Your Microwave – The One Appliance To Never Try DIY Repairs
Many people love to try to save a little cash by hitting the web and searching for DIY instructions to make repairs to the appliances that they rely on each day. One appliance that you should always leave repairs to the professionals is the microwave. So, if you can't do the repair work yourself, what can you do to extend the life of your microwave and use it more efficiently? Here, you'll learn just that.
Why isn't it a good idea to repair your own microwave?
Simply put, there is a good chance that you'll shock the snot out of yourself! Inside the microwave is a small unit – the capacitor. This capacitor holds an electrical charge even after the microwave is unplugged. If you aren't trained in appliance repair, you could touch the wrong element with a screwdriver and get the shock of your life. This is not a little zap to worry about – the unit carries enough voltage to potentially kill you.
What can you do to extend the life of your microwave?
Really, the only thing you can do is keep it clean and do it right. Don't use household cleaners inside the microwave. It won't cause any damage, but it can expose the food that you cook inside to become contaminated with chemicals as it cooks.
To clean the microwave, all you need is a mug, water, and a clean cloth or some paper towels. Fill the mug with water, put it in the microwave and cook it for about 2 minutes. Let the mug sit in the closed microwave for about 10 minutes. The steam from the water in the mug will soften any food that's been cooked onto the surfaces in the microwave and make it easy to just wipe it all away.
Another thing to remember is that the microwave needs air when it's running. Do not store anything on top of or beside your microwave. Reducing the air circulation will reduce the life expectancy of the machine.
Cook efficiently! How you cook your food will have an impact on the life of your microwave. Use the power settings on the microwave to reduce the power when reheating meals. Cooking the meals slower and longer will reduce the chances of the food turning into rubber and splattering a mess through the microwave. Allow the food to rest inside the closed microwave for two or three minutes after it is done cooking so that the heat distributes the food evenly.
If you're having trouble with your microwave, talk with your local microwave repair technician. He or she may be able to make the repairs quickly and get you cooking again in no time.
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