Microwave Cooking NOT Re-Heating Food. Is It Feasible (Word Of The Day) Lol
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
August 24, 2011 11:14am CST
I'm sat here wondering if I should be using my microwave more. It seems a shame that I only use it to heat beans up and even then it's not very often now due to my new regime!
All this came about after Mum told me over the telephone yesterday how awesome her new Panasonic Microwave is (I'd ordered it on her behalf from the John Lewis website, which was cheaper than Comet, would you believe) and she told me it's smaller than her other one but is like a Tardis on the inside!
Mine is like her old one..a different Panasonic that's bigger, certainly on the outside. Don't get me wrong, it's not old or anything but I feel like I should do more with it. How economical are they to use, for example.
I do have a book that goes with the microwave and I've been reading up on various recipes in there.
Up to now I've decided to microwave a couple of jacket spuds. This is in case my latest version of stew goes awry in my conventional, electric oven!
How often do you actually COOK using your microwave? I do have 3 Pyrex dishes of various sizes but that's about it as regards microwave-proof equipment. I know there are loads of new inventions for microwave cooking out there. Question is, are they any good?
All this came about after Mum told me over the telephone yesterday how awesome her new Panasonic Microwave is (I'd ordered it on her behalf from the John Lewis website, which was cheaper than Comet, would you believe) and she told me it's smaller than her other one but is like a Tardis on the inside!
Mine is like her old one..a different Panasonic that's bigger, certainly on the outside. Don't get me wrong, it's not old or anything but I feel like I should do more with it. How economical are they to use, for example.
I do have a book that goes with the microwave and I've been reading up on various recipes in there.
Up to now I've decided to microwave a couple of jacket spuds. This is in case my latest version of stew goes awry in my conventional, electric oven!
How often do you actually COOK using your microwave? I do have 3 Pyrex dishes of various sizes but that's about it as regards microwave-proof equipment. I know there are loads of new inventions for microwave cooking out there. Question is, are they any good?5 people like this
23 responses
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
25 Aug 11
I never bothered collecting microwave cookery equipment-pyrex or microwaveable dishes,maybe with clingfilm over them to contain splatters suits Me..I don't make use of my microwave for cooking from scratch on many occasions,but have found it good for doing baked potatoes and rice,it's excellent for making scrambled eggs,and there's a microwave made chocolate cake recipe online you make in a Mug that's not bad for something that only takes 5 minutes to make starting from having the ingredients in front of you! 
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
26 Aug 11
re: electric kettles, I guess it might be good, but we just heat the water - 8 minutes or less from tap to hot and that makes a good sized 4 cup measuring cup full, and that pretty much takes care of a cup'a hot tea for both me and the roomie - tho I don't drink hot drinks during the summer on the whole.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Aug 11
Yes, I've seen the chocolate cake in a mug too! Looks tempting I must say!
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
24 Aug 11
Hello Janey. I have a GE microwave. I do use it to give baking potatoes a head start. Fr me it seems like heating things like breads get tough as they cool down and I don't like the way meats taste when they are heated up in the microwave. I know you are supposed to be able to cook in them but I just use mine to heat vegetables up sometimes. It seems to me that what ever is heated in the microwave get cool faster then when heated on the stove. May it's my imagination but I think foods cooked the old fashioned way tastes better..
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169453)
• United States
24 Aug 11
The only way to decently re warm bread items in a microwave is to set them on a paper towel or napkin and keep the heating short, just a few seconds. I use my microwave for reheating often. The items you heat in the microwave should be stirred once halfway through heating and then let stand for the heat to go all the way through before you take it out. It does not heat evenly and that is why you will have the experience of it cooling quicker.
2 people like this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Aug 11
Thanks for your contributions. My jacket potatoes turned out well and only took 8 minutes or so to cook in the microwave. I shall bear this in mind in case I don't want mash or boiled potatoes!
