Anonymous
Post 08/22/2025 21:50     Subject: Re:I don't own a microwave and that seems to blow a lot of people's minds, but honestly... I don't need it.
I haven’t used my microwave in a decade or more. I love popcorn made in a pot on the stove. Not using the microwave also means that I eat a lot less processed food because I don’t buy many frozen entrees. I do use an electric pot for heating water quickly. I also use a rice cooker a lot — and often use it for reheating food. Once I got an Instant Pot I used the microwave less, then eventually just stopped using it.
Anonymous
Post 08/22/2025 20:04     Subject: I don't own a microwave and that seems to blow a lot of people's minds, but honestly... I don't need it.
I honestly can’t recall the last time I used the microwave. It’s been months. Dovetailing…

Our toaster broke and both my husband and I lapsed on ordering a replacement. It’s been 6 months. Really don’t miss it, either.
Anonymous
Post 08/22/2025 19:07     Subject: I don't own a microwave and that seems to blow a lot of people's minds, but honestly... I don't need it.
Haven't had a microwave for 15 years. Don't miss it. But anyone who finds out we don't have one is absolutely astonished and acts like we've gone full-on Amish.

My mom and MIL just can't let it go. Darn near every time one of them is over, there's some comment about it. And when I had a baby? Screeching "HOW WILL YOU EVER LIVE WITHOUT A MICROWAVE WITH A BABY?!?!" Their obsession about the lack of microwave is quite the thing.
Anonymous
Post 08/22/2025 15:16     Subject: I don't own a microwave and that seems to blow a lot of people's minds, but honestly... I don't need it.
I can’t believe this thread has gone on for so long! I use my microwave for warm eye compresses and food reheating. My mother is anti-microwave and prefers to reheat on the stove. It generally takes longer and means we dirty and extra pan, but isn’t a huge deal to keep her happy.
Anonymous
Post 08/22/2025 14:30     Subject: I don't own a microwave and that seems to blow a lot of people's minds, but honestly... I don't need it.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There are a handful of things that can only REALLY effectively be heated up in a microwave (like Factor meals, we found out), but heating things on the stovetop or oven isn't actually all that hard, and usually winds up with a better result. You can definitely heat things very well in a microwave, but it usually requires at least as much care (figuring out the proper time and setting) as it does figuring out how to do it on the stovetop or oven.

Popcorn isn't actually very hard to make on a stovetop (in fact it's super easy and takes like 30 seconds longer than doing it in a microwave)...

We used to have a microwave, we just almost never used it.

What do you think about yours?


Do you want a congratulations? I did not have a garbage disposal or a dishwasher for 15 years. Living without a microwave is not an anomaly.


Interesting - I kinda agree with you and note that anyone with a septic system can’t use them, but let’s take this to the thread about garbage disposal chat!

Statistically, not having a microwave IS an anomaly, tho.


I did not have a septic system,
I lived in nyc where many people don’t have disposals. Prior to that I lived in Europe and had no dishwasher, microwave or disposal and was lucky enough to have a separate washer and dryer instead of a combo unit. And prior to that, I lived in Hong Kong, where it’s common not to have a dishwasher, disposal or microwave because everyone has live in help who does all that for you. There were days I never went into my own kitchen. The world is bigger than your neighborhood full of microwave kitchens.
Anonymous
Post 08/22/2025 11:50     Subject: I don't own a microwave and that seems to blow a lot of people's minds, but honestly... I don't need it.
The rice poster made a whole thread about it. insane.

Anyway-I truly don’t understand people who think not owning a microwave is some kind of flex. Like-if you want to spend extra time and make more items dirty for you to clean then go ahead but as other posters mentioned-it’s so much easier to do things like melt butter in the microwave than on the stove. Also if i’m reheating a plate of food for my self for lunch i’d really not to have to wait for the toaster oven/oven to heat up then wait 15 minutes for my food to be ready to eat when it will take 1-2 minutes from start to finish with the microwave.
Anonymous
Post 08/22/2025 08:21     Subject: I don't own a microwave and that seems to blow a lot of people's minds, but honestly... I don't need it.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I use mine multiple times a day and don't think too much about how long to put things in for.

Corn - 4 minutes
Reheating chicken - 45 seconds, then flip and 30 seconds
Popcorn - 2 - 2.5 minutes
Rice - 90 seconds
Chinese food - 45 seconds, stir and 30 seconds

I will reheat soup on the stove.


I'd be SUPER careful reheating rice. I don't FULLY understand the toxin thing, but I don't really want anything to do with reheated rice.


