By Daniel Troise, Marketing Intern, HA Marketing, SEMCA

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Working from home for just coming on about a year, my whole workflow and day has changed and I found myself never going hungry as I have now taken the responsibility on stocking the new cafeteria and lunch/break room (yes, it is my kitchen). After constantly running back and forth to my Sharp Carousel Countertop Microwave Oven to prepare quick meals in between meetings and on breaks, I sometimes think back of some common microwave mistakes and mishaps that have happened due to my own negligence or me not knowing proper microwave safety protocols.

After thinking back to the scare, or sometimes laughter, of times where I either put something in the microwave that I was not supposed to I decided that compiling a list of 10 things you should never put in the microwave for our readers would be the perfect way to increase your awareness. Through these tips, I highly recommend you keep them in the back of your head and maybe even think about the things you keep in your kitchen. Personally, I am always using the microwave and have made many efforts to only use microwave-safe products.

Take-Out Containers

There is nothing I love more than a lazy night on the couch with your favorite movie on and some yummy Chinese food. In fact, it is taking everything to not jump off my keyboard, put sweatpants on, and use the remote to stream my favorite movie. At least I know have plans for tonight, right?

When idealizing my favorite night, one of my favorite foods to order is noodles and sometimes I can eat a bit more than the traditional serving size so I make sure to get more than one, and sometimes save the rest for later (perhaps while I am blogging).

One thing I always do as soon I as I prepare to save it for later is to transfer it out of the traditional take-out containers. Most of the time, the handle that is being used is made from metal and according to “Clark” can easily start a fire.

Non-Microwave Popcorn

As you probably know by now between some of my past articles and personal interests, I am a huge movie buff and love nothing more than just to grab a bowl of popcorn and kick back, relax, and enjoy a film. What is even cooler is that all Sharp Microwave Ovens and Microwave Drawers come with a convenient Popcorn Preset tuned for Optimal Popping Results.

Throughout society, we have always learned that you just place a bag of popcorn in a microwave and then poof, you are good to go. However, after reading “Money Talk News” I have come to find out that not all popcorn bags are deemed safe and suitable for a microwave. It is extremely important to check the box or individually bag of popcorn and look for the appropriate messaging that ensures you can place it in the microwave. Otherwise, it may be just a brown paper bag and could potentially catch on fire.

Silverware

If you have not seen the running trend throughout this article, but we can conclude that placing a medal in the microwave is an absolute no due to the potential harm it can cause to your microwave, your kitchen or home, and most importantly, you! When preparing to place foods in the microwave, we tend to use silverware to mix up or transfer them to microwave-safe containers. Coming to mind after reading this informative article from “The Takeout“, is me mixing the spaghetti when I heat the leftovers up.

While it is totally normal to mix it, it is very important that you do not leave the spoon, fork, knives, or any utensil in the bowl or container when it comes time to prep. This sounds easier than it is, but you may be surprised how easy leaving it can be. Overall, just make sure that you double-check whenever preparing something in the microwave, and most importantly, enjoy your meal!

Brown Paper Bags

This item interfering with a microwave oven hits a little too close to home for me. Every day for as long as I could remember during elementary school, my mother would pack me lunch in a brown paper bag. Therefore, I always knew where they were. Another thing you should know about this story is that I love nachos.

One time after school, I really wanted nachos, so I placed a bunch of chips in a brown paper bag and placed it in the microwave. While they were not in there for long, once my mother saw that I placed them in the microwave, she ran and took them out. At that point, I learned that brown paper bags have no place in the microwave.

After reflecting upon this story and a bit more research I have come to learn from “Life Hacker” and the “US Department of Agriculture” that placing brown paper bags could cause it to flame and emit toxic fumes due to the intense heart interacting with the materials. Bottom line, if you don’t want to burn your house on fire keep brown paper bags and microwaves separate.

Styrofoam Containers

I think many, if not most people I know have questioned whether Styrofoam containers are microwave-safe and if they are deemed okay to safely place in the microwave. Almost every time I go out to eat, and when I was a waiter, anytime I interacted with leftovers or wrapped up food that was not finished I always brought them home in Styrofoam containers. The important thing to take away is no, it is not okay to use them to reheat or prepare food in a microwave.

According to “Interesting Engineering” Styrofoam contains plastic, which is a big no-no for a microwave, but also contains toxic chemicals in the container. When melted or heated, the release of these chemicals can go into your food or beverage and infect it. I’m not sure about you, but personally, I feel a bit more comfortable just transferring everything to a microwave-safe dish.

