Got rid of microwave - Now a badass at heating things up

[KatieSSS]

I have an older apartment, which means there is no microwave built into the cabinets. I had my microwave sitting on the counter until a few weeks ago. I was finally fed up with not having enough counter space, so I took the microwave out.

This hasn't been a problem at all the last few weeks. I used the oven or stove to heat up all my food. And to my parents' surprise, I melted butter for popcorn in a saucepan (they normally use the microwave for this - habit I guess).

But the real challenge was when I needed to wax some hair and pulled out my wax in the plastic container. I normally microwaved it. "Oh crap..." I thought, "Why did I get rid of my microwave? Now I can't wax." But then suddenly, I thought "Challenge accepted!" And looked around my kitchen to see how I could melt the wax without also melting the plastic container. What I did was this: I heated up a saucepan full of water, about to the point of boiling, just when you see some steam coming off the water. I poured an inch into a mid-sized glass bowl. Then I placed the wax container in. Because of the buoyancy, I needed something to hold the container down. So I grabbed a mason jar I had lying around and stacked it on top of the container. Then I poured in the rest of the hot water until the container with the wax was almost fully submerged. I waited about a half hour, then checked the wax. Not quite melted. I added a bit more hot water and waited another 15 minutes. I came back - MELTED!

The only annoying thing was I had to wait almost an hour to get the wax melted. But I just went about my evening doing things I would have done anyway, so it wasn't really a time-sink. The positive is that I was a badass and solved my problem. And I made money off the microwave and didn't need to buy different wax.

[MoneyCat]

Do you use an electric or gas range?  I kind of wonder if the energy cost is reduced between a microwave and a range.

[KatieSSS]

It is gas. I don't pay my utilities directly, they are included in my rent.

[Daley]

The only annoying thing was I had to wait almost an hour to get the wax melted.

Two words: double boiler.

[Another Reader]

Microwaves generally use less energy and are more efficient than your electric range.

I'm not impressed by this so-called badassity.   Microwaves did not appear in houses in any quantity until around 1980.  They were very expensive for a number of years.  I grew up without one and learned how to warm things on the stove or in the oven at an early age.  Think melting the butter in a saucepan is an accomplishment?  Try making the popcorn on the stove without burning it.  Jiffypop was an attempt to deal with that problem.  The pan was disposable and you knew when the popcorn had all popped by the size of the aluminum foil balloon.

Of course, there was no color TV when I was a child, either....

[anastrophe]

We did away with our microwave for the same reason a few years ago and I haven't missed it. Turns out pots and pans work just fine for leftovers and popcorn and everything else. And yeah, double boiler.

I'm not impressed by this so-called badassity.   Microwaves did not appear in houses in any quantity until around 1980.

Some of us were born after 1980 and have never lived without one before. I really had no idea how to cook some things without one until I sold mine, and my friends all thought I was being very silly. Let's not judge.

[KatieSSS]

We did away with our microwave for the same reason a few years ago and I haven't missed it. Turns out pots and pans work just fine for leftovers and popcorn and everything else. And yeah, double boiler.

I'm not impressed by this so-called badassity.   Microwaves did not appear in houses in any quantity until around 1980.

Some of us were born after 1980 and have never lived without one before. I really had no idea how to cook some things without one until I sold mine, and my friends all thought I was being very silly. Let's not judge.

Thank you. My parents, born before microwaves were standard, are extremely addicted to the microwave. I cook more things on the stove than they do, so just because they are older doesn't mean they refuse modern technology. They probably grew up making popcorn on the stove, but now they don't. I remember how we made popcorn in the 80s, and we definitely used a microwave both for the popcorn and the butter.

I think this is badass because it is teaching me new skills and has earned me some money (selling microwave). It is also one less item I own, which I also think is badass.  My friends all think I'm crazy, even the ones born before the 80s. They feel that microwaves are a necessity. I've found out they are not.

[Another Reader]

Not trying to be snarky, but I guess it came across that way.  It's just funny to an older person how normal skills from 40 years ago are celebrated achievements today.  When you are my age and hot buttered popcorn is delivered in 5 minutes by an Amazon drone, you will laugh at people that are proud of their microwave skills. 