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
25 Aug 11
I do a fair amount of cooking in the "nuke". Rice is a great one to do, potatoes are another. I have even seen ham and turkey done in a demo once, but I'm not sure I'd want to do so - at least the turkey, because I, for one, like stuffing and you can't nuke a stuffed one...
also, we heat water for tea in the "nuke" because we don't have those electric kettles you guys do
- oh, and I quite like the Tardis reference!
1 person likes this
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
25 Aug 11
I've noticed electric kettles in the US seem to be a rarely seen item,with many preferring coffee,but my Brother there has one,so they are available!
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Aug 11
I never knew the Yanks aren't into kettles..wow, I'd be lost without mine! Mum would DIE without hers as she's addicted to tea!
Watched Torchwood tonight and there were some really, REALLY naughty bits in it concerning that Barrowman bloke. I know he's gay but does he really have to bring it to the show!
I bet there's complaints but there again if it were two girls no-one would be bothered!
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
24 Aug 11
We were bought a Panasonic as a wedding present. It will be 25 in October! Apart from veg we have a steamer (£10 at Lakeland Plastics) in which we cook mostly fish. Microwave steaming is the bees knees I reckon. Other than that though it only gets used for defrosting and heating pitta/naan breads. You can do the most amazing things though including baking cakes allegedly! Never tried myself. But rice pudding ought to be easy.
1 person likes this
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
25 Aug 11
Rice Pud and Semolina both work good in the microwave 
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Aug 11
You're making me hungry now and that's not fair 'cos it's nearly 2am!
Yes, I've often thought about buying something plastic to go in a microwave. Are there special gadgets for poaching eggs as, normally eggs are a no-no!
Your Panasonic p1kef1sh1 sounds like the one Mum had in the 90s. Paid a fortune for a combination oven..remember them? She had that the longest and subsequent Panasonics haven't lasted as long. Perhaps it's due to the fact they're not made in the UK anymore.
What is these days?
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
24 Aug 11
I don't have a microwave any more, but when I did I hardly used it for anything apart from reheats. That was probably a bit of a waste of it's capabilities to be honest, but I could never get my head around the idea of actually cooking things in it. I believe that microwaves are pretty economical to use actually, so that's a good reason to try.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
24 Aug 11
Thanks for that. I feel the same way about mine which is the reason for me wanting to try something else in it. All machines tend to vary though with their cooking times.
I shall try the jacket spuds for now, see if the time specified is actually the time they cook in!
2 people like this
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
24 Aug 11
Sorry to burst your bubble, but I am against cooking with microwaves completely. I believe the hype that says the radiation will harm you or at least, I am wary enough to not want to take that chance. We do not own a microwave and are much happier that way. 
Throw it away. Get rid of the evil device! 
I would stick to using conventional heating methods if I were you. At least they have been proven for centuries!
Throw it away. Get rid of the evil device!
I would stick to using conventional heating methods if I were you. At least they have been proven for centuries! @RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
26 Aug 11
Oops! 
We had big bright lights on our last stove top, but only little ones on the one where we are now so it is harder to see if they are on or not. 
We had big bright lights on our last stove top, but only little ones on the one where we are now so it is harder to see if they are on or not. @Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
27 Aug 11
Our bulb's gone in the oven...just thought I'd mention it!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Aug 11
I have been known to leave the gas hob on and nearly burn myself when I've come to clean the top lol.
Hayho!
@GardenGerty (169453)
• United States
24 Aug 11
I cook potatoes, as you say, in the microwave all of the time. That is my answer to "convenience meals" Microwave a potato then top it with leftovers or something else you have cooked. I use it often to make fresh vegetables. I cook oatmeal in it. It is said to preserve the nutrients in veggies, it is faster and so it uses less energy to get things done. I like to core whole apples and then put a pat of butter inside, and walnuts and raising and cook that--so yummy. It is just one more tool for me.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Aug 11
That's a good way of looking at it..another tool in the kitchen. It's best not to get so hung up over it I suppose...and use it when the need arises, rather than forcing myself to find uses for it that may not happen again.
