to have not used my microwave since I bought it a few years ago

[WorryAndFret]

About 4 or 5 years ago I bought a microwave.

I was reading the instruction booklet where it said that to use the microwave it should have a space of 30cm above it.

In my kitchen, like every other kitchen I know, there are units on the walls. If I put the microwave on a surface in my kitchen, there is a space of 23cm between the top of the microwave and the bottom of the unit.

I was worried about whether it was safe to use the microwave and I emailed the manufacturer. The reply came back saying:

"I have contacted our technical team they have advised that clearance space is usually provided to prevent over heating in the product, however it is important for us to advise that using the appliance against user manual instructions will void the guarantee and that you should also use the manual instruction booklet to use the product."

I have absolutely no other place I can put the microwave in my house, so it has been sitting in the kitchen, only 23cm clearance space above it, completely unused.

It's not the guarantee I'm worried about, it's about whether it's unsafe to use it with not enough space above it.

Am I being daft?

The important thing is not to put anything on top of the microwave (or anything metal inside it). You don't need 30cm of clearance.

Most people I know have their microwave in a cupboard. They work fine.

I’ve always just had mics in-between the counter and a cupboard. Mine has about a 10cm gap on top. I do have it pulled out from the wall slightly.

I've never heard that we have about 10cm. So store Tupperware on top it.

I don't use it though apart from heating beans which is about once every six weeks. Contemplating getting rid.

Mine is built in, as was the one in our previous place.

Yes, you're being daft.

Yes, you're being ridiculous.

You obviously don't need one though as you don't use it so get rid.

I got rid of mine about 3 years ago now and haven't missed it at all.

The warning is only there to prevent over use, therefore there won’t be any claims against the guarantee.
😉😁😁.

Thanks for replying. I really want to be able to use the microwave as there are things it would be very useful for - but was assuming that as they had specifically put 30cm in the instructions it would be dangerous to use it with only 23cm height above

As long as it’s got some space above it I’d not worry. My ancient one had vents in the top - the new one doesn’t. Last one was 25 years old so clearly didn’t affect it.

One of the main uses of ours is warming up a glass of red wine from a bottle stored in the fridge 😉

The ease and quickness of the microwave corrupted me food wise 😬.

I’ve just measured and my microwave, that I’ve used every morning to heat milk for my coffee for years, has a clearance of 9.5 cm to the cupboard above. It’s also got my cat’s plates and bowls on top of it. It never occurred to me this was in any way dangerous. The vents are on the side of mine, not the top.

Not sure whether different makes and models of microwave have different clearance amounts specified in their instruction booklets maybe.

it wouldn’t have occurred to me either til I read the safety instructions of the booklet that came with this microwave. It’s bigger than some microwaves

My guess is that it’s in there as a means of voiding the guarantee. Perhaps there’s a small risk inadequate clearance would reduce the lifespan of the microwave, but I highly doubt it would be unsafe. Just use it. You’ll be fine.

The important thing is not to put anything on top of the microwave

I have stuff on top of my microwave (makes for a wonderful shelf!), stuff like salt and pepper on a pretty plate. Never had a problem even when just using it to defrost something from the freezer.

I barely use it.