Martha and Microwave-Cleaning
Does anyone in the Cook’n world care what Martha Stewart and her researchers have to say? If so, you might read on. In June one of Martha’s researchers and writers, Blythe Copeland, sent out a helpful article on cleaning the microwave “the right way.”
Blythe first explained that wiping out the microwave with a damp cloth once a day is a good habit—this keeps it tidier between deep cleans.
For a deep clean, Blythe suggests starting with the top working your way down. For natural scrubbing power, use a paste of baking soda and water to work off stuck-on food. A microfiber cloth or a non-abrasive sponge is your best tool. However, a plastic paint scraper works well for difficult messes like melted cheese. Finally, deodorize your microwave by wiping it down with a water and vinegar solution.
Whether your microwave has been the victim of a leftover mashed potato explosion, a bag of burnt popcorn, or just a day's worth of crumbs and spills, knowing how to get it clean—and keep it that way—is really helpful.
To that end, Martha and Blythe asked some cleaning professionals to share other easy tips that make microwave-cleaning simple. They all echoed Blythe’s advice and added that it’s wise to remove just-spilled food immediately. The idea is to stay on top of it so it’s no big deal to clean.
Their thoughts on deep cleaning also mirrored Blythe’s suggestion. But they did add that if you have anyone regularly heating snacks, or a second-shift worker making late-night nachos, or someone cooking frozen pancakes every morning, you may need to increase your cleaning efforts—and be especially vigilant about spills.
And if you have stains or odors, increase the frequency. Since the microwave is such a popular appliance, it’s often used around the clock. If no one takes the time to wipe down or deodorize it, that's when messes and kitchen odors add up.
Adding to Blythe’s advice regarding deep cleaning it, the professionals remind us that the top of the inside of the microwave is an area that most folks forget. After you've wiped the ceiling and walls of the interior, THEN take the tray out of your microwave and wash it according to the manufacturer's directions. You’d be surprised as to what falls from the ceiling when it’s wiped down.
Next wipe out any crumbs underneath the tray area. Then wipe the inside and outside of the door, the handle, and the keypad.
Now, with the order of cleaning operations in place, here’s a wonderful tip for an easy way to keep the microwave sparkling weekly. Squeeze fresh lemon into a bowl of water (or place a half lemon in the water). Close the door and let the microwave run on high for two minutes.
When the cycle ends, remove the bowl and the turntable (careful not to burn yourself—the bowl and water will be HOT). You’ll notice condensation coating the complete inside of the appliance. With a clean microfiber cloth, wipe down the interior, starting with the ceiling, then the walls, and so on.
Finally, if you experience any lingering microwave odors (burnt popcorn, bacon, broccoli, etc.), you can neutralize these by wiping it down using a cloth dampened with water and vinegar. And if the smell is severe, consider leaving a bowl of water with about a 1/4 cup of vinegar next to the microwave overnight. Vinegar does a fine job of absorbing smells.
I’ll conclude with an excellent recipe that’s made in the microwave. Found on www.countryliving.com, this heat-beating, hands-off, convenient corn-and-tomato risotto is simmered in the microwave from start to finish, so there's no endless standing and stirring at a steamy stove. YAY!
1 bag microwave in-bag green beans
1 3/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
2 cups water
2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion
2 cups arborio rice
2 pounds ripe tomatoes
2 cups fresh corn kernels
2 ounces finely grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
salt to taste
pepper to taste
Directions:
Add Recipe to Cook'n
Blythe first explained that wiping out the microwave with a damp cloth once a day is a good habit—this keeps it tidier between deep cleans.
For a deep clean, Blythe suggests starting with the top working your way down. For natural scrubbing power, use a paste of baking soda and water to work off stuck-on food. A microfiber cloth or a non-abrasive sponge is your best tool. However, a plastic paint scraper works well for difficult messes like melted cheese. Finally, deodorize your microwave by wiping it down with a water and vinegar solution.
Whether your microwave has been the victim of a leftover mashed potato explosion, a bag of burnt popcorn, or just a day's worth of crumbs and spills, knowing how to get it clean—and keep it that way—is really helpful.
To that end, Martha and Blythe asked some cleaning professionals to share other easy tips that make microwave-cleaning simple. They all echoed Blythe’s advice and added that it’s wise to remove just-spilled food immediately. The idea is to stay on top of it so it’s no big deal to clean.
