How to Get the Most Out of Your Commercial Microwave Oven

The truth is we all tend to take modern conveniences for granted, both in our daily lives and in our commercial kitchens. For instance, microwave ovens are one of the easiest kitchen appliances to use and because of that fact they’re also one of the easiest appliances to neglect.

At CPS, we see all kinds of commercial kitchen appliances come in to our shop for repair, including commercial microwave ovens. Customers complain that their microwave simply stopped working, the turntable stopped rotating, they’re door won’t latch correctly, or they are seeing sparks while the microwave is in use. And these problems affect all kinds of microwaves including countertop units, drawer style, over-the-range, and built-ins.

However, most kitchen managers would rather buy a new microwave than pay to have their current one fixed. And in some cases, replacing a microwave might be less expensive than repairing one. That being said, if you want to get the most out of your commercial microwave oven, you’d better start taking care of the one you have.

Here are a few tips to help you get a long life from your microwave oven:

• Clean your microwave

This should go without saying but like we mentioned above, microwaves often get overlooked in the kitchen. In order to keep your microwave running smoothly, you have to keep up on cleaning the interior and exterior.

To clean your machine, we recommend using a damp cloth and a mild cleaning solution, preferably one that is recommended by the manufacturer. Start by wiping down the inside of your microwave. Make sure to clean the entire inner cavity, including the splatter shield and inner door. Once the inside is clean, use your cloth the wipe down the exterior control panel, door handle, and outside of the machine. Removing food debris and built up grease and grime will keep your microwave in much better working condition for a longer period of time.

• Look at and listen to your microwave

Perform a visual inspection on your microwave unit once a week for any signs of damage. This includes checking the cord for fraying and inspecting the cooking chamber for any burn holes.

It’s also important to listen to your microwave when it’s in use. If you hear strange sounds, do some investigating. It might be something as simple as the turntable needing adjustment. In other instances, you may need to have someone repair an inner mechanism on the machine.

• Remind staff how to use the microwave

It sounds silly, considering most everyone already knows how to use a microwave. But would you believe us if we told you that most microwave repairs are caused by staff slamming the microwave door shut one too many times?

We’ve all been in a situation where we have our hands full or are in a hurry and without thinking, slam the microwave door shut. A simple reminder to staff on how to treat your kitchen equipment, including the microwave, can save you on repair costs in the long run.

At CPS, we are big advocates of taking care of your commercial kitchen equipment. With the proper care, your machines will last longer and cost you less over their lifespan. That’s why we offer our convenient maintenance programs to all customers.

We also sell all the parts you could ever need for your commercial microwave oven. Our inventory of OEM parts for microwave ovens includes: lights, switches, fan motors, drive bushings, diodes, fuses, capacitors, tray motors, stirrer belts, magnetrons, turntables, turntable motors, door latches, charcoal filters, and more! Shop our entire inventory of parts today!