Life Without the Microwave
By alaskanray
@alaskanray (4636)
United States
November 6, 2011 11:02am CST
Several years ago I was helping a friend of mine with her magazine (she publishes). One of the articles she shared with me in the course of my working for her stated that they had found that microwave ovens change the molecular structure of our food, making them carcinogenic. For those of you unfamiliar with that term, it means that it causes cancer.
Since then I have avoided using a microwave at all costs and do not have one in my home. It has not always been easy since most offices I worked in had only a microwave to heat things up in but somehow I have managed.
Another friend of mine taught me how to reheat things without a microwave using a double boiler method, which I can use for things like oatmeal. Some things I just fry up or reheat with direct heat in the pan, adding a few drops of water to keep them from scorching. I use my toaster oven for some things, too. All in all, though, I have not missed my microwave.
I am glad that I gave it up, actually. Microwaves never heated my food evenly and I hated nuking something just to find that cold spot in the middle still there...or else having to nuke it to death and then having it so hot that it scalded my tongue! My toaster oven is a wonderful tool for heating things up and it only takes a little longer than the microwave, heats evenly and does wonderful things with cheese! It browns things I want browned and melts things I want melted. Much superior to the microwave, in my opinion.
How much to you use your microwave? Have you ever considered tossing it? Had you heard of the study I quoted here? Does this little tidbit of information make any difference to your use of your microwave? If so or if not, what are your thoughts on the matter?
How much to you use your microwave? Have you ever considered tossing it? Had you heard of the study I quoted here? Does this little tidbit of information make any difference to your use of your microwave? If so or if not, what are your thoughts on the matter?6 people like this
12 responses
@umabharti (3972)
• India
6 Nov 11
i never used a micro wave or an oven i have the wish to have one of it ,it cost a little high some what 8000 or ten .And i dont know how to use it also.Mainly for biscuits and cakes i am thinking its useful.I dont have much knowledge regarding that microwave and oven.
2 people like this
@umabharti (3972)
• India
6 Nov 11
im from India and from south .It costs nearly 8000 rupees ,tat is indian currency.
My kitchen is with only a Gas stove nothing more.
I used the current cooker which cooks with the electricity but now its on repair.
Even the refriegerator is under repair.So we did not try buying a new one.
I never used this Oven and Microwave.
2 people like this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
7 Nov 11
Wow, Uma, your lifestyle is very different from my own. I looked up the exchange of rupees to US dollars and it figures to about $150-200 which is pretty much the norm for a new microwave.
I don't know if you have electric rice cookers over there but I use mine all the time for cooking. It's very easy on the electricity usage and cooks like a dream, and at a fraction of the cost of a microwave. Good luck.
And thanks for sharing a bit of your part of the world.
And thanks for sharing a bit of your part of the world.2 people like this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
6 Nov 11
Where do you live, Uma? 8000 is very high but what currency is that? I would be interested in learning more about where you live and what your kitchen is like. Please share more.
2 people like this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
6 Nov 11
Hello alaska. . I have read some articles about the dangers of microwave ovens. I have read some about them being banned in Russia. The only thing I use one for is sometime heating water for tea. If I was living on my own I would not have one in the house. For one I don't like the way it changes the flavor of any thing heated in it. For another I don't think food cooked or heated in them is really safe. I get a news letter from a Dr. Mercola. He was a guest on Dr Oz's show some time back so I think he can be trusted.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/05/18/microwave-hazards.aspx
. I have read some articles about the dangers of microwave ovens. I have read some about them being banned in Russia. The only thing I use one for is sometime heating water for tea. If I was living on my own I would not have one in the house. For one I don't like the way it changes the flavor of any thing heated in it. For another I don't think food cooked or heated in them is really safe. I get a news letter from a Dr. Mercola. He was a guest on Dr Oz's show some time back so I think he can be trusted.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/05/18/microwave-hazards.aspx2 people like this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
6 Nov 11
Yeah, I don't like the way it makes food taste, either. The reason for this is that it does not cook the food, but the moisture in the food is heated by the microwaves which leaves food with that nasty rubbery texture. I could never get my food heated evenly, either, so when I had one I generally only used it for boiling water which didn't make it worth keeping, my use of it was so minimal.
