right care is primal to a properly - working appliance .
Brie Goldman
Of naturally , not all viral cleansing hacksare worth your time . So we decided to dig into this tendency to find whether this is a legithousehold choreyou should add to yourregular cleaning schedule , or whether it ’s just a short-lived furor . Here ’s everything you did n’t know you need to know aboutcleaning the microwave oven — including the often - overleap filters , and what could happen if they ’re neglected .
Credit:Brie Goldman
What Is a Microwave Filter, and Where Do I Find It?
There are two type of microwave filters : Grease filters and charcoal filter . Most microwaves have both , as they work together to keep the appliance working efficiently , but they have different functions . “The microwave grease filter keep debris ( including grime ) from entering your microwave oven ’s release system , " says Bree Lemmen , marque manager for Whirlpool Kitchen . " This ensures that the exhaust fan on over - the - range models is circulating light air into your kitchen as you use your microwave and oven kitchen range . "
Grease filters are designed to prevent grease and other cooking by - products from entering the breathing organisation . fusain filters are often used in recirculating discharge systems , and their main function is to absorb odors and battle unwanted smells . Check your user manual of arms to ascertain how many filter your microwave has , what sort they are , and where they are settle within the microwave oven . Filter arrangement varies by brand and mannequin , but they usually are on the back wall or above or below the cook surface .
Do You Need to Clean or Replace Your Microwave Filters?
The short result is yes — you do need to strip your microwave oven filter . “ filter play a cardinal office in the microwave ’s functionality , so without proper alimony , the anatomy - up on the filters could hinder its performance , ” Lemmen says . “ It may also head to an increase in strong odors in the kitchen , as these filter avail combat undesirable smells . ”Grease filters need pick regularly to prevent lubricating oil buildup from clog up , lose weight their potency and creating dirty air . While this is n’t something you may see , it is something you will smell and emit in .
How to Clean or Replace Your Microwave Filter
Do n’t blindly survey the TikTok filter - cleaning literary hack , as you could stop updamaging your microwave . alternatively , here ’s how Lemmen recommends cleaning and replacing your microwave oven filters .
How to Clean Grease Filters :
How to Replace Charcoal Filters :
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How Often to Clean or Replace Microwave Filters
The more you use your microwave , the more you ’ll need to pick and supercede the filter . According to Whirlpool , if you use your microwave a temperate amount — say , 2 - 3 time per week — you should clean your lubricating oil filter every three months . If you frequently use the microwave oven and heat a mickle of oleaginous solid food , you should clean the filter monthly .
Charcoal filters ca n’t be cleaned , so they will need to be replaced alternatively . You ’ll in all likelihood know when their clock time is up , as you ’ll find some unpleasant odors in your kitchen when the microwave is in use . When a oxford grey filter is clogged up with grease , it ’ll eventually stop absorbing odors and grease altogether . “ These filters are more important for hood and over - the - range microwaves that are recirculated vs. vented outside of the abode , ” Lemmen say . agree to Lemmen , if you regularly use your microwave oven , you should replace the oxford gray filter around every six months . However , the good way to have intercourse when to supervene upon the filter is to check it and see how much grunge build - up is on it . If it looks lustrous and greasy , it ’s probably time .