Hope that makes sense!
@alottodo (3056)
• Australia
25 Aug 11
I use my microwave a lot, I cook pasta, rice,casseroles, make soups, omelletes, scramble eggs, custards,sauces and even cakes and muffins! I use my microwave every day! it saves time and at the end of the day your electricity bill will be smaller!
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Aug 11
That's what I was thinking. Wow, you use yours a LOT don't you?
Good for you!
@thezone (9394)
• Ireland
24 Aug 11
I have never really cooked with the microwave and don't know many who do. I have done jacket spuds but they don't turn out the same as in the oven but then so much quicker lol. The microwave containers for eggs work and always good for a quick breakfast or snack. I think the microwave is more thought upon for reheating and defrosting and I have to say we would be lost without it. Popcorn does well in a microwave, if you like it unsalted as with no oil the salt does not stick to it.
Some of the microwave meal are not bad but very unhealthy but handy if ya can't be bothered to cook when tired.1 person likes this
) a few holes in the yolk first otherwise they explode! it is fun but cleaning the microwave after isn't lol@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Aug 11
It's funny..I'd hoped someone would mention a gadget for eggs. Don't eat them myself but hubby does. He's useless whenever I'm away at Mum's (doesn't cook) so a gadget for eggs in the microwave would be perfect.
Thanks for that!
@petersum (4522)
• United States
24 Aug 11
My microwave takes a lot of electricity so it is costly compared to the gas I usually use for cooking.
Then it is so noisy that it must annoy my neighbors!
I can't honestly say it cooks fast - it just doesn't!
Things have a strange smell after microwaving!
Er... Can't think of ANY good reasons to use a microwave for cooking.
Best microwave containers are used ice-cream tubs.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Aug 11
May I ask if it's an old microwave you have? I do know they vary though, even the new ones. Mum has got the same make of microwave she has always had and reckons it's better than her previous one..it's more compact, apparently. She did have a combination oven/microwave in the 90s and that was an awesome machine but extremely expensive to replace.
@walking2010 (1009)
• United States
24 Aug 11
Having a microwave is one of the best inventions you can put almost anything in the microwave, like noodles, hotdogs, macaronii, i mean the microwave is a great investment I don't use it alot but I use it enough to heat up the food I need to heat up.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Aug 11
Yes, I did a couple of jacket potatoes in there the other day and they turned out really well, in the space of 8 minutes or so.
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
24 Aug 11
Sadly I only re-heart things if I am in a hurry and or super hungry in the microwave. I do stare at the appliance from time to time and wonder why I don't use it often, but can't get rid of it as there are quick re-heating days.
I have only made baked potatoes, if we can call them that in the microwave. I like that within minutes they are hot and so soft as oppose to waiting over an hour in the oven. lol
I am not sure if microwave cooking is any good as I have not tied it but with some practice I am sure you will do well. Cooking lately for you has been really great. From all the discussions and pictures we have seen.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Aug 11
I've been staring at my microwave too lol. However, I cooked the jacket potatoes and they were really good, so that's one thing I can do in there, other than heat beans!
I believe they retain vitamins, etc, in vegetables better than boiling them but there again my steamer is used a lot so it will be tough ditching that.
Haha!
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
24 Aug 11
Well I would like to re-heart but it should read, re-heat. lol
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17239)
• China
25 Aug 11
Mine is not brand name ,made in our country.I only use it to heat up leftovers.It lies idle most of the time.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Aug 11
Get it sold on Ebay (only joking) lol.
1 person likes this
@SViswan (12051)
• India
29 Aug 11
I have an LG microwave and I mostly use it for re-heating stuff. That's the only thing I remember my mother using the microwave for. She doesn't use it for any type of cooking at all.