I guess I don’t either. I reheat rice in the microwave all the time as part of leftovers, and have for 20 years. Pretty sure every normal person reheats rice in the microwave. Whats the big deal?


Read about old rice and toxins. It can kill you. I never worried too much until I read about it and it’s a very real thing.


I would venture to say 99% people in the US reheat rice in the microwave as part of reheating a leftover dinner/lunch. It is not dangerous. This is is paranoia


A microwave is not any more or less dangerous to reheat rice in.

Rice, no matter how it's reheated, should be heated to 160 and not left for extended periods at room temperature. Get it hot or cool it quickly.

It's not paranoia, it's an actual thing.


Blah, blah. No one but you is giving rice this much thought. Don’t eat it if it gives you anxiety, but no, there isn’t some huge risk of reheating rice and people do it all the time.
Anonymous
Post 08/21/2025 23:11     Subject: I don't own a microwave and that seems to blow a lot of people's minds, but honestly... I don't need it.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If you use it more than once a week then I’ll assume you’re a lazy chef.


I'm not a chef nor am I lazy nor am I a chef (and neither are you ). I commute 2 hours each way. My kids can quickly microwave leftovers I spent hours cooking over the weekend a lot safer than they could by using my gas stove top. Happy now?


Teach your latchkey kids to use a toaster oven.


Really? Can you send me instructions on how to heat up chili or stew in a toaster?


IT's just like using a real oven: https://traditionalcookingschool.com/food-preparation/reheating-foods-without-a-microwave/

Super simple.


Wait so now we are back to the stove? I'm confused. I thought you wanted me to teach my "latchkey kids" how to use a toaster.



I believe they said “Teach your latchkey kids to use a toaster oven .”


Why would I want another giant appliance on the counter when the one I already have works just fine? Make it make sense.


Can't make toast in a microwave.



you walked into that one!



I have a toaster. I do not have a toaster oven. Not sure it's the get you think it is.


So, you have a toaster AND a microwave and you think that saves you counterspace over having a toaster oven?

Do you put chili in your toaster?



Of course, I have a toaster. And I dont keep it on the counter. I know!!! It blows your mind, doesn't it?

You are yet to explain to me why you made the dumb suggestion totally unsolicited in the first place.


Congratulations on owning a toaster? I guess?


Congratulations on making suggestions to people that never asked for them and then not being able to explain why you made them in the first place.


I'm the OP and my original point was that some people really get upset when they find out I don't have a microwave, and I genuinely wanted to know if people found legitimate uses for their microwaves. I could get a microwave and I'm open to ideas.

So far, what I've encountered is a lot of triggered weirdos who feel very angry that I don't have a microwave, someone who wants to *checks notes* put chili in a toaster (I do not recommend) and one person who has genuinely replied that she finds post-work time stressful because of her long commute and being able to reheat something in five minutes is worth it. She's been interesting to hear from, and the rest of you are being weird.


I see you came back with more smugness and condescension. Apparently, bless your heart, you're just not smart enough to figure out that since millions upon millions of people own them, they find excellent uses for them. I suggest Google next time.


Millions and millions of people figure out how to get on a plane with two kids without crowd-sourcing that, but it's a topic on DCUM pretty much every other week.

OP -- I'm with you. Don't own a microwave and don't miss it. I never got the joy in reheating one family's member's meal at a time. Here you go Bobby Sue! Leroy, you need to wait your turn. Microwave only holds one plate at a time.


Awful person alert.

When people tell you who they are, believe them.
Anonymous
Post 08/21/2025 22:11     Subject: I don't own a microwave and that seems to blow a lot of people's minds, but honestly... I don't need it.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Use my microwave every day. It's terrific for vegetables, particularly corn. And plain popcorn, which I enjoy as a snack

Also use my high-end toaster oven every day. It's an air fryer and convection oven, too, so we use it when the main oven is occupied.

It's nonsense that a stove or oven are just as fast for leftovers. Those appliances take forever just to heat up.

Oh, and I'm a food editor.

+1 on all of this*+ from someone who is not a food editor, but a serious cook who has lots of gadgets because they all do different things much better than any single alternative appliance (and also enough counter space to make this feasible). Here’s a good list from Serious Eats about microwave utility: https://www.seriouseats.com/best-microwave-shortcuts-8715821 I use my microwave every day to reheat coffee and steam vegetables in the same bowl I will serve them in with virtually no added water and weekly to melt butter and par-cook potatoes. I’ve used it for every other function mentioned in the article as well.

