I got rid of the microwave years ago. I really feel that the very thing that causes them to work is the thing that can do some serious damage to our bodies. They are a box that manufactures free radicals -yes the same free radicals that age us, give us cancer and other serious disease. But don't take my word for it, a little research on how a microwave actually heats up the food will cause anyone to think twice.
I try hard to not have many leftovers since we only are using an ice box for refrigeration, but they do happen. Now if one wants to eat said left over, you really do not want to eat it cold-especially in winter. If I have the wood cook stove fired up this is not an issue since the oven on the cook stove is always about 250-300 degrees even when I do not have the heat diverter going to the oven. And the Sun oven is the worlds best warming device going. But when neither of those is available I use my stove top system that may not work as quick as a microwave, but gets the job done in a jiff.
I use a cast iron skillet that I cover with another flat cast iron skillet. I use a small skillet because the less volume of air you need to heat up, the quicker this will go. If you have a lid that fits your skillet, all the better. I turn on the flame and let the dry pan heat up with the lid on for a few minutes.
In a few minutes you have a perfectly heated meal without turning on an oven or needing a dangerous electric box. And once you get away from a microwave, you start to see that food really does taste better without it. It doesn't come out a soggy mess like it can in a microwave or over hard edges from too much time in a microwave. They have an expression that there is more than one way to skin a cat. I never understood that expression because why would I want to skin a cat, let alone have more than one way to do it? So instead I always say there is more than one way to get a job done. And that is very important on a homestead. And far less dangerous to the cat population.
Funny that the way I grew up reheating stuff is considered "new" to some. My gosh-I'm an antique- -Positively "PRE-microwave"!! LOL!
ReplyDeleteHubby reheats his pizza in the microwave--awful!!
I've always used a fry pan and lid---crispy crust-hooray!!
And there is the proof that women are smarter than men............
;)
Clever girl - again :) I was wondering how I was going to reheat my food on a cloudy day on the farm when I couldn't use my solar oven - now I have an ideal option :) Thank you.
ReplyDeletegreat post jane, microwaves are evil.
ReplyDeletei won't even use the conventional oven at work here because it literally sits on top of the microwave in the break room. i've read that depending on model, the microwaves can effect matter up to 6 feet away from the machine. that's messed up!
We've always noted how much better a bowl of soup tastes when it's been re-heated in a pot vs. in the microwave.
ReplyDeleteYes, the microwave is a dangerous thing. We do have one and we try not to use it. Pretty good ideas there are warming leftovers. That is about the extent of our microwave use...
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever idea! Unfortunately, we still rely on our microwave way too much.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm afraid of that darn box,I have eve had a pretty red one ,went out so fast,I was pissed. I called Emerson,sure ,we'll fix it-just ship it to us ,for what the price of tea in china [ well ,I don't realty know what that cost ] but I do know that S &H is a lot more than what I could buy a new one micro for. Now I got of subject again,I guess I don't want reality to face me [ face to face ] bad boxes ,bad people ,bad diseases ] grrrrrrrrrrrrr
ReplyDeleteThe microwave is a dangerous instrument that I banished from my home cipher since 2000. But for some reason folks feel like my lack of radiation is financial rather than for my health and folks want to continually 'gift' me with a used appliance that can be bought for $30. I have shoes that cost more than that.
ReplyDeleteRadiation once generated is not so easily dissipated. And it is cumulative. The more use use it, the more you will carry around in your body. And these people wonder why I don't have the illnesses they all have with their savage lifestyles.....
We got rid of our microwave probably a few months ago and haven't missed it. Since then, my husband has commented often on how much better food tastes when its not reheated in the microwave.
ReplyDeleteI misread the title at HomeMADE microwave and thought you were going batty there for a second. I reheat stuff on the stove and in the oven quite often just because I think it tastes better, like others have said.
ReplyDeleteI agree I gave away my microwave spring of 2010 and only reheat on the stove or oven and the food does tast better but I do try to cook with as little left overs as I can
ReplyDeleteKim :)
Get rid of those microwaves, People! They are evil and are contributing to all the wonko ailments and diseases folks are having to deal with these days. When I think of bottles of milk for babies being warmed in microwaves, I want to cry.
