes. The high temperature and steam soften all the stubborn layers of grime.
- Shut down the microwave after three minutes, but let the water stay inside it for the next five minutes.
- Use a soft cloth to wipe the microwave.
Also read: How To Clean a Microwave After a Fire?
How to Clean a Stainless Steel Interior?
If you own a microwave with a stainless steel interior, then be extra cautious while cleaning it. The first step is to make sure the appliance is cool.
Check the grain’s direction – it could be vertical, horizontal, or diagonal, depending upon your instrument’s brand. Use a soft cloth to wipe the internal area in the grain’s direction. Finish the process using a dry cloth.
Once you notice that the interior is dry, apply some stainless steel conditioner using a soft cloth. Make sure you follow the grain’s direction.
Take out the excess conditioner using a dry cloth. Avoid the logos and never use a chlorine-based cleaner. Don’t use the conditioner if the cooking chamber of your microwave is black.
How to Clean the Exterior?
You can follow the process we discussed above to clean the exteriors of the microwave. Use a soft and soapy cloth to wipe out all the panels. Dry the excess moisture immediately using a dry cloth.
Use the damp cloth to clean the seal and dry it afterwards. We suggest that you do it every week because the seal can attract too much dirt. If you notice that the microwave’s windows are foggy, use a mixture of water and vinegar to clean it. Mix half water with half vinegar and use a dry cloth to clean the windows. Dry the excess liquid using a dry fabric.
If you want to remove the unwanted odour from the microwave, then use lemon. Place its slice inside a bowl half-filled with water. Microwave the water and lemon until the former boils. Leave the bowl inside your microwave for at least 15 minutes. Dry the interior using a soft cloth.
Also read: The best microwave ovens with grill
How to clean a stainless steel microwave using its self-cleaning function?
Follow the given steps to maintain a self-cleaning combination microwave oven.
- Make sure that the microwave is cool.
- Press the button that states “Clean/Steam clean/Deodorize” or something similar. The option depends upon the make and model, so it’s better to read the instructions manual.
- Do not try to apply any additional cleaning solutions inside the microwave. Plus, make sure that the appliance’s door is closed correctly.
- Leave the microwave while it’s in cleaning mode. Depending upon the model, the steam clean mode lasts up to 15 minutes.
- Open the door once the cycle ends. Wait for a few minutes and allow the microwave to cool down.
- Use a soft and damp cloth to take out all the food residue and grease. You can use a cloth dipped in warm soapy water to clean the microwave’s door.
FAQs
How to clean the outside of a stainless steel microwave?
You can easily clean all the fingerprints and grease from the microwave and keep it maintained. The first step is to turn on the control lock, which will not activate any of the functions if you press a button while cleaning. Mix dishwashing soap with water and clean the microwave using a clean cloth. Dry off the excess droplets using a dry cloth.
How to clean grease from stainless steel microwave?
Mix two tablespoons of vinegar with half a bowl of water and microwave the mixture for 3 minutes. The mixture’s steam will soften the grease and similar stains so that you can remove them using a soft cloth.
How to clean grill element in microwave?
Use vinegar to clean grill element in your microwave. Pour some vinegar (one cup) into a glass bowl and microwave it for 4 minutes. Power off the timer and leave the bowl inside for two more minutes. The process will steam the grill element and other surfaces, so that you can easily clean them using a soft cloth.
Does vinegar damage stainless steel?
Vinegar is one of the best ways to clean your stainless steel items because it takes out all the fingerprints, dirt and grime accumulation without any hassles. So, it’s safe to use vinegar on stainless steel.
The Bottom line
Now you know how to clean a stainless steel microwave. Always use a soft cloth or sponge to clean such an appliance. Do not use a spray bottle. Otherwise, the liquid might flow inside the vents to damage the machine. Handle with care.
