CRAMMING a microwave into a tight space on your kitchen counter or by a window is treading the lines of fire safety.
So, here’s some tips on how to not set your house on fire when you want to reheat some meal prep or that forgotten cuppa.
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Putting your microwave too close to the window is not a good idea, according to a team of Ikea designers.
Windows should be kept clear in case they need to be used as a fire escape.
“Microwaves do require proper ventilation but putting it in front of the window is not the answer,” they write.
Placing a microwave in a corner is also “disastrous”, they say – unless your kitchen is designed for an angled space.
In this plan, the microwave doesn’t have access to proper airflow which could cause it to overheat and catch fire.
It’s important to make sure the microwave has enough room on both sides for ventilation.
A microwave against the wall is also no good.
Not only does it make it awkward to use in a restricted space, it also limits ventilation.
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Don’t put your microwave next to the fridge either.
“In this scenario, you run the risk of denting your fridge door with your microwave door if you’re not careful,” they write.
“A microwave also expels a lot of heat, so it might not be the best device to place it next to a machine that is designed to keep things cool.”
While a microwave next to a sink is “asking for trouble”, according to the team.
It is one of the “absolute worst” spots to put any appliance.
Electricity and water don’t mix well.
They can be, unsurprisingly, a lethal combination.
“The solution is to make sure that the microwave is always somewhere between four to nine feet away from the sink,” they explain.
“It’s much safer, and simply good design.”
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