Can you do without a microwave? Hell no!
Finding a house without a microwave these days is quite hard.
The world has evolved, and nearly everyone is embracing this new digital world. Microwaves have become part and parcel of our daily lives; we can’t just do without them.
A microwave is an excellent addition to the kitchen because people barely have time to cook; we are in a busy world, where every second and minute count.
You only need to cook once during the day and keep the food in your fridge until you want to consume it. And when that happens, you get it out of your fridge and warm it in the microwave.
Microwaves work based on electromagnetic radiation. This means that a microwave oven will reheat your food. And the good news is that there are no chances of your food overheating or even overcooking.
This is because there’s a sensor that will detect that your food has heated and stops. When this happens, you need to remove the food from the microwave and get to the table.
But that’s not where the power of microwaves stops – microwaves can also be used to carry out other tasks, such as baking cakes, steaming veggies, and a lot more. In other words, a microwave is a convenient appliance you shouldn’t miss in your kitchen.
This post will walk you through how you can use your microwave and some of the most frequently asked questions, like can you put a microwave on top of a fridge?
Can You Put a Microwave on Top of the Fridge?
Yes, it is right to put your microwave on top of your fridge. Most people place their microwaves on their kitchen counters, but not all of us have that. And that is why most people will rather opt for the top of their fridge. If you have no enough kitchen space, the top of your fridge will be an excellent place to put your microwave.
How Much Weight Can You Put on Top of a Refrigerator?
There’s no specific amount of weight, but it would be okay to place between 15 to 20kg on top of your fridge. This is a question most people ask because they want to use the top of their fridge to place their microwave and because they don’t want to mess up; this question has been asked severally.
While I can approximate that your fridge should hold between 15 to 20kgs, I have seen some people place up to 30kgs on top of their fridge. In other words, there is no specific amount you can say the top of a fridge can hold. – you need to test and see what happens.
A microwave generally weighs around 17.7kgs, and this is an amount of weight that would easily fit within the range I have given above. There’s nothing to worry about as long as you don’t put too much weight on top of your weight. However, I would still insist that you get a microwave stand to help you hold your microwave stand’s weight.
How Much Weight Can a Refrigerator Shelf Hold?
A refrigerator shelf can accommodate up to 50lbs, and this is only for the full-scale shelf areas. For the half shelf areas, you should expect the fridge shelf to accommodate up to 25lbs.
This is considerable weight, and because the technology has also evolved, manufacturers are building fridge shelves that maintain their strength over the years.
Refrigerator shelves are great for bigger families, and to determine what kind of fridge shelf will suit them, they’ll need to know the amount of weight a refrigerator shelf can hold.
Safety Concerns You Need to Be Aware of
You have now known that you can comfortably put your microwave on top of your fridge, but there are also some safety concerns you need to know. For example, you will need to know the weight and height of your refrigerator.
First, there is always the danger of liquids and foods spilling when they are at the top of your fridge. And this risk will be higher if the microwave is placed higher on the refrigerator. In other words, liquids and foods stand more chance to spill on you when your fridge is higher.
And because these two appliances – the fridge and the microwave, will be connected in the same socket, you need to be very careful with the voltage each will take. A microwave will need anywhere from 500 to 1800 watts depending on what type of microwave you are using.
Fridges, on the other hand, will pull approximately 725 watts and could go up to 1,000 watts. Therefore, it is essential to check and see that the socket you will be using can accommodate the voltage of the two appliances when they are plugged into the same socket.
Can You Put Appliances on Top of the Microwave?
You can place small appliances on top of a microwave, but not all appliances. Likewise, there are some safety measures you need to take when you want to put any appliance on top of your microwave. This is because some appliances can get damaged when the microwave is in use. Below are some tips.
What Can You Place on Top of Your Microwave?
1. Toasters
Most people usually bunch a microwave and a toaster together. If you are one of these people or you plan to do this, please get a protective layer and put it down before you can bunch these two appliances (microwave and toaster) together.
You have different options to use as layers. Usually, a fire-and-heat proof layer material would work great. Also, a rubberized mat will serve the same purpose efficiently. You are putting a layer between the microwave and the toaster because you don’t want any of the appliances to slide and fall.
