The kitchen appliance you might be better off without.
July 14th, 2010
Look at all that counter space! Man oh man! I used to live in a teeny tiny studio apartment and would have given my left eye for counterspace like this!
And now it’s mine, all mine. The toaster oven can breathe and I can easily make room to roll out pizza dough. Clearly I don’t live in a studio apartment anymore, but the real reason I have so much extra counter space is because we got rid of our microwave.
*GASP!*
I know, I know! Super crazy stuff. Can you imagine life without a microwave? Probably not. I couldn’t. I first had a microwave when I was about 10 years old. It was one of those old ones with woodgrain and a wind-up dial timer.
I grew up with microwave dinners and reheated leftovers and even tea water heated in mugs in the good ol’ microwave. Not to mention microwave popcorn! Heck, I’m a child of the microwave era! Most of my friends don’t even know how to cook without a microwave and on our recent vacation most of us (myself included) didn’t know how to light the pilot light in our rented house’s oven!
So…what would your life be like without a microwave?
More counterspace
Yes, yes yes!
No microwave dinners
That’s a good thing for your health. Have you read the ingredient labels on those?
Leftovers reheated on the stovetop or oven
Takes a bit longer. Hmmm. Honestly though, it doesn’t take THAT much longer. You’d be surprised. See, here I’m heating up some rice and it takes, oh, a minute or two.
Tea water heated in a teapot.
It almost makes too much sense.
No microwave popcorn
Did you know it’s super easy, much cheaper and healthier to make popcorn in a pot?
An improved attitude towards food
Ok, here I go…I think microwaves are a symbol of convenience at the expense of quality. Right? Everyone knows that stuff made in the microwave tastes rubbery and weird but we do it anyway because it’s easy. And we’re LAZY. We accept sub-par food because it saves us precious, precious time we could be checking our email or watching TV or updating our Facebook status. It’s time to reprioritize, people! The quality of your food creates the quality of your body, mind and life.
Slowing down a little
If Americans slowed down a teensy bit I think we’d be in a better place overall. Agreed? Stress is the #1 complaint I hear from my clients, friends and family. Everyone knows they need to relax. I think things like microwaves have created a culture of fast fast fast. Everything is a moment away, all the time. Living without a microwave means taking an extra few minutes to prepare a meal from scratch, or use a pan to reheat last night’s meal. This isn’t a bad thing. When everything is 1 button push away, we live life at a ridiculous, unsustainable pace. Heck, half of us are on medication to keep us from feeling overwhelmed and anxious. I’m not saying microwaves are the enemy. I’m just sayin’. Think about it.
I know it might sound nuts, so let me tell you how I came to live without my microwave and not miss it one bit. First, I decided I’d simply cut back on using it. I ate my brown bag lunches at room temperature instead of heating them up at work. Not a big deal depending on the lunch. I started experimenting with reheating stuff on the stovetop.
My husband (I never would have predicted this) liked the challenge of not using the microwave. So we just kept trying. We used it sometimes, but mostly we found a way not to. After about a year, the microwave was just sitting there collecting dust. It was my husband who suggested we get rid of it. I think I originally objected to this scary thought, but finally we agreed to put it in the basement.
And it’s still there, 2 years later.
I don’t even think about it anymore. The one drawback is probably that we have to wash more pots and pans because we are always using them for heating stuff up. But I prefer that to worrying about heating plastic containers in the microwave and I definitely enjoy my extra counter space!
What do you think, could you live without a microwave?
What a great post! I totally agree. We still have a microwave but do keep it unplugged on a side counter. It’s funny how we have decreased it’s use since we started this habit. Hmm…great minds think alike.
July 14th, 2010 at 12:26 pmDefinitely! I stopped using mine a month ago and I don’t miss it at all!! My intention is so slow down and really enjoy the meals I make with my kids. Using a microwave not only worried me but it also took away from that special time I have with my kids come dinner time
Great post!!
July 14th, 2010 at 12:36 pmI stopped using a microwave in college, and I have never looked back. I think I used it once in the past year (there is one in my apartment, and I cannot get rid of it). The food was gross, and it burned me to eat it. That was all it took for me. I often forget it even exists, and it shocks me when people suggest using it. I think I live in a different world than most of America. Thank you for reminding me that most people here still use these things, and thank you for supporting the death of them.
