The microwave is a versatile kitchen equipment that can make most people’s lives more convenient. If you’re thinking of getting a microwave oven, but is unsure if it is a kitchen must-have specifically for you and your situation, here are 5 scenarios you might fall into:
- You cook for 1-2 people.
If you only cook for yourself or for another person, it can be a chore to bring out your pans and clean them out at every meal, every day. It is one of the most common ways people get tired of cooking. But it shouldn’t have to be.
A microwave oven can give you a simple way to prepare and cook food as quickly and as efficiently as possible. From reheating leftovers to heating take-out food, and also cooking meals from scratch, the microwave can do a lot of kitchen tasks you wouldn’t have thought of incorporating into your day-to-day tasks before.
For example, have you ever poached an egg before? You may not have thought of cooking something as fancy as this since you were only cooking for 1-2 people. But with a microwave, you can and it would be easy to explore new cooking techniques beyond this.
- You’re a working mom/dad.
As working parents, time can be limited. One of the easiest things that get sacrificed is home cooked meals.
Many working moms and dads create a menu for make-ahead meals so that they won’t have to buy last-minute dinners or get pizza delivered for the kids to eat. Doing make-ahead meals also encourages a more relaxed dinner time with families.
Kids are then taught how to heat the meals in the microwave on their own. And if a parent does get home in time for dinner, they’ll be able to heat meals in a flash. No more cutting veggies, stewing meat, and preparing ingredients in a rush every night.
For parents who do prefer cooking meals when they get home, a microwave can still reduce the cooking time, especially if they’re trying to defrost food. Traditionally, people just leave frozen food in the sink to thaw before cooking, but microwaves cut this waiting time almost completely.
Once the food is defrosted, you can even continue cooking them on the microwave, or just pop it into the oven for hands-free cooking.
- You prep and cook meals once a week, then reheat during the rest of the week.
Many people spend the weekends preparing meals for the coming week. By pre-cooking and portioning meals, you can store them in your fridge for the rest of the week.
This way, your kids who came from school can just pop their meals into the microwave if you’re running late from work. It also ensures you are nourished with the food you want, even if you’re tired from the day’s work.
This technique of prepping food once a week not only saves you time, it also saves you money because you’re able to plan properly. This reduces the possibility of picking out grocery items beyond your budget.
- You’ve started eating healthier.
If you’ve begun eating healthier, the microwave can be a handy kitchen tool, since you’re able to steam vegetables, cook hard-boiled eggs, even cook complete meals from scratch with less or no oils.
People often tend to eat less healthy food when they go home tired from school or work and just grab anything “easy.” Preparing meals ahead and then using the microwave to reheat them during meals quickly gives you another option instead of eating junk food.
Also, when you use a microwave, you’re able to preserve nutrients. All foods that are cooked with liquid lose their vitamins and minerals, so using the pan or oven significantly reduces the food’s nutrients. On the other hand, microwave ovens require very little liquids to heat your food, so your meals are often more nutritious and would taste better (especially when boiled).
- You’re trying to bring down electricity costs.
Compared to using the traditional ovens, electric grillers, induction cookers, and other electric cooking equipment in the kitchen, microwaves have been tried and tested to use less energy.
In addition, microwaves are a lot easier to clean than pans, pots, and the oven. Using it immediately removes the need for a run on the dishwasher, and in turn, saves your household more energy.
If you’re trying to bring down your electricity consumption, the microwave oven is definitely a must-have. You may not see the effect using a microwave regularly has on your electric bill immediately, but it will be more apparent in the long run.
Did you see yourself and your current setup with any of the scenarios above? Some people even fall into two or more scenarios. If any of the situations are familiar to you, then you’ll definitely benefit from owning a microwave oven.
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