Comments on: Ask the Audience: Microwaving

By: dcrmom

dcrmom — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:23:37 +0000

The only one I use besides the minute buttons is the Popcorn. I agree, most of those buttons are such a waste!

By: malia

malia — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:03:14 +0000

I mainly use my microwave for the following:
-reheating my coffee
-defrosting meat when I’ve forgotten to take it out of the microwave in time
-kitchen timer when I have multiple things I need set on a timer (my over has a timer, too and then there’s my cute ladybug timer on the fridge)

There’s also the reheating of leftovers, softening butter (I set a low heat temp and microwave for short periods of time), and melting chocolate (especially around the holidays) for various confections.

By: Mom of 4

Mom of 4 — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 21:04:25 +0000

Mine’s probably 15 years old, but it’s so great that I don’t want to replace it. It does a terrific job on “defrost” and “reheat”. I also love the lower power settings for melting butter or chocolate for recipes.

By: Amit Patel

Amit Patel — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 16:49:51 +0000

“Add Minute” is the most important UI innovation in Microwave ovens, ever!

By: Need A Nap2

Need A Nap2 — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 16:45:34 +0000

We use the defrost lb button for hamburger and chicken a lot. We’re using the power level for child #4′s baby food. I use the timer a lot. Otherwise, it’s just basic numbers and add a minute. But all of our kids now like to open and shut the door, push buttons, etc. so I wish there was a “not do anything unless an adult is present” button!

By: chele

chele — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 15:14:31 +0000

I’m a gadget girl. I use the reheat buttons, the hot water button, the popcorn button, the melt, soften and warm buttons.
I finally got a GOOD microwave when I moved into my house. It’s huge!.. so I have to shorten most of the cooking times on frozen stuff by 1/3.

By: Divakitty

Divakitty — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 14:43:16 +0000

I used to have a small one & pretty much only went the minute/cancel route, or used it as a timer. Then the buttons bugged out & I put it out by the curb.
Then I moved in with my husband, and our micro is SO OLD and huge. It even has a browning function. Which of course we don’t use. The sad thing is, the cancel button is broken. And if you take something out before the timer runs out, it beeps at you. Repeatedly. So I’ve gotten real good at “Oops, I hit the 2 instead of the 3 when I was going to enter 30, so I’ll make it 29…”
That being said, we only use it to reheat leftovers occasionally, and melt butter for recipes (1 minute at 40 or 50 power is just right for a stick).
Oh, and I got a FlyLady-type timer for that function. http://www.flylady.net/

By: moonablaze

moonablaze — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 07:15:38 +0000

ya, when I get a new microwave, I want one with add 30 seconds instead of add 1 minute.

By: Early Retirement Extreme

Early Retirement Extreme — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 06:35:03 +0000

Flank speed, full ahead, dead slow, stop, and reverse ;P

Well, I wish. I usually put in 77 seconds at 7 for a cup of tea or 555 at 5 for reheating food – mostly because I am too lazy to press more than one button.

By: Kris

Kris — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 06:29:50 +0000

I mostly use mine to defrost things; however, I have some Tupperware cookware that does an awesome job of cooking meals, so I do that about once a week.