How to Clean a Microwave

03/10/2012

Your microwave oven, possibly one of the most used appliances in your home, is used to cook food, reheat leftovers, pop popcorn defrost meat and even bake cookies. All of that time spent in use means that your microwave is also one of the least clean things in your kitchen.

Sticky sauces and burnt gravies make scrubbing your microwave a big chore. In most households, cleaning the refrigerator is the only job that we enjoy less than cleaning the microwave oven. But you do not have to dread the chore anymore; cleaning your microwave oven is simple if you know a few tricks.

The Steam Trick

  • Start with a small bowl of water. Make sure the bowl is microwave-safe, obviously
  • Fill the bowl about halfway with water then set it on the turntable inside your microwave oven.
  • Press the button for the microwave’s highest level of heat and set the timer for about 10 minutes.

This will be just enough time to allow the water to boil and steam inside the oven. That steam is going to make cleaning the oven much easier, even without the addition of any chemicals or cleaning products.

You can add a bit of lemon juice or some freshly-squeezed lemon to the bowl of water before you heat it. The lemon has just enough acidity to make that really stuck-on food a little easier to remove than just plain water.

Once your microwave is freshly steamed, carefully remove the bowl of hot water.
Use a soft cloth to wipe down the entire interior of the microwave. (Another tip- I like to use one of those microfiber cleaning cloths for wiping the inside and outside down. The microfibers are abrasive but don’t scratch the nice finish, and you don’t have to do quite as much scrubbing.) Remove the cooking tray or plate and wash that in the sink or even in your dishwasher. The cooking tray is generally the easiest part of the microwave oven to clean, so that will only take a second.

Work Fast

Wipe the inside of the microwave thoroughly because once the steam dries, it will be more difficult to remove stuck-on foods. Wipe the inside of the microwave dry and you are finished with your cleaning project.

If your microwave is really dirty, there are a few simple tips to get it shining again. Instead of lemon and water or just plain water, steam a bowl of white vinegar and water in the microwave.

Vinegar is a wonderful natural cleaning solution that is even environmentally friendly. Vinegar will help you to remove any food that does not come off with just plain water.

You can also try cleaning the inside of the microwave oven with a specialized cleaning solution of water and Dawn dish soap. Heating this solution will also make food removal easier, but remember that you are using chemicals in the oven that will eventually contain your food.

Another tip- I like to use one of those microfiber cloths for wiping the inside and outside down. The microfibers are abrasive but don’t scratch the nice finish, and you don’t have to do quite as much scrubbing.

 

Amana Countertop Microwave 1.4 cu. ft. AMC5143AAS

03/10/2012

Amana Countertop MicrowaveThe Amana 1.4 Cubic Foot Countertop Microwave is a good one for those looking for a functional but stylish countertop microwave. There are many features packed into this appliance for busy households and large families.

What makes this microwave special is that it can be customized to your needs. You can set the buttons tone and volume, set whether or not you want a child protection lock and set how you want the weight to be displayed. Thanks to new technology, you can heat up frozen meals with the press of a button, warm up a slice of pizza flawlessly and warm your favorite appetizers using the snack bar menu. This is a full capacity microwave that looks stylish and complements a gourmet kitchen.

Amana 1.4 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave, AMC5143AAS Specifications:

Average Price: $189.99
Product Dimensions: 18.8 x 21.9 x 12.3 inches
Capacity: 1.4 Cubic Feet
Power: 1100 watts
Features: Touchmatic Control System, ten power levels, sensor cook, sensor reheat, program cooking, turntable

Available now at Amazon for average of 13% off retail price. Click here for latest pricing

 

Best Things About the Amana 1.4 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave, AMC5143AAS

Customized Options: No one knows how I like my food cooked better than me. I like to cook using tools that fit my way of doing things, so I look for customizable features like this microwave oven has. For example, the “My Choice” button lets you preset the microwave to the needs of your household. You can select how the weight is displayed – in pounds or kilograms – the language the menu reads in, daylight savings time, set-up a child protection lock and control the alarms volume. The microwave can even play a tune or just be silent when pressing the buttons for quiet operation.