I've atleast given cooking in the microwave a shot. I've tried recipes from the book that came along with it and also from recipes I've found on the internet. Indian cooking is a little elaborate (the chopping,dicing,grating,etc)....and some things can't easily be done in the microwave. Except for grilled chicken, most of the dishes I've tried have come out good. But I prefer cooking on the gas stove than the microwave and I don't use the microwave often for cooking. I do bake brownies and a few cakes too.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
29 Aug 11
I used to bake in Mum's combination oven many years ago. It was a microwave combined with a convection and I could (either) use convection on its own or a combination of the two. There was also a grill in there.
Because Mum didn't use it for "proper" cooking as such which is the reason why she now just has a microwave only (as I do) but I did cook a couple of jacket potatoes in there the other day and they were really good, done in a fraction of the time.
Later on I shall microwave my salmon that has been marinating in the fridge. Last week I did the same recipe but in the oven and the salmon was slightly rubbery. The microwave should soften it more as I have cooked fillets in there before, albeit it the "basic" versions!
Later on I shall microwave my salmon that has been marinating in the fridge. Last week I did the same recipe but in the oven and the salmon was slightly rubbery. The microwave should soften it more as I have cooked fillets in there before, albeit it the "basic" versions!
@derek_a (10873)
•
25 Aug 11
Hi Janey, All we do with our microwave is to heat things up or to make butter soft when it comes out of the fridge. Some foods are OK in it, but I found that chicken ready-meals taste awful. The chicken seems to dehyrdrate and go stringy. I think it's because it's too fast. It's entirely different when we take it all out of the plastic container and put it in the slow cooker for a few hours. Everything tastes so much better when gradual, rather than the harsh heat of a microwave is used. OK for jacket potatotes though and stuff that can't really dehydrate too much. I am also a bit concerned about nuking up food before eating.. _Derek
_Derek@derek_a (10873)
•
26 Aug 11
Yes, I've noticed that with potatoes. We bought some cheaper ones from a van parked on the street, and they just seemed to turn to powder - if that's possible. I wonder if the guy had those old smash potatoe packets and molded them into round things, wrapped around something that looked like potatoe skin, let them cool and harden (maybe in a microwave), bagged them and sold them off cheap! Amazing what some people will do to make a buck! _Derek
_Derek
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Aug 11
Hiya Derek. Mum's had a microwave for as long as I can remember. The problem she has (especially on a Sunday) is that she has my brother and his son round for Sunday Dinner but they don't always turn up at the same time. She does try to avoid nuking the dinners as I know her grandson isn't that keen, and neither am I to be honest...whenever I'm there.
Beans is what I heat up but it's on for a full 5 minutes due to the fact the tins are stored in the fridge.
Nothing worse than cold beans although they CAN be eaten like that..apparently!
Oh, by the way, my jacket spuds nuked were awesome..but you must pick decent potatoes like Maris Pipers. Can't go wrong with them!
Oh, by the way, my jacket spuds nuked were awesome..but you must pick decent potatoes like Maris Pipers. Can't go wrong with them!1 person likes this
@chrislotz (8136)
• Canada
28 Nov 11
Hello janey1966 ,
I do occassionally use my microwave oven for cooking food but not as much as I should be. I have been given an interesting cookbook recently that is about as old as the first microwave that ever came out about 1975. I remember the date because my first born was born in 1975 and that is around the year they came out because I was one of the first in my family to get one and I remember using it to warm up his bottles. They were really expensive then and I remember I paid around $700 for it.
Anyways back to the subject of cooking. I have been looking through this cookbook I received recently and there are a lot of recipes that look really good. The thing about microwave cooking is it makes it a lot easier to prepare stuff. Recipes where you have to melt or soften stuff to mix it easier, like cheeses or butter.
So my advice to you is to look for the older cookbooks if you are going to buy one, one of the ones that came out around the late 70's and I think you will be more pleased with it than one of the newer cookbooks.
