Discussion Board

Hi,
I just checked Walmart.com, they have several for $49 with free shipping to a nearby store for you to pick up. Here's one of them http://www.walmart.com/ip/Oster-0.9-Cub ... e/19715194

There's one refurbished model for $39 but it has a bad review. I thought Amazon would be comparable but I didn't have any luck finding a sub-50-dollar one there.

Thank you! It seems the days of finding a $30 microwave at Walmart are quite long gone...

I'm still wondering if it's worth it for a mere 3 months...and am rather enjoying the haphazard attempts at utilizing a stove properly. At least the microwave cooks everything the same way every time!

I wouldn't invest in one for only 3 months. I find this discussion so very interesting. I had no access to a microwave until I was an adult and had been cooking for some time -- I would say that cooking on the stove is easier because it is the same every time! I guess it is just a matter of what you are used to using.

Sharon

This IS an interesting thread. For 3 months, if I were you, I'd go without..

But I want to add my favorite part of the microwave, which no one has mentioned yet, directly--fewer dishes, pots, and pans to wash! Except for baking potatoes on the oven racks, which takes no dish or pan at all, nothing beats the micro for reheating in the dish you're going to eat out of!

I use mine reheat leftovers but that is about it. Ours broke one time and I didn't get another for a year or so. I don't really get why people are so attached to them, food doesn't taste good that has been cooked in them.

Wow, so many different viewpoints!

I actually think the microwave may taste better on most occasions. Somehow the food seems to retain its more natural, original flavor...whereas baking gives it a cakey sweetness, and boiling tends to strip flavor almost entirely. It depends on what you're making, of course. (Or has microwaved food corrupted my taste buds? )

The lack of dishes is very tempting, and it's only been a few days! Oh my, I really have gotten used to a fast lifestyle.

Sharonbikes,

How do you roast potatoes in the oven? Non stick pan, parchment paper, for how long, at what tem? I haven't had an oven for almost 20 yrs and now I have one, but don't know how to use it! Also, how do you cut them, and fry them? Sounds delicious and I'd like to try your method.

Thanks,
Barbara

I cut the potatoes up into smallish pieces -- I normally cut the potato in half then slice it in half longwise and then into thirds so I end up with kinda triangular shaped pieces about 1/2 inch or so thick. Put them one layer deep on a cookie sheet -- lined with parchment paper or I have silicone baking mats I use. Sprinkle generously with granulated garlic and pop into the oven. About 350 for about 30-40 minutes. I have a convection oven that browns the potatoes nicely on both sides. But, even without convection they cook up nicely -- crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside. Yummy!

Sharon

"Somehow the food seems to retain its more natural, original flavor...whereas baking gives it a cakey sweetness, and boiling tends to strip flavor almost entirely."

Those aren't your only options for cooking on a stove - roasting veggies carmelizes the sugar in them so that they do get sweeter in the oven. But, you can also easily steam veggies on the stovetop or sautee them in a skillet. Right now I am eating asparagus out of my garden -- I cut it up into pieces that fit into my skillet, heat up the pan, throw the asparagus in and cover it. In just a few minutes the asparagus is lightly steamed and delicious. This works with most veggies -- it is fast and easy and a delicious way to eat fresh veggies. Throw in some pre-cooked rice and warm it all up together -- takes just a few minutes to do.

I cook big meals on/in the electric stove and these last me and my wife 3 days dinners however I couldn't live without the microwave to warm up the leftovers.
Cooking no, heating yes.

Thanks, Sharon. I will try it. Sounds delicious!!!!

I could never figure out the attraction of a microwave! We have one but I never use it. I have in the past but never liked the texture of the food cooked in it. I use my slow cooker for baking potatoes (they turn out fabulous!) and I use my toaster oven or my stove top to warm up leftovers. I would get rid of the microwave but my husband wouldn't hear of it (he warms his ghoul food in it!).....

I used to steam veggies in the microwave, so I must just not be used to that agonizing sweet taste in baked starchy veggies. I will definitely use your cooking techniques in the future! Thanks for the recipe.

Glenn, I know what you mean! I am a bit tired of cold leftovers, but it does mesh well with the summer heat...so I suppose I might have to live with it, for now.

megs, I actually prefer the texture! But then again I also used to eat the extremely rubbery forms of breads solely for their rubbery textures. Haha, how odd. Does the slow cooker steam your potatoes? And is there any way to avoid having to use (and wash) so many dishes with heating foods up on the stovetop? Being single and living a fast-paced busy lifestyle...I'm quite new at cooking, unfortunately.

I cook all my dinners with the stove, oven, rice cooker, pressure cooker and slow cooker. Having said that, I have two microwaves in my kitchen and they are often both going at the same time, with a line of items waiting to go in.

I have to cook for a family of four and one of our members is very picky. I will usually have to reheat a previous meal or make her a bean quesadilla because she won't eat what I fix for the rest of us. We heat up cooked potatoes, rice and leftovers multiple times a day. My lunch is usually reheated leftovers from dinner the night before. Two weeks ago, my "second" microwave gave out and I didn't waste a minute buying a replacement one.

I could live without a microwave, but I sure wouldn't want to.

i pretty much only use the microwave for potatoes but i prefer them in the microwave. i dont see the point of turning on the oven for one potato. i like the fact it gets more chewy or whatever. and i havent burnt much in the microwave except bedding for my animals to sterilize it lol. i use the stove sometimes but i am good at burning water it seems lol. i'm lazy and incompetent so i would die without the microwave right now.