Snack Bar Menu: Sure, virtually every microwave on the market has buttons for cooking pizza, potatoes and popcorn, but what microwave has a snack bar menu on it? If you’re someone that loves snacking on appetizers or having the guys over for Sunday football, whipping up appetizers on this microwave will be a cinch. Nachos, chicken wings, potato skins and cheese sticks are just some of the snacks that you can make with the press of a button. There is also a Handy Helper button that makes melting chocolate and softening cream cheese effortless, with no overheating or splatters to deal with.

Visibility: You know how important it is to be able to check on the progress when microwaving foods. Even though this microwave has lots of  intuitive features, Amana understands that consumers also have to be able to have good visibility to check on their foods. This microwave has an inside light that goes on when you open the door, plus keeps the interior well lit. The inside is also spacious so that you can toss in a large plate of food, a casserole dish or two beverages without sacrificing the end result. And, you can even peek in on your foods while the microwave is running, as the window is not opaque as others are.

Ergonomic: Even though this microwave is a full size appliance with 1.4 cubic foot capacity, don’t expect it to take up half your countertop space. Since this microwave is designed for the countertop, it has a smart design that makes it space effective. You can position it anywhere you’d like, plus it has a minimalist design that you won’t mind having in a prominent location. The appliance runs quietly so that you can use it at night without disturbing anyone’s sleep. You’ll also enjoy the comfortable nature of the touchpad, as well as the handy digital clock.

Family-Friendly: Since many microwaves are being made for over-the-range needs, many people are finding that countertop microwaves are lacking in updated technology. But this Amana is an excellent appliance that has practical features, auto sensor cooking and easy-to-operate buttons that the whole family will find useful. For example, the Kids Meal Button is great for frozen kids’ meals and alleviates the need to cut the film, remove contents or peel back the covering.

Downsides to the Amana 1.4 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave, AMC5143AAS

No Handle Door: If you prefer sturdier door handles your microwaves, you’ll have to put up with the push button style door here. Some people find that the pull handles are a better design, as they’re more dependable and offer the necessary strength for opening and closing the microwave door. Push buttons on the other hand, get stuck, jamb up and sometimes require that you pull the door open with two hands instead of one. There have been some reports of the door being stubborn with this model, especially because the construction of the microwave is made from plastic.

Construction Material: This model of the Amana Countertop Microwave is not made from stainless steel and is instead constructed of plastic. Many people are opting for stainless steel appliances because they look better, are more durable and keep consistent with the trends. Some feel that this microwave, especially in its white color, is a bit outdated looking, although the design remains stylish. If you want an appliance that will outlast the trends, you may want to choose the stainless steel model of this appliance.

According to Amazon reviewer ChicagoSlim:

I looked at several models of microwaves and I felt this was the best buy for the money and I’m glad that I did. Seems like it is quality built and will last us a long time. I feel this is a great microwave and I would recommend it to anyone that needs a microwave. I’m confident that you’ll agree with me once you use this unit!

Click Here to read more customer’s reviews

Is the Amana 1.4 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave, AMC5143AAS a Good Purchase?

If you’re in the market for a countertop microwave that is packed with fun features, the Amana 1.4 Cubic Foot Microwave is for you. With a forward-thinking design, this microwave has a functional touchpad, a clean and simple front and a handy digital clock. Consumers love the Amana brand, as they were the original makers of microwave ovens and continue to rise to the top with advanced technological features. With a large capacity, a customizable menu and family-friendly features, this microwave reminds us that function, simplicity and fun can be packed into one appliance.

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10/30/2010

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08/01/2010

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08/01/2010

Science, mathematics and technology have long been considered to be the forte of men; however, the contribution of women to the advancement of these fields simply cannot be ignored. There have been several celebrated and well known women scientists who made important discoveries and inventions in the various branches of science.

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Searching For a 3D Model of the Solar System

08/01/2010

There are a lot of reasons why one would want to get access to a true model of the Solar System. Professionals in astronomy would like to get access to such models to get a closer look at the planets and the sun itself, as well as be able to understand the positioning of the planets form time to time. On the other hand, as children have Science as a subject, they also are in need of solar system models for their own science project.

However, if you are an enthusiast when it comes to astrology, you would definitely want to get access to a Solar System model that is more precise, more detailed and best resembles what the Solar system really is. What is important is that the model allows you to easily get access to a more precise representation of these celestial bodies as well as how everything evolved from billions of years from now. [click to continue…]

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