Cheers and happy mylotting my friend 
Talk to you soon, Chris
,
I do occassionally use my microwave oven for cooking food but not as much as I should be. I have been given an interesting cookbook recently that is about as old as the first microwave that ever came out about 1975. I remember the date because my first born was born in 1975 and that is around the year they came out because I was one of the first in my family to get one and I remember using it to warm up his bottles. They were really expensive then and I remember I paid around $700 for it.
Anyways back to the subject of cooking. I have been looking through this cookbook I received recently and there are a lot of recipes that look really good. The thing about microwave cooking is it makes it a lot easier to prepare stuff. Recipes where you have to melt or soften stuff to mix it easier, like cheeses or butter.
So my advice to you is to look for the older cookbooks if you are going to buy one, one of the ones that came out around the late 70's and I think you will be more pleased with it than one of the newer cookbooks.
Cheers and happy mylotting my friend
Talk to you soon, Chris @chrislotz (8136)
• Canada
28 Nov 11
No, I don't think the wattages were that much different as I do cook by the times they have in the book and I haven't ever had a problem. Funny I never thought about that at all, not even while I am cooking, besides you do have power levels and it tells in the cookbooks what power levels to use.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
28 Nov 11
Hello!
That's all very interesting (and thanks) but I have one question for you:-
"Aren't the wattages on microwaves higher now than in the 70s, therefore more efficient, so I guess the cooking times would have to be adjusted, if taken from old recipes?"
That's all very interesting (and thanks) but I have one question for you:-
"Aren't the wattages on microwaves higher now than in the 70s, therefore more efficient, so I guess the cooking times would have to be adjusted, if taken from old recipes?"1 person likes this
@jdyrj777 (6528)
• United States
26 Aug 11
I was my microwave all the time. I live alone so usually i just grab a pyrex casserole dish with a lid. put veggies and about 1/2 or 1/4 cup rice or noodles depending on the amout of veggies used. Some chicken and some water. Zapp it. Caution interrupted cooking is better because if you continuously cook the water will overrun. Experiment with it. Any way i let it cool a few min then just eat right out of the dish. Thats real chicken flavor rice not junk from a box. In fact ive found using a oversized casserole dish works better because the water is less likely to overrun. I couldnt do without the microwave.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
27 Aug 11
Good for you that you have found such a brilliant use of your microwave, without resorting to junk food.
I'm impressed!
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
26 Aug 11
Sometimes I feel like there's already a lot of ready-made food products out there to truly appreciate real cooking. And then if it were done through a microwave, which I don't really consider as real cooking, then there is another sacrifice in terms of taste.
I still have to see a microwave recipe that could change my mind.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
27 Aug 11
Mmm, I know what you mean. Nothing beats the waft of food cooking in a conventional oven is there?
@inertia4 (27978)
• United States
26 Aug 11
Microwaves are not great to cook with. They are real good at heating things up. Or if you make fresh vegetables and have a microwave steamer, you could steam your veggies in it. It is also good for frozen foods, like those frozen pizza's or mozzarella sticks or something. You could also defrost meat with it. But forget about cooking with a microwave. Things do come better in the oven. Although I have heard that the hot air convection ovens are much better then microwave ovens. But, I still think the oven is the best. Now, don't forget, the microwave is electric and a stove may not be, if you use gas.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
27 Aug 11
Our oven is electric and the hob is gas. At the time we thought the combination of fuels would be cheaper. Since then both types of fuel have rocketed in price so we haven't gained anything regarding savings on bills. However, I think an electric oven MAY be more economical to run than a gas one. This may be the reason why electronic slow cookers have increased in their popularity, especially for those who work all day but want some homely food to come back to, rather than junk. I sold mine on ebay but I wasn't on this cooking regime back then. However, I don't often slow cook anyway, only the meat for my pies.
@inertia4 (27978)
• United States
27 Aug 11
Well, maybe where you live electric is cheaper, but here in the U.S. it is expensive. Con Edison keeps raising the rates. Enjoy your cooking, some of the things you mention sound delicious. Well, not that you sold your slow cooker, you might need another one. Happy cooking.