July 14th, 2010 at 12:56 pmYeah! Way to go! I think the only time I use a microwave is at the office for lunch. I reheat my own home-made food that I bring in daily. At home, I never use it and certainly not as a means of ‘cooking’ a meal! We have a built-in one that hogs up cabinet space. Reheating stuff on the stove or oven tastes WAY better!
July 14th, 2010 at 1:32 pmWe got rid of ours several months ago and really haven’t missed it. I occasionally will use the one at work but have found that most food tastes just fine at room temperature. Our convection toaster oven makes reheating leftovers super quick and easy. The only thing I will miss it for is to heat up our rice bag heating pads that I like to use to warm our bed up in the winter. I wonder if I could stick that in our toaster oven to heat it up instead?
July 14th, 2010 at 2:06 pmMy husband uses the micro a good deal to heat up meals (stuff I made ahead of time for him as well as the occasional frozen burrito). I rarely use it. In fact, if we didn’t have one…I don’t think I’d miss it at all! Ours its built above our oven, so it doesn’t take up counter space, but I just like the way fresh cooked foods vs. microwaved food tastes. Although! I must admit I do microwave a sweet potato every now and again.
July 14th, 2010 at 2:19 pmHey Michelle! Great article (as usual!) When I moved to Québec in October I was back in an apartment with no room for a microwave…. hmm… now that I think about it, I didn’t every really have space for a microwave, but somehow managed to cram one in. Anyway, I’ve been enjoying life (and more counter space) without a microwave since October. I’ve since moved and have more counter space than I have ever had before, but have no desire to get a microwave. It really is super easy to just heat stuff up on the stove
July 14th, 2010 at 2:42 pmWow, I’m so impressed that a lot of you guys don’t have microwaves either! I felt like I was the only one!
Kimberly – I was expecting someone to point out that it’s safer for kids to use the microwave than stove. But I think, to your point, an even better idea is to make food with your kids so they aren’t in a position of having to use the stove if they’re not old enough but they’re still helping!
Sara – You bring up an excellent point about the rice bags. Maybe you need some hot water bottles instead? I don’t want you setting fire to your house with rice bags in the oven or something!
July 14th, 2010 at 5:58 pmHey Michelle, you know, I hate to say it but I use my microwave a lot. Mostly just to reheat coffee from morning time. I do use it for reheating food when I need to though, and I’m not happy about it. I know I need to stop using it. I’ve read so much stuff about how it’s just not good health wise.
July 14th, 2010 at 6:46 pmWe’ll see. Maybe I’ll try like you did, and then determine if I should get rid of it.
p.s. Glad to be able to visit you again (smile).
My micro doesn’t take up bench space either, but I think the only thing I use it for is to soften butter for baking or spreading. Hmm, maybe I can use the microwave nook to store something else…
July 15th, 2010 at 3:36 amOkay, so this logic doesn’t work for me because our microwave is mounted over the oven. Ha, ha! Just kidding, I completely get the point.
I’m not ready to give mine up completely, but I agree with so many things you’ve said here. Several years ago I did a lot of the dinners and popcorn too, but no longer. I also can’t stand foods cooked in the micro like veggies. However, the main things we use it for right now are baked potatoes and melting butter for recipes or heating milk. That is about it. We’ve gone to heating a lot of leftovers back in the oven. Much better results!
July 15th, 2010 at 4:25 amLiving without a microwave is magic. Even more than more counter space- you actually have to give thought to meals too. What will you have, how will you re-heat or defrost… all those important goodies
July 15th, 2010 at 5:05 amI’ve never trusted microwaves! The way they cook doesn’t seem logical – some parts of a dish are overcooked while others are still cold. We had one for a while but it drew too much power and kept tripping the circuit breaker. So we got rid of it and bought a convection toaster oven, which does everything the microwave used to do, plus more (it actually makes toast and melts cheese, which the microwave couldn’t).
July 15th, 2010 at 5:15 amMine is set into the cabinets above my stove, but I rarely use it. If my next house doesn’t come with one, I will not buy one. I got rid of the toaster oven too and don’t miss it!