Their thoughts on deep cleaning also mirrored Blythe’s suggestion. But they did add that if you have anyone regularly heating snacks, or a second-shift worker making late-night nachos, or someone cooking frozen pancakes every morning, you may need to increase your cleaning efforts—and be especially vigilant about spills.
And if you have stains or odors, increase the frequency. Since the microwave is such a popular appliance, it’s often used around the clock. If no one takes the time to wipe down or deodorize it, that's when messes and kitchen odors add up.
Adding to Blythe’s advice regarding deep cleaning it, the professionals remind us that the top of the inside of the microwave is an area that most folks forget. After you've wiped the ceiling and walls of the interior, THEN take the tray out of your microwave and wash it according to the manufacturer's directions. You’d be surprised as to what falls from the ceiling when it’s wiped down.
Next wipe out any crumbs underneath the tray area. Then wipe the inside and outside of the door, the handle, and the keypad.
Now, with the order of cleaning operations in place, here’s a wonderful tip for an easy way to keep the microwave sparkling weekly. Squeeze fresh lemon into a bowl of water (or place a half lemon in the water). Close the door and let the microwave run on high for two minutes.
When the cycle ends, remove the bowl and the turntable (careful not to burn yourself—the bowl and water will be HOT). You’ll notice condensation coating the complete inside of the appliance. With a clean microfiber cloth, wipe down the interior, starting with the ceiling, then the walls, and so on.
Finally, if you experience any lingering microwave odors (burnt popcorn, bacon, broccoli, etc.), you can neutralize these by wiping it down using a cloth dampened with water and vinegar. And if the smell is severe, consider leaving a bowl of water with about a 1/4 cup of vinegar next to the microwave overnight. Vinegar does a fine job of absorbing smells.
I’ll conclude with an excellent recipe that’s made in the microwave. Found on www.countryliving.com, this heat-beating, hands-off, convenient corn-and-tomato risotto is simmered in the microwave from start to finish, so there's no endless standing and stirring at a steamy stove. YAY!
Easy Tomato and Corn Risotto
Ingredients:
1 bag microwave in-bag green beans
1 3/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
2 cups water
2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion
2 cups arborio rice
2 pounds ripe tomatoes
2 cups fresh corn kernels
2 ounces finely grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
salt to taste
pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Cook beans as label directs. Cool slightly; cut into 1 inch. pieces.
2. In 2-quart saucepan, heat broth and water to boiling.
3. While broth mixture heats, in 4-quart microwave-safe bowl, microwave butter and onion, uncovered, on High 3 minutes or until softened. Stir in rice. Cook on High 1 minute.
4. Stir broth mixture into rice mixture. Cover with vented plastic wrap; microwave on Medium (50% power) 10 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, in food processor, puree half of tomatoes; strain juice through sieve into measuring cup, pressing on solids. Discard solids. Chop remaining tomatoes.
6. Stir 1 1/2 cups tomato juice into rice mixture. Cover with vented plastic wrap; microwave on Medium 5 minutes or until most of liquid is absorbed.
7. Stir corn into rice mixture, cover with vented plastic wrap; microwave on Medium 3 minutes or until corn is heated through.
8. Stir Parmesan, green beans, tomatoes, half of basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper into risotto. Sprinkle with basil.
2. In 2-quart saucepan, heat broth and water to boiling.
3. While broth mixture heats, in 4-quart microwave-safe bowl, microwave butter and onion, uncovered, on High 3 minutes or until softened. Stir in rice. Cook on High 1 minute.
4. Stir broth mixture into rice mixture. Cover with vented plastic wrap; microwave on Medium (50% power) 10 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, in food processor, puree half of tomatoes; strain juice through sieve into measuring cup, pressing on solids. Discard solids. Chop remaining tomatoes.
6. Stir 1 1/2 cups tomato juice into rice mixture. Cover with vented plastic wrap; microwave on Medium 5 minutes or until most of liquid is absorbed.
7. Stir corn into rice mixture, cover with vented plastic wrap; microwave on Medium 3 minutes or until corn is heated through.
8. Stir Parmesan, green beans, tomatoes, half of basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper into risotto. Sprinkle with basil.
Recipe formatted with the Cook'n Recipe Software from DVO Enterprises.
Alice Osborne
Weekly Newsletter Contributor since 2006
Email the author! alice@dvo.com
