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How To Clean A Basic Kitchen Microwave

We gathered the best tips on cleaning your microwave oven and compiled it together into this article

Mark Hoffman

Managing Editor At Ovenreview.co.uk

December 26th, 2022

3 Minute Read

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Is your microwave due a clean? Do you know how to adequately clean your microwave oven? Microwave ovens get used nearly every day. Whether they are reheating foods, cooking meals or baking a jack potato. They can come incredibly dirty and contaminated with dirt and diseases. Studies have shown (according to Hygiene Food Safety) both E.coli and Salmonella can survive inside a microwave. Microwave ovens have been shown to be cleaned less frequently than expected. Creating a high chance of cross-contamination.

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How often should I clean my microwave?

If you do not clean your oven after every use. Try to clean it at least 2 to 3 times a week. Bacteria and diseases can build up inside your microwave and not just effect your food. But you’re ultimately creating a breeding ground for bad cells.

But can microwaves kill bacteria? No microwaves cannot exactly kill bacteria in the same way that normal ovens potentially can. Foods that are cooked in microwaves are often unevenly cooked because a microwave does not cook like an oven. Even turntable-equipped microwave can cook unevenly and leave uncooked/cold parts where harmful bacteria can survive and breed.

How do microwaves cook food?

Contrary to belief, according to the FDA, microwave ovens do not cook foods from the inside out. Although heat is produced directly inside the food itself. The FDA states: When thicker foods are cooked or baked, the outer layers are heated and cooked primarily by microwaves while the inside is cooked mainly by the conduction of heat from the hot outer layers. This could lead to what you’re cooking not actually being cooked properly.

Why does Ice not melt in the microwave?

Ice is just water. Or hydrogen and oxygen hence H2O. In ice the water molecules are all locked together in a strong bonded crystal structure by hydrogen bonds – That we know from science right?

These bonds will stop the water molecules rotating, which means they can’t absorb much energy from the microwaves. This, in turn, means that the ice doesn’t heat up

How to clean a microwave?

The best way is to clean a microwave with white vinegar here is the full list of what you will need:

White vinegar or other disinfectant washing soap
plastic bowl (not metal) a microwavable bowl
Cleaning sponges
Dry cloth (something to dry with)

Step 1

Prepare

Fill your bowl full of water with your cleaner of choice. We would recommend to use white vinegar but cleaning soap with disinfectant is also a good alternative.
Add 2 spoonfuls of vinegar (or other cleaner) to the water

Step 2

Water bowl in the microwave

Place the bowl with water inside the microwave and turn it on until the water boils.

Step 3

Steam the microwave

After the water is boiled the steam from the vinegar water (or other cleaning water) will help break down the dirt and bacteria inside the microwave.

Step 4

Remove the bowl

Now you can remove the bowl (may still be hot) and clean the rest of the microwave with a wet cloth and then dry.

Mark Hoffman

Managing Editor At Ovenreview.co.uk

Mark Hoffman has worked as a freelancer and writer for several years. Reviewing ovens, washing machines and any other household items he can get his hands on. When he’s not sitting in-front of a computer he enjoys cycling, climbing and volunteering at charitable health organisations.