How long can a microwave oven be safely used?

A microwave oven is an essential attribute of a modern kitchen. To a greater or lesser extent it is used in every home. Ease of use, compactness, practicality and time saving contributed to their popularity. While some of us use the microwave only for quickly defrosting frozen foods and warming up food, for others it is a familiar assistant in preparing a wide variety of dishes, including baked goods. This is especially true for owners of devices with many functions who have mastered the nuances of cooking in a microwave.

At the same time, the attitude towards this kitchen appliance is very ambiguous. Scientists argue about the harm that microwaves cause to humans. It can manifest itself in a direct effect on a person located near an operating oven and through exposure to products exposed to microwave radiation. The condition of the equipment and its service life are of direct importance in this matter. Our safety largely depends on these factors.

What determines the period of safe use of the device?

Let us note the main factors influencing harmless use.

Operation and care according to the rules

A prerequisite for safety is compliance with the established rules for operating the stove and proper care of it. This applies to small and large, solo and multifunctional devices. The care and operation requirements for all this equipment are the same.

Important! Manufacturers claim that proper operation and regular care of home appliances greatly extends the life of safe operation.

Trusted brand

The brand is of considerable importance. Well-known manufacturers, caring about their reputation, launch production only reliable models. At the same time they use safe materials, capable of ensuring a long period of trouble-free operation. This does not apply to inexpensive equipment from Asian brands.

Inner coating

When buying a microwave you should pay close attention to its internal coating.

Ceramics

Important! Products coated with ceramics and bioceramics have good characteristics.

They are distinguished by a perfectly sprayed surface that is easy to care for. It is easy to clean, does not react to rays, and is safe for cooking dishes that require long-term heat treatment. This coating helps preserve the beneficial qualities of the products.

The disadvantage of a stove with a ceramic coating is the high price. Mechanical damage should be avoided, since this material is more fragile than metal.

Stainless steel

Reference. The stainless steel chamber can withstand the highest temperatures and their changes during long cooking times.

Its service life varies in length. However, caring for the surface of a stainless steel chamber is more troublesome. Fat sticks to it and is difficult to wash off. Maintenance will require the use of special cleaning products. Over time, stainless steel tarnishes.

Enamel

Reference. The best option from a cost point of view is heat-resistant enamel.

It is easy to clean and tolerates temperature changes well (with the exception of prolonged exposure to very high temperatures).

If you intend to purchase a stove with convection and grill functions and a sufficient set of functions at the best price, this coating option is the most suitable. Disadvantages include low scratch resistance, inability to withstand high temperatures over a long cooking period, and short service life.

How many years can you use a microwave without worry?

Important! Various equipment manufacturers guarantee us safe operation of equipment for two to ten years.

The average safe service life of the furnace is determined at 6 years. It depends on the reliability of the microwave you purchased, its condition and your compliance with operating instructions.

There are different ways to check how much impact the microwave you are using is making. The simplest of them is this: put a glass of cold water in the oven.

When the power is turned on at 700–800 watts, the water should boil within 2 minutes. If this does not happen, the stove operates unsafely and transmits waves outward, causing harm to people nearby.

This is also confirmed by the heating of the oven door. The most reliable way to check is a microwave wave detector.

How to find out the service life of different models

You should ask when purchasing how much you can trust the safety of the microwave you are purchasing. You need to focus on the service life of the product provided by the manufacturer.. The longer this period, the longer we are insured against harmful consequences caused by the use of faulty equipment.

Pay attention also to guarantee period. Usually in a microwave oven it is from 1 to 3 years. The longer it is, the longer you will not have to bear the financial costs of repairing equipment. The warranty period is indicated in the technical passport for the equipment, which the seller must issue.

Can the device be used after the specified service life has expired?

The service life of the unit has expired, but the device remains in working condition? Should we get rid of this technology? No no need. Continue to use it if you have previously used the microwave correctly.

Rules of use that extend service life

Considering the influence of the waves emitted by the stove on our body, we should adhere to the following rules:

• Avoid being in close proximity to the device while it is operating.
• Do not operate an oven that is faulty or has a damaged housing.
• Don't get too carried away with microwaved foods, especially those that have undergone long-term processing.
• Make sure that the ventilation openings are not blocked by objects on the stove or the immediate vicinity of furniture or interior parts.
• Do not use metal utensils or utensils with metallic elements or designs.
• Do not turn on the oven with a chamber in which no product is placed. Or if the volume of the product is less than 200 g.
• Do not boil eggs in their shells! And before cooking shelled eggs or other shelled products, pierce the shell to prevent an explosion.
• Install the oven on a flat surface at a height of 90 cm above the floor. The distance between the back wall and the furniture or wall should be 15 cm. And to the edge of the surface on which the microwave is placed should be at least 10 cm.

Compliance with the listed rules will allow you to continue the safe operation of the stove.