Is it possible to place and use a microwave on top of the refrigerator?
Installing a microwave oven on other equipment is considered undesirable by default. However, you can keep the microwave on the refrigerator - it is quite safe. If you place the devices in a column, there will be no negative consequences.
The instructions for microwave ovens do not directly prohibit installation on top of a refrigeration unit.
During installation, you only need to ensure that the basic conditions are met, namely:
- install the microwave on a flat surface;
- do not move the stove close to the wall and do not place it close to the ceiling;
- leave a significant distance between the microwave and any heating devices.
Correct installation of a microwave and refrigerator in a column will not harm the devices and will not in any way interfere with their normal operation.
Attention! Contrary to popular myth, radiation from a microwave does not harm the lower unit, since it is reliably shielded by the body of the oven itself.
How to properly install a microwave on a refrigerator
The microwave oven can be placed on the refrigerator, but installation must be carried out according to a special algorithm. They do it like this:
- A substrate is placed on the top cover of the refrigeration unit - a rubber mat, chipboard or plywood. This must be done to prevent possible heating of the unit from the operating furnace and to prevent contact of metal surfaces. Tablecloths, film or plastic substrates cannot be placed under the microwave. They can melt and, at best, leave marks, and at worst, lead to breakdown of the refrigeration unit. The layer should lie as flat as possible, without swaying or shaking.
- The microwave oven is placed in the prepared place strictly in the center. When installing the unit, do not move it to one of the edges of the lower unit or close to the wall. In the first case, the microwave may fall due to vibration; in the second, the free circulation of air around its body will be disrupted.
- The furnace wires are lowered so that they do not touch the back wall of the refrigeration unit. Otherwise, the cables will heat up from the operating equipment and may melt.
- The microwave oven and refrigerator are connected to different grounded sockets. You cannot use the same electrical outlet through a tee or extension cord during installation. The units consume quite a lot of electricity and will place an excessive load on the outlet.
An important condition when installing kitchen appliances in a column is to use the microwave only for heating or defrosting food. You can place a microwave oven on a refrigerator if it does not have convection and grill. Devices equipped with such functions work for a long time without interruption, can become very hot and can actually cause harm to the lower equipment.
It is recommended to turn on the microwave during periods when the lower device is inactive
Installing a new microwave
As soon as you have purchased such a stove, you will want to try it out. There's no need to rush. First you need to place it correctly. Your initial steps should look like this:
- Place the device on a hard, level surface.
- Wash it using a soft cloth.
When choosing installation locations, remember that a microwave is a fairly heavy thing, so it is not recommended to install it on hanging shelves.
- When installing the device, it is important to maintain the distance between the walls of the device and other objects. It must be at least 10 centimeters. The back panel of the microwave needs even more space: 20 centimeters or more.
- Remove the protective films from the equipment and assemble the turntable.
- You should not install a microwave oven close to other equipment that generates a lot of heat. This may affect its operation (for more details, see the article on rules for installing a microwave oven - proximity to other equipment).
- Do not place the device near a water source. This can not only disrupt its operation, but also lead to a short circuit.
- Microwave waves can interfere with the operation of other equipment, so it is necessary to place them as far from each other as possible.
We should not forget that the bottom panel of the microwave also requires air access. By blocking it, you can harm the operation of the oven.
Advantages and disadvantages of installing a microwave oven on a refrigerator
Installing a furnace on top of refrigeration equipment has its advantages:
- Space saving. In cramped kitchens, there is often simply nowhere to place a microwave; it does not fit on the countertop, and there is no free space on the walls for installing a special shelf or niche. In this case, the refrigerator becomes the only possible stand for the microwave oven.
- Ease of use. When installing units in a column, you don’t have to once again go through the kitchen with a plate to put it in the microwave for heating. Simply remove the dishes from the refrigerator and immediately place them in the microwave.
- Safety. The microwave oven does not apply excessive pressure to the lower unit lid. The refrigerator can easily withstand its weight and does not become deformed or cracked.
However, stacking devices on top of each other has its drawbacks. Some of them can be eliminated, while others will have to be dealt with during the operation of the devices:
- The lid of a standard refrigerator is above human shoulder level. When installing the column, you will have to reach up each time to place dishes in the microwave chamber or remove food after heating. Sometimes this is very inconvenient; for example, in this case it is easy to knock over a plate of soup and not only flood the refrigerator, but also get burned by the hot liquid.
