My new home has a fairly small kitchen. It’s got an ok amount of counter space, but if I add a microwave, I lose about a third of the usable space. I’ve looked for a cart to place said microwave on, but none of them appeal to me functionally or aesthtically. I also have a much larger nuker than I actually need, and one option is to get a smaller appliance.
None of the options make a lot of sense in the long run, so I think I’m just going to ditch the darn thing. I have a steamer, a toaster oven, and pots. These should be sufficient.
Not having a microwave might actually force me to use fresher produce a little more often, and maybe even prepare meals properly. (I’m not convinced of that, however, because I’m lazy and may be willing to trade 30 minutes of cooking with no prep in the toaster oven)
I don’t think I use it enough to justify it, and it is a bit of a power pig. We’ll see how things go without one. I’m betting that the recovery of counter space alone will be worth it, and Ev’s right, nuked potatoes suck.
When I took out my old fridge, I couldn’t easily get a new one to put in its place. Mounting the microwave there (actually, adding a shelf) made the the fridge-hole go away. And I put a rolling chopping block in its place.
The downside of *not* having a microwave is leftovers, of course.
Coincidently, I just rediscovered non-nuked potatos this weekend, after doing a batch on the BBQ. Admittedly, they were foil-covered, but *damn*. They were tasty.
Not so much downside, as I almost always eat my leftovers cold. I’m not going to heave the nuker out the window, understand, so it may come back. I’ll see how the convection toaster oven deals with reheating meals, and let you know. I also like boiling salt potatoes (get some small red potatoes, some boiling water, and a big enough heap of rock salt to super saturate the water). Now I”m hungry, dammit.
We have a combination microwave/convection oven and I love it. It was much lighter to carry up the stairs.
Not having a range meant I had to re-discover how to cook in a microwave – nuked eggs are great for those mornings where you need protein fast. And the combo model means I can nuke AND bake my potatos – thus harnessing the efficiency of a microwave and the crispiness of an oven. (although actually I’ve never tried it)
And best of all, the Dutch, and I believe Germans, call it “The Magnetron”. I could never give up my Magnetron!
fire….fire…….FIRE! FIRE COOK MEAT! Seriously though, how much does one need a microwave when one’s primary foodstuff consists of round, flat dough topped with tomato sauce, cheese and various other elements that gets delivered to one’s door? Bourbon never needed a microwave. Beer needs no heating, unless one’s brewing, and then a microwave is still unnecessary. That pretty much covers all the bases, right? Oh wait…I’m doing that whole “transference” thing again, aren’t I?
tho i had a microwave for years.. the last few years i barely touched it.. the ONLY thing it can be used for is defrosting frozen pita (i like buying fresh pita – 10 pack- and freezing them) when nuked.. those frozen pitas taste like the first day they were made!
nuked food generally sucks ass. i never nuke leftovers.. always use the toaster oven for that. sure it takes 5 more minutes.. but well worth it.
the toaster oven is _the_ appliance i can’t live without.
nuked baked potatoes? ugh. id rather wedge my potatoes (and sweet potatoes) and put them in over for 20 mins (w/ olive oil + hebrs) whenever i dont feel like waiting 60+ minutes for a full round one.
best time to go to the grocery store is on the way home from work.. u get what u need for that night and use it. nice habit to get in to.