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Farm Kitchen:  Gone Microwave-less  |
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happysahm
Farmgirl in Training
14 Posts
Sonja
Bonney Lake
WA
14 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 17 2010 : 08:41:39 AM
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Hi!
I'm wondering if any of you have ditched your microwave. If so, how long has it been, what were your reasons, what adjustments did you have to make, etc? I want to hear your stories!
I have "temporarily" removed mine as a test. My family isn't very pleased and think I'm nuts. I absolutely LOVE having that extra counter space in our small kitchen. It's not quite been a full day yet. The biggest challenge so far was when I went to get my hubby's bagel out of the freezer @ 5:45 am! Kind of hard to slice it and toast that way. Tossed it under the broiler for a couple minutes then I could cut it. Anyway, love to hear from you all!
Sonja Spithaler |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
Posted - Mar 17 2010 : 08:45:25 AM
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Our microwave is dying. I don't use it but hubby and Dad do. Mom and i are thinking when the microwave dies then we just conveniently won't buy one. Hubby and I didn't have one at our other house - I think they are evil. :) Convenient, yes but I'm not sure what those little microwavey things are doing to the food. Good luck on your test. I know that a long time ago my mom got rid of her microwave and they didn't have one. My dad was c-r-a-b-b-y, but he survived. :)
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.wakeupstartlearning.blogspot.com
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Mar 17 2010 : 09:20:53 AM
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I have one, but it is very rarely used, its in my pantry on the floor, not plugged in. I think the last time it was used was Christmas 3-4 yrs ago to warm up some coffee.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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vegetarian farmer
True Blue Farmgirl
249 Posts
Jane
Freedom
pa
USA
249 Posts |
Posted - Mar 17 2010 : 1:45:48 PM
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I did a challenge this month to cut down on electric usage and the microwave had to go. I miss it and I can't belive it. I agree with Amy that they are evil but I see now I used it more than I thought. You have to really plan ahead to make lunch and dinner, because you can't pull something out of the freezer five minutes before. I have a pilot light in my stove I can use to keep a plate warm, not hot, so poor hubby has a luke warm dinner most nights.
Jane
http://hardworkhomestead.blogspot.com/ |
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happysahm
Farmgirl in Training
14 Posts
Sonja
Bonney Lake
WA
14 Posts |
Posted - Mar 17 2010 : 3:24:15 PM
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| Tried to warm hubby's leftover steak in the oven last night, but I guess it wasn't long enough and was a bit cold in the middle. Oops! Thanks for all the input. I'm not going to die on this hill, but it's worth a shot! Especially when I am LOVIN' that extra counter space in our teenie kitchen. :) |
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prairie_princess
True Blue Farmgirl
613 Posts
Elizabeth
Carpenter
WY
USA
613 Posts |
Posted - Mar 17 2010 : 5:31:27 PM
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we haven't had one for about 6 years, maybe more. nowhere we lived had enough counter space, so we just never had one. many think it's strange, but i'm so used to it now, i don't even notice. i've learned a trick for re-heating stuff - wrap it in foil loosely, make a foil tent around your food and leave the sides open for venting... keeps it moist and steamy, doesn't cook the food anymore. we always test something to make sure it's done... usually takes about half an hour and my magic temperature is 350 degrees. i've discovered some things, especially right out of the freezer, may need to be cut in half when the outside is hot and the middle is still cold.
"Only two things that money can't buy, that's true love and homegrown tomatoes."
- Guy Clark
"The man who has planted a garden feels he has done something for the good of the world."
- Charles Dudley Warner |
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maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
Posted - Mar 17 2010 : 7:41:31 PM
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We have never had one for all of my 15 years. We don't have one because of all the health resones.
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Friendship is not something that can be bought, it is earned. |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4238 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4238 Posts |
Posted - Mar 18 2010 : 11:33:52 AM
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Ours died maybe 5 years ago, I don't remember for sure. I won't get another one. I did get a used toaster oven. That works great for heating, and thawing things.
Michele |
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happysahm
Farmgirl in Training
14 Posts
Sonja
Bonney Lake
WA
14 Posts |
Posted - Mar 18 2010 : 12:02:54 PM
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| Really? You can thaw in the toaster oven? |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4238 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4238 Posts |
Posted - Mar 19 2010 : 06:28:10 AM
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Yes I do, I put the temp about 200 or so, and it has worked for me. I do have a tray that goes in my old toaster oven.
