to resist getting a microwave..............

[booksinbed]

on the basis that i have avauge feeling that they are "dangerous"- are they are is that thought "old hat" nowadays....i wd secretly love one !!!!!!

[WorraLiberty]

I haven't had one for about 15yrs.

The old one broke and I threw it out.

Yet, whenever the kids or DH ask where the dog's lead is, I say "It's in the draw under the microwave cupboard"

Bear in mind that 2 out of my 3 kids weren't even born when I had a microwave and I hadn't yet met my DH.....

I don't think they're dangerous as such but I do wonder if in years to come they might have an effect on our health?

Madness really as I have no idea why I think that?

[tropicalfish]

I dont have one either. I just use the oven.
I principally dont have one because I would rather have the counter top space.

[PelvicFloorClenchReminder]

I do have one, but I'm not sure why as I only use it to store the bread. Thinking about it, maybe an actual bread bin would take up less space..

[PelvicFloorClenchReminder]

Your post reminds me of the episode of Dharma and Greg in which her dad gets a microwave and has to hide behind the door wearing protective goggles whenever its on.
I'm not sure if it's actually dangerous, but then it wasn't that long ago that smoking and sunburn weren't considered dangerous either, so who knows?

[WorraLiberty]

I think more in terms of actually eating nuked food rather than being in the same room as the microwave.

But as I say, I have no idea why I think like that?

[LST]

I couldn't live without my microwave.

[AgentZigzag]

I mainly cook 'traditional' food from scratch, and the microwave saves so much time doing veg and stuff (and all the steam from boiling them on the hob, especially in the winter).

Veg tastes better cooked in the microwave as well, nice and crispy/crunchy.

Ours makes a funny clanking noise when you turn it on, but the risk I'm probably microwaving the family hasn't ever stopped me defrosting my late night pizza

What makes you secretly want one, and who's stopping you realising your dream?

[booksinbed]

i think i just dont trust them !!!- as i cannot get my head round if safe or not- what stops me is the not knowing re this aspect - plus its seems so basically werid to be able to heat food this way - cf with the convinience i crave !!!!

[booksinbed]

anyone know any reliable research or able to pint out how i could access some..........??

[FryOneGhoulishGhostlyManic]

MIL has just got her first microwave at the age of 83. She's having chemo for cancer and finding she's not got the energy to cook big meals.

I've been making extra portions of dinners and freezing them for her to re-heat when she wants. She's been buying little puddings and custard to re-heat as well, so hopefully we've now turned the corner in stopping her weight loss.

I don't think there's a problem with microwaves as long as they're used properly.

[MumOfAPickle]

YABU! Our old one broke recently and I lasted 3 days before I sent DH out to get one as it was driving me mad. I have DS who likes a cup of warm milk at night (30secs), DD who likes ever so slightly warmer milk in the morning (45secs). I can defost and cook small portions of bolognaise, mash, casseroles in minutes. It is completely essential in this house as I am terminally unorganised

It is an issue that I have to defend as my mil doesn't have one and is always saying ooh we don't need one as we don't eat ready meals, i cook proper food. I've lost count of the number of times that I've pointed out the reasons above. And I may take a small amount of pleasure in the number of pans that are needed when we stay at theirs!

Oh and porridge! Both kids & DH eat porridge every morning at different times - would be a nightmare to do it all on the stove.

Sorry for the essay

[sayithowitis]

I use mine everyday. Porridge is quicker and less messy than on the hob. Rice cooks perfectly. Like someone upthread, I also make extra portions of food to freeze and the microwave is great for re-heating those. It means DC2 can have a hot meal within a very short time of arriving home from work on the night shift. Actually, between the microwave, steamer and halogen oven, I really only use my oven to cook Christmas dinner or to batch bake/cook for the freezer. And I only use the hob now and again. When my cooker needed a part replacing last year, I managed quite happily without it for around six months and only bothered to repair it so I could cook Christmas dinner.

[Sallyingforth]

Microwaves do not affect the food in any way except make it hot. There is no test that can find any difference after it has been cooked.
The only possible problem is leakage of microwaves if the door seal is damaged. For that reason never buy a used one and don't let a child put its face near the door when it's running. The eyes are the most sensitive to radiation.

[Pascha]

I haven't had one since living at home with my parents more than 10 years ago. There wasn't room in my first kitchen and I just got used to not having it around.

[DappyHays]

chickenfilltet you can do rice in the micro using a rice steamer. You can get them in Lakeland or TK Maxx for under a tenner.

You put in your washed rice, cover it with boiling water, micro for 5 mins, stir and micro for another 5 mins, and it is ready and always perfect.

To begin with I loved it but, maybe this is because I use easy cook basmati rice, I started to notice a different flavour that I didn't like, so I've gone back to boiling.

The micro steamer is bloody brilliant for doing veg thought. Broccoli is fantastic done in it.

[sooperdooper]

I could easily live without one, we only seem to use it for making scrambled eggs, we were given one by the in laws but if it broke I woulnd't be in a hurray to replace it

[Floralnomad]

I'm sure if there was any safety issues they would be pretty common knowledge . I used to use mine a lot but I got one of the halogen ovens so now the microwave is only used occasionally . ( aside from that what did you decide about your horse Books? )

[GoSakuramachi]

They've been around for 60 years and are in nearly every home. Just how dangerous do you think they can be if no-one has noticed yet?

[booksinbed]

gosakuramachi- they said that bout stuff like asbestos etc - !! but i know what you mean...

[FlaminNoraImPregnantPanda]

OP my husband is a scientist who knows everything about nerdy science stuff. He said to assure you that they are 100% safe unless you start doing stuff you shouldn't with them. He said he's willing to explain exactly how they work if you like which would be the most dangerous part of getting one as you'd likely die of boredom.

[Dogsmom]

Couldn't do without mine, it makes an excellent shelf for unpaid bills and pens. I don't think I've seen the inside of it since the day I bought it though.

[sayithowitis]

Chicken, I cook rice in a microwave bowl with a vented lid. It cost me 99p in the 99p Shop. I put the rice in the bowl. Cover it with boiling water, so the water is about 2.5 cm above the rice. Cook on 50% power for around 15 minutes. Then 100% for about 3-5 minutes. Leave to stand for a couple of minutes and it is perfectly cooked, light and fluffy and I don't have to clean a pan full of sticky rice or a hob covered in yucky starchy water that has boiled over because I got distracted when I should have been watching the rice--.

[Trills]

Microwaves dangerous?

Is it 1930 in here?

[dexter73]

I love my microwave. I use it to heat up cold coffee, cook porridge, cook rice, defrost stuff, cook vegetables soup, heat up leftovers. They are also environmentally friendly as they take less time to cook something than an oven/hob.