July 15th, 2010 at 7:39 amI’d like to think I could live without a microwave, but I’m sure I turn to it more times than I realize. I also don’t like dirtying pots just to reheat something, so they also help save time at the sink.
Jenn
July 15th, 2010 at 11:19 amI can’t imagine giving up my microwave, but I 100% agree that if I did, I would get used to it very quickly and not even miss it. Except maybe for softening butter?
July 15th, 2010 at 5:26 pmThis is so great! I have seriously thought about giving up my microwave because I could really use the counter space. Since I started cooking more homemade meals, which is almost all the time now, I hardly use my microwave. Occasionally warming things up, which most of the time it does a really crap job of it, and if I forget to take meat out of the freezer for dinner, I use it to defrost, which it also does a crappy job…it totally makes sense to get rid of it and kudos to so many of you who already have!
July 15th, 2010 at 7:20 pmMy first visit here and what a fantastic post! I couldn’t agree more.
July 16th, 2010 at 5:55 pmI rarely ever use the microwave, but the rest of my family would probably croak if I got rid of it! They use it a lot. I totally agree that using the stove doesn’t take as long as we think it will. I just feel better using the stove. Great post!
July 17th, 2010 at 4:13 amMy roommate recently brought up the heating up plastic thing since we do microwave a lot. It would be interesting to see if we could just go cold turkey for a while…maybe a microwave-free week?
July 17th, 2010 at 6:10 ami’m surprised Michelle! i thought you would mention the higher frequency radiation than using an oven which leads to cancer and weird food and such. (Please, no one quote me on this, because i don’t know science at all). i kist moved into a place with no microwave and i am looking forward to it, but the thing that reall scared me was the ancient, dirty stove. It had a pilot light and a manual light oven and they blew out all the time. Luckily the gas company condemned it as a safety hazard and my landlord’s replaced it. But in this day and age when we engineer safety features, you shouldn’t have to light a pilot light.
July 17th, 2010 at 8:12 pmBut great post on how life is healthier and better without a microwave.
I have just been browsing through the site and I love all your ideas for healthy eating. Glad you are finding life after the microwave so satisfying – microwaves aren’t the miracle they were once claimed to be – I find mine useful but the idea of living on microwave meals horrifies me. And I always appreciate extra bench space
July 18th, 2010 at 4:20 amMy hubby couldn’t stand the thought so we still have it on the counter, pretty much never used. My hubby will sometimes defrost in it when I’m not home. Other than that, I used to use it for 2 reasons only: to heat a single cup of tea, or to melt chocolate. I’m not really allowed chocolate any more, and I prefer my tea by the potful.
If we think back to our parents, they didn’t have microwaves (well, mine didn’t but I’m old!), and they got along just fine. It takes a wee bit more planning if you want to defrost dinner, but that’s about it.
July 18th, 2010 at 10:50 amInteresting thoughts…My family of 8 uses it a lot. Personally, I make a cup of tea, microwave popcorn in an Orville Redenbacher popper, which uses no oil, reheat leftovers, (convenient for my husband’s dinner, since he gets home late and I fix a plate for him), and sometimes I bake potatoes or cook veggies- just barely hot. Do we weigh the cost of these vs. conventional methods, plus clean-up time for extra pots, against what: are there health reasons not to use a microwave? I’ve heard some noise about plastics in the microwave, (and in water bottles). Early on (I’m kinda old, too) there were concerns about the safety of microwaves, and perhaps leakage. (Stand back while it’s going.) I must admit there are some things I’ve just been unwilling to investigate because I don’t want to make the change. But I know that I have to make some changes because I have a daughter with some autism-spectrum disorders and diet is huge in her recovery. I’m fairly convinced that our environment has a lot to do with the increased incidence of these disorders- the assault on our bodies by pesticides, preservatives, processing of food, pollution of everything, plus the sedentary, brain- stifling influences of TV and computers. I have tried, with limited success, to promote a healthier lifestyle in my family, but there are too many influences going at break-neck speed, especially as they get older. Not much of which has to do with microwaves, except that any attempt to do away with it would be met with more groans about their crazy health-nut mom whose only goal in life is to ruin their lives and make them miserable. Lighten up, Mom! My goal: lead ‘em to the water, and hope someday they’ll drink. My personal goal: grow old as gracefully and as healthily as I can.
