TikTok goes viral over hidden compartment in microwave

A woman who has clocked 2.3 million views on a TikTok, has left her viewers shocked after she revealed a hidden compartment in her appliance.

A woman has left TikTok users shocked after she revealed a hidden compartment in her microwave.

The US woman, known as ‘mamasknowbest’ on the social media platform, shared a video that captured how to clean a microwave’s filter – something many of her US followers didn’t know existed.

In Australia, microwaves do not have removable filters that require cleaning, according to

Colin Jones, category expert at Appliances Online.

However, in the case of the TikTok user’s over-the-range charcoal microwave, the filter was tucked away up the top – leaving many with similar models baffled it needed cleaning.

A TikTok user left her followers shocked when she revealed her microwave model had a removable filter. Picture: TikTok/mamasknowbest

She said her model in particular – an over-the-range charcoal microwave – needed to have its filter changed every six months. Picture: TikTok/mamasknowbest

She said the filter on her model needed to be changed every six months.

“This is your reminder to change your microwave charcoal filter,” the woman wrote in the video.

“You’re supposed to change the filter every six months. So while I wait for my new one to come, I’m going to just clean this one.”

To clean it, the woman opened the microwave door and removed the dirty filter before she soaked it in soapy water.

She then used a damp sponge and soap to wipe on top of the microwave and the plastic filter cover.

Both the filter and plastic cover were rinsed under running water before she placed them back into the microwave.

As she waited for the part to arrive, she showed how to clean her current filter. Picture: TikTok/mamasknowbest

She removed it from the top of her microwave, soaked it in soapy water before wiping it down with a cloth. Picture: TikTok/mamasknowbest

In the comments section of the video – which has been viewed 2.8 million times – many were shocked to learn certain microwaves have built-in filters that require cleaning.

“I’m tired of TikTok finding me more things to clean,” one person joked.

“Bruh. Been using a microwave over 30 years and never ever even knew there was a filter to clean,” said another, while a third person added: “Raise your hand if you didn’t know your microwave had a filter.”

She then fitted it back into place. Picture: TikTok/mamasknowbest

Mr Jones said the woman’s microwave model has an exhaust system built into it, so you can save space by installing this over your cooker to extract oils.

“With this model you would need to replace your filters every six months, however this type of model is not available in Australia,” he told news.com.au

“In Australia, we have a few different types of microwave ovens available, microwave only, microwaves with a grill function and convection microwaves, which are able to be used as a normal oven.”

He said all those models are very easy to clean with a simple wipe out with a cleaning cloth and “there is no need for any filter changes”.

“With technology changing so quickly, there are models now on the market that have steam cooking and steam cleaning and some have pyrolytic self-cleaning.”