Doing without a microwave - do you? Can I?

twiglet98

My microwave finally gave up the ghost this morning, with a flash and burning smell, and has gone to the recycling depot this afternoon. I went straight to Tesc0 to get another. The old one was an Arg0s cheapie about four years old.

I was looking for a simple manual one, not digital, with a handle to open the door, not a push button, and black or stainless steel, not white. Or maybe spend a little more to get one with a grill, as the grill on my oven doesn't work, but I imagine they're horrible to clean. Nothing in Tesc0 that matched all criteria. Remembered Sains had a Russell Hobbs that did, but didn't want to go another 13 miles to Sainsbugs so came home without one. And now I'm wondering if I really need it at all.

Just me living here now, younger DD here a couple of nights a week and normally does pasta or porridge on the hob. I microwave porridge in the bowl to reduce washing up. I use it to reheat cold coffee, for frozen veg or baked beans, and for jacket potatoes if there's nothing else in the oven (electric oven and hob). Also I heat wheat bags, and they're probably the only thing I can't do with the oven or hob instead. Is saving on electricity a good enough reason to buy a new one? I'm not so sure.

Of course lots of people don't have them, but if you once did, and now you don't, what do you miss most? Are the kind with a grill worth having?

BonandDom

I haven't had a microwave now for nearly four years and the only time I miss it is for Christmas Puds:D

elsien

When mine broke I missed it for quickly defrosting food (especially meat) when I got home at night after work as I rarely remember to take things out in the morning before I go. And steam puddings.
Other than that I don't use it that often, I prefer to cook things on the hob. Ended up having to replace it though as tea was getting later and later.

happy35

i had a microwave and when it broke i didnt replace it for about 5 years as I didnt really use it. I did however miss it in the beginning for jacket pots.

OH decided he would like a microwave as he would use it etc etc so we got one at Sainsbury's when thye had them half price. I dont know why i listened to him as it is sitting on the bench and used at the most once a fortnight. I personally dont like the taste of microwave food as think it tastes totally different if cooked on the hob or in the oven

shop-to-drop

You could try putting a want on freecycle someone may be upgrading and have one of those simple types to get rid of.

Funky_Bold_Ribena

I haven't had one for 7 years, don't miss it one bit and wouldn't have one in the house ever again.

trolleyrun

I'd be lost without mine. I use it to heat up frozen hm meals, the dog's porridge in the morning, and my porridge in winter. I use a lot of the rice pouches as well

hauxwell

Haven't had one in years and don't miss it at all. My oven and hob do everything I would want a microwave for.

My sister did struggle with what to do to heat up my nieces bedtime milk though when she visited...my sister didn't seem to understand that it could be done in a pan on the hob!

SmlSave

We didn't have a microwave for almost 5 years, just got used to doing everything on the hob.

Just got one a few weeks ago and keep forgetting I have it!

catkins

I have one but I very rarely use it. I occasionally make porridge in it and I sometimes use it to start off jacket potatoes but I could manage perfectly well without it

ditsykitchen

I don't have one. Haven't had one in 2 years. I reheat chilli, stew, etc in a pan on the hob. That's all I ever used it for anyway