You Need To Change Your Microwave Filter

It’s the little things that add up to make a house feel like a home—those small tasks we do to make sure everything is in order. There are a seemingly endless amount of them, and some involve the very air our family breathes. Along with dusting the baseboards and changing the HVAC filters, this set of chores, surprisingly, includes tending to the microwave oven.

We all know a microwave needs to be cleaned, but for some of these appliances, there’s another step that will help improve both the oven’s functionality and the air quality in your kitchen: changing the filters.

Which Microwaves Have Filters That Need To Be Changed

Not all microwaves have filters. Most countertop microwaves don’t have them, but the microwaves that are installed over stovetops do. These vented microwaves circulate air between the appliance and your kitchen, keeping grease and debris from gathering in the oven and the room.  

“If you own an over-the-range microwave, built-in microwave, or even a convection microwave oven, then you’ll want to monitor the health of its filter,” says Philip Twigg, lead product expert at UK-based home appliance company Reliant. “If a filter is left uncleaned or unreplaced, it can not only make it difficult for your microwave to operate at its best but also create odors and messes throughout your kitchen.”

In most ventilated microwaves, you’ll find two main types of filters, Twigg explains. “Charcoal filters are designed to trap odors, to keep your food tasting just right. Grease filters, on the other hand, keep grease from gathering inside and outside of the appliance.” Both types of filters should be changed regularly, but not exactly on the same schedule.

How Often Should You Clean and Change Your Microwave Filters?

Twigg recommends replacing your charcoal microwave filter every six months. “This ensures your microwave has efficient airflow for more precise and safer cooking.” He adds that, over time, grease and debris can build up in your microwave’s grease filter. To keep it running smoothly, clean the grease filter once a month. 

How To Clean and Change Your Microwave Filters

Charcoal filters can’t be cleaned; instead, they must be changed. To do so, locate the vent panel on the back, bottom, door, or top of the microwave, and use a screwdriver to remove it. Discard the used filter and replace it with a new one. You can buy charcoal filters directly from the manufacturer. 

The grease filter is typically located underneath the microwave. To clean it, unplug your microwave, and remove the filter. This is usually a pretty easy process of pushing in a tab and then pulling out the filter, though you should check your owner’s manual for specifics. Soak the grease filter in warm, soapy water for at least 10 minutes. If it’s especially dirty, Maytag suggests adding a 1/4 cup of baking powder to the water.

With these precautions in mind, it’s time to add attending to your microwave filters to your list of homemaking tasks.