I can remember what life was like before microwaves.
I can’t imagine doing without one now. It’s so much easier to put a plate of leftovers in the microwave than to pull out a bunch of pots and pans to heat up dinner.
A lot of veggies taste better cooked in the microwave.
When one of my clients goes away I stay at her house. She has no microwave and no toaster.
A friend of mine house sat at a house with no microwave but they did have 5 VCRs (obviously this was a while back). She was baffled, why would you have 5 VCRs and no microwave.
I prefer to make quick, easy meals when I stay at a clients house. It’s not so far from home that I don’t go back and forth a bit, but when I wake up it’s nice to be able to toast a bagel or heat up some leftovers.
There have been a couple of times in the last 3 years when I didn’t have a microwave. It was one of the first things on my list when the cash flow accommodated a new purchase.
That being said, reheating stuff on the stove often gives superior results, just not so superior as to outweigh the convenience, speed and fewer dishes. About the only thing I discovered that was so much better on the stove that I still do it that way, even owning a microwave, is pizza. A slice of leftover pizza in a covered cast iron skillet over low heat returns to just-out-of-the-oven quality, with a crisp crust and perfectly evenly heated toppings that my microwave just can’t manage.
Other than that, hell yes I have a microwave, and I use it multiple times daily!
We just bought a replacement one. We had a microwave toaster combo that died. However we were surprised to figure out that the new combo does not toast, it bakes. It has a shallow baking drawer beneath the main microwave compartment. What the heck are we supposed to use this for?!
I have a microwave, but only because it came with my current apartment; my last place didn’t have one, and I don’t think I’ve actually used it the entire time I’ve been here. Maybe once to melt butter. It’s been so long since I’ve used a microwave even semi-regularly (high school!) that I would probably have to google whatever I was putting in there to make sure it doesn’t explode in a microwave.
Probably. Give it a try. You might want a Flame Tamer or a ring of aluminum foil underneath. I like the cast iron because it’s thick and heats slowly and evenly, giving the toppings time to heat without scorching the crust. All Clad’s a pretty good brand, so it should work. I wouldn’t try it with a flimsy dollar store skillet.
Takes about 5 minutes for me, your mileage may vary.
I am currently sans microwave because I’ve never owned one before; I’d always had a parent or roommate who had one. Now I’m on my own and finding it a trial. I rarely decide what I want for dinner until it’s time to start making it and when all your meats are a frozen block because you forgot to decide what you wanted two days ago so you could thaw it in the fridge dinner becomes a very frustrating moment of introspection that ends with ordering pizza for the 3rd night in a row.
Most of the places I’ve lived in have come with a microwave (or even more than one). I think I’ve purchased a grand total of one microwave in the past 17 years.
We used to have one, but it broke and we never got around to getting a replacement. Can’t say that I see much of a difference, other than that re-heating leftovers take a wee bit longer.
I use my built-in microwave several times a day. Love it!
I have friends who don’t own a microwave and they would probably refuse to eat food cooked in one. They believe that the radiation changes the cells in the food which causes it to lose any nutritional value, and the items become carcinogenic! :dubious:
So how do the posters who’ve mentioned here (or not mentioned it yet) that they don’t have microwaves do leftovers? Do you ever find the use of the stove inconvenient? How do you reheat pasta? Or do you just not have leftovers (a state I’m sure those with a reasonable number of family members probably encounter reasonably often).
Just about anything can be reheated in the oven, toaster oven or on the stove in a skillet or saucepan, sometimes with a bit of water to prevent scorching. It’s just…a pain in the butt, and takes longer, and then you have a pan, lid AND plate to clean.
I have one and use it, but like WhyNot, I find cooking or reheating certain foods better done in a small oven or on the stovetop.
I skip the microwave for pretty much anything with a crust unless I am in an extreme hurry. But it’s wonderful for reheating soups and stews and defrosting items.
We always have one. My wife would starve without one if I wasn’t home. I’m not exactly a food snob, but certainly a food traditionalist. Still, I use the wave for cooking a variety of things. Steamed vegetables and some seafood can be cooked in the microwave. For reheating I prefer the stovetop or oven, but sometimes I’m in a hurry.
My parents bought our first microwave in 1979. I haven’t been without one since. I’ve purchased two since I moved out of the house in 1993, the last one I bought in 2000 is still working great despite the accidental fire I set in it around 2004.
When I was in college and for several years after the microwave was a necessity. I couldn’t imagine a day going by without her. Heating my ramen, my leftovers from mom, my popcorn, and making bacon with that special microwave taste and texture. However I fear we may have grown distant. A decade ago a new love came into my life when a relative introduced me to the toaster oven. Oh what a delectable rascal she is. Reheating leftovers and grilling sandwiches as if they were done on the stove top. Burning my fingertips as a gentle reminder to not grab her rack when she has been working.
Poor old microwave sits in the corner staring forlornly, awaiting her opportunity to burn my popcorn in retribution.
SeaDragon, you just reminded me of an incident. My housemate and I chose to be without a microwave in the early 90s as a way to cut down on junk food and frozen meals. She was going on a trip with her boyfriend and my parents were coming for a visit so they were going to stay in her room.
When the 'rents arrived, they were aghast that I was without a microwave so they went out and bought us one as a nice surprise. Arrrgh. Sure enough, because of the presence of a microwave, Jane and I started eating delicious junk food like nachos again.