ReplyDeleteJane, your method of heating up leftovers is what I have used forever. So simple, so safe, uses very little energy. Of course, if you have a wood cook stove or wood heating stove going, what could be simpler than putting the same food in a covered pan on the top of either of those? No extra energy spent at all. ('Course, you do have to think ahead a little as the warming of the food is slower in most instances.)
We no longer use a microwave either..I just hate the thought of them and why eat organic food and drink organic milk if I was to heat something up in the microwave? kinda defeats the point of putting good things in our bodies.
ReplyDeleteLots of better tasting food for sure!
Sue, HA, well of course we are:)
ReplyDeleteDani, cast iron works much better than any other metal too. It seems stuff sticks to anything else.
Rick, I believe it. How do plastic walls contain all those horrible waves anyway?
Sharon, so true
Monica, once you get rid of it, you will be surprised that you dont really miss it.
Daisy, maybe a good goal for 2012, cut down on use?
Judy, that just shows you, if they build them so cheaply, how do we know they are containing the dangerous waves? Hope you days get better :)
Serenity, good thought. Just think how much you can accumulate in a days time with frequent use. Some people only use microwaves. Scary.
The weekend, good for you!
Tina, Ha, that would really be a project :)
Kim, good for you. And it is a savings on the electric bill too since most models are at least 1800 watts or more.
Mama Pea, I agree. I get sick thinking of all the PLASTIC bottles people put in the microwave for their tiny babies! And they think we are the crazy ones for saying the box is dangerous.
Farmer, absolutely!!
Wait, wait... are you talking about the BREADBOX? LOL, I'm with you, I only have one of those tiny dorm style cheapie $39 models I bought like 15 years ago but I haven't used it in years but it's my breadbox now :) Your way sounds way better, can't wait until I can have a wood stove or gas even, that's not even available in our neighborhood, ours is all energy-suck electric yuck!
ReplyDeleteI have wanted to completely get rid of the microwave for a few years, but my husband will not allow it. Sure I could put it in the garage (might still do that) but he would bring it back it. I reheat my stuff in the toaster oven or on stove top-oven. Still need to get that Sun Oven. He agrees to most of the things I do, but will not budge on that one. Thanks for the great info and encouragement - I may just stick that thing in the garage today.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I am commenting using google, still can comment using wordpress!
Erin, breadbox might be the only good use for it ;)
ReplyDeleteEmily, I am lucky, if my husband has to put any effort into food-like walk to the garage to heat it up- he would never use it. Your Husband is just to darn industrious ;) Glad to see you can comment, even if it is on google.
We have decided to go ahead and just do it. The microwave goes today!
ReplyDelete-Genevieve
Hilltop, good for you !!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your post, I went out shopping to some local Mennonite general stores. Almost every single store had a small notice on their bulletin board spouting about the dangers of microwaves.
ReplyDeleteI am taking this as a sign that I need to stop relying on it!
Prairie Cat, sometimes the universe does speak to us in strange ways. I would say it is time to ditch the box.
ReplyDeleteAgree with you about the unknowns of the microwave. We decided to never purchase one because the idea it promotes unhealthy eating. Pre-packaged/ready eat/ 'quick' frozen foods. Not having one keeps you on the straight and narrow of preparing what you need. When we bought the house the sellers left their microwave. It was a plague-like device. Slowly creeping into our lives. For months I would say, "Let's get rid of this thing before it comes to a point where we are dependent on it". Nearly a year later, after purchasing expensive ready foods, it finally went to a better home i.e. not ours!
ReplyDeleteSo it takes a bit longer to prepare your food. *shrugs* Not really. You get used to doing what needs to be done. Last night I made a huge pot of vegetable/potato/barley soup. Took 20 minutes to cook and 5-10 minutes to cut/chop/peel.
That's fast enough for a flavorful yummy veggie dinner!
TS@HG, Ha, plague-like! So true. I agree, most dinners go together rather quick, and there is something zen about getting your hands in the food that will nourish your body. Something you dont get with prepackaged.
ReplyDelete