Life Without a Microwave

by Pallas Hutchison

When I moved in June 2013, I made the decision to toss out my old microwave and not replace it. A few people commented that I may miss it but in truth, I didn’t. I quickly adapted to using an actual kettle to heat water for tea and cocoa. The following March, a friend signed up as a Pampered Chef consultant and I agreed to host a party for her, not realizing she would need a microwave. Her dismay to find that appliance missing added a bit of comedy to the event.

Some things I’ve noticed about life without a microwave:

1. More counter space in a smaller kitchen: A microwave eats up space or sits on top of the refrigerator, a questionably safe location for klutzy people like myself. I like having counter space to display produce, stack dishes and/or use as a workspace to prepare food.
   
   
2. More meals for my money: My grocery budget has shifted to include more whole food items and less prepared foods. For example, I buy a bag of rice instead of a single-serving microwaveable package for roughly the same price. I also feel better about the foods I buy.
   
   
3. We cook and snack a little bit healthier: Real food takes planning, preparation and effort. We can’t just pop something in the microwave and eat it. No more hot pockets or frozen pizzas. Now, I get the ingredients to clam chowder and make a whole pot (serves 6) instead of buying a few cans of ready-made soup. My daughters are starting to get involved in the meal preparations too.
   
   
4. Leftovers still exist: I love leftovers. On days when I’m exhausted and don’t have the energy to cook a full meal, I reheat leftovers. They combine to make tasty sandwiches, soups or casseroles, giving us two meals out of each dinner. A set of glass containers with lids takes care of any and all leftover needs, from freezer to oven to table. (Don’t put the lids in the oven.)
   
   

While writing this blog, I did some research and found that there are a lot of people who have done the same thing. Their reasons vary and most blogs include tips on how to cope without this (non-)essential appliance. Yes, it will reduce electricity consumption and therefore your carbon footprint will shrink but I’m not sure it will be a noticeable amount off the bill each month. Yes, it will alter the nutritional value of your food but so does the oven; any application of heat affects molecular composition. I’m not a nutritionist or a dietician so I’m just going to post links to articles that I found. You decide for yourself what is best for you and your family.

Here’s some other blogs about life without a microwave:

• How to Survive Without a Microwave
  
• How to Live Without a (Gasp!) Microwave
  
• Living Without: A Microwave
  
• 7 Tips For Life Without A Microwave
  
• Can You Live Without the Microwave?
  

And some resources for microwaves and health:

• Microwave cooking and nutrition (Harvard Medical School)
  
• Does microwaving food remove its nutritional value? (CNN)
  
• 11 Surprising Facts and Myths about Microwave Ovens (Good Housekeeping)
  
• The Hidden Hazards of Microwave Cooking (Health Science)