Where you can and cannot place a microwave oven in the kitchen, rules for installing a microwave oven

Is it possible to put a microwave on a refrigerator?

The vast majority of kitchens are small in size, so often the only place where you can install a microwave oven is the refrigerator.

You can place the microwave on the refrigerator

The instructions do not contain information about whether the microwave can be placed on the refrigerator. According to experts from household appliances laboratories, if a small kitchen does not allow placing the oven on the work surface, then it is permissible to install the device on the refrigerator.

Such a proximity should not cause any problems due to emitted microwaves. In this situation, questions may arise regarding only the ventilation of the microwave oven.

In addition, when installing the device on a refrigerator, it is important to pay attention to some features of the proximity of the two devices:

• Safe installation of a microwave oven in a refrigerator requires the use of a plywood panel as a backing. This will help prevent the lid of your refrigerator from getting dents from a heavy microwave. Do not place thin, flammable material, such as plastic film, between appliances.
• If the ventilation is located not only on the side and back of the microwave oven, but also on the bottom, then it must be installed on adjustable feet. If there are none, then the device must be installed on a work surface, maintaining a safe distance.
• Based on the height of the refrigerator, you need to install the microwave so that its door is at chest level or lower. A higher placement of the device will not be convenient for heating liquid dishes.
• It is necessary to ensure that the distance between the microwave oven and the ceiling is more than 20 cm.
• There must be at least 15 cm of free space between the walls of the devices and other devices.
• The refrigerator must be installed and adjusted so that it does not create strong vibrations that will adversely affect the operation of the microwave oven.
• The appliance should not be placed on the refrigerator if you plan to use the microwave every day for cooking, and not just for heating or defrosting. In this case, the device will become very hot and negatively affect the operation of the refrigerator compartment.

Read more ► Smell in the refrigerator: how to get rid of an unpleasant stench using folk remedies and chemicals

Arguments against"

There are many more arguments why you can’t put a microwave on a refrigerator. And it doesn’t matter what we’re talking about - a freezer, a No Frost chamber or a regular one. Let's look at these arguments:

1. Frequent and prolonged use of microwaves produces a lot of warm air. It may affect the operation of the refrigerator.
2. The minimum distance from the microwave to the ceiling is 20 centimeters. If the refrigerator is high and the ceiling is low, such placement will not always be possible.
3. One of the most common arguments in reviews and forums is that there is a risk of spilling something hot on yourself, which can lead to unpleasant consequences. Here, again, you need to focus on the height of the refrigerator compartment and the height of the owner.

4. During the active phase, the refrigerator may vibrate strongly. This is another cause of accidents. Vibrations can cause scratches and even dents on the surface of the refrigerator compartment. These are small things compared to the fact that the microwave can move and even fall over time. If the vibrations are too strong, then it is worth checking whether the refrigerator is installed level. Perhaps one of the legs needs to be tightened.
5. The warm air that is generated from the microwave can cause the refrigerator or freezer to work harder, which will negatively affect your electricity bills - the numbers will increase.

6. There are still models of microwave ovens with bottom ventilation. If you want to put a similar specimen on the refrigerator, you will have to attach microwave legs so that the air circulates normally. But this increases the risk of the machine tipping over. The conclusion is this: if the microwave will definitely stand on the refrigerator, it is better to choose models with side or top ventilation.
7. You need to understand that not all refrigerators have a perfectly flat surface on top - some have recesses or raised areas. It is better not to place the microwave on such a base to avoid it tipping over.
8. Although no one will say this to your face, the service center may refuse warranty service if it finds out that the microwave is on the refrigerator. These actions are illegal if the instructions do not directly prohibit such arrangement of equipment. To avoid problems, it is better to remain silent about such an arrangement.

Although this list looks impressive, most of the items can be dealt with simply by correctly installing the equipment.

Microwave oven installation standards

Long-term and safe operation of a microwave oven is not possible without its correct installation.