July 19th, 2010 at 2:39 pmI only use microwave oven sporadically…fortunately my does not take any counter space
July 19th, 2010 at 2:44 pmI should mention that I don’t have any hard evidence of health issues related to microwaves. I really just have a gut instinct that it’s not good for us on a few different levels. Kudos to everyone who at least takes a moment to *think* and *decide* rather than accepting the status quo without question! You guys inspire me!
July 19th, 2010 at 2:47 pmhaven’t had one in years. all of your reasons are excellent.
July 19th, 2010 at 8:58 pmI am still using microwave from time to time to warm up some leftover, esp. in those steaming hot days. I have been thinking to replace the microwave with a minioven, or a steamer.
July 22nd, 2010 at 12:42 amGreat post! Nobody seems to understand how toxic microwaves really are…and I’m not just talking about how they deplete foods of their nutrients. There are many articles written about the dangers of microwaves and I think it is no coincidence that people are getting sicker and sicker. But I won’t use this post to hop on my soap box…just do the research and you will see what I mean.
July 26th, 2010 at 8:00 amGail – I feel your pain and good for you for making changes in your family – hang in there, don’t give up – one day it will click for someone else in your family and soon they will all follow you on your healthy lifestyle. My brother and his family thought I was the crazy health nut aunt, but my nephew started feeling rather sick, they watched “Supersize Me” and now they are coming to me for advice. It may take a while but I assure you it will happen. Just keep teaching by example.
I have not had a microwave in my house since I was able to afford living alone. Recently I was dating someone and I was still trying to decide if it would work out between us, he came over for dinner and was shocked that I would not have a microwave and wondered how on earth I could live without one. I explained that it has been more than 9 years and I don’t miss it and gave examples of how I hapily live without it. He said that when we move in together someday I would have to compromise and get one in my kitchen…that was what I needed to make my decision. My health and the health of others is not something that I’m willing to compromise on. Great guy, but I’m not moving in with him
Excellent post! I ditched mine almost ten eyars ago and have never looked back. It makes me think a bit more about what I eat and has improved my relationship with the food I eat (seems like an odd word choice, but fitting nonetheless). Like Maria, it’s an area that I wouldn’t be willing to compromise on if I met a woman who was too attached to hers.
Kevin
P.S. I shared “Lemonade” with my list (aimed at helping job seekers) last week. Thanks so much for sharing your story in it!
July 26th, 2010 at 9:24 amWe’re without a microwave at the moment but it’s not due to choice. I MISS IT!!!! Desperately. Being someone who doesn’t function well in the high heat/humidity we’ve had lately, I’m longing for it. All the things I use it for:
Stupid, I know, but I do. Yes, I have a watch. Still miss the clock.
1. Softening butter – like lots of other posters.
2. Popcorn – not that nasty packaged junk from the supermarket. REAL popcorn, REAL olive oil, paper bag, 2 staples, 2 minutes, 10 seconds. No stinky oily pot to clean up. Thanks Alton Brown.
3. Emergency defrosting. Sometimes the fridge just ain’t convenient or thorough.
4. My daughter’s microwave mac & cheese. Yah, yah, i know… insert Healthy Food Lecture here. When you’ve an EXTREMELY picky eater, you get calories how & where you can. Just talk to Michael Pollen about this one! You can make a healthier “packaged” mac & cheese using whole grain pasta & the powdered Vermont cheddar from King Arthur Flour on the stovetop but sometimes carving the 15 minutes from your evening schedule for even that is unrealistic. Trader’s Micro Mac & Cheese + 3 minutes = dinner. That’s 21st Century Family Life.
5. The chicken that hubby “cooks” on the grill. You know the stuff: burned on the outside, sashimi in the middle. Ew.
6. Reheating leftovers. Honestly, there are too many things that don’t reheat well on stovetop or in oven. Then there’s that whole turning the oven on or standing over a burner in July thing. Ugh.
7. I miss the clock!
8. The gorgeous recipe for Lemon Butter Cabbage from my Mother-in-law, made mostly in the winter when all 4 burners on the stovetop are otherwise occupied.
So, I’m one who’s living without a microwave and not loving it. Can I do it? Yes. Am I happy about it? No way.
July 26th, 2010 at 11:08 am