Considering getting rid of your microwave but not sure how to live without a microwave? It’s not as hard as you think, these tips will have you give up your microwave and not miss it.
When people come to my house one thing they seem to always notice is that I don’t have a microwave. This always starts a list of questions about how I can possibly live without one and why I do.
The reason I don’t have a microwave now is space. While my kitchen is quite big there isn’t a lot of countertop space. As someone that loves to bake, I’d rather have a Kitchen Aid stand mixer than a microwave. That is also the choice I made at our old house which had a tiny kitchen.
I will say I stopped using one but still had one when reading some safety concerns with microwaves. Honestly, after doing more research I don’t feel that’s really an issue, especially with newer microwaves. What I did find while not using it is, I don’t need it.
Food tastes better when it’s not microwaved and it’s not as hard as we think. It wasn’t that long ago that no one had microwaves. Somethings take a bit longer but not everything in life needs to be a rush. The movement to live more simply highlights our need to slow down.
I’ve been a bit surprised just how amazed people are when they learn I don’t have a microwave. There are always so many questions about how I make things. Some people think it’s great when they think about the space they could save. Most people seem to think I’m crazy. So how do I do it?
How to Live Without a Microwave: Frequently Asked Questions
1 ) How do you make popcorn?
Microwave popcorn, even the more natural brands, often contain questionable ingredients. Many even have Teflon lined bags, and Teflon is linked to all kinds of health concerns. You can find safer options but microwave or not I prefer to make popcorn on the stove. It’s really quite easy and tastes so much better.
2 ) How do you thaw meat?
If I’m doing well with meal planning I thaw meat in the safest way, in the fridge. But let’s be real, I am not always good at planning ahead. Another safe way to thaw meat quickly is in a bowl of ice water, keep changing it so it stays cold and it will thaw quite quickly. I also now use my Instant Pot to cook frozen meat, it can cook it very fast and since it’s a pressure cooker it’s considered safe. You should never thaw meat on the counter or cook frozen meat in a crockpot.
3) What about vegetables?
A lot of people cook vegetables in the microwave. It’s not something I did often even with a microwave so this hasn’t been a big change for me. For steaming or boiling vegetables, I simply cook them on the stove. I have a steamer basket that is my favorite way to cook most vegetables. They come out so much better than microwaving them.
4) How do you reheat food?
I have a toaster/convection oven that works really well for reheating a lot of food. It prevents a lot of the soggy issues you can have with reheating in the microwave. Steaming is also good for somethings. I found the best way to reheat pasta is to add a bit more liquid and heat on the stove. Just save some extra sauce or if it’s cream based just add a bit of milk or cream.
5 ) What about boiling water?
I use a tea kettle to boil water for tea and such. It works great and really doesn’t take that long. There are electric kettle options but it’s hard to find one without plastic inside, I’ve only found one and there is still some plastic.
6 ) How do you reheat hot drinks?
I’m not slow when it comes to drinking my hot tea but I have forgotten I have made it before. Simply stick it in a pan on the stove, it will heat up in no time. Another great option and one I use a lot is to put your hot drink in an insulated bottle to keep it hot for a long time.
7 ) How do you cook frozen dinners?
I rarely buy these sorts of things but almost all of them have oven instructions. My brother has made fun of these before and wondered who used them, well I do. Really they taste much better this way. And it’s still quicker than making a meal from scratch. But let’s be honest, we all need less packaged food in our lives anyway.
Do you think you could live without a microwave? Do you already? I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions, leave them in the comments below.
Deanna Piercy says
I could pretty easily do without one if I needed to. The main things we use it for are to heat up leftover coffee (your dad) and zap take out pizza or burgers. By the time we drive all the way home the food has cooled too much for my taste. No one else seems to care but I like hot foods really hot. Theoretically I could use the toaster oven but it’s not big enough for a plate so I’d end up washing an extra dish.
Lisa Sharp says
I do sometimes miss being able to quickly reheat things. And there is some trial and error in learning to reheat different things.
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness says
You know, I thought I needed a microwave until I read this post!! LOL! All great points – plus the toaster oven actually makes feel taste better reheated than a microwave anyway!
Lisa Sharp says
We are programmed to think we HAVE to have one. It’s amazing how many things we think we need that we really don’t.
