Most Microwaves Have A Little-Known Hidden Feature Parents Should Know About

Let's talk about your microwave for a second. It's probably one of the most-used appliances in your kitchen —reheating leftovers, popping popcorn, or defrosting dinner in a pinch. But here's something you might not know: your microwave has a hidden feature that could be a total game-changer for parents with curious little ones. That's the child safety lock feature. 

Let's face it: kids are naturally curious. They love pressing buttons, turning knobs, and exploring anything that lights up or makes noise. Unfortunately, this curiosity can lead to accidents in the kitchen, especially with appliances like microwaves. While you might not be able to monitor them all the time, you can utilize the child safety lock feature to reduce the risk of unwanted injuries. You probably didn't know your microwave could do this because it's a hidden feature. Well, not entirely hidden, as you can find the steps to activate this feature in your instruction manual. When activated, it locks the control panel, preventing anyone from starting the microwave or changing its settings. Buttons won't respond, and the microwave stays off or might need to be operated differently until the lock is deactivated.

This safety lock is also a great feature for households with elderly family members or individuals with special needs who might struggle with using the microwave safely. It's also a good idea to turn this mode on when you're cleaning your microwave so you don't accidentally turn a knob or press a button, injuring yourself. 

The steps for locking a microwave's control panel differ according to the product brand or model. Always check your instruction manual for the exact method to activate this mode on your microwave. Here are some general examples. For a microwave from GE, you'll simply need to press and hold the Clear/Off pad (or Pause/Off, depending on the model) for about three seconds. On older models, press and hold the numbers 5 and 7 at the same time. Both options will lock the control panel, which you can confirm when you see the word 'lock' on the display. Repeating the lock combination will unlock the panel. 

Moving on to Panasonic. On some models, like the HomeChef NN-CD87KS, you have to press three different buttons in the right order. The order is Airfry/Broiler/Combo, Convection Bake, and then Timer/Clock. To turn the mode off, repeat the button sequence. On other models, you have to press the 'Start' button three consecutive times until you see a lock icon. To unlock, press the 'Stop' button three times. The official Panasonic page has a drop-down menu with instructions on activating this feature for different models.  

If you use the Farberware microwave, press and hold the Stop/Clear button for three seconds to activate or deactivate the safety lock. This is the same for most LG microwaves. However, with Toshiba, the button to press and hold is the 'Stop/Cancel' button. KitchenAid microwave models make the task easier with an 'X/Control Lock' button. Simply press and hold this button for three seconds to enable the feature, then press and hold the 'Cancel' key to disable it. 

You can never be too careful when it comes to ensuring the safety of your home or loved ones. Therefore, you can complement your knowledge of the child safety lock option with other vital safety tips to prevent accidents in your household. One common mistake everyone makes with their microwaves is using the wrong container for heating food. This might seem like a small mistake, but the wrong bowl could easily start a fire. Always ensure the containers you use are labeled as microwave-safe, and avoid metals entirely to prevent sparks and fire hazards. 

Aside from the container you're using, you should also be careful about the contents you're heating. Plain water is one harmless liquid that can easily cause burns if you heat it with a microwave. The dangerous part is that you wouldn't even notice it's hot because superheated water doesn't bubble, but with any slight disturbance, it can erupt in your face. According to the FDA, you should add things like sugar or coffee to the water before heating to reduce this risk. You should also never run your microwave empty. When there's nothing to absorb the electromagnetic waves your appliance is releasing, the microwave itself absorbs it. This can eventually lead to overheating and a possible fire. Always avoid using any microwave that doesn't shut properly while reheating. Also, if your appliance keeps on working while the door is open, that's an accident waiting to happen, and you should dispose of it immediately.