Like the PP said, it is absolute nonsense that the stovetop is just as fast or easy as the microwave, and beyond absolute nonsense that the oven is. Those appliances excel for other food preparations. People like the OP who are using microwaves to reheat whatever Factor meals are and those who don’t have a lot of counter space and/or didn’t fall in love with their microwave in the first week of ownership probably should not have them. They’ll never make the most of them.

*Basket style air fryers are vastly better than toaster oven style ones, I’m sorry to say, because they are space gobblers and homely.

+You found a way to make peace with plain popcorn? I envy you. I always want it with (microwave-melted) butter and salt at a minimum.


+1 yes. All good ways to prep ingredients/meal components with less fuss. It just takes some imagination and command of the kitchen.


+2. I didn't grow up with one (and I'm young enough that was rare then) but it's definitely part of my kitchen arsenal, including a Breville/airfryer and oven. Especially for cooking a more complicated meal, if I can save some time and a pan/stovetop burner by using a microwave to do something like melt that butter of steam corn, I'm doing it. I use it for reheating too, depending on what it is. I have the Away bowls and love them in the microwave for steaming. Sure, you can do some of that on the stove, but when you have a million things happening in the kitchen it's nice to have a set-it-and- forget-it option for shortcuts that don't make a measurable impact to the end dish.
Anonymous
Post 08/21/2025 22:10     Subject: I don't own a microwave and that seems to blow a lot of people's minds, but honestly... I don't need it.
You'll never have to worry about microwaved rice!
Anonymous
Post 08/21/2025 22:09     Subject: I don't own a microwave and that seems to blow a lot of people's minds, but honestly... I don't need it.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I use mine multiple times a day and don't think too much about how long to put things in for.

Corn - 4 minutes
Reheating chicken - 45 seconds, then flip and 30 seconds
Popcorn - 2 - 2.5 minutes
Rice - 90 seconds
Chinese food - 45 seconds, stir and 30 seconds

I will reheat soup on the stove.


I'd be SUPER careful reheating rice. I don't FULLY understand the toxin thing, but I don't really want anything to do with reheated rice.


I guess I don’t either. I reheat rice in the microwave all the time as part of leftovers, and have for 20 years. Pretty sure every normal person reheats rice in the microwave. Whats the big deal?


Read about old rice and toxins. It can kill you. I never worried too much until I read about it and it’s a very real thing.


I would venture to say 99% people in the US reheat rice in the microwave as part of reheating a leftover dinner/lunch. It is not dangerous. This is is paranoia


A microwave is not any more or less dangerous to reheat rice in.

Rice, no matter how it's reheated, should be heated to 160 and not left for extended periods at room temperature. Get it hot or cool it quickly.

It's not paranoia, it's an actual thing.


How dangerous is it? Driving a car dangerous or shark attack dangerous?
Anonymous
Post 08/21/2025 21:39     Subject: I don't own a microwave and that seems to blow a lot of people's minds, but honestly... I don't need it.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Use my microwave every day. It's terrific for vegetables, particularly corn. And plain popcorn, which I enjoy as a snack

Also use my high-end toaster oven every day. It's an air fryer and convection oven, too, so we use it when the main oven is occupied.

It's nonsense that a stove or oven are just as fast for leftovers. Those appliances take forever just to heat up.

Oh, and I'm a food editor.

+1 on all of this*+ from someone who is not a food editor, but a serious cook who has lots of gadgets because they all do different things much better than any single alternative appliance (and also enough counter space to make this feasible). Here’s a good list from Serious Eats about microwave utility: https://www.seriouseats.com/best-microwave-shortcuts-8715821 I use my microwave every day to reheat coffee and steam vegetables in the same bowl I will serve them in with virtually no added water and weekly to melt butter and par-cook potatoes. I’ve used it for every other function mentioned in the article as well.

Like the PP said, it is absolute nonsense that the stovetop is just as fast or easy as the microwave, and beyond absolute nonsense that the oven is. Those appliances excel for other food preparations. People like the OP who are using microwaves to reheat whatever Factor meals are and those who don’t have a lot of counter space and/or didn’t fall in love with their microwave in the first week of ownership probably should not have them. They’ll never make the most of them.

*Basket style air fryers are vastly better than toaster oven style ones, I’m sorry to say, because they are space gobblers and homely.

+You found a way to make peace with plain popcorn? I envy you. I always want it with (microwave-melted) butter and salt at a minimum.