Thanks for the reference, btw.
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
7 Nov 11
Telmesh, I don't worry about the microwave usage in restaurants since I don't eat there all the time. We cannot cut all harmful things from our lives so we have to pick and choose what we are able to and not worry about what we cannot have power over.
The important thing we need to realize is that awareness is key because then we can choose for ourselves whether or not we want to eat or cook a particular thing in that way. It's never going to be 100% free of harm but we can minimize it by our own actions.
Also, it wouldn't hurt to mention to any restaurant owner where you like to patronize that you are concerned about this and maybe encourage them to stop using microwave ovens. They may not comply but if you ask specifically for your food not to be nuked when you eat out, the less they use the microwave, the more they will be likely to eventually stop using it altogether. It all starts with awareness. If we can ask for no guacamole with our nachos, certainly we should be able to ask no nuking of our food in a restaurant, right?
Also, it wouldn't hurt to mention to any restaurant owner where you like to patronize that you are concerned about this and maybe encourage them to stop using microwave ovens. They may not comply but if you ask specifically for your food not to be nuked when you eat out, the less they use the microwave, the more they will be likely to eventually stop using it altogether. It all starts with awareness. If we can ask for no guacamole with our nachos, certainly we should be able to ask no nuking of our food in a restaurant, right?1 person likes this
@telmesh (1793)
•
7 Nov 11
Hi deebomb I have just looked at Dr. Mercola's report and it is quite worrying also is the fact that Russia has banned microwave ovens. Most restaurants use microwaves, therefore it would mean not dinning out for fear that microwaves would be used to change our food and deplete it nutritionally.
1 person likes this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
8 Nov 11
A lot of people do. I never liked the way it made my food taste and the health concerns just clinched the deal for me.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
8 Nov 11
I hate them! Baking/cooking in them just makes the food taste so bad, hard, tasteless. I later learned it boils things from the inside out...so the inside "cooks" longer than the outside! Like baked potatoes...nuked they are just so gross I won't bother eating one. But baked in the oven...oh so good! Meats, to me, taste bad nuked! I want it fried, or baked or grilled...not boiled meat!
Only time I use it is to heat things up. Didn't know about the cancer thing. But I will only heat things. Canned corn and the like or heat water for hot tea. I have a toaster oven that bakes/reheats things in minutes and I will wait a few minutes for something good! Like pizza..nuked it is just tough and dry, but toaster oven..crunchy crust and moist cheesy toppings! And the nuker does't melt cheese..it just dries it up and burns it! No, I am not a fan of nukers.
2 people like this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
8 Nov 11
I totally agree with you. When I did have a microwave I rarely used it for more than boiling water and my toaster oven is so much superior to the microwave in more ways than one!
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
6 Nov 11
I agree with you and to be honest, I'd like to give up my microwave as well. I keep telling Hubby not to heat things in plastic bowls but he says it heats things up quicker and he's gonna do it. It's easy to fall into the microwave trap, though. But if I had my way, that microwave would be gone.
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
6 Nov 11
Plastic heats faster because it has some moisture content in it. Microwaves do not heat the food, they heat the moisture in the food which is why you oftentimes get that rubbery texture. Also, plastic should never be used for hot foods as it leaches harmful chemicals from the petroleum products used to produce the plastic into your food. Plastic should be reserved for cold foods and ceramic or metal dishes used for hot.
1 person likes this
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
7 Nov 11
I've gotten rid of our microwave oven a long time ago already, actually it was only given to us by my sister and when it konked out I did not buy another one cause it came at a time when we wanted to cut on electricity consumption. LPG gas is cheaper here than electricity and I prefer conventional cooking, besides I do not need speed since I do not work in an office, yes I've heard all those negatives about the microwave but it does not concern me anymore.
