# How often do you use your/a microwave? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 12, 2013, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-your-a-microwave/663321 "2013-07-12T14:50:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-your-a-microwave/663321/41 "2013-07-14T19:36:30Z")
> [@Anamorphic](#): > > I use it as a timer all the time, at least once a day probably. Yeah, if using it as a timer for stuff in the oven counts, then probably once a day. The rest of the time it’s used for melting butter, nuking potatoes and making hummingbird food. That’s about it. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-your-a-microwave/663321/42 "2013-07-14T20:21:31Z")
D’oh - I forgot about it being my timer. So whenever I’m cooking. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-your-a-microwave/663321/43 "2013-07-15T04:38:53Z")
We use it at least once a day. Interestingly, the #1 use for our microwave isn’t for **our** food – it’s for our cat’s food. He’s on prescription, canned cat food, due to chronic bladder stones, and he eats 1/2 of a can at each meal. The remaining half of a can of food gets stored in the fridge until his next meal, and heated up a bit in the microwave (then stirred) before we give it to him. Beyond that, we mostly use it to heat up some frozen foods (notably the veggie breakfast sausage patties I have as post-run breakfast), heat leftovers, and make popcorn. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-your-a-microwave/663321/44 "2013-07-15T05:31:56Z")
I never use it to thaw; mostly it’s to cook or to heat water/milk (at home I have an electric kettle, but not elsewhere). ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-your-a-microwave/663321/45 "2013-07-15T10:54:17Z")
At least once a day for my breakfast (and admittedly, sometimes dinner) oatmeal. Beyond that, 3-4 times a week, usually to reheat things or to heat up the hot pad when occasionally needed. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-your-a-microwave/663321/46 "2013-07-15T11:04:39Z")
Heating up water for tea is at at least twice a day. Heating up leftovers multiple times per week. I use it as a rice cooker 3-4 times per week, and when I don’t, I use it to cook noodles. Cooking vegetables. The occasional frozen dinner. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-your-a-microwave/663321/47 "2013-07-15T11:34:19Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > Feel free to clarify what you’re using it for…to cook things, reheat things, or just thaw things out. Primarily reheating, or heating water, melting butter, and such minor things. I’m not fond of the results using it for either significant cooking or thawing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-use-your-a-microwave/663321.md?page=2)