No more microwave

[jenneology]

Our microwave burnt a hole in itself and I'm considering taking the opportunity to not replace it. That would require some big changes in our family since I used to love me my microwave. Any tips/supplies that you use to keep a microwave free home?

[katelove]

I didn't have a microwave until 3 weeks ago and I only have one now cos it's in the place we are living.

It depends what you normally use it for I guess.

For cooking veges, a stove-top steamer is great - just one of those double saucepans where the top one has holes in the base.

For reheating things I either use a saucepan or a covered caserole dish. I usually add a little bit of water to both (more if using the stove top).

Popcorn can be done in a frying pan with a close fitting lid.

I melt chocolate in a metal mixing bowl on top of a saucepan of hot water.

Can't think of anything else but I don't think I've ever come across anything that I couldn't do because I didn't have a microwave and I don't think I have any special equipment. If I think of anything I'll come back.

[Cutie Patootie]

We have been microwave free for years now. The best thing we found to have on hand is an electric kettle. They heat water super fast and you can pour it into a pot to steam leftovers fast instead of having to wait to boil water. Also a steamer insert for your pots. We have found that we can reheat food with the steamer as quickly as we did with the microwave, and it heats through and keeps it moist.

My mom comes to visit us once a month. She lives about 12 hours away and she is used to not using a microwave when she visits us. We have been visiting her for the past 3 weeks and one evening I saw her getting out the steamer. I asked her what she was making thinking she was going to steam some veg for dinner and she said, "I am just reheating some leftovers." They have a microwave and use it religiously, but she said, "tastes better this way and it's just as fast". Woot! I have officially converted her. LOL

[artemis33]

A toaster oven is great for reheating things like pizza without having to heat the whole oven. I also use small ramekins to heat other things in there.

Stove top also works well - just add a little water/milk/broth to whatever you are heating.

I use a small stainless pitcher (like for milk frothing) to melt butter or heat small amounts of liquid on the stove top for a recipe.

Another vote for popcorn popped on the stove! I use a covered stainless pot. yum!

[organicmom3]

We stopped using our microwave about two years ago. Honestly after about 2 months I didn't even miss it. We did purchase a convection oven and that does help with heating up leftovers in glass bowls, melting cheese on crackers for a snack etc. Using the stove for leftovers is really not that long either...I think we just use to think it would take longer than it really does.
We make our own popcorn on the stove too...we use coconut oil and it tastes great...like the old fashioned movie popcorn before they started using nasty stuff!
I'm trying to remember what we even used the microwave for? I did purchase a cheap 'electric' tea kettle....(I'm not patient waiting for water for my tea) and that thing heats up water in seconds! It's great!

Good luck! It is so much healthier without!!!!

[jenneology]

Can someone post a link to the steamer you are describing? I'm not sure I've ever seen something like it.

[MyLilPwny]

We haven't used a microwave in over 5 years now. Mostly the stove top is used for warming food. When I used to work, I had my own convection oven that I kept at my work desk to warm up my lunch. The convection oven also works nicely at home for warming up things and baking small things that fit in the oven.

[staceychev]

to what all the PPs said. We gave our loaner microwave back to the in-laws about six months ago, after it sat relatively unused for a year.

There's only one thing I miss it for: I have what I refer to as a "hot bag." It's a bag filled with some sorts of grains and herbs, and I would heat it in the microwave and then put it on my shoulders or wherever was aching or needing comfort. I've switched to a hot water bottle (which is what I used before I got the hot bag), but it's not as satisfying. Quick thread hijack: does anyone have any ideas for heating this without a microwave?

[LianneM]

Ditto to all of the above! We don't miss ours at all. I love my convection toaster oven for reheating as well as a cast iron pan and steamer pot insert (link - this is the one I have).

[katelove]

Originally Posted by staceychev

to what all the PPs said. We gave our loaner microwave back to the in-laws about six months ago, after it sat relatively unused for a year.

There's only one thing I miss it for: I have what I refer to as a "hot bag." It's a bag filled with some sorts of grains and herbs, and I would heat it in the microwave and then put it on my shoulders or wherever was aching or needing comfort. I've switched to a hot water bottle (which is what I used before I got the hot bag), but it's not as satisfying. Quick thread hijack: does anyone have any ideas for heating this without a microwave?

I'm pretty sure you can heat them in the oven but it's obviously quite a bit slower.

[momofelise]

We've gone without a microwave for around five or six years now. We just reheat things up on the stove (we don't even use a steamer, although that sounds like a good idea!). It only took a couple of weeks to get used to not having one, and I don't miss it at all. It really doesn't take long to reheat food in a pot. If I need to, I'll add a little water or olive oil.

[GoGoGirl]

I haven't had a microwave since I moved in with DH five years ago. It does depend what you usually use your microwave for. I tend to just eat leftovers cold, out of the fridge (it's more fun in the summer than the winter ) and make food that tastes ok eaten cold. Although I like the idea of reheating stuff in a steamer! I'm definitely going to try that.

[Cutie Patootie]

Originally Posted by staceychev

There's only one thing I miss it for: I have what I refer to as a "hot bag." It's a bag filled with some sorts of grains and herbs, and I would heat it in the microwave and then put it on my shoulders or wherever was aching or needing comfort. I've switched to a hot water bottle (which is what I used before I got the hot bag), but it's not as satisfying. Quick thread hijack: does anyone have any ideas for heating this without a microwave?

Set it on your heating vent, or the like. Dh said the only thing microwaves were good for were warming our yummy thick socks in the winter. I miss that.

[jenneology]

This has been great for me! Thank you for all of the responses. We are a few more days into the no microwave journey and its going really well. I haven't been missing it much at all. Now to get rid of the one that is taking up valuable counter space. It will be amazing to have that space available! Another reason why I might not want to go back.

A question on the steamer: when cooking with it, do you use a lid?

[katelove]

Originally Posted by jenneology

This has been great for me! Thank you for all of the responses. We are a few more days into the no microwave journey and its going really well. I haven't been missing it much at all. Now to get rid of the one that is taking up valuable counter space. It will be amazing to have that space available! Another reason why I might not want to go back.

A question on the steamer: when cooking with it, do you use a lid?

Yep, to keep the steam concentrated around the food. A bit of steam always escapes but the lid needs to be fairly close fitting.

[jenneology]

Thats what I thought, thanks.

[JamieCatheryn]

Before my microwave broke the main thing I used it for was thawing chicken breasts. I learned to thaw everything in a bag in cold water in the sink instead. DH is a little lost about reheating leftovers without, but I just toss them in a saucepan or frying pan, cover, and heat them up.

[jenneology]

Originally Posted by JamieCatheryn

Before my microwave broke the main thing I used it for was thawing chicken breasts. I learned to thaw everything in a bag in cold water in the sink instead. DH is a little lost about reheating leftovers without, but I just toss them in a saucepan or frying pan, cover, and heat them up.

I'm finding its almost as quick as the microwave too. With the added benefit of not leeching BPA into my food.

Today I am going to take the microwave off the counter. Next step, take it to the electronics graveyard.