# When did instant oatmeal change? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 1, 2018, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616 "2018-09-01T18:05:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BeeGee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5a626/32.png) [@BeeGee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeeGee)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/21 "2018-09-01T20:38:28Z")
I like steel cut oats. I tried the overnight method. Once. Yuck. Complete mush. My method is tried and true. Boil three cups of water in a sauce pan. Add 1 cup steel cut oats and then turn the burner to low. Stir once and leave the lid off. Go take a shower, put in contacts, and get dressed. This should take about twenty minutes. Say “oh, shit, my oatmeal!” and run to kitchen. Breathe a sigh of relief, turn the burner off, stir, and divvy it up into four containers. Put three in the fridge and take one to work. Reheat at work with fruit, nuts, 1 packet sugar, and a splash of milk. One of my favorite stir ins is to cut up half of an apple and sprinkle it with cinnamon, cloves, and brown sugar. Microwave that on high for about a minute to make almost apple pie filling. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/22 "2018-09-01T21:45:28Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I found a kindred spirit on this blog. > > This is how I prefer oatmeal. The flakes are easily seen. They aren’t mush. > [Chef Tess Bakeresse: Good Old Fashioned Oatmeal](http://cheftessbakeresse.blogspot.com/2009/03/good-old-fashioned-oatmeal.html?m=1) > > She used old fashioned oats. I wouldn’t have the time before going to work. > > Instant is the choice on weekdays. Quick oats on a weekday: 1/2 cup quick oats, 1 cup water in large bowl. 2 minutes in microwave. Add brown sugar and cinnamon. How much faster is instant than that, really? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/23 "2018-09-01T21:51:04Z")
I will get a can of quick oats and give it a try in the microwave. Add my own honey and raisins. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/24 "2018-09-01T21:57:15Z")
I used to enjoy the instant stuff many years ago, too. I bought some recently just out of nostalgia – maple and brown sugar flavor – and it seemed pretty much the same as I remembered it, but I don’t cook it in the microwave. I pour the dry stuff in a bowl, microwave a measured amount of water in a measuring cup, add the water to the dry oatmeal, then let it sit until it thickens. Then I add a bit of cream over the top. Seems to me the taste and consistency is just as it always was. But it’s more of a kid thing and I rarely have it. ---
**Author:** ![eunoia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eunoia/32/97_2.png) [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/25 "2018-09-01T22:45:09Z")
I’m boycotting Quaker products for the rest of my life since seeing [this photo](https://i.imgur.com/2LH6mpf.jpg) online. ---
**Author:** ![seal\_cleaner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@seal\_cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seal_cleaner)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/26 "2018-09-01T22:52:28Z")
I get Quaker original (e.g., no flavor added) and microwave it for 2 minutes. Add unsweetened applesauce. I can’t stomach oatmeal made with water. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/27 "2018-09-01T23:12:14Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#): > > Boil the water in the microwave & then add the oats. Then it wont be mushy. Umm… don’t do this unless you know how to [safely boil water in a microwave](http://www.animations.physics.unsw.edu.au/jw/superheating.htm). Otherwise, that sounds like a recipe for 3rd degree burns. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/28 "2018-09-01T23:25:03Z")
> [@eunoia](#): > > I’m boycotting Quaker products for the rest of my life since seeing [this photo](https://i.imgur.com/2LH6mpf.jpg) online. From what I can see, the low-sugar packaging is only slightly smaller in the nutritional ingredients (23g whole grains instead of 26g) but contains half as much sugar, which is the second main ingredient after oats, including sugars from other carbohydrate ingredients. If you work out the sugar proportion relative to the total serving size, you get 12/43 = 0.28 for regular and 6/31 = 0.19 for the “lower sugar” variant. Why the package size is a little smaller I don’t know – maybe because it’s aimed at the diet-conscious – but proportionately it really does contain about a third less sugar per gram, so I don’t think there’s anything misleading in the packaging claim. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/29 "2018-09-02T00:45:46Z")
I see the variety packs a lot at the store. My daughter makes it with milk, she really enjoys it that way. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/30 "2018-09-02T01:11:26Z")
I just completely ignore the instructions on the box, pull a mug of hot water from the Keurig, dump in the packet, stir, and then let it sit for a minute. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/31 "2018-09-02T02:07:40Z")
What am I missing here? Complaining that instant oatmeal is crap is like saying frozen pizza is terrible. I’m not trying to threadshit but if you want good oatmeal make it the right way. Right? ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/32 "2018-09-02T03:18:30Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I wonder if my microwave is over cooking it? > > The water boils over and out of the bowl. I don’t use instant oats, and Quaker is not available in Indonesia where I did most of my shopping until recently, but I had the same problem when using the microwave. And nothing I tried (lower temperatures, shorter cooking time, stopping in the middle to let the oats rest) really solved the problem… …until I finally got a brand of oats that actually discussed the tendency of oats to overflow. The solution? Microwave the oats in a really big bowl that accommodates the bubbling up. Seems like the obvious solution, but embarrassingly enough it did elude me. These days I eat Coach Oats (which are weirdly grainy compared to oat flakes, supposedly to keep the texture less mushy) because that’s what CostCo sells. They are pretty good, although I don’t find traditional oats objectionable in any way. ---
