I put away my microwave last year even though I have enough counter space. I noticed that I wasn't using it at all. I have a super fast electric teapot for tea etc. Also switched to all glass containers for leftovers (beware that some of the lids are NOT oven safe). Butter is easily melted cut up in a glass dish in the oven. It helps that I grew up without a microwave until age 12. The only problem I've run into is frozen soup, takes longer to get it hot, but if I'm paying attention I move it into the fridge from the freezer the night before.

I didn't have a microwave until after college (I'm old enough that my parents didn't get one until I was in college). I use mine primarily to reheat tea and coffee, which I have gotten used to drinking piping hot. I melt butter in a small saucepan on the stove. Oh, yes I also use my microwave as a draft-free place to let bread dough rise!

For leftovers, I generally heat stuff in the oven or on the stove -- it usually produces a better result. By the way, a great way to reheat leftover pizza is in a cast-iron skillet (or any skillet, I guess) on the stove on low-medium heat, with a cover (just put a cookie sheet on top if your pan has no lid). It keeps the pizza from getting limp, as in the microwave, or drying out, as in the oven.

www.vegrun.blogspot.com

I've switched back and forth between having one and not having one in the last few years. My thoughts:

1. I heartily second lenzai's suggestion of an electric kettle. It REALLY speeds up water heating, and while I know you're trying to save counter space, I think it's worth it.
2. As you figured - pyrex will be your friend. Will you have a toaster, or a toaster oven? I find I use the toaster oven for reheating a lot more than a microwave, but again, you're trying to limit appliances.
3. Get a inexpensive teflon 3-4 cup size pan for melting butter, reheating leftovers, etc. When you don't have a dishwasher you want a easy to grab, easy to clean pot.
4. I actually think the hardest think to replace is the microwave popcorn. Of course you can make it on the stove, but supermarket stove top popcorn has such low turnover that it can be really ancient and thus half of it doesn't pop and what does tastes stale. You'll have to search out a good popcorn supplier, and yes, I know how odd that sounds. : )

I've been without a microwave for eight years... The best way to do it is go cold turkey. Put that sucker on Craigslist at a super-low price and GET RID OF IT.

Soon after that, I became a much healthier eater, a better cook, and I used my kitchen more for things that didn't include art supplies or play-doh. Good stuff!

Air popped popcorn is so much tastier and fresher that I couldn't imagine buying the microwave kind! I haven't had a microwave in years and while I do occasionally miss it for reheating leftovers (the oven isn't as quick and uses more energy), it isn't a big deal to be without a microwave.

I lived without a microwave for eleven years and almost never missed it. In fact, the only time I did miss it was when someone would come over and suggest having something like microwave popcorn. When I would say "I don't have a microwave," the reaction was almost funny--as if I had said, "I don't have a front door." (It's a lot like the reaction I sometimes get now about commuting by bus.)

The reason I didn't have one was simple, and much like yours--my kitchen was tiny, and I had room for either a microwave or a toaster oven. The toaster oven seemed more multi-purpose, so I went with that.

When I got married, my husband already had a microwave, or I would have continued to do without. Then, when we bought our house, it came with a built-in microwave above the range, so we gave his away (we certainly don't need two!).

Although I am much happier to make popcorn on the stove, I do like the microwave for cooking vegetables. However, I wouldn't buy one just for that purpose.

I was kind of a luddite until I finally bought a microwave for the sole purpose of melting leg wax - got the smallest one I could find, at a "back to school" dorm room type sale.

I've grown dependent on it for steaming foods - I feel like the nutrients don't drip out as much. Corn on the cob? 4 minutes. Perfect artichokes? 4 minutes. Practically-instant mashed potatoes? Chop 2 potatoes, nuke 6 minutes, salt and cream, mash. And I use it to defrost, but that's my own poor planning.

My favorite thing about a microwave is that there's usually one less dish to wash (e.g. you can make hot chocolate right in the mug). I never thought I'd become a microwave proponent, and now look at me.

But good for the poster - I agree that there's nothing I couldn't do some other way - except for the leg wax!

And I don't think dishwashers are all they're cracked up to be. I didn't have one till I was 30 and I can't say it's saved that much effort - if you're a rinser like my husband, you have to handle every dish multiple times. It would be cool if your dishwasher WAS your cupboard, or would put things away for you. But as it is, I'd give it up without a second thought.

You had me at popcorn. I pop my corn on the stove and melt my butter there as well. I disagree with the poster who said you have to be picky with you kernels. I just use Jiffy white corn kernels and they all pop all the time. There's more about my popcorn habits here http://literallyorganized.blogspot.com/2010/03/recipe-tip-stove-top-popcorn.html

I agree that an electric tea kettle is much better for making hot water for tea. I wouldn't give up my microwave though. I use it for reheating leftovers and for remelting old candle wax to remake into new candles. To save space I have a combo microwave oven and oven vent.

I wouldn't give up my dishwasher either. It wasn't until I had one that worked properly that I realized how much I hate washing dishes by hand. The fact that dishwashers use less water than hand washing seals the deal.

I would love to get rid of my microwave, I literally only use it to put things out of reach of the kids. The husband won't live without it tho, strange as he only uses it Saturday AM to heat one cup of coffee. Giant ugly largely unused appliance Vs 2 extra feet of counter space? come on, dear, give it up.

Hoping this column might help.

I haven't had a microwave in our house for about 2 yrs. I thought it would be impossible with 3 young kids but no, I love it and I feel better knowing non of the food I give them has been in a microwave as they kinda freak me out.

Aren't people always talking about how much LESS energy is used by a microwave as compaired to hearing up an ENTIRE oven for one little dish?