Travel Mugs

After coming home to quarantine, I have made the realization after two days that my father is addicted to travel coffee mugs and loves to purchase one at every destination we go to, or any time they are on the end-cap at the store. In fact, we now have two shelves above the coffee machine dedicated to these travel mugs.

This article from the Huff Post taught me that whether you think so or not, travel mugs are not deemed microwave safe due to the stainless steel. It will not be effective due to the stainless steel blocking the heat, therefore causing the microwave not to work. In fact, there is a chance it could damage your microwave.

And by the way, I made sure to text my dad to tell him before writing this.

Aluminum Foil

Everyone has a process when it comes to wrapping up leftovers after dinner. If you are a member of my house, you will quickly learn that we just pull out the aluminum foil and quickly place it over the plate we are trying to save for later. While this is a great concept to use over microwave-safe plates, however, it is very important that you do not place it in the microwave as it could be extremely harmful.

Don’t believe me? Take it from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), who deem it as potentially dangerous. The reflection causes the heat not to warm the food and shield it from getting warm, while in the meantime the heat could potentially spark causing a fire. Instead, always inspect the food and make sure there are no small pieces in the microwave or on the plate before you press the button on the microwave.

Seasonal and Celebratory Paper Plates

This tip came from someone on my immediate workgroup team and I had no idea this could even cause an issue until they told me. Ever buy those paper plates that are designed for the season at the supermarket or local dollar store? I am talking about the ones that say, ‘Happy Birthday’ or ‘Class of 2021’ and everything in between. While these festive plates really help ring in the celebration with you and your loved ones, adding to the aesthetic of the event, it is important that you steer away from putting these types of plates in the microwave.

To increase durability and keep them low cost, some of the plated contain aluminum or metal that is not deemed microwave safe. While you may think that you are simply just reheating your food, placing plates like these (where you are not 100% sure of the materials used) can cause severe damage to your microwave or even start an unsafe fire. Personally, I still buy the plates, but make sure to transfer all the foods in microwave-safe plates/containers before reheating them.

Red Sauce

If you ever meet me, in the first five minutes you will come to learn that I love all things pasta, and everything related to it. Being my favorite meal of all time, especially with a red sauce, knowing the ins and out of how to prepare it is second-hand knowledge at this point. I would love to share it with you!

Here is a huge, and messy tip! Whenever you have a sauce that you want to heat up that you made the night before or want to prepare some red sauce to compensate with some freshly boiled pasta, PUT A LID ON IT! According to the Huff Post, placing the red sauce in the microwave without a lid can get really messy, causing it to get everywhere due to the ingredients.

Instead, make sure that when the sauce is alone that you have a microwave-safe lid on it.

Nothing At All

This one may come as quite strange; therefore, it is the perfect way to wrap up this list of things you can’t place in the microwave. If you can’t think about what it is, I guess you are sort of right because the answer is nothing.

According to “The Spruce”, one of the worst things to place in your microwave is actually nothing at all. When microwaves turn and are being used, the heat has no place to be absorbed. While the heat is typically absorbed by the food would have nowhere to go, potentially causing an explosion.

You may be thinking, “what kind of person may turn on their microwave with nothing inside of it”, it can be a common mistake to turn it on and forgot to put something in it, or you may think about trying it out as soon as you get it and want to see if it works.

By Gina Greco, Senior Brand Marketing Specialist, SEMCA

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This is your complete guide to installing a Sharp Over-the-Range Microwave Oven. Whether you have just purchased a microwave, are redesigning your kitchen, or are still in the process of deciding what microwave is right for you, this guide will provide you with helpful step-by-step installation instructions. For more details regarding our Sharp Over-the-Range Microwave Oven (R1874TY), make sure to visit our website for more detailed information.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to

1. Prep the designated area
2. Connect the electric
3. Install a hood exhaust duct
4. Connect the ventilation system
5. Properly mount the appliance.
6. Install your microwave

Please read all the instructions before starting the installation process.

For more information or to view detailed diagrams that correspond with the installation process, please consult Over-the-Range Microwave Owen Installation Instructions by Sharp.

Where Do You Want to Install Your Over-the-Range Microwave?

You likely have a specific spot in mind for your microwave – such as over your range. Before starting the installation process, you should confirm that your wall construction and counter/cabinet/kitchen space fits the requirements.

Here is a list of the exact requirements needed for a Sharp Over-the-Range Microwave.