- During microwave use, warm, moist air is generated. Even if it does not come out of the oven chamber during the heating process, it inevitably breaks out after opening the door. During intensive use of the microwave, the lower unit will be forced to work in increased mode to maintain a low temperature and may break down ahead of time.
- Almost any refrigerator in the active phase vibrates noticeably. This is harmful for microwave ovens; constant small vibrations reduce the service life of the internal elements of the microwave. Strong vibration of the column can cause liquid products to splash during heating. If installed poorly, the stove may even move and fall over time.
Warning! Whether or not a microwave can be placed on top of a refrigerator depends on the height of the latter. Mounting a microwave “under the ceiling” does not always make sense - the device cannot be used freely.
When installing a microwave, you need to check whether the refrigerator is level and, if necessary, tighten the legs
Safety precautions
Of course, microwave ovens are safe to use. But no one is immune from injuries that can be caused by improper operation. What does the user need to know to avoid unpleasant incidents?
- Don't forget to read the instructions before you start working with the equipment.
- The microwave oven is a kitchen appliance and should not be used for other purposes.
- Never turn on the microwave empty.
- If your cord or plug is damaged, it needs to be replaced immediately. Using equipment in such conditions is prohibited and unsafe.
- If you notice any malfunctions, contact a specialist rather than trying to repair the microwave yourself.
- Install the microwave so that children cannot get close to it.
- Do not leave food in the oven.
- Handle liquid hot food with care.
- Do not reheat foods that are sealed. This may cause an explosion.
Expert opinion
Romanova Ksenia Petrovna
Interior design expert and fabric store manager
Improper use of the oven can lead not only to a short circuit, but also to a fire. To avoid this, it is strictly prohibited to use metal or low-quality utensils for the microwave.
Reviews about whether it is possible to put a microwave on a refrigerator
Danilov Sergey Viktorovich, 33 years old, Moscow
After buying a microwave, I first installed it on top of the refrigerator - there was no other place, there was no time to build a special shelf on the wall. The location seemed good, but it quickly became clear that it was inconvenient to reach somewhere near the ceiling for a plate every time, even if you were tall. After I spilled hot soup on myself, I decided to start installing the shelf and removed the microwave from the refrigerator.
Ageeva Olga Stanislavovna, 40 years old, Kazan
Putting plates in the microwave on top of the refrigerator and taking them out again is really not very convenient. But there are simply no other options for placement in our kitchen, even the walls are already occupied by cabinets, there is nowhere else to mount the microwave. We try to use the stove carefully so that no one gets burned. The refrigerator also works fine, the microwave is modern, it doesn’t heat up when turned on, I don’t think that the devices can harm each other.
Alternative options
If you decide to put the microwave oven in another place, then you can choose excellent options. For example, on:
- brackets;
- shelf;
- tabletop;
- window sill;
- in a cabinet, for example, for a microwave and refrigerator - the main thing is to provide ventilation;
- instead of an oven.
But don’t forget about the features of each option, for example:
- If the microwave is on a windowsill, then in winter dampness will most likely form on the glass, which can ultimately harm the equipment. Especially if there is a Khrushchev refrigerator below;
- a microwave on the countertop is a good option, but you will have to find a place for dishes and things that are currently located there. And you will often have to clean up the mess and “search” for the oven before heating food, because access to the microwave may be blocked by dishes.
And one more option that is often forgotten is a special built-in microwave. It may or may not be hidden behind the façade. Its advantage is that it also saves space, but this solution looks much more modern and stylish.
Installation near an open gas boiler, above or next to a sink or stove, on a tall refrigerator or washing machine is prohibited.
Specifics of the device operation
The main thing when placing a microwave oven is to take into account the specifics of its operation. This device emits strong electromagnetic waves around itself. Modern ovens have high-quality screens that block these waves. But some of the radiation still reaches the surface. Therefore, the devices should not be placed near plants or animal cages - the radiation will negatively affect them.
Some models of microwave ovens have ventilation holes on all sides, even at the bottom.
Radiation can damage gas meters, so when using them, the stove must be placed at a distance.
The effect of radiation on people should also be taken into account. It is important not to install the device near places where people spend a long time or where children like to play.
