There is hardly a house or an office without a microwave. However this great tool is just like the late Rodney Dangerfield, never getting its due respect. For example, people often assume microwaves are self-cleaning, however, they are not . Some interiors resemble a scene from CSI: Miami! Say, perhaps, that some guilty party had hot chocolate last night – famous for boiling over – making a full-fledged mess. However just by pulling out the revolving tray immediately, you can clean it later. But the worst villain in the microwave mishaps are those bags of seasoned popcorn we see in commercials. Besides the astronomical price of these bags, they can burn quite easily. It is not unusual for people to add additional minutes to the recommended time because they haven’t heard any pops, even though just 30 seconds more is adequate to burn our capricious kernels. Popcorn burnt in a microwave can leave a scent lingering in your nuke machine for weeks. If, however, you treat the microwave with common sense, your faithful helper will hasten your food prep chores.

I have probably used some dozen different models and sizes of microwave during my years of cooking. But not until the late 90’s did I really understand the full benefits. They became lighter and faster and a breeze to keep clean. I recommend you buy a good brand. Check Consumer Reports for recommendations. Read the manual thoroughly, and be aware of the microwave’s limitations. I have learned by experience things my microwave can do and things it should do. I love a bargain but I would not buy a used microwave not when a brand-new machine is so cheap. Those who merely take something out of a box and heat may need the larger with many more desirable functions.

BASIC LIST OF MICRO DON’TS

• Never place any kind of metal or foil lined item in the microwave!

• Melting chocolate is very tricky, as it will easily burn, leaving a terrible odor.
• Forget using the microwave for baking cakes and cookies, they need the heat to brown.
• Potatoes baked in the microwave just don’t taste like oven baked potatoes.
• Bagged microwave popcorn never lives up to its promise.
• The microwave is a poor choice for frozen quiches, as the crusts burn causing the quiche to become solid and inedible.
• Never cook meatloaf or hamburger patties in the microwave!
• Old fashioned oats shouldn’t be cooked in the microwave; because it needs stirring too often I highly recommend a double boiler.

GOOD THINGS TO DO IN YOUR MICROWAVE

• The microwave gets tea and coffee hot, and if they’re forgotten, there’s no pot to burn.

• Boneless chicken will defrost within 5 minutes (make sure to always carefully wrap the chicken first).
• Fresh vegetables out of the freezer will be ready in minutes – perfect for singles!
• Warm milk before you make your custard or bread pudding.
• Frozen muffins, wrapped well and microwaved for 30 seconds, taste like they are fresh from the oven.
• Use the microwave to plump raisins or sun dried tomatoes and to soften dried fruit.
• The microwave can be used to soften hard lumps of brown sugar.
• When cooking bacon in the microwave, lay it flat between two thick paper towels, these will absorb about 40% of the fat and will leave the bacon crunchy.
• Hate cold coffee? Microwave for 30 seconds and it’s hot again – just remember you put it there!

What are your DOs and DON’Ts for the microwave? I’d love to hear them!