Is it true that you can still put a microwave on the refrigerator?

Surely some of you have already thought: “What kind of question? Of course you can put the microwave on the refrigerator! We’ve had it for 5 years now, and everything works properly.” Then where did the myth come from that a microwave oven on a refrigerator is a bad idea, and is it even a myth? purity-en.htgetrid.com tried to figure out this issue.

And the instructions say...

In some articles on the topic of whether it is possible to place a microwave oven on a refrigerator, the negative answer is supported by the fact that, supposedly, the instructions for the microwave oven say: “No!” But this is not entirely true, and here's why.

• Modern refrigerators cannot be called low: with an average height of 170-180 cm, placing a stove on it simply does not make sense, since using it will be a pain. Accordingly, manufacturers of modern microwave ovens cannot even think that you will decide to put this equipment on an old Atlant.
• There are no direct contraindications to such organization of space if certain rules are followed in the recommendations for the installation and placement of a particular model.
• By and large, the top plane of the refrigerator is just a surface, and it is not much different from the countertop. It does not heat up or cool down, is smooth, and does not emit anything. What could go wrong?

Fact

None of the instructions we reviewed contained a clear prohibition against placing the oven on the refrigerator.

By the way, it’s not only here that microwave ovens are installed on refrigerators. This is quite common in Asian kitchens, where low-slung refrigerators are popular, and even in some American and European homes. We are not unique in our habit, and if it really were that dangerous, people around the world would clearly not follow it.

Arguments against

Where did the myth that placing a microwave on a refrigerator come from? Well, there are several concerns - let’s analyze each of them to see if they correspond to reality.

• “What if something explodes or shorts out? It’s still technology!”

If it were easy to create such a disaster in the kitchen, household appliances would not be freely available. But, nevertheless, this concern makes sense if the microwave is not grounded (which is common in apartment buildings with old wiring). In this case, to avoid risk, you need to insulate the metal parts of the refrigerator and oven. True, the risk is still small, and most microwave ovens have legs. Well, if not, you can always put some kind of insulation under the microwave oven.

• “Devices interfere with each other, leading to malfunctions”

If we don't prepare for the worst, we prepare for the bad. So, in the minds of many people there is a fear that something will break because of this neighborhood. But people in whose homes the microwave sits on top of the refrigerator have not had any breakdowns for years. This means that this fear is rather far-fetched. The refrigerator will cool even in the terrible summer heat, and the operation of the microwave oven will not be so easily affected. In addition, the radiation from the refrigerator is small and is unlikely to come into conflict with the external radiation from the microwave oven, which can also be reduced by grounding.

• “Radiations add up, and this is harmful to the body”

Perhaps, in a world crammed with electronics, the last thing you need to think about is how the tandem of a refrigerator and microwave will affect your body. Scientists are constantly figuring things out. While microwave radiation is almost fatal, it is not as scary as it is made out to be. The same may apply to this duet. In any case, if there is a negative impact, it is unlikely that it can surpass exhaust fumes, harm from smoking and bad food.

Advice

Don’t be afraid to turn on the microwave oven for a long time to defrost and even cook at high power: it will not heat up enough to harm the operation of the refrigerator, even if the top plane of the refrigerator becomes slightly warm. Especially if you didn’t ignore the comment about isolation between devices.

What do you still need to think about?

Even if the reasons why the microwave still doesn’t belong on the refrigerator seem frivolous to you, there are things you need to think about. All of them are specified in the instructions, in the recommendations for placement, so all you have to do is follow them.

So, what is important for the smooth operation of equipment?

• Maintain clearances behind, below, above and on the sides according to the instructions. This usually depends on the placement of ventilation on a particular model, and the average gap size is 10-20 cm.
• The power cord should not get too hot: make sure it does not come into contact with the back of the refrigerator, especially if there is a hot spot behind it.
• Microwaves are not recommended to be placed near heat sources such as radiators and stoves, as well as in rooms with high humidity.

By the way

Don't want the microwave to touch the refrigerator, but don't have enough space in the kitchen? Place the stove on special brackets directly above it!

The rest of the recommendations relate to food preparation, not placement, so the location has nothing to do with them, be it the refrigerator, the countertop or even the floor.

It turns out that such a picture, familiar to our apartments, does not pose a particular threat to the safety of property and health. Yes, there is a small risk, and radiation has not yet been recognized as completely safe, but if you read the instructions and follow them, this coexistence will in no way affect the operation of the devices.