Never place the microwave near flammable materials or appliances that generate open flames, such as gas burners, because the excessive heat from the burners could damage the internal circuits.
Never place the microwave directly above the refrigerator because the heat from the operating appliance could affect the internal temperature, forcing the refrigerator’s motor to work extra hard to maintain constant internal temperatures.
Don’t place the microwave in too small of a space because, as we’ve explained, this appliance requires space around and above it for proper ventilation; without adequate ventilation, the device risks overheating and unexpected shutdown.
If you have children at home, make sure the microwave is placed in a place inaccessible to them to avoid accidents.
Items You Can and Can’t Put on Top of The Microwave
Just like with a refrigerator, it’s very easy to end up using the top shelf of your microwave as a sort of storage area, where you end up placing a whole host of items you don’t know where to put them. This isn’t always a good idea, as not all objects are suitable for microwave use, both for safety reasons and because it can create problems with the appliance’s ventilation system.
The two main rules to follow are these: never place objects on top of the microwave that block its ventilation, and never place objects or products on top that could overheat and be damaged, or that are made of combustible materials (the appliance also generates heat externally). These categories include small appliances and heavy utensils, which would block the ventilation on top of the microwave; products such as books, cloths, medicines, paper, and anything else that could be easily flammable; particularly delicate objects such as those made of thin glass, which could crack from the heat; and any foods that could be affected by excessive heat, especially bread and baked goods, eggs, and fresh foods such as fruit and vegetables.