It is important to follow certain standards:

• Before starting the installation process, the device is washed using a soft sponge and warm water. It is important not to forget to remove all protective films and assemble the rotating table.
• The clearance for the back of the appliance is 10 cm. The side wall should be at least 5 cm away. The space above the top cover should be between 22-31 cm.
• Correct placement of a microwave oven requires that the device be placed on a flat surface at a height of at least 85 cm from the floor.
• It is advisable to install the stove on a work surface. This will allow you to easily remove liquid dishes.
• As a rule, each model has the ability to adjust the distance between the working surface and the bottom of the device. There is a foot in each corner of the device, with which you can set the required height.
• Sometimes the microwave oven is installed in a cabinet. Operation under such conditions is not recommended. This option is not entirely successful due to insufficient ventilation.
• If the microwave is used not only for heating food, but also for cooking food (for half an hour or more), then ventilation must be provided on all sides.
• The device must not be installed near water sources. Liquid splashes can interfere with the operation of the unit or even cause a short circuit.
• If there are other electronic devices in the kitchen, they should be at least 2 meters away.
• Do not place a heavy object on the microwave oven: a slow cooker, a kettle, a bread box, a vase of flowers. This may result in crumbs or water splashing into the ventilation openings.
• It is not advisable to place mobile phones, tablets, or laptops on the stove, as magnetic waves can lead to malfunctions of these devices.

Read more ► Optimal temperature in the refrigerator and freezer, how to measure and arrange food

If the device breaks down, you can contact the service center.

Tips for choosing a location for your microwave

Following the recommendations in the instructions supplied with the microwave oven, it should be grounded to avoid electric shock. At the same time, if it was decided to place the stove on the refrigerator, you will have to ground both devices.

Where is it better to install a microwave and why?

When installing a microwave oven of any model and brand, you should adhere to the following installation rules:

• Ideally, place it on a flat and stable surface while maintaining air access to its ventilation;
• It is better to install away from heating appliances and other household appliances that can produce heat;
• Do not cover the stove with objects from its surroundings. The distance between them should be at least 10 centimeters;
• Maintain a free space of at least 30 centimeters above the oven top cover.
• For simplicity and convenience of placing a microwave oven in the kitchen, you can use special brackets that allow you to mount it on the wall. In addition, when choosing a place for the microwave, you should remember not only about comfortable cooking, but also about how you will wash it.

It is quite acceptable to install a microwave on a windowsill, the main thing is that its dimensions not only allow this, but also ensure proper ventilation. At the same time, it should be taken into account that the warm air emanating from the microwave during the cold season can lead to the accumulation of condensation on the glass.

When installing the stove on the table, we must not forget that there are always dishes and other kitchen utensils on it, which will not only create difficulties in its operation, but will also in some way block its ventilation.

Don’t forget about the aesthetic side of the issue - the microwave should fit organically into the interior of the kitchen and be easy to use.

Where is it not recommended to place a microwave oven and why?

• Regardless of the chosen stove model, due to the heat it generates during operation, it should not be installed in closed, unventilated niches;
• Do not place the stove in close proximity to appliances that generate heat;
• It is forbidden to place it in close proximity to a water supply, since water entering its body can lead to a short circuit and its complete failure.

Is it possible to place a microwave oven next to a refrigerator?

The device is designed in such a way that only the chamber inside is heated. At the same time, the housing is slightly susceptible to high temperatures. This occurs because warm air is released through the vent on the sides and back of the appliance.

The instruction manuals do not say that it is unacceptable to install the stove next to the refrigerator.

On the contrary, it is prohibited to place a microwave or refrigerator near heating appliances, radiators, stoves, or ovens. Although a microwave oven emits some heat, it does so only if it is used as an oven.

Pros and cons of such placement

The advantages of installing the device on the refrigerator include the following:

1. Saving space in the kitchen.
2. Child protection.
3. Proximity to the place where the products are stored.
4. A beautiful interior if the microwave and refrigerator are made in the same style.

