Anyone gone microwave free - need tips.

[NaturalJo]

I totally realize not everyone is concerned about the dangers of microwaves. I personally was concerned and read several articles and decided a few days ago to try going microwave free!

Has anyone else done this? I'd appreciate any tips on reheating different things. Obviously the oven and stove top can work quite well for quite a few things but I'm just wondering if a toaster oven is the way to go? I don't have on of those.

Thanks so much!

NaturalJo

"Make time for the quiet moments, as God whispers and the world is loud." ~ unknown

[StaceyS]

I lived without one for 3 months. I just got one because a friend had one sitting around. I mostly use my stove/oven. All I've used the microwave for is re-heating a few cups of coffee. I keep it un-plugged.

[larabelle]

I tried to go microwave free a couple years ago. I was also trying to eat only raw foods. I moved the microwave out of the kitchen as I planned to give it to the GoodWill....well I just could not do it. I ended up bringing it back into the kitchen and I use it constantly.

[happimommi]

We use ours mostly for popcorn, frozen veggies and heating water for hot chocolate. And since I have given up microwave popcorn, we use it even less. I think a toaster oven would work great. Personally, I have reheated food in the microwave, it is always soggy.

[quiltergirl2]

I've never had a toaster oven, but dh had one when he was single and loved it. If we had more counter space we would probably have one. I don't know why you couldn't use one to reheat things. You might think about a convection oven -- that's what my hubby wants now. They use a fan to circulate the heat so food cooks faster and at a lower temp.

I didn't replace my last microwave when it died. I don't really miss it. You do have to plan ahead a little bit more. For instance it takes a lot longer to bake potatoes in the oven. I bought an old fashioned tea kettle and use it to heat water -- but of course you can just use a saucepan. I also bought an electric popcorn popper, but you can also just use a covered pan and do it on the stovetop. It's a good idea to have a dedicated pan just for popcorn though. The microwave bags are certainly convenient, but I don't really like the oil they use. I can also use whatever seasonings I want when I pop it myself -- my favorites are dill and chili powder/garlic.

[Hucky]

I am a bit the same way, only have one because it was given to me. Use it to reheat stuff. Saves time or wouldnt use for that either.

[britbunny]

Hi everyone,

We haven't had a microwave for years, I never really wanted one but we were given one so I kept it for a while... tbh, I'm not sure what anyone uses them for so can't really offer any tips - other than to remember to take something out of the freezer the night before so your evening meal is defrosted in time (I've never been so organised! lol)

(edited for terrible spelling)

[TheRootedNomad]

Several months back we had thought our very old microwave had died. (think I even posted a thread about going microwave free myself) Anyway, other than making baking more convient (melt butter, chocolate easier) I didn't miss it. Of coarse then my DH realized it needed a latch or something and we haven't had any more problems with it. But it won't be replaced when it goes. ...I just use my coffee pot to heat up hot water as I don't have a tea kettle.

[MsRetro]

I have not had one in my entire adult life.

I use a toaster over to reheat most things. Others, like pasta or stew, I reheat on the stove. Add a bit of water to keep everything moist.

Microwave popcorn is an expensive, overly packaged, chemical-laden rip-off. I bought a stove-top popcorn popper for $4 at a thrift store, and we use it a couple of times a week. You can make flavored popcorn easily by adding seasonings to the oil.

[imforpeace]

I'm afraid we wouldn't last without it.

[kimmer182]

We haven't gone microwave free but we have gone teflon free (almost, I have one teflon pan left.)