Julie says
I rarely use mine but do appreciate its convenience now and then. Food does taste better so I get it. Thank you.
Lisa Sharp says
It does, if I had plenty of room I would possibly have one but I figure it’s best I don’t have the room since that would be a waste ha.
Lauren says
It can be done! We once had to stay in a crappy apartment for a month while our house was being built and I came home from work to find my boyfriend heating up canned pasta (ew) on the stove – I was baffled – I had NO Idea there wasn’t a microwave!
Lisa Sharp says
Yeah it is always the hardest at first getting out of the habit of using it.
Kate says
Oh man! I use my microwave multiple times a day! Mostly for my kids… Maybe I’ll have to issue myself a no-microwave challenge for a day.
Lisa Sharp says
I’d love to hear how it goes.
Casey says
We are contemplating adopting the hypotoxic diet popularized by the French doctor Seignalet and he says never to use the microwave (or to cook anything above 110 celcius). I’m a bit nervous about ixnaying the microwave, but I know it’s feasible. One of my best friends didn’t have a microwave for years and didn’t seem to miss it, so I’m sure we’ll manage!!! 😉
Lisa Sharp says
You can do it! 🙂 Feel free to email me if you have questions that come up.
Kat says
I have always had a microwave and never use it! LOL My son and husband do for reheating food but I dont like them and never,ever use them.
Lisa Sharp says
My husband would use one some if we had it but he has gotten pretty used to not having one and agrees most things taste better.
Kusum says
Excellent post, I often think about not wanting to use the microwave myself because it isn’t really healthy, but I dread living without one. You are inspiring me to take a step forward 🙂
xx, Kusum
Kathy Davenport says
I could do without it (looking through your list, I know how to do any of these), but my husband probably couldn’t. Right now it’s a big help for him since I broke my right arm, needed surgery to set it, and don’t know when I’ll get back full use of it.??
Lisa Sharp says
Very understandable! Hope his arm heals quickly.
Becky says
We quit using a microwave about 10 years ago after reading articles about its questionable nature. At first I felt like a cavewoman, cooking over an open fire! But I never looked back and never use one, don’t miss it.
My dad has never liked anything cooked or warmed up in a microwave, and one article said “the old folks are right, it doesn’t taste the same.”
Brenda says
I usually cook up big meals and freeze for lunches or dinners later
Without a microwave, how would I heat them from frozen ?
I put them in plastic containers and cant put them in the oven
Lisa Sharp says
I don’t use plastic food containers but you could possible thaw them in the fridge overnight and transfer them to oven safe container. I’ve also taken frozen food and been able to run just a bit of warm water on the edges and got it to thaw enough to pop out to transfer it.
Gina says
Mine died after five years, so in addition to getting to live without that big thing on the countertop, I got a full refund from Costco – no questions asked!
50's Housewife Me says
Love this! I might see about getting rid of ours. It is above the oven not really a space issue, but I love to get closer to a more vintage living especially with health benefits.sounds appealing to not have one and to just get the questions of why no microwave? Haha
Lisa Sharp says
People alway think it’s so odd when they don’t see a microwave in my kitchen, ha.
Melissa Harris says
I think i could do without one, but i have a heating pack got my neck. Need the microwave for that
Kim says
I have been living without a microwave for over a year because of space. I could get one for above the stove like we had in our last house, but honestly I just don’t want to spend the money on it. At this point I don’t even think about the fact that we don’t have one anymore. I have to say my kids have left the house, with the exception of one. So that does make it easier.
Lisa Sharp says
Yeah, once you are out of the habit of having one I find you don’t really miss it.
Erin says
We’re strongly thinking about living without a microwave – takes up so much space in a smaller kitchen! I’d rather have a coffee bar!!
Lisa Sharp says
Sounds like a good plan to me. Let me know if you have any questions.
BubbaMustafa says
I’m not discounting any of your points/reasons. I too am looking at going microwave free.
But they are considerably more efficient on electric use over electric stove/oven/toaster oven.
Lisa Sharp says
Yes, they are. If I had space for one and the other things I find more important I would possibly get one. I do use my toaster oven or Instant Pot far more often than my actual oven which helps with energy use.