• The microwave must be mounted on a flat wall that is:
  • 66 inches or more above the floor
  • 30 inches or more above the range/cooking surface
  • 2 inches or more above the backsplash
• The space for the microwave must be:
  • 12 inches in depth
  • 30 inches in width
  • 5 inches in height
• The microwave must be mounted on a wall that is a minimum of 2-inch x 4-inch wood studding and 3/8-inch or more — thick drywall or plaster/lath.
• The wall must be capable of supporting 110 lbs.

If your space fulfills all the above requirements, you can officially start the installation process.

Preparing to Install Your Over-the-Range Microwave

Now that you’ve determined your space can fit and support an over-the-range microwave, you need to prep the area. Prepping the area is very important. It is the foundation for your appliance and includes preparing the wall, connecting the electric, and installing the hood exhaust duct.

The following instructions are very detailed but easy to accomplish. We recommend that if you do not feel confident in your ability to connect the electricity or feel that the electric in its current state does not meet local or national standards, please contact a certified professional.

Prepping the Space to Mount Your Microwave

The first thing you will need to do is identify where the studs are in your wall. You can do this with a stud finder tool or by using a hammer to tap across the surface of the wall lightly. Continue tapping until you hear a solid sound — that means you have found the stud. For tips on finding a stud, watch this video.

The unit should be attached to a minimum of a 2-inch x 4-inch wall stud. Find the center of the stud. This can be done by probing the wall with a small nail to identify the stud’s edges. Place a pencil mark halfway between the edges to identify the center.

Tip: the center of adjacent studs will normally be 16 inches – 24 inches to either side of this mark.

 Grounding Your Microwave

Before tackling any of the electrical tasks, please make sure your appliance is grounded. In an electrical short circuit, grounding reduces the risk of electric shock by providing an escape wire for the electric current. You must confirm this before moving forward. Your appliance should be plugged into a wall socket that is properly installed and grounded in accordance with national and local code requirements.

Warning: improper use of the grounding plug can result in a risk of electric shock.

Your microwave is equipped with a 3-prong grounding plug. Do not, under any circumstances, cut or remove the grounding pin from the plug.

Connect your power supply cord to the separate 120 Volt AC, 60 Hz, 20 Amp, or more branch circuit, single grounded receptacle. This should be located inside the cabinet directly above the mounting location.

Installing the Hood Exhaust Duct

Is your hood vented to the outside? If so, a hood exhaust duct is required.

Tip: all ductwork must be metal; you cannot use plastic.

To start this process, you will need to confirm that all connections are secure. Please read the following:

• Exhaust Connection: The hood exhaust is designed to connect to a standard 31/4-inch x 10-inch rectangular duct. If a round duct is required, a rectangular-to-round adapter must be used.
• Rear Exhaust: If you are using rear or horizontal exhaust, you will need to align the exhaust with the studs’ space.
• Maximum Duct Length: To achieve satisfactory air movement, you should not exceed a total duct length of 140 feet whether you are using a 3 1/4-inch x 10 inch rectangular or 6-inch diameter round duct.

If possible, a straight duct is best. Elbow, adapters, wall, and roof caps create additional airflow resistance. If you are unable to have a straight duct, you will need to calculate the total length, add the equivalent lengths of all transitions and adaptors, plus the length of all straight duct sections. Doing this will allow you to calculate airflow resistance. This should total less than 140 feet.

How to Install Your Over-the-Range Microwave

Now that you have prepped the space for your new appliance, it is time to start the installation process. The installation process includes unboxing your microwave, connecting the ventilation, mounting the scale plate, and finally, mounting your microwave. In order to complete this installation, you will need the following tools:

• Phillips screwdriver
• Measuring tape
• Drill
• ½-inch, 5/8-inch, and 3/32-inch drill bits
• 1-1/2-inch wood bit or metal hole cutter (if a metal cabinet is used)
• Saw to cut exhaust opening (if needed)
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Tape
• Protective drop cloth for product and range
• Protective eyewear

You will also use the items listed below, which are included in the appliance you purchased.

Preparing Your Microwave

Unbox your microwave. Fully inspect the unit to confirm there are not any dents, scratches, or cracks. Open the microwave to confirm that there is not a misaligned or bent door, damaged door seal, or broken/loose door hinge. It should be in pristine condition. If it is not, contact the retailer you purchased the microwave from or contact a Sharp authorized service center. You do not want to install a previously damaged microwave. This could cause various problems, from an inability to function to inflicting damage on the surrounding surfaces.

If the unit you purchased has a mounting plate: rest the oven on its side. Remove the two screws that secure the mounting plate to the rear side of the microwave. Remove the mounting plate. The two screws can be discarded.