Also, you need to be aware of the effects of a toaster, especially when they are hot. For example, toasters can discolor your microwave top if made of metal and damage the microwave if it’s plastic.
2. Microwave Grills
Placing your microwave grill on top of your microwave is a good bet because it maximizes your limited space.
Microwave grills have risen in popularity over the years; they can help you cook healthy meals quickly. You can always store this appliance on top of your microwave until when you want to use it. However, it would help if you were sure not to leave them inside your microwave because your foods can overcook without knowing.
The modern-day microwave grills heat the food through the plate rather than passing through the plate. Once the electrons heat the plate, the plate temperature rises.
3. Microwave Metal Racks
You can always toss the microwave metal rack inside the microwave. Additionally, you also have the choice to store these metal racks on the top of your microwave until when you will need to use it.
If you have the rack, you will have the advantage in terms of your microwave capacity. You can grill your sandwich on the rack and warm your favorite soup below.
If you choose to use the metal racks, please make sure you are using the metal racks that came with your microwave toaster. These have been meant to work together, so don’t get too curious about what will happen.
Microwave Do’s and Don’ts
It would help if you kept in mind some things when you are using your microwave; these rules will help you avoid some of the most common mistakes people make.
Form the tendency of covering foods that you put in the microwave like high-fat foods because they can explode without knowing.
Additionally, it would help if you refrained from putting too many foods in the microwave simultaneously. Some foods will only get warm in the edges, while the middle remains cold if you do this.
Frozen meat is also difficult to cook in the microwave, which means that you should never put it in the microwave.
You need to keep the microwave and whatever you put on top of it very clean. Clean the inside of your microwave and remove any left or forgotten plates by the previous user.
And please resist placing any metal in the microwave, except for the metal rack that will always come with the microwave.
Can You Put Things on Top of a Mini-Refrigerator?
Yes, you can go ahead and place things on top of your mini-refrigerator. However, you need to know the amount your fridge can hold. Remember, most fridges will hold between 15 and 20kgs, but it will also be no surprise to see a fridge hold more.
This weight was for the bigger fridges, which means that a mini-fridge weight capacity can be lower. Like the bigger fridges, there is no common weight I can mention, but you can approximate a bigger fridge’s weight to see what a mini-refrigerator will accommodate.
The same rules we discussed above will still apply. For example, you will also need to watch the height of your refrigerator. If your mini-refrigerator is higher than you, putting other items on top of your mini-fridge may need extra caution as these foods might spill on you as you try to reach them.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it Okay to Put Other Things on Top of a Fridge?
It is okay to put other things on top of your fridge, but you should be careful not to stuff it up. This is because putting so many things on top of your fridge can prevent heat from escaping, making it hard for the fridge to function normally.
2. Should I Leave the Microwave Door Open After?
This depends. When you are just using it, leave it open; and when the steam is gone, you need to close it now. But before closing it after the steam is gone, you need to wipe the remaining steam inside and around it.
3. Do I Need to Vent a Microwave?
This will depend on your goal. If you need to vent, you must ensure that you have ducts installed with a vent door. Your microwave is designed in such a way that it can either do indoor venting or outdoor venting.
4. Where Should I Put a Microwave Apart from the Top of My Fridge?
The wall oven tower is an excellent choice because it ensures that your microwave is at the right height. Please don’t place your microwave too high because it can give you problems when you want to reach liquids.
5. Is It Safe to Cover Food With a Paper Towel in the Microwave?
Most of the paper towels you know are safe to use in the microwave, so yes, you can use paper towels to cover your foods in the microwave.
This is to prevent your foods from spilling out when the microwave is in use. And if you decide to use a paper towel to cover your foods, you need to be checking them at regular intervals.
Bottom Line
It is safe to place your microwave on top of your refrigerator. Just make sure that you take the precautionary measures we discussed above before you do anything. If there’s anything that’s not clear to use, please contact the seller or manufacturer. Don’t ignore anything because what you ignore today might cost you big without knowing.
