The Healthy Slice

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Life After Microwave

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It’s been 6 months since our microwave met an early death. To be honest it had way more features on it than I’d ever even think to use. Mostly it rewarmed leftovers and tea and quickly baked an occasional potato. It was originally purchased by the Caveman 5 years ago, on an impulse no less. We needed a dishwasher but surprise! He came home with receipts for a (totally unneeded) new microwave and double oven too. I’ll let you imagine the ‘discussion’ that ensued. I doubt he’ll ever do that again.
Microwave bit the dust at a time there was lots going on: The sewer pipe fiasco of 2013. The telltale gravel patch in our driveawy from that incident glares at me daily, awaiting paving.
Since we’ve been sans microwave, leftovers are heated in a toaster oven or on the stovetop. Hot drinks are rewarmed on the stovetop as well. The only real ‘pain’ is potatoes, which take a long time in the oven. First world problem.
Growing up, we had no microwave. Although apparently counter top units were available in 1967, I don’t think my parents got one until the 80’s. Heck we didn’t have a dishwasher (well we did, it was me).
Now, six months later, I’m thinking I don’t want or need a new microwave oven at all. Question is what to do with the under cabinet/above stovetop space? I’m thinking an aquarium might be nice…maybe a little toasty…

Could you live without a microwave? Is there an appliance you especially love? Has your significant other made a large purchase without you and lived to tell about it?

Comments

  1. This is an interesting one! I use it to heat up my steel cut oats in the morning but not much else. I certainly don’t “cook” in it. Now my parents and all their processed foods, that’s another story!

    I’d put in a warmer oven in that spot…

  3. I don’t feel too dependent on mine. We are lucky enough to have a gas stove, so random power outages were the first way I learned to do anything on the stove. Also, certain things just don’t do well in the microwave. When guests at the restaurant say they don’t want to take their sweet potatoes home because they don’t reheat well, I ask them if they have an oven. It’s amazing to see the quizzical looks as they say “Oh, really?? I can use my… oven?”

  4. How funny! Ours bit the dust over 3 months ago. We’ve gone shopping, compared brands online … and there we stopped. It was never an issue of not affording a new one … just that we are too lazy to actually decide on one. And we are doing just fine!!! I think there are way too many microwave quick foods that are no good for us. And popcorn is always a million times better made on the stove. Kinda ruins leftover pizza and Chinese food, though.

  7. Oh wow! What an interesting discussion! I use the microwave all the time to reheat leftovers so I don’t know how I would cope without one. In terms of other kitchen appliances that I use a lot – my favorite is definitely the slow cooker. Such a time saver!!!

  9. Mine has been on the fritz for awhile and I could care less. the only downside is that I’m selling the house and buyers don’t want to see a broken appliance. I’m still not inclined to fix it. It really serves no purpose except to look like I’m from this century.

  10. I haven’t had a microwave in over a year, since I moved into this apartment. We also do not have a toaster, or a toaster oven. So basically if you can’t cook it in a regular oven or on the stove-top, it doesn’t happen! Not surprisingly, my diet has become much cleaner. It was easy on busy nights to just pop a frozen meal into the microwave…

  11. I use it so much, but not for microwave meals. I cook my porridge in the morning, I heat up soup or leftovers for lunch (I’m a hot food kind of girl) and sometimes use it to defrost meat for cooking in the evening. So I usually use it at least twice a day. I know I could survive without (we didn’t have one growing up either), but I do find it a useful device…

  12. I really can’t live without the microwave. I cook my vegies in it and the boys, who are rarely home at dinner time, reheat what I’ve made. Our last one died when I was making dinner one night and I sent Iven out immediately to replace it. Dinner was a little late.

  13. I have to say that I love my microwave. Our old one broke a couple years ago and we went without for a couple of weeks. I found that I just needed to be way more prepared since everything took way longer to defrost etc. I wouldn’t want to be without it:)

  14. Matt grew up without a microwave (his parents still don’t have one). When we bought our house, it came with a microwave and dishwasher built in. We rarely use either of them, the dishwasher especially. We love our toaster oven, though. 🙂

    My husband and I are really stingy people when it comes to most things, so we definitely consult the other and do research before making major (over $100 at once) purchases.

  15. We’ve never had one in our home (been here since 2005) and I always forget that people have them and use them! LOL! Relish that free space! 🙂

  16. I could live without a microwave. I use it to make popcorn and heat leftovers. Could not live without a toaster. Is that an appliance??? Ours bit the dust recently and my husband was impressed because I went to the cellar and came up with a new one. I was ready!

  20. I think we use our microwave every day!! Mostly to heat leftovers but Chris also warms his coffee and I defrost meat in it (don’t judge!!). We didn’t have one until I was in high school and it was humongous!!!
    I think if I had to choose between the microwave and my crock pots I would keep the crock pot!!

  22. I just moved and needed a microwave. I have lots of leftovers and reheating in the oven or stove wasnt working for me. I lasted 2 weeks before I got a thrift store one.

  24. Wow, we’d have a new one the very next day! However, we live in an apartment with the world’s WORST stove top/oven in the world (seriously, it takes us 40 minutes just to get the water boiling for pasta, nevermind cooking it!)

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