Financial Benefits of Microwaves, Enough To Outweigh the Risks?

[Kaitnbugsmom]

Put here because of the financial aspect being the one I'm troubled with most.

I know there are questions ethically/nutritionally regarding microwaves, but what do you do when the benefits to a very tight budget outweigh those questions? When the microwave could easily save the family some much needed money? Not to mention cut drastically down on our overall food waste?

We/I have been giving in far too often to the urge to just pick something up rather than cook lunch, and occasionally dinner. Alot of leftovers have been getting pitched because of lack of desire to spend the time reheating them on the stove or in the oven. There is a huge inventory liquidation sale going on at a local appliance store {mom and pop type that may well go bankrupt, not annual type liquidation from a chain} I could get a $$$ microwave with broiler capability for the cost of a walmart knockoff without the broiler option. The money saved would be a huge benefit to our family. And it's not like I'd be microwaving every meal so not all nutrition would vanish from our diet. In fact the nutrition would likely improve, with the substantial drop in visits to McD's, Long Johns, etc.

What would 'you' do?

[laura-belle]

I would get the microwave--microwaved food has to be healthier than fast food. (But I'm really not a purist on that particular issue, so YMMV.)

[dachshundqueen]

Based on your situation, I would purchase it.

Liz

[Charmie981]

Originally Posted by Kaitnbugsmom

In fact the nutrition would likely improve, with the substantial drop in visits to McD's, Long Johns, etc.

I think this is your answer. Not only is eating out unhealthy for your budget, it's hard on your physical health. If nuking something occasionally will save you from eating out, it will be better for your financial and physical health. Besides, all those fast food places nuke food, too. When/if you get to a place where you are less likely to be tempted to eat out, THEN you can ditch the microwave again.

[Kaitnbugsmom]

Originally Posted by Charmie981

I think this is your answer. Not only is eating out unhealthy for your budget, it's hard on your physical health. If nuking something occasionally will save you from eating out, it will be better for your financial and physical health. Besides, all those fast food places nuke food, too. When/if you get to a place where you are less likely to be tempted to eat out, THEN you can ditch the microwave again.

*nodyes* This is my line of thinking. When the older kids were in school full time, obviously I had more time to cook, didn't have as much to cook at lunch time, etc {plus the toddler can chow on just about anything incl pb & j and be perfectly happy, the older kids not so much} Once dh finishes school, dinners will be far easier *hopefully* since we can adjust our schedules to his schedule, move dinner earlier or later, etc.

[celestialdreamer]

Personally I don't own one and I am not a fan of them. We heat up leftovers almost daily on the stove or in our convection toaster oven. I could see in your situation that it might be a benefit to have one if you are okay with them. You might consider looking at a convection toaster oven though, I find that they heat food up fairly quick. I do on occasion miss the instant gratification of a microwave, but it usually only takes about 10 minutes for me to heat up lunch without one.

[Yooper]

Most fast food restaurants and many regular restaurants microwave their food. So not only are you paying more for it, you are still getting nuked food. I would buy a wave in your situation. I do not like them myself but find that I do use ours when in a pinch. Waved homemade lentil soup is still far cheaper and healthier than anything I could juts pick up somewhere.

[laohaire]

Originally Posted by dachshundqueen

Based on your situation, I would purchase it.

Liz

That.

[Kyamo]

I know that microwaving can destroy certain nutrients, but every method of cooking/heating does that to some extent. Which is worse depends on which food, how long its cooked, how hot, how much water, etc.

So I do not beleive that food that has been microwaved is automatically unhealthy. We have a microwave and heat up leftovers all the time. I am sure that heating up yesterdays home-cooked meal is healthier (and cheaper) than going out for fast-food!

[hippie_mommy]

Originally Posted by celestialdreamer

Personally I don't own one and I am not a fan of them. We heat up leftovers almost daily on the stove or in our convection toaster oven. I could see in your situation that it might be a benefit to have one if you are okay with them. You might consider looking at a convection toaster oven though, I find that they heat food up fairly quick. I do on occasion miss the instant gratification of a microwave, but it usually only takes about 10 minutes for me to heat up lunch without one.

I agree. We are very happy with our convection toaster oven, but it does take a bit longer than a microwave. It sounds like a microwave may be the best choice for you. I don't particularly like the texture of microwaved food, so that also drives my decision

[HappyMommy2]

The microwave is the best for quickly heating up leftovers. I wouldn't live without one anymore. When the kids need something quick, the mic is FAR better than MacD's.

[CameronsMama]

I must confess, I use my microwave a lot. Too often probably, but it saves us from eating out. If I were in your situation, OP, I would get the microwave. Having a microwave really cuts down on how much food goes to waste here, and how much we eat out. Honestly, I'd prefer not to use it, but if I didn't have it, I know we'd eat out a lot more, and I know I'd throw away a lot more food.

[Juvysen]

I hardly use mine, but I do occasionally use it to heat leftovers when I'm too lazy to do it on the stove.

I do use it for heating corn cuddlers (heating bags filled w/corn), which makes it so we can keep the heat lower in the winter...

[lmonter]

I'd get a microwave. Of course, I grew up with a behemoth one taking up a counter in our dining room (it's at least 20yo and still working!), and I've had a smaller (newer!) one since college. Don't use it every day or anything, but enough that it's definitely worth it for us.

Reheating leftovers, quickly defrosting pre-cooked taco meat or ground beef for whatever purpose, nuking a casserole when it's too darned hot out to even think of turning on the oven, etc.
I've also roped it into helping me with canning - boiling apples/pears in a microwave-safe bowl takes less time/power than doing it on the stove (and when you're talking about hundreds of pounds of fruits, the time and energy adds up). And slightly safer with kidlets around since the stove is across the kitchen from my main prep counter that does happen to have the microwave on it.