Back-up life skills are always useful, but I'll take the modern conveniences when they can save me time and money.   I love my $79 microwave that is now almost 10 years old and I would find a place for it or a smaller sibling in a small apartment.  Addicted?  That might be a little strong....

Your parents may have been of the air popper generation.  That was an appliance that used hot air instead of hot oil to pop the corn.  It was touted as a low calorie alternative.  I'm pretty sure YouTube has the jiffypop commercials, so the hot air popper ads might be found there as well.

[CommonCents]

It's just funny to an older person how normal skills from 40 years ago are celebrated achievements today. 

Eh, that's the case with lots of things.  People who garden here for their veggies are proud of it, my sister cans and I think that's cool.  My mom can sew clothing and make quilts (my skills are far more rudimentary though I have made a few).  So many things from years ago are celebrated now as achievements and rightfully so.  If you can sew a quilt, you can probably darn a hole and sew on a button rather than buying new.  If you can melt butter on the stove, you probably cook more meals than the average microwave or eat out person.

[KatieSSS]

Not trying to be snarky, but I guess it came across that way.  It's just funny to an older person how normal skills from 40 years ago are celebrated achievements today.  When you are my age and hot buttered popcorn is delivered in 5 minutes by an Amazon drone, you will laugh at people that are proud of their microwave skills. 

Back-up life skills are always useful, but I'll take the modern conveniences when they can save me time and money.   I love my $79 microwave that is now almost 10 years old and I would find a place for it or a smaller sibling in a small apartment.  Addicted?  That might be a little strong....

Your parents may have been of the air popper generation.  That was an appliance that used hot air instead of hot oil to pop the corn.  It was touted as a low calorie alternative.  I'm pretty sure YouTube has the jiffypop commercials, so the hot air popper ads might be found there as well.

My parents had an air popper. As well as a stir crazy. Funny, we actually ate a lot of popcorn growing up! We used the microwave a lot, but also the air popper and the stir crazy. Never once did I see them cook popcorn (or melt butter) on the stove. And in fact, my mom tended to heat water in the microwave. Like when she made mac and cheese.

So I guess all of this is to say that I gave up an item that has been an integral part of my life. I actually didn't know how to cook things on a stove until I was 20 - so about 10 years ago. Giving up the microwave now is a big thing for me.

Maybe I would sound snarky to someone who said "I gave up my cell phone!" I remember when we didn't have cell phones and know what it is like to call collect and memorize phone numbers.

I don't know, I guess I still think it is a pretty cool thing that I gave up my microwave. I seriously cannot name one person in real life who doesn't own (and use) one. I also think food tastes better re-heated in the oven or on the stove.

[Cinder]

"This is how I normally eat it because I don't have a microwave at home."

Just didn't get around to purchasing a microwave.

In my last apartment before I moved into my house, it didn't have a microwave.. Every other location before that one had a built in.  I just learned to do without it.  We didn't have one in our current house until the MIL insisted that we take her old one when they bought a new one!

[BlueMR2]

I didn't have a microwave until I moved into my new house 3 years ago.  House happened to come with it, so I use it.  I wouldn't run out and buy one if I didn't have it since the stove/oven are sufficient.  However, it was already in the house and they are more efficient, so I use it for foods where it works well and save some power, then use the stove/oven for where the microwave doesn't do a good job (the slight extra expense to have food that tastes right and has the correct texture is worth it).

I don't think getting rid of a working microwave is terribly mustachian, since the microwave *does* use less energy to do the job, and works fine for certain tasks.  Not sure why you'd want to give up that savings for things where you can't tell the difference in taste/texture.  However, it is in line with minimalism if that's your goal.

[YK-Phil]

I used the microwave daily when my kids were young because as a single dad of four children, I was always running in circles to try and catch up with life. My kids in those years had their fair share of pizza pockets and other microwaveable junk. Sorry kids, I had to do what I had to do...Now that the kids are out of the house and I am remarried with a woman who is very careful about everything she does, including using a microwave which is a no-no in her book, I've lived without one for the past five years. If we need to warm up leftovers, melt butter, etc. we use whatever is appropriate for the job, be it a colander, a pan or pot, or our little toaster oven. I don't miss the microwave oven, nor do I need it.