+1 yes. All good ways to prep ingredients/meal components with less fuss. It just takes some imagination and command of the kitchen.
Anonymous
Post 08/21/2025 21:12     Subject: I don't own a microwave and that seems to blow a lot of people's minds, but honestly... I don't need it.
Anonymous wrote:Use my microwave every day. It's terrific for vegetables, particularly corn. And plain popcorn, which I enjoy as a snack

Also use my high-end toaster oven every day. It's an air fryer and convection oven, too, so we use it when the main oven is occupied.

It's nonsense that a stove or oven are just as fast for leftovers. Those appliances take forever just to heat up.

Oh, and I'm a food editor.

+1 on all of this*+ from someone who is not a food editor, but a serious cook who has lots of gadgets because they all do different things much better than any single alternative appliance (and also enough counter space to make this feasible). Here’s a good list from Serious Eats about microwave utility: https://www.seriouseats.com/best-microwave-shortcuts-8715821 I use my microwave every day to reheat coffee and steam vegetables in the same bowl I will serve them in with virtually no added water and weekly to melt butter and par-cook potatoes. I’ve used it for every other function mentioned in the article as well.

Like the PP said, it is absolute nonsense that the stovetop is just as fast or easy as the microwave, and beyond absolute nonsense that the oven is. Those appliances excel for other food preparations. People like the OP who are using microwaves to reheat whatever Factor meals are and those who don’t have a lot of counter space and/or didn’t fall in love with their microwave in the first week of ownership probably should not have them. They’ll never make the most of them.

*Basket style air fryers are vastly better than toaster oven style ones, I’m sorry to say, because they are space gobblers and homely.

+You found a way to make peace with plain popcorn? I envy you. I always want it with (microwave-melted) butter and salt at a minimum.
Anonymous
Post 08/21/2025 20:52     Subject: I don't own a microwave and that seems to blow a lot of people's minds, but honestly... I don't need it.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If you use it more than once a week then I’ll assume you’re a lazy chef.


I'm not a chef nor am I lazy nor am I a chef (and neither are you ). I commute 2 hours each way. My kids can quickly microwave leftovers I spent hours cooking over the weekend a lot safer than they could by using my gas stove top. Happy now?


Teach your latchkey kids to use a toaster oven.


Really? Can you send me instructions on how to heat up chili or stew in a toaster?


IT's just like using a real oven: https://traditionalcookingschool.com/food-preparation/reheating-foods-without-a-microwave/

Super simple.


Wait so now we are back to the stove? I'm confused. I thought you wanted me to teach my "latchkey kids" how to use a toaster.



I believe they said “Teach your latchkey kids to use a toaster oven .”


Why would I want another giant appliance on the counter when the one I already have works just fine? Make it make sense.


Can't make toast in a microwave.



you walked into that one!



I have a toaster. I do not have a toaster oven. Not sure it's the get you think it is.


So, you have a toaster AND a microwave and you think that saves you counterspace over having a toaster oven?

Do you put chili in your toaster?



Of course, I have a toaster. And I dont keep it on the counter. I know!!! It blows your mind, doesn't it?

You are yet to explain to me why you made the dumb suggestion totally unsolicited in the first place.


Congratulations on owning a toaster? I guess?


Congratulations on making suggestions to people that never asked for them and then not being able to explain why you made them in the first place.


I'm the OP and my original point was that some people really get upset when they find out I don't have a microwave, and I genuinely wanted to know if people found legitimate uses for their microwaves. I could get a microwave and I'm open to ideas.

So far, what I've encountered is a lot of triggered weirdos who feel very angry that I don't have a microwave, someone who wants to *checks notes* put chili in a toaster (I do not recommend) and one person who has genuinely replied that she finds post-work time stressful because of her long commute and being able to reheat something in five minutes is worth it. She's been interesting to hear from, and the rest of you are being weird.


I see you came back with more smugness and condescension. Apparently, bless your heart, you're just not smart enough to figure out that since millions upon millions of people own them, they find excellent uses for them. I suggest Google next time.


Millions and millions of people figure out how to get on a plane with two kids without crowd-sourcing that, but it's a topic on DCUM pretty much every other week.

OP -- I'm with you. Don't own a microwave and don't miss it. I never got the joy in reheating one family's member's meal at a time. Here you go Bobby Sue! Leroy, you need to wait your turn. Microwave only holds one plate at a time.
Anonymous
Post 08/21/2025 20:41     Subject: Re:I don't own a microwave and that seems to blow a lot of people's minds, but honestly... I don't need it.
Haven’t had one for 20 years. Don’t miss it.