**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:** [September 2, 2018, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/33 "2018-09-02T03:20:42Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > What am I missing here? Complaining that instant oatmeal is crap is like saying frozen pizza is terrible. I’m not trying to threadshit but if you want good oatmeal make it the right way. > > Right? What you’re missing is that aceplace remembered liking instant oatmeal when he ate it as a kid, and, decades later, when he tried it, it didn’t match up with his memories. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/34 "2018-09-02T04:02:15Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > What you’re missing is that aceplace remembered liking instant oatmeal when he ate it as a kid, and, decades later, when he tried it, it didn’t match up with his memories. Ah, ok then. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/35 "2018-09-02T04:28:38Z")
The best, quickest and simplest way: 1. Use plain, ordinary rolled oats, not instant. 2. Cover with cold water and soak overnight (okay, you have to remember to do this the night before). 3. In the morning, pour off the water. 4. Zap it in the microwave for a short time to heat it up. 5. Add milk and whatever else you want. _ **It takes 30 seconds before bed, and 1 min in the morning.** _ Delicious, ready to eat, and not mushy. No pots to clean, nothing special needed. You can also add raisins or other dried fruit to the oats when you soak them overnight. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/36 "2018-09-02T04:45:33Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I wouldn’t have the time before going to work. > > Instant is the choice on weekdays. You’re pressed for time in the morning, I get that and I’m not going to even pretend to tell you what you should do. This is how I do oatmeal. It’s a fraction of the cost of the instant packets with much better nutrition. It takes all of about two minutes active time to make plus a 15-20 minute rest before eating. 1/4 cup old fashioned oats (not quick oats - just plain Quaker rolled oats) 1/4 cup steel cut oats 1/4 cup dried cranberries 1 tablespoon hulled sunflower and/or pumpkin seeds 1 tablespoon powdered milk 1 tablespoon orange flavored Psyllium fiber booster All this goes into one of [these](https://www.thermos.com/food-storage/genuine-thermos-brand-stainless-king-vacuum-insulated-stainless-steel-food-jar-with-spoon-16oz.html) wide mouthed food thermos bottles. Top up with boiling water, seal and shake it. Come back later for a hearty and piping hot breakfast. If you’re running late, take it out the door with you and eat later. It will still be hot. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/37 "2018-09-02T05:05:59Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I found a kindred spirit on this blog. > > This is how I prefer oatmeal. The flakes are easily seen. They aren’t mush. > [Chef Tess Bakeresse: Good Old Fashioned Oatmeal](http://cheftessbakeresse.blogspot.com/2009/03/good-old-fashioned-oatmeal.html?m=1) > > She used old fashioned oats. I wouldn’t have the time before going to work. > > Instant is the choice on weekdays. Now see, that’s a bit how I like it to look when it comes out of the microwave. You put JUST enough water in to barely cover it. Then when it comes out, I like to add milk, to make it thicker. I’ve always found that some of the water evaporates and soaks in when I heat it. Maybe your microwave is different. I think adding just that bit of milk to stir it makes a real difference, and putting in real brown sugar, rather than just buying flavored, is much better. (Plus you can’t find cinnamon brown sugar, just maple. I hate maple oatmeal) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/38 "2018-09-02T05:28:43Z")
Does pouring boiling water from the kettle not work anymore? It’s really frustrating that nobody will disclose the power level of the _u_wave oven that the directions are standardized to. Then you can adjust either the power level or the cooking time. ---
**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:** [September 2, 2018, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/39 "2018-09-02T05:51:38Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > It’s really frustrating that nobody will disclose the power level of the _u_wave oven that the directions are standardized to. Then you can adjust either the power level or the cooking time. Agreed. I’ve seen some microwaveable products that do list the wattage assumption. For example,[Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches](https://www.jimmydean.com/products/sandwiches/breakfast/sausage-egg-and-cheese-croissant-sandwiches) indicate “Directions were developed using an 1100-watt microwave oven.” From what I can see on the product pages for Quaker Instant Oatmeal, they don’t specify (only saying “Microwave ovens vary in power. Cooking time may need to be adjusted.”) OTOH, their package _does_ list the “add boiling water to dry oats” directions, so there is that. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616/40 "2018-09-02T14:02:49Z")
> [@eunoia](#): > > I’m boycotting Quaker products for the rest of my life since seeing [this photo](https://i.imgur.com/2LH6mpf.jpg) online. So they cut the size down by 1/4 but still show the same bowl picture. (Which of course doesn’t reflect the amount in either size anyway.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-instant-oatmeal-change/820616.md?page=3)