Learning To Live Without A Microwave Oven

[Aunt Bea]

I use the microwave several times a day.

I could probably make do with a senior version of a dorm room kitchen consisting of a microwave and small refrigerator.

I remember my mother receiving an Amana Radarange for Christmas in the early 70s.

 

[Veronica]

Could I live without a microwave.? Yes. Do I want to? NO. I use mine everyday. I cook in batches and reheat stuff daily.
I have an Amana Radarange. I got mine in the early 80's. Its push button. I remember cooking frozen vegetable bags in a pan of water.
And cooking microwave dinners in the oven.

My must haves would be my microwave, crockpot, toaster oven, oven, and my percolator that I keep on 24/7 to heat hot water.

 

[WheatenLover]

I'm with Veronica. I can live without it, but there is no reason to. I reheat food and coffee in it. I do not cook in it, primarily because I tried those microwave cookbooks for that decades ago, and the results were awful.

 

[Pinky]

We used to have a microwave/convection oven, which was great to use. Now, we just have a toaster oven. I missed the microwave for awhile, but, got used to not having one. The stove oven rarely gets used anymore.

 

[Imogene]

They'll take away my microwave when they pry it out of my cold, dead, non-heated-up fingers.....

Well said. Ditto me

 

[Imogene]

@Aunt Bea, I had an Amanda Radar range from the early 1970’s until 2003, when it finally quit. I actually fought back tears when it gave up; I LOVED that Radar Range

 

[Messy]

I use it to defrost bread and pieces of meat before cooking and sometimes to heat a meal that got cold oh lol and to heat coffee and tea that I forgot to drink when I'm too lazy to make a new cup. Don't tell the British.

 

[George1959]

Microwave oven? We did never have one.

 

[hearlady]

I have an Advantium type microwave. I the past couple of years I've been trying to use the convection and speedcook functions more. I've always used it mainly for reheating.
Every time I think I might get an air fryer I remember I have this.

 

[hearlady]

A couple of weeks ago, my microwave died. I knew it was coming because it had started malfunctioning. Several years ago, I met my sister's nephew-in-law, who's a doctor. I remember that he refused to eat anything that was microwaved. My son as been on me for years to stop microwaving my food. He said it kills nutrients that I need. So I decided to give up the convenience, realizing that it would be quite an adjustment. My oldest grandson is happy about it, as is my Honorary Son #3 and of course my son is ecstatic.

I mostly heated things in the microwave. I also made egg white omelets, my tea and steamed broccoli. I have a Corsori air fryer-toaster oven thingy. I never use the air fryer, but I've used that appliance every day. In addition, I use the small frying pan, small saucepan and I just bought a steamer basket for our Instapot. Eventually I'll get used to not having a microwave, I guess.

Do you use a microwave. If so do you make meals in it or just use it for reheating?

One thing to note. Things reheated in the microwave don't hold the heat the same way that reheating on the stove does. A reheated cup of coffee doesn't stay hot and a reheated meal just doesn't quite have that hot food vibe IMO.

 

[Aunt Bea]

One thing to note. Things reheated in the microwave don't hold the heat the same way that reheating on the stove does. A reheated cup of coffee doesn't stay hot and a reheated meal just doesn't quite have that hot food vibe IMO.

I agree!

I still like to reheat holiday leftovers in a skillet on top of the stove or in the oven.

 

[January]

I have one. I use it mainly for thawing and re heating

 

[Trade]

I'm shopping for a new one. I replaced our old 20 something year old one last year with an El Cheapo from Best Buy and the inside is already rusting. I should have just paid the price and got a good one.

I've got 3 that I am considering:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084T9RVSB/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

Amazon.com: CROSSON Commercial Countertop 25L Microwave Oven W/ 10 Programmable Memory Menu,5 Power Level,3 Stage Cooking and Touch Screen Control-1000W,0.9 Cu.Ft : Industrial & Scientific

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005GSPVHS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1in the .

But I'm open to suggestions if anyone has any. I want a countertop one, Something .8 to 1 cubic foot size range.

 

[Jules]

I'm shopping for a new one. I replaced our old 20 something year old one last year with an El Cheapo from Best Buy and the inside is already rusting. I should have just paid the price and got a good one.

I've got 3 that I am considering:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084T9RVSB/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

Amazon.com: CROSSON Commercial Countertop 25L Microwave Oven W/ 10 Programmable Memory Menu,5 Power Level,3 Stage Cooking and Touch Screen Control-1000W,0.9 Cu.Ft : Industrial & Scientific

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005GSPVHS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1in the .

But I'm open to suggestions if anyone has any. I want a countertop one, Something .8 to 1 cubic foot size range.

Jmo, I wouldn’t want any of those. The first on has a knob to set the cooking time. I had one like that and it was fiddly setting it. Get one that you punch in the time. I sold it for a pittance just to get it out of the house.

The other two look to just have preprogrammed times. Again, select your own time. You learn how long it takes to do most things. There’ll be some set times for some items.

