Living Without A Microwave

Editor's note: Welcome Jess M., to the Food Lush family! We're thrilled to have her join us and if you'd like to get to know Jess better, follow her on Twitter.

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by Jess M.

Recently we decided to get rid of our microwave. It was big and bulky, took up a lot of counter space, and we didn’t feel like we used it all that much. Sure, we reheated leftovers or melted a little bit of butter, but overall I felt like most things we used it for could be done another way.

So, we bought a toaster oven. (The Oster TSSTTVMNDG Digital Large Capacity Toaster Oven) We have three kids and so actually a lot of meal prep involves heating up frozen kid foods: corn dogs, nuggets, french fries, pizza. With the toaster oven, these things are ready quicker than they are when you cook them in the regular oven and you don’t have to heat up the whole kitchen just for a single corn dog.

There are some “accessory” items that really help with our conversion to toaster oven life:

• I bought a set of small Pyrex dishes for food storage. We still use the plastic ones, but if it’s something I know we’ll reheat in the toaster oven, like macaroni, I can go ahead and store it in a smallish Pyrex dish.
• We have a quarter sheet pan that came in a set with some half sheet pans and it is the perfect size to fit in the toaster oven.

• Food Service Foil Sheets. My husband laughed at these when he saw me bring them home from a Costco trip, but they are so convenient. They are just the right size for my quarter sheet pan so I don’t have to tear/cut/waste regular sized foil. And they keep the pan clean so I don’t have to scrape off cooked-on cheese every time we have a snack.

Have you lived without a microwave? How do you melt your butter?

 

 

(Photos from: Amazon)

Comments

[Michelle Smiles]

I lived without a microwave in 1 apartment (not enough counter space) and in 1 house (for a few weeks when one died). It taught me that I am completely incapable of reheating food without one. On the stove, everything burnt in the bottom of the pan and was cold on top. I might have been a wee bit impatient and a lot younger/less experienced cooking. But other than the reheating, it didn't really bother me.

[Em]

I never have but this post got me thinking.. maybe I could clear off some counter space by getting rid of the microwave! I'd say we use it a few times a week to heat water for tea, heat up canned veggies, or reheating food. We mostly use our toaster oven for reheating food as it is so that wouldn't change much. As for butter, if you have a metal measuring cup you can put it directly on the stove top.

[Cass]

My mom has been w/o a microwave & oven for quite a while since it's one of those combo built in things and she uses a toaster oven quite often. It's a little difficult for some tasks, but works pretty well. Although she does make use of this roaster she got as a wedding gift and the BBQ.

[Abby]

We haven't had a microwave for a couple of years and it doesn't seem like a big deal. butter is melted in a small saucepan on the stove. we have a tea kettle for water. leftovers are in a low oven or on the stove. I'm happy to have the extra counter space!

[Amanda]

We have a microwave built into the wall but use our toaster oven a lot as well. Two of my favorite accessories for the toaster oven are...

6 Cup Muffin Pan - http://tinyurl.com/8my7yug

Small Stone Bar Pan from Pampered Chef - http://tinyurl.com/3clphng

[Jess M.]

Glad to see that others have gone this way before! (totally exaggerating because microwaves are a pretty modern necessity) And thanks for the suggestions, Amanda- yes, I think a sixer of muffins is the perfect idea!