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:
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.
What can you place above the microwave without running any particular risks and without overloading the appliance? The best solution, in this case, is to exploit the space above the microwave using specific organizer shelves, designed to optimize the space around and above the appliance without compromising functionality and safety. Since these are a sort of raised shelf (usually with extendable legs), and therefore not in direct contact with the microwave, you can use them to store practically anything, precisely because the shelf is not in direct contact with the wall of the appliance, thus avoiding the risk of damaging items.