2 people like this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
8 Nov 11
I, too, prefer the conventional cooking. I think it tastes better. I've had too many of my microwaved foods come out tasting rubbery and plastic.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
6 Nov 11
I mean no disrespect to your belief but no, personally, I wouldn't stop using a microwave and I have had one in my home consistently for more than 20 years. Microwave ovens employ what is called non-ionizing radiation - this does not have the ability to alter DNA. Ionizing radiation, like from xrays or other medical tests, does have the ability to alter or even kill cells if there is enough exposure and it is believed that this type of radiation exposure can lead to certain cancers.
By way of examples, the American Cancer Society states that using a microwave oven contains the waves within the oven and there's no evidence that there is a health risk to people. They have interesting reading on the subject on their website here:
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/OtherCarcinogens/MedicalTreatments/radiation-exposure-and-cancer
Health Canada also states that microwaves do not alter the chemical components of the food inside the microwave. Basically, as they explain it, microwaves are generated electronically. They don't have any radioactive source so they don't cause the appliance or the food to become radioactive.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/prod/micro-f-a-eng.php
Ultimately, though, everyone has their preferences and comfort levels and that's what matters I don't just use my microwave for reheating or defrosting... I do use it for cooking meals from scratch. There are actually some recipes that I like better cooked in the microwave than the oven... depends what it is Toaster ovens are great, I agree! I had one for awhile that broke and I'm sure I'll be replacing it because it was also very convenient.
I don't just use my microwave for reheating or defrosting... I do use it for cooking meals from scratch. There are actually some recipes that I like better cooked in the microwave than the oven... depends what it is Toaster ovens are great, I agree! I had one for awhile that broke and I'm sure I'll be replacing it because it was also very convenient.2 people like this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
6 Nov 11
I agree, to each his own. I don't use a charcoal grill, either. Don't care for the taste and I also was taught that it makes food carcinogenic.
I never liked the way the microwave worked for me...never liked the way it made my food taste and it never heated evenly. About all I was using it for the last few years I had one was boiling water for tea and I don't need that use anymore, either. I have a nifty water boiler that works about as fast as the microwave ever did...and without the noise. lol
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
6 Nov 11
Hi There,
Very interesting. No, I haven't read any articles regarding the microwave but it does make sense. I do have one and I hardly ever use it....almost never. I grew up in an era that did not include microwaves and so it just is natural habit for me to cook and heat things up using the stove. I have occasionally heated a coffee in it but since I usually drink my coffee iced, that is rare. Once in a great while me or my daughter will use it for a pizza or a hot pocket. Even that is rare. Would I get rid of it? Oh I don't know. Even though we hardly ever use it, on the times that we have, I'm grateful for it.
2 people like this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
6 Nov 11
Yes, even when I had one I only used it for boiling water for my tea. I have a nifty little electric pitcher that boils water in just about a minute so I don't really need a microwave for that, either. I don't miss it. My kitchen has limited space so it's just one more space taker that I don't need.
1 person likes this
@JUSTBLACK (101)
• Lagos, Nigeria
6 Nov 11
I dont solely rely on microwave to reheat minewhile some foods are cookd in it here in my country.
1 person likes this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
6 Nov 11
I think it is more commonly used in some countries than in others...and in some areas of the country than others. I know that a lot of restaurants use it a lot anymore for quick fixes.
1 person likes this
@JodeneB (177)
• United States
6 Nov 11
Good for you! I had heard something about changing the molecular structure of the food. I do have a microwave, but don't use it very often. The reason for that is that I don't eat all that frozen pre-made junk at the stores. Those frozen meals are so full of preservatives & chemicals that we are just poisoning ourselves by eating it. Those chemicals prevent our bodies from working the way they are supposed to. (fast food especially) We barely ever have any leftovers to reheat anyway, but on that occasion, I do use the microwave. Most people use it for convenience sake- very little time. Unfortunatlely, I don't rule out my mircrowave, but I use it very rarely!
