We are currently with the grandkiddies at the Bauernhof in Bayern and today for the first time I prepared the usual morning warm milk in the microwave, meaning there was no pot to wash. Mind you, we’ve lived most of our lives sans microwave. I shy away from cluttering the countertop, but maybe I should consider this for warming things and defrosting purposes. Is a microwave a necessity for you and if so can you recommend a particular brand?
Not an absolute necessity, but I wouldn't choose to be without one.
They are great for re-heating things, cooking stuff that makes a mess in a pot, e.g. porridge, and for defrosting things when you forget to take them out the freezer in time (as I frequently do).
I've got an old Panasonic, which is great because it's all touch pad, which I prefer, and it's pretty intuitive. I think it does clever things, but I don't use those functions. I have no idea if Panasonic still make microwaves, but I'd recommend it. However, as always, one's mans mean, another man's poison.....
Ours is some off brand but I couldn't live without it. Use mostly for re-heating things. Used it last night to pre-cook some potato pieces before roasting them in the oven with other veg.
It also has a grill and air fryer functions which I've never used. Himself uses them.
I think it is Clartronic or some such. They are all the same.
Oh, popcorn. I like making popcorn in it. No dishes.
I have the predecessor model of this since 2013, runs champion. I will buy it again when the current one fails (which would be a bang for the bucks after >10y).
Concerning that, I recommend this product to use the countertop space efficiently: Amazon-Link
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I actually did the opposite of what is shown in the picture: I have the microwave on top of that rack, and my coffemaker and the water kettle below it.
To prevent the water kettle and the coffee maker from spoiling the wooden countertop, they are standing on this: Amazon-link
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Last edited by Franklan on Thu Jul 11, 2024 9:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I use my microwave a lot. The main use is for jacket potatoes which would take far too long in an oven.
It is a simple one. The simplest I could find. Just two dials. One for time and one for power. Cost about 30 euros a few years back.
Now I am looking at an air fryer to go with the micro wave. How much would the simplest cost?
We use our microwave
(pronounced obviously )
same as everyone, for reheating, making porridge, heating milk, defrosting stuff we forgot to get out of the freezer, usual things. Popcorn, yes, the kids melt slices of cheese on plates until it goes hard (no idea), I 'boil' eggs if they are just going to be squished anyway, eg for egg mayonnaise. Melting chocolate extremely carefully. Good to have one you can change the settings on to do that gently. Also sauces - saves on a pan.
Ours is also a multifunctional one that does other stuff but I can't persuade anyone to work it out and it didn't come with useful instructions.
So, colin, we have an airfryer, which we use for many things. It is a multicooker and airfryer, actually. The multicooker idea is one you might want to look at. It does many things with a small footprint. They vary in price massively eg https://www.essen-und-trinken.de/vergle ... cher-test/ we had a cheap one which I used extensively and now we have the Ninja Foodi which is better because of the crisping aspect.
Not what Colin needs or wants, but I bought a big Grundig one from Mediamarkt as it was half price 77 euros. I am not a fryer. But my son started frying loads of stuff and it make the house stink. The air fryer has restored calm (ish). I have a large kitchen surface and it fits into a corner nicely. Obviously it uses a lot of power, but for many things the short cooking time makes up for it. No heating up time, etc.
Mind you, we’ve lived most of our lives sans microwave. I shy away from cluttering the countertop, but maybe I should consider this for warming things and defrosting purposes. 
Is a microwave a necessity for you and if so can you recommend a particular brand?
sounds great.
)