I have a Panasonic Genius. No complaints.

What I’d never have are an above the stove microwave (too high) or a pull-out below the counter one. The latter are pricey and too low.

 

[dusty]

The three things I would dearly miss are coffee pot, new electric fry pan that I dearly love, and my washer.

 

[Veronica]

I'm shopping for a new one. I replaced our old 20 something year old one last year with an El Cheapo from Best Buy and the inside is already rusting. I should have just paid the price and got a good one.

I've got 3 that I am considering:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084T9RVSB/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

Amazon.com: CROSSON Commercial Countertop 25L Microwave Oven W/ 10 Programmable Memory Menu,5 Power Level,3 Stage Cooking and Touch Screen Control-1000W,0.9 Cu.Ft : Industrial & Scientific

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005GSPVHS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1in the .

But I'm open to suggestions if anyone has any. I want a countertop one, Something .8 to 1 cubic foot size range.

Im not familiar with those. So I cant say. Mine is an Amana from 1980.
I have used other microwaves. My preference is 1200W. They cook faster and heat more evenly.
I also prefer touch pad over knobs. You dont need a big one unless you plan to cook a turkey.

There are also combo units to consider. Microwave air fryers and microwave toaster ovens.

 

[JustDave]

Do you use a microwave.

All the time. We are constantly bombarded by microwaves. Turn your TV to a channel that is not broadcasting. Most of those little dots you see are microwaves, and they are coming down 24 hours a day, not just for the time it takes to heat a cup of cold coffee.

 

[Lewkat]

I only use mine to warm up coffee, tea or soup. Nothing else.

 

[Lilac]

We only use ours to reheat coffee & some food. We don't use anything plastic to reheat & cover things that could pop with either a paper plate, wax or parchment paper. I like using the toaster oven/air fryer for reheating pizza, subs & other foods.

If I didn't have one, I don't think I'd miss it too much, but my husband would. I would like to have the extra room back on my counter.

 

[StarSong]

They'll take away my microwave when they pry it out of my cold, dead, non-heated-up fingers.....

Well said. Ditto me

Me, three.
DH & I use ours at least ten times a day, maybe more. Mostly for reheating. Our MW died late evening, December 30th. Bought a new one at Best Buy the morning of the 31st. I'd never shop on New Year's Eve, but this qualified as a life-or-death emergency.

I use a MW, toaster, toaster oven, Keurig and cook top regularly. Instant pot, less so.

Except for making pizza or cookies, I use my wall ovens once or twice a year, if that.

 

[MarkD]

A couple of weeks ago, my microwave died. I knew it was coming because it had started malfunctioning. Several years ago, I met my sister's nephew-in-law, who's a doctor. I remember that he refused to eat anything that was microwaved. My son as been on me for years to stop microwaving my food. He said it kills nutrients that I need. So I decided to give up the convenience, realizing that it would be quite an adjustment. My oldest grandson is happy about it, as is my Honorary Son #3 and of course my son is ecstatic.

I mostly heated things in the microwave. I also made egg white omelets, my tea and steamed broccoli. I have a Corsori air fryer-toaster oven thingy. I never use the air fryer, but I've used that appliance every day. In addition, I use the small frying pan, small saucepan and I just bought a steamer basket for our Instapot. Eventually I'll get used to not having a microwave, I guess.

Do you use a microwave. If so do you make meals in it or just use it for reheating?

I just reheat things and make a cup at a time of tea in mine.

 

[smiley]

they're useful at times????????

 

[Trish]

I use the microwave mainly for steaming fish and vegetables. It's also good for cooking chopped tomatoes and mushrooms, heating soup and cooking rice. I think they are very useful.

 

[CaliS]

I use mine to defrost and reheat or to melt butter or heat up water for a recipe.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

The short answer is no, a microwave does not "kill" nutrients any more than other cooking methods. In fact, it is often one of the best methods for preserving them because it uses shorter cooking times and very little water.

Why Microwaving is Often Better for Nutrients
Nutrient loss in cooking is primarily caused by three factors: heat, time, and water.

• Speed: Because microwaves heat food quickly, there is less time for heat-sensitive vitamins (like Vitamin C and B vitamins) to break down.
• Water Retention: In methods like boiling, water-soluble nutrients often leach out of the food and into the water, which is then discarded. Microwaving requires minimal to no water, keeping those nutrients inside the food.
• Comparison: A Harvard Health report notes that microwaving may retain more nutrients than boiling or even baking in some cases.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthy-aging-and-longevity/ask-the-doctor-microwaves-impact-on-food
https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthy-aging-and-longevity/microwave-cooking-and-nutrition

Thank you for this information RT and you too @OldFeller. My son is stubborn in his beliefs, but I will share this info with him to give him food for thought (pardon the pun). OldFeller, I had read that one of the best ways to cook broccoli was to steam it in a microwave.

@Kaila and @PeppermintPatty I didn't use plastic containers either. A long time ago, I even stopped using an alleged microwavable safe, hard plastic omelet maker.