2 people like this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
6 Nov 11
I never liked the way the microwave heated things. No matter what it was, it always came out tasting plastic...even my leftovers. I don't miss it at all, really. About the only thing I was using it for when I had one was boiling water for tea and I have a nifty little electric water boiler that does that in almost as little time.
Too many restaurants use these things to avoid it altogether but I figure quantity of usage is what counts. It's impossible to avoid all carcinogens in our world altogether but I just don't go out of my way to get them. lol
Still, I like the extra space in my kitchen, too. My toaster oven does so much more than a microwave and it takes up just as much space and my food tastes better coming out of it....and I don't need a toaster taking up more space!
P.S. I also avoid charcoal grilling for pretty much the same reasons I avoid microwaves.
P.S. I also avoid charcoal grilling for pretty much the same reasons I avoid microwaves.1 person likes this
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
10 Nov 11
hi dear alaskanray when I still was in my first rented apartment I didnt have a microwave but wished soooo much I had one. There simply was not enough space in that nice kitchen for a microwave in addition to what was already there.
When I got to know my husband I wondered why he had a microwave as a must have gadget but which he almost didnt use. So when we moved into our first rented apartment here as a married couple I kindly asked him to take the microwave with him. Unfortunately he has lost the user manual and its an older microwave so forget about getting another one for it. So far I mostly use it to re heat stuff but I got me two or three special microwave cookbooks as I want to learn to use the microwave for real cooking.
I dont care about these news of, using the microwave will do this and that to you, cause one day the scientists say this and the other day the scientists say that so who cares.
1 person likes this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
11 Nov 11
Well, that is your choice. Personally, I prefer life without the microwave. We all choose what health threats we are willing to live with or not. Personally, I don't pay attention to the cholesterol in my food or watch my fat intake all that closely, either. But I really hate microwaves these days even though I used to use them. I also don't use a barbeque grill or smoke. But a lot of folks do. It's all a matter of choice but we really can't choose wisely without awareness so it pays to be aware of the hazards.
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
11 Nov 11
Yeah, I used to live in an apartment with a balcony and they didn't allow us to barbecue on the balcony there, either. Of course, I didn't care since I don't barbecue anyway, but I know what it's like to live in an apartment with all its rules to follow. Your friends must really love you! lol
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
11 Nov 11
hi dear alaskanray unfortunately we dont have a garden only a balcony so no bbq at all. LOL our neighbours have a restaurant and they benefit as we eat there every second weekend or so. LOL
1 person likes this
@telmesh (1793)
•
6 Nov 11
Hi alaskanray we've had a combination microwave since the early days and have recently bought the very latest model. I do about 50% of the cooking and we love roast potatoes. Previously we have not been able to achieve good results but this oven sure does the trick. The Sunday roast today was chicken with roast potatoes all done in the microwave with carrots cabbage and swede done in a steamer. Fantastic meal with little fat and low energy input.
By the way I also like my toasted bread to be slightly burnt, this is also carcinogenic because it does change the bread to the same group of substances as petrol. Would not change now at age 63.
1 person likes this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
6 Nov 11
lol...I don't grill my food, either. And I never like my toast burnt. I avoid charcoal altogether.
1 person likes this
@telmesh (1793)
•
7 Nov 11
OK alaskanray right now you have, by posting this discussion and the results in responses has caused has had the effect of making me look at some of the research done on the subject of microwaves not just ovens but the whole gambit. Microwaves are given off by power lines, I have been concerned about them for a long time because if a florescent tube is held under a power line it will glow showing that the ions inside are being excited. Also mobile phones use microwaves, this has made me look at microwave sickness.
There is a lot of research that has been done and it will take a lot of sifting as some of it is outdated.At this moment I feel that I ought to do something to sort out what we should be concerned about. Things that have been mentioned is allergies as we no there has been an increase, also the effect on children with ADHD who appear to be sensitive to the microwaves.
The symptoms of microwave sickness are listed and are disturbing but just throwing out the oven wont solve the problem and it will mean a lot of changes with things that have already become accepted in society.
1 person likes this