[Miamoo]

The only annoying thing was I had to wait almost an hour to get the wax melted.
[/quote]

Two words: double boiler[/url].
[/quote]

You beat me to it IP.  :-)

[Nords]

I have an older apartment, which means there is no microwave built into the cabinets. I had my microwave sitting on the counter until a few weeks ago. I was finally fed up with not having enough counter space, so I took the microwave out.

We use our convection microwave (and our toaster oven) so much that we opened the breaker on our stove.

I'm still waiting for a convection microwave ("speed oven") that comes with an under-cabinet mounting kit.  I think they're still considered high-end luxuries.

[Argyle]

I have a microwave but I always make popcorn on the stove, never in the microwave.  Talk about unmustachian!  Microwave popcorn is crazy expensive.  On Amazon right now you can get Pop Secret microwave popcorn (not a premium brand) for 28 bags of 3.2 oz. for $26.23, which is of course a low bulk price.  That's 89.6 oz. for ~29 cents per ounce.  All over the internet I find Orville Redenbacher's (a premium brand) 45-oz. jar of stovetop kernels for $4.99.  That's 11 cents per ounce, $10.00 for 90 ounces (for the pricy brand!), vs. microwave popcorn at a discount price of $26.23 for 90 ounces.  Craziness!  So unmustachian!

Making stovetop popcorn is easy-peasy.  I have done it my whole life and burned it maybe once, when I was using someone else's very thin pot.  You need a good- or medium-quality pot.  If you have a thin one, you can still do it fine, but keep the heat very low.  Pour in enough kernels to cover the bottom of the pot without any on top of the others, or maybe a little less.  Then pour in enough oil (regular vegetable oil, not olive oil, which burns more easily) to cover the kernels so they're about 3/4 covered but not drowning.  Turn the heat to somewhere between low and medium.  Put the cover on.  No need to shake the pan.  Wait until there's a couple of seconds between pops -- the same point at which you'd take the bag out of the microwave.  Take the pan off the stove, pour into a bowl, enjoy.

Jiffypop was not invented to compensate for people who couldn't make stovetop popcorn.  The bottom of the pan was so thin that it was actually more likely to burn.  It was made for people on campouts or in summer cabins who couldn't carry a whole big pot and supplies with them.  The gimmick was that you had everything you needed -- pot, popcorn, oil -- in one package, not that it was easier to cook.

[Another Reader]

Jiffypop was marketed as one of the early convenience foods.  No mess for mom to clean up, just throw the pan and the unpopped. burned kernels away.

Prepackaged bags of microwave popcorn and pizza rolls were invented to feed latch-key kids that could not be allowed to use a stove without supervision.  A 10-year old and a microwave were a lot safer combination.  However, microwave popcorn here consists of a brown paper bag and bulk popcorn.  Stores don't use the lunch bag sized brown bags much, but I save the ones that show up.  Pour between a quarter and a third cup kernels into a bag, fold/roll the top, and put the bag on its side in the microwave.  Turn it on high and listen to the popping, the same as you would if you were using a pan on the stove.  When the popping slows, hit the off switch and wait 30 seconds.   Open the bag carefully while you are melting the butter, and pour the contents in a bowl.  Add butter, and you have popcorn.  No additives, no weird oils used.

[marblejane]

cjottawa, you have a gorgeous kitchen!

[Greg]

I haven't had a microwave for many years, about 16 or so.  We use the stove for many things, and a toaster oven for others. 

One thing I've learned to do is turn the burner off before I'm done.  Like for scrambled eggs, I cook them in a kind of loose patty and once firm enough, I flip it.  Then turn off the burner, the residual heat will more than finish the cooking (cast iron skillet).

For melting wax, try a small saucepan and use the water for tea or cocoa, or even pour-over coffee.  Double use of the heat means it cost half as much.

[wtjbatman]

cjottawa, you have a gorgeous kitchen!

I second that. Although almost no counter space next to the sink and stove would drive me nuts.