Connecting the Ventilation System to Your Microwave

Your microwave can attach to three different types of hood ventilation systems:

• Recirculating: non-vented, ductless operations
• Horizontal exhaust: outside ventilation
• Vertical exhaust: outside ventilation

Follow the directions below based on the type of ventilation system you will be using.

Recirculating 

If you have a recirculating system, that means that it is non-vented and ductless. These units are typically preassembled for recirculating and require no further installation. See owner’s manual for care, filter maintenance, and additional information.

Horizontal Exhaust 

If you have a horizontal exhaust, this means you are working with outside ventilation. Follow these instructions:

1. Remove the screws from the fan cover bracket. You need to save these screws.

2. Remove the fan cover bracket.

3. Carefully lift the hood fan unit and slip the wire out of the cavity. Do not stretch, pull, or overextend these wires, as it could cause damage.

4. Rotate the hood fan unit 180° so that the fan blade openings face the back of the microwave. You will need to lift the wire over the hood fan unit into the microwave.

5. Replace the hood fan unit with the microwave. Be careful not to pinch the wire.

6. Place the wire back into the cavity.

7. Replace the fan cover bracket. You will need to confirm that the fan blades are visible through the rear opening in the microwave. This must be done before moving forward.

8. Attach the fan cover bracket to the microwave with the screws you removed in step 1. The hood should not be rotated for horizontal exhaust operation.

9. Attach the exhaust damper assembly to the mounting plate’s back by sliding it into the slits.

10. Use screws to tighten into place.

Vertical Exhaust 

If you have a vertical exhaust, this means you are working with outside ventilation. Follow these instructions:

1. Remove the screws from the fan cover bracket. You need to save these screws.

2. Remove the fan cover bracket.

3.Carefully lift the hood fan unit and slip the wire out of the cavity. Do not stretch, pull, or overextend these wires, as it could cause damage.

4. Rotate the hood fan unit 90° so that the fan blade openings are facing the top of the oven.

5. Place the hood fan unit into the oven. Be careful not to pinch the lead wire between the inner bracket and the hood fan unit. Put the lead wire into the wire box.

6. Attach the fan cover bracket to the unit with the screws you removed in step 1. The hood should not be rotated for vertical exhaust operation.

7. Attach the exhaust damper assembly to the fan cover by sliding it into the slits.

8. Use screws to tighten into place.

Microwave Installation – Mounting Scale Plate

Before installing your microwave mounting scale plate, please confirm that your space meets all the requirements listed in the “Where Do You Want to Install Your Over-the-Range Microwave?” section above.

First, use wood screws to attach the mounting plate to the stud(s). Next, use toggle bolts to attach the mounting plate through the holes and attach the toggle nuts.

It would be best if you positioned the mounting plate with the toggle bolts attached to the wall. Insert toggle nuts and bolts through the holes in the wall with the toggle nuts closed. Use the wood screws to attach the mounting plate to the stud(s).

Tip: Before insertion, be sure you leave a space more than the wall’s thickness between the Mounting Plate and the end of each of the toggle nuts (in the closed position). If you do not leave enough space, the toggle nut will not open on the other side of the wall. Once a toggle nut opens, it cannot be withdrawn from the hole; therefore, make sure all of the toggles are in the correct position before insertion.

Align the mounting plate carefully and hold it in position while tightening toggle bolts. Pull toggle bolt toward you and turn clockwise to tighten.

Microwave Installation – Mounting Oven to the Wall

For this final step, two people are recommended to attach the microwave to the mounting plate.

1. Carefully place the microwave on top of the range.

Tip: It is recommended that you place a piece of cardboard or a towel/drop cloth between the two units to prevent scratching or damage.

2. Slide the unit toward the back of the range until it stops. Align the lower back edge of the microwave with the mounting plate, then thread the power supply cord through the hole made in the bottom of the top cabinet.

3. Hang the oven on the lower edge of the mounting plate, then rotate the unit upward. Take care that the power cord can clear the edge of the hole as the oven is rotated upward.

Tip: In the case of a non-recessed bottom in the top cabinet, the hole for the cord may need to be enlarged.

4. Tighten the two-unit mounting screws located in the grease filter openings. Next, you will need to install the grease filters by fitting them into the opening. Push back and up into place.

5. Use the screws and washers provided to attach the unit to the top cabinet.

6. Make a bundle of the power supply cord and place it inside the cabinet.

7. Remove all packing material from the microwave.

8. Plug in the power cord.

 Start Using Your New Over-the-Range Microwave

Congratulations — you’ve successfully completed the over-the-range microwave installation process! We recommend that all new users read the operations manual before using it. We hope you love your new microwave!