Having a microwave oven in your home comes with two major benefits. They can heat and cook food fast and are user-friendly. When cooking food, this gorgeous kitchen appliance uses infrared heat.
At this time, it produces high heat that ranges from (300-400) degrees Fahrenheit. This heat can be transferred to your kitchen countertop and damage it if you don’t put protection under the microwave. To avoid this, we have discussed some of the main things you can put under a microwave. Take a look!
If you have a granite, quartz, or wooden cooking countertop and you cook with your microwave oven on it without protection, the heat it produces can be the reason for stains, scratches, cracks, or other fire damage. To avoid damaging your beautiful countertop, several things you can place under the microwave. They include silicone mats, ceramic tiles, stove covers, wooden cutting boards, tempered glass boards, and bamboo cutting boards.
6 Amazing Things to Put Under A microwave
Because you do not want your microwave to burn or damage your kitchen countertop, you have to look for a solution. Following, we have outlined some of the 6 best things you can put under the microwave to prevent that. Go through them keenly to see what you can afford.
- Silicone Mat
We love this mat and have become the first choice because it is a perfect heat insulator. It can resist the heat of more than 450 degrees Fahrenheit. With this, you can comfortably put it under your microwave oven. The mat absorbs the heat produced by the microwave and prevents it from reaching your countertop surface.
If your kitchen has quartz or granite countertops, we confidently recommend you buy this mat, and you will never regret it. While making purchases, rush to pick one with dimensions compatible with all microwaves, regardless of size. Besides, they should have enough thickness to protect your countertop from heat damage.
Furthermore, a silicone mat is a super popular option because it easily sticks to countertops and offers a non-slide surface for your microwave oven. These mats are flexible.
You can use them for several duties in your kitchen, for example, in vegetable cuttings and food preparation. Furthermore, you can place them under a toaster, stand mixer, and air fryer. Thanks to the manufacturer, the mats are reusable.
- Ceramic Tiles
The ceramic material of these tiles makes them a perfect solution to your countertop damage when using your microwave. They are excellent heat insulators. Rectangular ceramic tiles are great for all microwaves. But you can shape them to suit your microwave. Gladly, these tiles are washable and reusable. Therefore, you can use them under your microwave for a long time.
Unfortunately, these tiles’ surface is slippery. Hence, you must be careful when using your microwave placed on it. Otherwise, your microwave will slip down when closing or opening the door.
- Stove Cover
The stove protectors are made of pine wood. They have a dimension of 30x22x1 inches. Your microwave oven will sit perfectly on this cover, while heat will not reach the countertop because of the 1-inch thickness.
This stove is a plus for your kitchen countertop because it is stable and flat. Besides protecting your countertop from microwave heat, it protects it from damage and scratches. Gladly, they are reusable and easy to clean.
- Wooden Cutting Board
If you have a wooden cutting in your kitchen, why damage your kitchen countertop with a microwave oven heat? These wooden blocks are thick enough to resist the heat of 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Moreover, they prevent your appliance from sliding by making a stable surface. An excellent example of this board is the acacia wooden chopping board. It is thick, reusable, and easy to clean.
- Tempered Glass Board
One of the reasons we love these boards is that they are clear and look stylish. Besides, they do not affect your kitchen décor. The boards prevent heat from your microwave from reaching your countertop as they have a thickness of more than 2mm.
Most tempered glass comes rectangular with a dimension of 16 x 20 inches. This size is perfect for many microwaves, regardless of their sizes. To prevent your microwave from slipping while in use, the glass board features a rubber foot under it.
Besides protecting your countertop from microwave oven heat, the glass board protects it from stains and scratches. Furthermore, they are reusable and dishwasher-friendly.
- Bamboo Cutting Board
The heat-resistant material of this cutting board makes it great for any conventional heat appliance. Besides, it has a thickness that quickly stops your microwave’s heat from reaching the microwave.
Put the board under your microwave, and you are good to go. The board is flat and has rectangle dimensions. `With this, your microwave will easily slide into your bamboo board.
Unluckily, they do not offer a non-slip surface. Hence, you must be careful when opening or closing your microwave door. The board saves your countertop from cracks, microwave heat, stains, and scratches. What’s more, Bamboo Cutting Board are reusable and can be easily cleaned.
What to put under microwave to keep from sliding?/how to stop microwave from sliding?
The traditional microwaves were bulky and difficult to manage. For best use, manufacturers are now making smaller and more lightweight microwaves.
Despite the improvements, a problem arises because microwaves can slide on a countertop. Excellent examples of these countertops are stainless steel, quartz, and granite countertops because they have slippery upper surfaces.
The sliding takes place when closing or opening the microwave’s door. The surfaces do not offer a non-slip surface for your microwave. Hence, there is a possibility of having your microwave falling from the countertop and causing scratches. To prevent this, what do you put under the microwave to keep from sliding?