[Pistacheo]

 I'm glad to see your kitchen pics too, cjottawa. I'm  considering converting my little L shaped kitchen into a tiny linear kitchen so I can fit a dining table in the kitchen. Your kitchen is a great example.  We also got rid of the massive burr grinder coffee maker we got as a wedding gift years ago. Now we make cold press  concentrate once or twice a  week, which is much tastier anyway, and I'm happy to not have that huge, noisy machine eating up the counter space.

Nords, thanks for  mentioning your  oven set up, sounds useful.

[Mr.Fixit]

I think this was kinda bad ass.  After using a microwave all life its hard to quit. Ours broke a few weeks ago.  Its over the stove...if it took counter space we would probably get rid of it or get the smallest one avalible. We have actually become pretty good at using a little toaster oven. Its efficient in that it heats up immediately and doesn't retain much heat. I'm a big fan of multi use devices... a troster oven can 100% replace a toaster, 50% microwave, 25% stove top, 50% oven.

[KatieSSS]

I think this was kinda bad ass.  After using a microwave all life its hard to quit.

Thank you :)

And that kitchen is super-gorgeous, cjottowa.

I tend to relate to a lot of the "minimalism as a byproduct of mustachianism," but I get why people wouldn't get rid of something like a microwave since it is pretty cost-effective/energy efficient. The only other "plug-in" kitchen appliances I have now are: crock pot, food processor, toaster, and hand-held blender. That and the stove/oven take care of all of my cooking needs. I don't drink coffee and I've never found a need for a toaster oven. I also got rid of my rice cooker recently because cooking rice on the stove is super easy.

I mentioned it upthread but I don't pay for electricity or gas separately. Rent is all utilities included. I'm sure if I paid for those things individually, then I would come at this from a different point of view.

Very interesting to hear others' cooking/kitchen habits.

[dragoncar]

I have an older apartment, which means there is no microwave built into the cabinets. I had my microwave sitting on the counter until a few weeks ago. I was finally fed up with not having enough counter space, so I took the microwave out.

We use our convection microwave (and our toaster oven) so much that we opened the breaker on our stove.

I'm still waiting for a convection microwave ("speed oven") that comes with an under-cabinet mounting kit.  I think they're still considered high-end luxuries.

I've got one of these in my studio apartment (no regular oven).

Honestly I agree with those who question the value of ditching the microwave just to be "old timesy". 

Normal microwaves are cheap to free these days and there are a number of jobs they do incredibly well.  Basically anything that primarily requires heating water quickly and efficiently (water for tea, instant oatmeal, leftovers, popcorn, etc.)

It's good to learn how to cook on a stove.  Many dishes are better that way, and I can see why you would shy away from "convenience foods" like frozen microwave dinners, which are often expensive and unhealthy.  But lets give credit where credit is due -- the microwave oven is one of the most useful and cost effective kitchen appliances in existence. 

[NinetyFour]

It's probably irrational and just my imagination, but I much prefer water that has been boiled on the stove (tea kettle) to water that has been heated to a boil in the microwave.  Anyone else have that preference?

[Nords]

Normal microwaves are cheap to free these days and there are a number of jobs they do incredibly well.  Basically anything that primarily requires heating water quickly and efficiently (water for tea, instant oatmeal, leftovers, popcorn, etc.)
It's good to learn how to cook on a stove.  Many dishes are better that way, and I can see why you would shy away from "convenience foods" like frozen microwave dinners, which are often expensive and unhealthy.  But lets give credit where credit is due -- the microwave oven is one of the most useful and cost effective kitchen appliances in existence.

The magnetron in our 1986 microwave (a wedding present) died on our 20th anniversary, so we were miserable for a few weeks having to cook the "old fashioned" way with our stove.  Then a Craigslist seller was remodeling her studio apartment kitchen and decided to get rid of her "outdated" Magic Chef convection microwave, which we bought for $125.  I don't think she appreciated what she had, and I wasn't going to teach her.  But I really wish that it came in an under-cabinet version.  There just doesn't seem to be a demand for it, or maybe the heater plate for the convection oven is considered a fire hazard when it's under a cabinet.  We keep checking home shows and catalogs to see what's available.

