Cleaning Between the Mesh Screen and Glass Door on Your Microwave

This is how my microwave door looks.  It’s not that I don’t occasionally wipe the front of the microwave when I’m cleaning.  The problem is that it won’t come off.  This yucky look is trapped on the inside of the door, between the glass door and mesh screen.  You can’t reach it by the usual opening of the door.  I found out that in order to ever have a door that I can actually see through, I would need to figure out how to take the door apart and get behind the mesh screen.  I’m sure this gross stuff comes from people not covering their food all the time.   This was not an easy task.  Before you attempt to do this, read through the entire post.

Items needed:

• putty knife (strong type)
• screw driver
• cleaning towel and product to clean door
• small brush

Instructions:

Using a putty knife, slide it between where the plastic frame cover and outer frame meets.  Glide along the top and sides and carefully pop the frame out.  Be careful because the plastic frame can easily snap or break.  Once you have jarred it loose all the way around, take it off.  It will expose the mesh screen.

On the mesh screen, you will see two small screws (one at top and one near bottom).  Remove the screws.

Once screws are removed, you have to pop the mesh screen door loose from the glass door by sliding the putty knife along the frame of the mesh screen.

This is a shot of the separation of mesh screen and glass door.  PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: I did a lot of research on Google about separating glass and mesh screen.  Most information said that all microwave doors can be separated at mesh screen and glass door.  My door did not want to separate completely from the top. It separated completely on sides and bottom.  Of course, you know I didn’t let that stop me. I just pushed the glass door in and slid it out through the bottom.

This is what kept my door from completely separating. This will be where you decide if you want to continue if this happens to you or stop and let a professional do the job for you.  But like I said, most of the research stated that the mesh screen will separate from glass door.

All you have to do now is clean the glass door and mesh screen.

I cleaned the mesh screen with vinegar.  For the stains that wouldn’t come off the mesh screen, I used a brush to tap through the holes to knock out the dried food.

This is a little tip to use if all the dried food doesn’t come out with brush.  Unfold a paper clip and use it to punch out any food left between the holes.

To make sure that the mesh screen was completely dry, I used a blow dryer to completely dry it.  I don’t want any stains or moisture resulting from water being left on the screen.

After you clean the glass door, pop the mesh screen and glass door back together.  Screw back in the two screws.  Don’t forget to pop the plastic frame back on when done.  Now take a look at how the microwave looks now….

I can actually see through this door! It has been years since my door looked this clear.  Fabulous!  Now, I need to tackle my oven door.  Saving that for another snowed-in day…