topic Re: Microwave: heating or cooking? in Community Chat

Microwave: heating or cooking?

mormel20 — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 19:08:09 GMT

The only thing I cook in the microwave is baked potato. Otherwise I just use it to warm up food. Do you actually cook with your micowave? I am just curious if people cook in theirs or only heat up things.

Re: Microwave: heating or cooking?

phoenixbrd — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 19:20:23 GMT

Use it as infrequently as possible.....husband will heat up his coffee in the microwave.

Re: Microwave: heating or cooking?

kaydee50 — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 19:23:00 GMT

We use it frequently. That and the refrigerator are the only 2 kitchen appliances I need--LOL!!!

Re: Microwave: heating or cooking?

shoekitty — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 19:27:12 GMT

I keep my microwave in garage. I use to reheat stuff, defrost once in a blue moon. I don't like the EMF coming at me in the kitchen. It takes up space in my smaller kitchen, with coveted cupboard space. JMHO

Re: Microwave: heating or cooking?

On It — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 19:28:28 GMT

We mostly use our microwave for heating. I do have a few recipes that I cook in the microwave. I do not want to be without one.

Re: Microwave: heating or cooking?

kate2357 — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 19:29:13 GMT

The only thing I "cook" in the microwave is popcorn and we don't do that very often.

I do use the microwave everyday to heat up water in my coffee cup prior to making my espresso. I would say we use it 99% of time for heating only.

Re: Microwave: heating or cooking?

spent2much — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 19:41:08 GMT

We use it for heating up coffee. We also use it for heating up our dog's food (breakfast and supper). Sometimes I'll heat certain foods, like a baked potato, and finish cooking it in our little oven. We use it a LOT, but not for strictly cooking.

Re: Microwave: heating or cooking?

Tinkrbl44 — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 19:51:38 GMT

You can't beat it for heating things up!

Not much I can actually "cook" in the microwave other than an occasional frozen entree for lunch.

Having said that ... we have been experimenting with cooking various fall squash ... butternut, spaghetti, acorn, kamboocha etc etc. Each takes about an hour in the oven. My sister said she was very happy with cooking her last squash in the microwave .... ten minutes and it was done to perfection. I am definitely going to try that!

Re: Microwave: heating or cooking?

Tinkrbl44 — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 19:55:11 GMT

@shoekitty wrote:
I keep my microwave in garage. I use to reheat stuff, defrost once in a blue moon. I don't like the EMF coming at me in the kitchen. It takes up space in my smaller kitchen, with coveted cupboard space. JMHO

@shoekitty

If that's your preference, fine. But I don't think it matters that much ... we have radiation coming at us from our computers, televisions, wi-fi modems, other devices .... I'm just not sure it helps much to not use a microwave.

Re: Microwave: heating or cooking?

chickenbutt — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 19:56:23 GMT

I can't recall cooking anything in the microwave. Oh, somebody mentioned popcorn. I have done that numerous times.

I use it for heating things up - leftovers for the next meal, some water for decaf tea or hot chocolate, etc.

I can't really think of anything else I would want to actually cook in the microwave. I have a stove/oven, too, and a countertop convection oven, so I'm set for cooking stuff.

Re: Microwave: heating or cooking?

shoekitty — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 20:11:25 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 I think I got in the habit years ago when the info first came out. Now it is a matter of space, need and looks. I would rather have my space in kitchen than microwave. We have one in garage,and we do use it. We don't have many electronics in home. I have one small 19 inch tv downstairs, and one smaller in den. Lol. I know, I know. I am the source of ridicule in my family. But I don't really watch tv, and I don't like a big one staring at me. Just preference.

Re: Microwave: heating or cooking?

faeriemoon — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 20:15:11 GMT

Heating only. Generally, coffee, as I like HOT coffee.

Re: Microwave: heating or cooking?

Puppy Lips — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 20:16:24 GMT

I have a meatloaf recipie that goes in the microwave and it turns out great. Other than that, I think just popcorn and heating stuff up. If I were more of a cook, I am sure I would use it more.

Re: Microwave: heating or cooking?

SeaMaiden — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 20:20:51 GMT

@mormel20 I use my microwave for everything. Could not live without it!

Re: Microwave: heating or cooking?

shoptilyadropagain — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 20:24:03 GMT

Heating up leftovers only....except for an occasional baked potato.

Re: Microwave: heating or cooking?

PA Mom-mom — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 20:33:12 GMT

@mormel20 I use it for reheating but also for steaming fresh broccoli. If I cut the broccoli into florets and place into a bowl with a pat of butter (well maybe two pats) and some kosher salt, I don't have to use any water. I just cover the bowl and steam for 3 1/2 minutes, stir and continue for one minute more. The grandchildren can't figure out how come my broccoli is so much better! They like it better than roasted.

Re: Microwave: heating or cooking?

Mz iMac — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 20:33:28 GMT

The only things I "cook" in my microwave are the microwavable sweet potatoes & microwavable russetts.

Re: Microwave: heating or cooking?

CelticCrafter — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 20:46:19 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:
The only things I "cook" in my microwave are the microwavable sweet potatoes & microwavable russetts.

All potatoes are microwavable. You don't need to buy specially wrapped and labled potatoes.

Re: Microwave: heating or cooking?

SilleeMee — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:59:49 GMT

To me putting anything in the microwave isn't really 'cooking' (the skilled practice of preparing food), it's heating. Big difference.

Re: Microwave: heating or cooking?

QVCkitty1 — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:55:57 GMT

I cook some vegetables in the micro, otherwise it's use for reheating.