Safety precautions to be observed while operating microwave ovens

 

Remember when you saw that microwave oven online and bought it because you were bowled over by the convenience it brings to your life? Microwave technology has revolutionised meal preparations and cooking and has lowered our dependency on traditional gas stoves. Even functions like grilling and baking are now possible with one appliance, the microwave grill oven But it too, comes with its own set of risks and just by observing simple precautions, you can prevent serious injuries and enjoy the convenience of restaurant-quality food at home with your convection microwave oven.

Here are some usual and recommended precautions that you should follow while operating the appliance to ensure safe operations and minimise any risk of getting hurt while cooking.

1. Your convection microwave oven uses the principle of convection to heat up inside. Hot air is circulated inside to heat the appliance overall and make the conditions adequate for cooking. Sine it is too hot, you may easily burn yourself if you attempt picking up food items and trays inside without using heat-proof gloves or mitts. You can order them along with the microwave oven online.
   
   
2. Always keep the inside and outside clean for your convection microwave oven. In case you use a microwave grill oven, make sure to clean the grills and other components. Cleaning the inside and outside ensures there is no dirt or dust to block the heat transfer and the appliance does not heat up badly.
   
   
3. Use microwave-safe containers i.e. glass, ceramic or plastic containers and not traditional metal containers. You must have read reviews or experiences of people, when researching about microwave oven online, where people have used metal containers and have faced severe damage. The microwave rays when they fall on metal containers, produce sparks and in some cases, this can even lead to fires or permanently damaging your appliance.

4. Check for leakages. There should not be gaps or holes in the body of the microwave grill oven enabling leakage of radiation. This could cause sparks and other dangers in your kitchen, especially if there are metal containers/utensils around.
   

5. Never use a convection microwave oven when the door is open. Make sure that the door is closed properly before using the microwave oven, so that even heating can be achieved and proper temperatures can be maintained inside. Additionally, the door will also protect from any spills happening while the food is cooking

 

6. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for use, directions for use in user manual, operating procedures & safety precautions. If still not clear, search for information online. Good brands like Panasonic, Samsung, IFB, etc. all have digital versions of the manual, which are available for download directly from their website.

 

7. When using a microwave grill oven, flip & rotate the food after a particular time period so that it is cooked evenly and cut food into small pieces, if possible. This ensures even cooking and you will not have to spend time tasting and making sure things are cooked evenly. This is especially applicable when you’re cooking meat.

 

8. After cooking or heating, allow the utensils or dish to stand in the microwave oven for a short span to avoid heat burns. This gives time for the heat to dissipate and enough time for the cooking process to be completed.
9. In case food items or material inside the microwave oven catch fire, immediately switch off the power and stand away to avoid any accidents. Many times, the quality of the appliance makes a lot of difference and hence, it is always suggested to opt for brands with a trusted legacy so that you know that genuine parts have gone into the appliance. Some of the preferred brands that also provide microwave oven online are Samsung, Panasonic, LG, IFB, etc.

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