Why Microwave Ovens Are Not a Good Cooking Choice

[amileegirl]

I have a microwave, it has its designated purpose.

I use it exclusively for brief reheating of small amounts of leftovers on the lowest setting and time needed to get the chill off.   Occasionally to heat up some frozen veggies on a low setting for the minimum amount of time in a bowl or plate--not plastic.      My husband uses it to reheat leftovers and to make himself hotpockets from time to time.   We NEVER cook in it.  We NEVER dethaw in it.  And we NEVER boil water in it.     I prefer my toaster oven, stovetop, or conventional oven for control, safety and flavor.

No I am not afraid of radiation.    Radiation doesn't stay in the food.    However, a very old, misused or damaged microwave CAN pose a leakage risk.

1.  Do not use a microwave if the door is damaged, warped, rusted, or doesn't close smoothly.
2.  Be sure that the door frame, seal and hinges are cleaned of food and have not corroded as this will compromise the seal.
3.  If you have inherited a microwave, you really should have it tested at a repair shop for leakage problems to be sure it is safe to use.

The main problem with microwaves is that the majority of people don't use it properly.    It is often heating food at a very high temperature (most people just put it on a high setting and walk away) and it cooks food very unevenly.  I liken microwave cooking to that disgusting ultra pasteurized milk they sell--I hate the taste of milk to being with  and don't drink it, but that stuff is just nasty.  Completely cooked to death. And there is no denying the smell, the flavor, and the useless ness of the milk to make anything because the proteins have been denatured.  Did you know you can't make whip cream, butter, or homemade cheese with it because of that reason?

Even though the short heating time in a microwave is supposedly retains water soluable vitamins, if you heat it too long on too high of a temperature or use too much water you just destroy the food.  Period.       It is very difficult to control the temperature or even heating of food in the microwave unless you watch it and stir it.   You also must use the right temperature setting or you will overcook the outside while the middle is still raw.

Microwaves also cook very differently so that it basically super steams food which can make a lot of it unpalatable, mushy, over cooked, and just plain bland.  Just like on a stove top, if you over cook you essentially destroy the food.    Because you do not have the fine control in microwave cooking...don't do it!     Food cooked in a microwave oven has a very distinctive (and not so nice) flavor and texture.   Other than that, food that you buy for the microwave is so already over processed and preserved, that there is nothing left to destroy -- I'd keep that sort of food consumption to a minimum microwave or no microwave.

1.   Don't use a microwave for cooking.  Use it only to reheat or "take the chill off."
2.   Use the lowest setting as is necessary and for the shortest amount of cooking time.
3.   Stir a few times while the item is reheating to be sure the food heats evenly -- this will cut down on the time and ensure that there are no hotspots or coldspots.
4.    If your goal is to reheat "crispy"  foods like pizza or french fries, the microwave is the worst option as it will do nothing except make such foods soggy.

Plastic, even the ones designed for the microwave can leech into food because even the good ones can break down especially at a high temperature.    

1.  Use glass or ceramics that are microwave safe.  Avoid plastics (even microwave safe ones)
2.  Avoid plastic films and plastic covers (especially plastic wrap).  Instead use a glass cover, paper towel, or a reusable microwavable cloth cover.
3.  If you are unsure if a plastic container is microwave safe DO NOT USE IT.
4.  If you insist on using a microwave safe plastic container, be sure to inspect it for damage.
5.  Do not reuse frozen food microwave containers in the microwave.  They weren't designed for multiple uses.
6.  Do not use ceramic containers that have metallic glazes..be sure they are labeled safe for microwave use.

Boiling water or other liquid shouldn't be done in a microwave, EVER.   It is a very serious boil-over hazard because you can superheat it and that's a very bad thing.      It is okay to reheat a cooled cup of coffee to a state of warmness but DO NOT make it really hot.  Heat it, stir it, taste it, and stop when it is at a suitable state of warmness.   

A better and more suitable option for cooking foods without firing up the big guy, is a multi-function toaster oven.      It doesn't take as much power as a regular oven, but has a fine control that a microwave lacks.   A good oven can toast, broil, bake, and reheat and an exceptional oven can also convection bake and dehydrate.    A good toaster oven is just as good at reheating pizza without making it a soggified goo, as it is cooking and baking.            And there is nothing wrong with having a good hotplate on standby either.

[ToddlerBrain82]

May. 15, 2009 at 9:53 AM

I LOVE YOU!! This journal rocks, ALG. Great job. We haven't had a microwave in about a year. We knew ours was on its last legs, and then one day when my sister was heating sweet potatoes, it just stopped working. We got rid of it and we meant to buy another one, but the longer we lived without one, we realized we didn't miss having a microwave at all. We recently bought a toaster oven and we use that a LOT, for cooking or reheating individual portions of food. Or, we put the food into a pan, add a little splash of water, and reheat it on the stove. I think we are much more conscious of the quality of food we feed our family without having a microwave, since we have to really think about what would be the best way to prepare whatever we're having.

[cat1622]

Jun. 7, 2009 at 10:25 PM

FINALLY! Someone else who gets it! I wish I could convince my husband that what you wrote here is gold because he thinks I am a quack.

[ironkitten]

Jun. 22, 2009 at 1:04 PM

I still applaud you!  Great minds think alike.  I just wanted to add something.  Most people today do not read the correct information on how to use (most) items, including a microwave oven.  In fact, I am giving mine away since I haven't used it more than twice in over 2 years.

Remember that microwaves DO steam food.  If your food is not moist, add a few drops of water to prevent over-drying.

Also, ALL foods that are microwaved need a "resting period" between the cooking time and when you take it OUT of the microwave.  I won't go into the reasons, but you should WAIT 1 minute before removing food from a microwave.

Another thing I just thought of, remember that many poeple have had items "explode" as they take the way-too-hot item out of the microwave and insert a utensil (spoon or fork) into the container.  Especially microwaved water or liquids.   Remember the "resting period."

I personally prefer to re-heat my foods over the stove-top or in the toaster-oven or oven.  It ALWAYS tastes better!

~ironkitten