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
Just as there are ideal places, there are also places where you should avoid placing the microwave, not only for efficiency reasons but, as we were saying, also for reasons related to your safety: