The microwave finally just gave up...

[Phentex]

some of you will remember the light went out last year. This morning, the teen went to heat up some water and the sound was bad and the smell was worse. Pretty well dead. The teen asked, "How will we live?" Soooooooo dramatic. We indicated the old fashioned pot on the stove method.

I missed the light! My husband said this microwave was 14 years old but I really thought we had replaced it before then.

Oh, well. RIP.

[NEOhiodemocrat]

1. My husband, MIL and I were talking last year

About what "modern" convience we would least like to do without. (We are in 60's and MIL in 80's) I was shocked when both of them said the microwave! That was so far down my list it was imcomprehensible to me that it would make the top 10, even less the top item. Of course my top pick was the personal computer I imagine if my microwave died though it would be missed. And I would definietly have to replace it for my husband's sake. (All he does in it is warm up coffee anyway ... not like he cooks)

[Phentex]

4. I woud miss only reheating stuff...especially coffee!

But I don't do much else with it. I have posted here how I absolutely despise it when my husband finishes cooking meat with it. Rubber chicken, anyone?

I do like to warm Peeps in the microwave.

[NEOhiodemocrat]

11. warm Peeps in the microwave?

Oh man, it just moved up on my list of neccesary appliances! I have never tried that but it sounds amazing...My big use of it seems to be melting butter, no wonder it doesn't thrill me.

[beac]

18. Try this:

Place two Peeps on a plate facing other other, slightly offset and with a bit of space between them.
Place a toothpick under each ones right "wing." Warm the Peeps in the microwave.

Voila-- PEEP JOUSTING!




First Peep to pierce the other wins!

[NMDemDist2]

2. when mine died i upgraded to one that has a convection oven also

I'm surprised how often I use it. Doesn't heat up the house nearly as much and preheats quickly.

[Phentex]

5. I have a convection oven and it's great!

I still find I have to play with the temps some but it's very handy.

[Phentex]

7. And now that I think about this...

you may be on to something!

[NMDemDist2]

13. sometimes having two ovens is a great help yes?

course if you're double ovening, no microwave for you!!

[maddezmom]

3. I'd miss mine if it went

But not sure I'd replace it. I use it for popcorn, bacon, poached eggs and occasional reheat for a dinner plate. Both my ovens and microwave are old and oversized so if they go I have a feeling I'd redo the whole set up.

Electric kettles are great for heating water.

[Phentex]

6. Size is an issue...

When we bought the house, the microwave fit neatly into the space where the wall oven used to be (60's kitchen). They were supposed to leave the microwave but didn't and it was hard to find one that fit the way that one had.

We don't need one as big as the one that just died, but I think anything smaller would look weird in the space. Maybe I should just get a wall oven!

[maddezmom]

8. that's kind of my issue

I think I could get a micro and two oven where the 2 ovens are now. And repurpose the space where the micro is now. Here is a pic:

[Phentex]

9. Yours is nice. Mine is a similar layout...

but far, far older!

I can only imagine drawers and cabinets that all line up properly.

[oneshooter]

10. What's a"microwave oven"?

[HopeHoops]

12. Defenestrate it - but keep the glass dish inside it.

They come in handy.

[grasswire]

14. I've been without for six months -- no room.

And I miss it very much for warming leftovers. I had to choose between the microwave, the convection-toaster oven, or counter space. I chose the convection oven but am about ready to defenestrate that. I have always hated it -- it is tooo damn slow. It's a GE and not the cheapest model but still a piece of junk.

So I think that is going onto a store room shelf and the microwave is coming back and also a new small toaster oven. Can a toaster oven sit atop a microwave? Probably not.

[Warpy]

15. I have a pristine 1946 kitchen with no space for anything

and I found a metal shelf that fits over a 30" range and the microwave sits on that. The toaster oven sits atop the microwave.

So yes, you can stick a toaster oven on top of a microwave oven. It looks like the microwave had a pup.

I could easily do without a microwave. I have bamboo steamers and they're actually superior and not much slower than using the microwave for reheating leftovers. Rice doesn't dry out, old rolls soften and become fragrant, and burrito wrappings don't toughen when steam is used to heat them.

The one thing I do like cooked in a microwave is asparagus.

[grasswire]

16. we like to steam veggies by wrapping in a damp paper towel

....and microwaving for three minutes. So easy.

[flamin lib]

17. I've got a GE Profile-kinda high end bought at scratch-n-dent price

and I'm using it more all the time. Defrost, soften, melt everything from meats to butter and cream cheese. Have learned that the sensor for fresh veggies and potatoes works great, just plug & play so to speak. Use 'more done/less done' to differentiate between carrots and zucchini. I'm really starting to use it for actual COOKING! Good for poached fish and of course re-heating.

Having used this one I'd never go back to the $39 counter top model.

[Phentex]

22. I feel like I never used the settings like I should have...

This one had lots of settings but I never took the time to learn what you could do with them.

Just a big re-heater I guess!

[kestrel91316]

19. My sister and BIL have a microwave as old as their marriage - 31 years.

It still works fine. They have no plans to replace it until it breaks.

[Phentex]

21. That's great!

These days anything that lasts more than ten years is unusual.

[Jazzgirl]

20. My microwave that I bought 4 yrs ago decided to die recently.

I guess I got my money's worth since I only paid $59 for it. I saw a nice microwave/convection/ grill oven. I use it way more than my other and really like having a second real oven. I paid a whole lot more than the other one but I can't say I didn't get what I paid for.

[Phentex]

23. I'm considering a dual purpose...

if I could make sure I learn how to use it!

[Jazzgirl]

25. This one is the easiest I've had.

And I've had a few since 1983. This is by far my favorite.