Properly placing a microwave on a refrigerator is not difficult if you follow certain rules. First, it’s worth considering the disadvantages of this arrangement before installing one unit on another.

The disadvantages include:

• inconvenience of use;
• prohibition on long-term cooking of food;
• additional manipulations before installation;
• danger of placement.

A microwave oven cannot be used on a refrigerator for a long time. Cooking rice or pie in it will put a large load on the compressor of the refrigerator, and the degree of readiness of the dish in it will not be possible to control.

Is it possible to put a microwave in the freezer?

If the microwave oven is located on the freezer, then it should not be plugged into a common outlet.
Using a microwave oven on the freezer is not prohibited according to the operating instructions. The operation of both equipment will not be disrupted, provided that the microwave is installed in compliance with all safety measures.

Important! If the microwave oven is located on the freezer, then it should not be plugged into a common outlet. A separate outlet must be provided for each unit.

Before installing the stove on the freezer, you need to compare its depth with the width of the unit. If it turns out to be larger, the microwave will hang down, which will disrupt the ventilation process.

In what cases is it possible

Considering the above reasons, it is not worth placing equipment on top of each other. At the same time, you can put a microwave in the freezer in the following cases:

• If the microwave oven is turned on rarely and only for heating and defrosting food, preparing quick dishes (continuous operation no more than 5-7 minutes). Operating equipment for a long time leads to heating of the housing and a negative impact on refrigeration equipment.
• Provides adequate free space for ventilation. In this case, the distance to the upper barrier should not be less than 20 cm. The optimal height of the refrigerator in this case is 90-120 cm.
• When positioning the ventilation holes at the bottom of the microwave oven, there must be sufficient clearance for air exchange (at least 1 cm). It is also necessary to provide a protective backing made of heat-insulating material (for example, plywood, chipboard, OSB, etc.). Do not place paper, foil, etc. between the devices. They become very hot when the oven is running.
• Both electrical appliances are grounded.
• Two sockets are used to connect equipment. Because The power consumption of the devices is quite large, then the use of one socket threatens the failure of both devices in the event of a failure.
• When installing a microwave oven on a refrigerator, the metal parts of the devices should not come into contact with each other.

It is worth noting that according to user reviews, equipment breakdowns were rarely recorded. Therefore, if you follow all the rules, installing a microwave oven next to the refrigerator is not dangerous.

The most successful accommodation options

There are several optimal ways to install a microwave oven, each of which has its own characteristics.

Read more ► Rotten meat in the refrigerator: how to get rid of the smell quickly

Installation of appliances in the kitchen

Equipment manufacturers are constantly releasing new equipment with improved characteristics. Of course, consumers constantly update their equipment by purchasing more modern ones. First of all, when you buy a new device, you need to find a place for it .
At the same time, it is necessary to ensure not only the convenience and safety of using the stove, but it must also be harmoniously combined with other household appliances and furniture. It seems that a microwave oven cannot take up much space and can be placed next to other devices in any convenient place, but this is not so. If the kitchen is small, there may be problems with the placement of the appliance. However, you can hang the device on a shelf.

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If a microwave is purchased for a kitchen that is equipped with a large number of household appliances, then it is sometimes simply difficult to fit it with other appliances.

Furnace location

After purchasing a microwave, many begin to wonder where it is best to put it. It is worth noting that you cannot install a microwave oven in all corners of the kitchen. Before placing it on the refrigerator, you should think about how compatible the two devices are, since one heats up and the other cools.

Before placing a microwave on top of your refrigerator, you need to ask yourself the following question: Will this affect the efficiency of both devices?

Many users of microwave ovens claim that the device can stand on the refrigerator for many years, working efficiently . Their statement can be justified by the fact that both devices can be classified as isolated. This means that external factors cannot affect the performance of the devices.