Over 8 years here w/out a microwave. Haven't missed it.

get your self a big cast iron dutch oven without any linings (one of those old fashioned camper stoves will work) you can use it as a type of oven on the stove top if you can find a metal rack to put on the bottom to keep your glass container from being in direct contact with the heat source.

It's certainly not perfect, but it produces a great place to heat things up in if you don't want to use or don't have an oven, plus it stays warmer longer, just use an electronic oven temp monitor to find out how hot it is in there.

I'm so glad to hear from others! I had to give up my microwave when I married and my Electronic Engineer husband was afraid of it - gees, if he knows how it works and is afraid of it... there must be something to it! I have a couple of things to add to your list:

- When reheating food, put it in a pan with a couple of tablespoons of water. Low flame for 3 minutes... then start saying "beep beep" if it makes you feel better!
- No need to buy extra "oven-safe" storage containers. Just artfully arrange your leftovers in an oven-safe ceramic dinner plate, cover with foil and stick in the fridge. Then, it can go directly in the oven and to the table without taking up extra space or dirtying extra dishes!
- No need to elimate frozen foods, just put them in the fridge the night before, or on the counter an hour before cooking. Put in a cold oven so the food starts to reheat as the oven reaches temperature.
-For veggies, even meats and super-quick risotto get a pressure cooker - you can boil or steam in it and it's quick, quick, quick! Potatoes in 10 minutes!
- Finally, get a pretty little stainless steel pitcher for reheating coffee, tea.. or milk. These are really big in Europe, I bet you could find one at CostPlus:
http://www.amazon.com/Krups-XS5012-12-Ounce-Stainless-Steel-Frothing/dp/B0011E60VC

Beep, Beep, Beeeeep!

L

We moved into an old house a few years ago and there is only 1 plug in the entire kitchen. We opted to get rid of the microwave and we haven't regretted it one bit!

We bought some small old Le Cruset dishes at a thrift shop, they're great for heating up left overs.

Also, to piggy back on other comments, stovetop popcorn is the best thing ever. Throw some olive oil and sea salt on it and you will never want to eat microwave popcorn again

I, too, need my microwave for heating up wax. I'm saving oodles of cash by having spa night for one in my kitchen every month or so. I'm sure I could probably submerge the jar in hot water for awhile as an alternative, but I just don't have the time for those kind of shenanigans. Also, the no-heat was just hasn't worked for me.

when my husband, fat cat and i downsized to 493 square feet last year (from 725 ish), we had to get rid of our gigantic microwave simply because there's no place to put it in our tiny, one-wall kitchen. while i've never been a big microwaver (though it, along with a stack of amy's organic frozen dinners did get me though grad school!), the biggest challenge i've had is dealing with the extra piles of pots and pans used to reheat leftovers! you guessed it- no dishwasher, either. i sometimes feel like i'm using an awful lot of energy and water, but otherwise, the microwave-free lifestyle isn't as hard as you may think!

I haven't had a microwave for 4 years now.

As other people have said, steaming.

It's the best way to heat up just about anything that you are slightly skeptical about how to heat it up.

I realize that space is the issue we are talking about, but toaster ovens are great for reheating small food items too.

:)

Where can I find oven safe glassware in sizes appropriate for leftovers? Most lines I come across are microwave safe but not oven safe.

Haven't had one in 3 years, and I won't go back. People are always offering me their extra microwave, or asking me if I want one as a gift. No thanks :)

WOW! Thank everyone for the great tips on living microwave-free. I am now excited now, and not daunted!

Slammingcutlery, Pyrex and Anchor Hocking make containers (in single serving sizes and larger) that go from freezer to fridge to oven to microwave. They used to come only with plastic lids, but now Pyrex also offers Pyrex/silicone lids that are oven/micro safe and are the bomb. I got mine at Target.

I have to respectfully disagree. I actually do follow most of the suggestions above -- glass only, stovetop popcorn, reheating food on the stove, frozen food defrosted in fridge, lots of toaster over use, etc. Indeed, I *hate* kitchen clutter, but I find the microwave to be a key player.

I have two small children and need to be quick and efficient in the kitchen. I use the microwave to heat up hot water for immersing baby bottles, melt cheese before putting food on the table, reheat prepared food quickly so that everything going on the table is hot at the same time, cook cous cous quickly, sanitize rags and sponges, defrost things that didn't quite thaw in the fridge and there's only 20 minutes left before dinner needs to be on the table, etc. I use it several times each day. As much as I'd like to give it up, it's not in the cards for me.

Microwaves are generally more energy-efficient than ranges or toaster ovens, so you won't save energy by not having one.

I think I could live without ours, though. It's just not essential to me.

We gave up our microwave in December. My husband bought me a countertop convection oven, and we don't have enough counter space for both. I think that microwaves would be wonderful if they cooked something in 20 minutes that takes an hour in an oven. But we all know that anything that takes an hour in the oven is going to taste terrible cooked in the microwave, even if it only takes 20 minutes.

So the only thing we were using the microwave for was to speed up re-heating. I can re-heat something in five minutes on the stove top. That same dish would take 1 minute in the oven. Saving four minutes doesn't seem like that big a deal.

Bottom line--I thought I would really miss it. But I don't. Small Pyrex glass dishes, electric water kettle, make it none-too-difficult.

I grew up with a microwave, but I've never had one as an adult. Other than perhaps making baked potatoes faster, I can't imagine it being all that much better than a toaster oven or regular stove top. Boiling water in a kettle is very quick, and so is melting butter (use a large metal measuring cup).

I've lived a microwave-free life for 30 years (really!), and haven't missed it. It's good to be intentional about cooking, food prep, and eating.

One of the best things we ever did for our kitchen (and our health).

http://slightlyirritatingandinconvenient.blogspot.com/2011/03/why-i-got-rid-of-my-microwave.html