To prevent your microwave from sliding, use silicone non-slip mat or a rubber under the microwave oven. The silicone mat shelf adhesive non-slip grip sticks securely with the kitchen countertop surface, providing an anti-slip surface for your microwave.
Furthermore, these mats protect your marble, granite, and quartz countertops from scratches and heat-type damage. Another fantastic option you can consider is a wooden cutting board.
Do microwaves get hot underneath?
When buying a microwave, one of the things you need to consider is where you will place it. As we said, most of the recent microwaves are lightweight. Hence, they will likely slide if not placed on a slippery surface.
Some people claim these kitchen gadgets get hot underneath and burn anything that is not heat resistant placed under it. But in reality, do microwaves get hot underneath?
The truth of the matter is that microwaves get hot underneath. A microwave produces heat of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit when cooking. Besides, it has steel material that can conduct heat.
Therefore, you can be assured that this appliance underneath will get hot. Be cautious not to neglect this. Otherwise, your countertop will be damaged by the heat.
Can you put microwave on wood?
Some people have wood countertops in their homes. As we know, one of the common kitchen gadgets a lot of people have is a microwave. Things bring out the need to know if you can put a microwave on wood.
It is safe to place your microwave on a wooden countertop. However, it is advisable to put a silicone mat or bamboo, glass, or wooden cutting board to offer more protection against heat. Besides, they provide a non-slip surface for excellent protection.
Can a microwave sit on metal?
Can a microwave sit on metal? This is a common question for anyone unsure of the best place to put their microwave. The truth is that microwave ovens need kitchen space. But, if you have exhausted all other free spaces in your kitchen, you must look for an alternative. Here arises our question: Is the metal option your only one?
It is okay to allow the microwave to sit on a metal shelf. This is contrary to the popular belief that the reflections in an oven can extend to the oven exterior and cause sparks on a metal shelf. Nowadays, manufacturers have redesigned this appliance to trap the excess on the interior.
What can you put inside a microwave?
When buying a microwave, you want to use it in the best way possible for it to last long. One of the ways is putting the right material in the appliance. The best way to tell what can be put in the microwave is by checking the labels or the manuals. A few of these materials are plastics, Ziploc bags, glass and ceramics, paper towels, and paper plates.
Plastic
Even though plastic containers are safe for use in microwaves, there are those that you cannot use. You should never use plastics such as those used for cottage cheese and yogurt. The same rules apply to plastic to-go containers that do not state they are microwave-safe.
Also, you should not use old, cracked, and discolored plastic containers. The best plastic containers are those meant for long-term use, like Tupperware.
Ziploc bags
Ziploc has confidence in its food storage bags defrosting and reheating foods in a microwave oven. But this is only possible if you follow the label directions. If you wish to use a different bag, you must confirm that it is microwave-safe. Besides, you have to follow all the directions given. If you are unsure of the bag type you are looking forward to using or do not have access to the directions, be careful and do not use the bag in your microwave.
Glass and Ceramics
Most of the ceramic and glass dishware are microwave-safe. However, there are exceptions, like crystals and handmade pottery. Make sure they do not feature metallic paints on ceramic and glass plates, cups, mixing bowls, mugs, or bakeware.
Paper Towels
Most paper towels are microwave-safe. You can use paper towels to cover some foods to prevent them from spitting while reheating or cooking. When using a paper towel, it is advisable to use shorter intervals to help you check paper and food frequently. Never use paper towels with printing, recycled paper towels, brown paper bags, and paper lids, as they pose a possible safety hazard.
Paper Plates
You microwave plain paper plates. However, some disposable tableware tends to be coated in thin plastic. Before use, check if these plates have a microwave-safe mark.
Things not to put in the microwave?
Even though there are many things that you can put in your microwave, there are some you cannot. They include cardboard, metals like aluminum and stainless steel, and Styrofoam.
Cardboard
If you can microwave paper towels and plates, you may wonder if you can do the same to cardboard. After all, they are all paper products. Unluckily, these boards have waxes, glues, and other materials that are not safe for use in a microwave. There is cardboard with metal handles that might cause a spark.
If your foods are in cardboard, consider removing them and placing them in microwave-safe bowls or microwaveable plates.
Metals like aluminum foil and stainless steel
Never put containers with steel, copper, iron, and other hard metal in your microwave. In general, metal surfaces tend to reflect microwaves. This enhances the heat inside the appliance and may lead to a fire. If you use metal containers to store leftovers, put them in microwave-safe containers.
For the sake of aluminum foil, make sure the surface is flat as possible. This is because crumpled or wrinkled foil can cause arcing. Besides, foods wrapped in aluminum foil might not cook or preheat properly.
Styrofoam
While some Styrofoam is microwave-safe, some are not. Please ensure the one you use has a label indicating they are microwave-safe. If you are not sure it is, consider not using it.
