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The microwave oven is one of the most recent inventions in the field of household appliances, invented in the 1940s and beginning to spread in the 1970s, but it is certainly among those that have become increasingly indispensable: it is a truly useful all-rounder, used primarily for reheating already cooked foods, but it can also be used for defrosting and cooking food. Like all household appliances, to function to its full potential, the microwave requires careful positioning: its location should not be random, as its placement can significantly affect both its performance and the overall safety of your kitchen.
Too often, microwaves are placed in random locations and spots in the room without considering the practical implications, not to mention the fact that, much like with the refrigerator, we tend to place all sorts of objects on the top surface, without realizing that not all of them are suitable for being placed there. Here’s everything you need to know about the best location for your microwave, so you can get the most out of it and avoid the possibility of dangerous accidents.
What Are The Best Places For Your Microwave?
Placing a microwave in the right space isn’t just a matter of aesthetics—placing it where it “looks best”—but above all, it’s about energy efficiency and safety: strategic placement allows the appliance to perform at its best, but also helps prevent potential risks, such as fires or burns. In this context, it’s essential to know the best places to place a microwave and which ones to absolutely avoid, to create a kitchen that is simultaneously functional, safe, and welcoming.
Remember that, first and foremost, a microwave oven needs space to function properly: so avoid placing it in a cabinet or built-in to a kitchen space, unless it’s larger than the appliance itself and allows you to leave enough space around, behind, and above it for it to function properly. For this reason, it’s ideal to place it on the worktop —the surface where you cut, peel, and mix—a position that also keeps it within easy reach. But be careful: make sure there’s enough space to work without bumping into it, or to open doors and cabinets. If your worktop isn’t large enough or is already too cluttered, you can place the microwave on a shelf or cabinet.
In any case, wherever in the kitchen you decide to place it, the microwave requires very specific spaces above and around it:
The right side should be left as open and free as possible to ensure good ventilation to the microwave’s air vents.
To the left of the microwave, leave at least 5 cm of space from the nearest surface.
Make sure you leave at least 10cm of space between the wall and the back of the microwave.
Make sure you leave at least 25cm of space between the top of the microwave and the surface immediately above it, and never place anything on top of the microwave while it is in operation.
Where You Should Never Put the Microwave
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