Michele |
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
Posted - Mar 19 2010 : 06:35:07 AM
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I hardly ever use mine. It was a goft from a friend when I moved here. But if I had MY choice I would not have gotten one then lol. TOO stingy I think.
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog:
http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Almost daily updates on me and mine :)
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knittingmomma
True Blue Farmgirl
106 Posts
Tonya
Vermont
106 Posts |
Posted - Mar 19 2010 : 06:54:39 AM
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We are a family of eight and have not had a microwave for over ten years... there is just something not right about waves going through your food. Over time you will forget you ever had one.
Warm wishes and joy,
Tonya - Homemaking, homesteading, homelearning Mom of 6 - http://plainandjoyfulliving.blogspot.com |
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Montrose Girl
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm
1360 Posts
Laurie
Montrose
CO
1360 Posts |
Posted - Mar 20 2010 : 06:43:27 AM
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I'm going on about 10 years without one in my house. Since I travel for work and eating out every nights gets old, I do microwave soups in the hotel, but that's because I don't have a stove. I don't miss it, but as others have said enjoy the counter space. It was just another "thing" in the house. Something about zapping your food made me take pause. And I have become quite efficient at cooking popcorn on the stove. It tastes wonderful too.
Best Growing |
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Prairie Princess
True Blue Farmgirl
1075 Posts
Jodi
Washington
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - Mar 20 2010 : 10:23:30 AM
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I grew up without a microwave...17 years. You make do, and when I moved in with my father, I didn't even know how to use one.  Now I use one frequently, since my kitchen was being remodeled. We've finally got the stove plugged in and the counters done, so I need to break the habit. Fiance' says the reason microwaves cause health risks is they heat the food through 'agitating' the molecules...the microwaves move the molecules around, causing friction that quickly heats the food. The problem is, it breaks them open or apart or something, and they become free radicals. Which are the little dangerous buggers antioxidants fight in your body.
~Jodi
"Women are like teabags...you never know how strong they are until they get into hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt
www.jodielyzabeth.blogspot.com
www.patternprincess.blogspot.com
www.jodieliza.etsy.com
I'm engaged! Follow my wedding planning and sentimental musings at:
www.justinandjodiforever.blogspot.com |
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Pamela Joy
True Blue Farmgirl
89 Posts
Pamela
Hesperus
CO
USA
89 Posts |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 06:58:48 AM
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Before my husband and I were married or living together, both of our microwaves died, and neither of us replaced it. It has been about 13 or 14 years and we have never missed having one. I still kept mine...but I use it as a stool at the back of my loom, to sit on while I thread the heddles. I never even think about microwaving. A real "out of sight, out of mind" thing, on top of not feeling good about them in the first place. We don't have a dishwasher either. I suppose if you really use these things a lot and then find yourself w/o, it could be a big adjustment. But even when I lived with microwave and dishwasher in the past, I rarely used either one.
Good luck with your experiment.
Peace, Love, and Joy |
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quiltin mama
True Blue Farmgirl
436 Posts
Heather
Crescent City
CA
USA
436 Posts |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 11:15:36 AM
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We tossed out our microwave about 3 years ago for a couple reasons.
Reason #1- radiation. I know that other things in your house give it off too (like the computer!) but anything to cut it down is helpful!
Reason #2- it just doesn't make healthy sense to be able to reheat a food in like 30 seconds. Something is wrong with that- so unnatural!
Reason #3- our kitchen is small and there's no sense in taking up more precious counter space!!
