Microwave ovens are a staple of most kitchens. If you are heating a huge amount of food, a microwave will help a lot. They also cook some types of meals and even bake cookies.
But there are some drawbacks to using a microwave which I will discuss later in this post.
Microwaves Are Convenient
They’re fast, so you can cook food in a fraction of the time it would take on the stovetop or in an oven.
This means that if you’re making something small like popcorn or a quick meal like macaroni and cheese, it’ll be done faster than it would be if you had to cook it on top of the stove or in an oven that has to preheat first.
Microwaves also allow you to cook multiple dishes at once; just pop them in the microwave and go about your business while they do their thing.
Reheat Food
You can use the microwave to warm up leftovers or heat up last night’s dinner when you don’t want to fire up the stove again. It’s also great for heating up baby bottles quickly, which is especially handy in the middle of the night when your baby cries out for food.
Reheat Coffee and Tea
If you need to reheat an already brewed cup of coffee or tea, put it in your microwave instead of in the pot on the stovetop. The microwave will heat it up faster than a stovetop burner would.
Space-Saving Design
Microwaves are compact, so they take up less space on your countertop than other appliances such as an oven or stovetop range. And since they don’t require much counter space, it’s easy to find room for them in any kitchen design scheme.
Microwave Ovens are used to Cook Food
Microwave ovens aren’t just used for reheating leftovers or nuking popcorn; they’re also great for baking cakes and cookies, melting butter and chocolate chips, warming tortillas, and keeping hot beverages warm while you’re working on other things in the kitchen.
Many microwaves even come with a defrost feature that makes it easy to thaw frozen foods without having to cook them first.
Making Popcorn
You can make popcorn in the microwave by adding one tablespoon of oil and popcorn kernels to a brown bag and microwaving on high for two minutes. You can also buy pre-popped microwave popcorn in bags or boxes at the grocery store if you don’t feel like making your own.
Baking Cakes and Cookies
You don’t have to preheat a microwave oven when baking cookies or cakes, which means they’re ready to use as soon as you need them. And they work well for small batches of batter or dough.
Cooking Vegetables
Microwave heating makes vegetables crispier than boiling or steaming does, so you’ll get better results if you cook vegetables this way instead of boiling or steaming them in water.
Most vegetables will take about 2 to 3 minutes to cook in the microwave, but some types may require less time. Check the directions on your vegetable package for specific cooking times.
Are Energy-Efficient
Microwaves use less energy than other cooking methods, which means they cost less to operate and are better for the environment than gas or electric stoves.
If your microwave is part of an integrated system, for example, it uses even less energy because it doesn’t have to power any additional appliances as a stovetop does.
Microwaves can be used safely in many situations
Unlike ovens or open flames, microwaves don’t pose much risk of fire or burns unless you leave something unattended for too long or try using one without water; which is never recommended.
Are easier to Clean than Ovens
Microwaves are easy to clean, unlike conventional ovens which require scrubbing and cleaning after each use. Microwave ovens only need a wipe-over with water and a cloth before storing them away after use.
And unlike some other small appliances like blenders and coffee makers that need regular maintenance, most microwaves have few moving parts that break down over time. That means your microwave will likely last for years without any major repairs or replacements needed.
Microwaves are Cheaper to Buy
Microwaves are also cheaper to buy than ovens, especially if you’re looking for one that uses less power. The cost of a microwave varies based on the size and features, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $350 for a basic unit.
Cons
One of the biggest problems is that microwaves can have superheated water. When water is heated in a microwave, it can become superheated and release steam when disturbed or splashed could lead to burns or even an explosion in some cases. Superheated water can also cause hot spots in your food, which could lead to burns as well.
Another drawback of microwave ovens is that they are not suitable for cooking large meals. The small size of the microwave makes it difficult to cook large portions of food.