my blog www.mountainhomequilts.blogspot.com
handmade quilts on etsy www.mountainhomequilts.etsy.com |
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happysahm
Farmgirl in Training
14 Posts
Sonja
Bonney Lake
WA
14 Posts |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 3:52:36 PM
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| We've gone several days without using it now. So encouraged to see how any of you don't have one. Funny about the dishwasher being mentioned. I find myslef more and more disenchanted with mine. It's only a year old and does a horrible job at cleaning the dishes! There's something therapeutic about putting your hands in that sudsy warm water and washing away....especially if you have a window to look out! |
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herblady55
True Blue Farmgirl
3470 Posts
Judy
Louisville
Ohio(Stark Co)
USA
3470 Posts |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 6:53:25 PM
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I put my mocrowave and toaster in the basement and bought a toaster/convection/rotiserie instead. Like other gals, I grew fearful of it. Just not natural. I wonder if a lot of our cancers are coming from so many waves.(just a thought)I love my toaster oven. It makes toast really crunchy outside/fluffy inside. I don't mind getting a pan out and doing left-overs like my mama use too. What's even better is how it warms left-over things like french-fries, hush-puppies, biscuits and garlic toast back to their original state-not mushy(can a microwave do that?I think not)Plus I have extra counter space too now. Who doesn't like that? Oh sure, there were a couple of times in the beginning that I turned to use the micro and caught myself, but not as much as I thought I would. All-in-all, I'm very satisfied!
Sister-chick# 905(Oct.7th2009)
Judy
Hugs&Squeezles!
I am not contained between my hat and my boots! -Walt Whitman- |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 8:24:40 PM
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i agree with heather. we gave ours up 12 years ago. radiation. i do not miss it at all. sherry
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farmgirl #1014
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Singing Tree Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
196 Posts
Cari
Chase
Michigan
USA
196 Posts |
Posted - Mar 22 2010 : 6:06:17 PM
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I never had one until a well meaning family member... . But then it blew up, sparks flying all over and I said no more. It went to the trash and I have refused to buy another one. My children had become used to it and at first really missed it. Now we don't even think about it anymore.
All of creation sings Your praise! |
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vintagejenta
True Blue Farmgirl
83 Posts
Sarah
Walden
NY
USA
83 Posts |
Posted - Apr 04 2010 : 07:02:30 AM
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We have one and it takes up quite a bit of counter space in our teensy tiny kitchen. I use it mostly to heat up leftovers (I use the one at work, too) and to defrost meat (I'm bad at planning that far in advance!).
We do not, however, make popcorn in it anymore. The "butter" flavoring is terrible for you! So my boyfriend's mom gave us a Stir Crazy popcorn popper that, unlike air poppers, uses oil and stirs the popcorn as it pops. I always burn popcorn on the stovetop, so we use this quite a bit! It's kind of a pain to clean, but tastes pretty good.
Never thought about giving up our microwave (we do have a toaster oven that sits in the cupboard under the sink), but might have to at some point! I, too, have always been a little wary of how they work. But we have wireless internet and use cellphones, so I guess there's not much escaping all the microwaves.
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http://citygirlcountryfood.wordpress.com |
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bdhughes77
True Blue Farmgirl
126 Posts
Debbie
Menomonie
WI
USA
126 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2010 : 12:52:33 PM
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Pamela Joy (3/21/10)
This reply has nothing to do with microwaves but thanks for opening my eyes about heddle threading. I just have a rigid heddle loom but I always sit in front and reach to the back and it's a pain! Thus, I don't weave as often as I want because I don't like threading the heddles. I don't have a spare microwave but I do have a stool that's about the right height! Thanks! Debbie (Joy-also my middle name)
Count your blessings! |
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OneCraftyBugger
True Blue Farmgirl
626 Posts
R
USA
626 Posts |
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tweedlebee
Farmgirl in Training
20 Posts
Samantha
Spokane Valley
wa
USA
20 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2010 : 8:10:38 PM
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When we bought our house a little over a year ago the house didn't have one and we decided that it wasn't neccesary so we didn't buy one, and we never missed it. My mother in law thought we were crazy and bought us one for Christmas but it now sits unused in the kitchen by us, the only ones that ever use it is guests. We just found new (old) ways to do things.
Farmgirl Sitster #1327
www.tweedlebeeandtweedlebum.com |
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alterationsbyemily
True Blue Farmgirl
691 Posts
Emily
Chambersburg
PA
USA
691 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2010 : 9:15:31 PM
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Ours died last july and we didn't have the room in the budget to replace it, we just started to do with out and now we really don't think about it... except when we want to defrost meat, other than that we do just fine.
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See my custom costumes, download free patterns, and hear some spook EVPs from Gettysburg, PA on my site, www.alterationsbyemily.com |
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Farm Kitchen: Gone Microwave-less |
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Gone Microwave-less