We have a solar water heater, so we get the water up to 140 degrees for free.  It takes so little additional energy to heat that water to a boil in the 1000-watt 1 cu ft microwave compared to a stovetop.  The only real limit is the size of the Pyrex container for the boiling water.

It's probably irrational and just my imagination, but I much prefer water that has been boiled on the stove (tea kettle) to water that has been heated to a boil in the microwave.  Anyone else have that preference?

Maybe your tea kettle needs cleaning or replacing-- could the taste be the mineral buildup from your tap water, and perhaps some rust or even metals leaching into your water from the kettle?

[sherr]

Microwaves generally use less energy and are more efficient than your electric range.

+1

Microwaves and electric ranges are generally *a lot* more energy efficient than gas ranges too. Gas ranges spend a lot of energy heating the air that then does not transfer into heating the food. Of course, either one may be cheaper depending on local rates for gas / electricity.

I think some people have some irrational fear of microwaves because they are seen as less "natural" than something lower tech like a gas or electric range. Some people even (incorrectly) believe they give you cancer. I think that fear is compounded by the fact that very few people actually understand how a microwave works. In reality microwaves are a fantastic and efficient tools for heating your food.

Provided that you have the counter space for one of course. :)

[galliver]

It's good to know how to cook on a stove, and when stovetop, toaster oven, etc are a better way of heating food. Reheating falafel: soggy in the microwave, crunchy and delicious in the toaster oven. Which 100% replaces a toaster. :)

But I find a microwave is invaluable for tasks like thawing and steaming. You can cook awesome rice in a casserole dish in the microwave, as well as steam veggies/potatoes, and make hot cereal. Even if I can do them on the stove in a pinch, if I can have such an efficient and versatile tool that does these things and reheats my leftovers, I would find room for it even in a small space. Put it on a shelf, table, fridge, in another room, etc.

It's probably irrational and just my imagination, but I much prefer water that has been boiled on the stove (tea kettle) to water that has been heated to a boil in the microwave.  Anyone else have that preference?

No, it's definitely better.

[dragoncar]

It's probably irrational and just my imagination, but I much prefer water that has been boiled on the stove (tea kettle) to water that has been heated to a boil in the microwave.  Anyone else have that preference?

I'm sure there is a difference but I find it hard to believe it has significant effects on flavor.  Please get back to us with a blind taste test

[ZiziPB]

It's probably irrational and just my imagination, but I much prefer water that has been boiled on the stove (tea kettle) to water that has been heated to a boil in the microwave.  Anyone else have that preference?

Totally agreed.  Also, my biggest pet peeve about microwaves is the fact that the dish/mug/container you are using ends up being too hot to handle and generally hotter than the food that's in it!

I use my microwave for reheating only.  I prefer the stove/oven/toaster oven for everything else.

[Nords]

Totally agreed.  Also, my biggest pet peeve about microwaves is the fact that the dish/mug/container you are using ends up being too hot to handle and generally hotter than the food that's in it!

I haven't figured out why, but some of my ceramic mugs heat up less in the microwave than others.  If one container is too hot then it might be worth experimenting with different ones.

[Another Reader]

If the mugs or dishes are heating up other than by contact with food, there could be metal in the glaze.  Worst case is the metal is lead.  I do not use mugs that heat up in the microwave.

[dragoncar]

Also, my biggest pet peeve about microwaves is the fact that the dish/mug/container you are using ends up being too hot to handle and generally hotter than the food that's in it!

In my experience, this is more of a problem with stoves.  And you can take exactly the same approach to solve the issue if you are so inclined.

[Insanity]

I firmly believe food taste better from the stove than from the microwave.  Re-heated pizza is one my wife just throws in the microwave.  I think it gets to mushy.  Give it time in the stove to get that crust right.

As far as popcorn - Air Popped is by far the best.  Hands down.

[Debbie M]

Making stovetop popcorn is easy-peasy.  I have done it my whole life and burned it maybe once, when I was using someone else's very thin pot.  You need a good- or medium-quality pot.  If you have a thin one, you can still do it fine, but keep the heat very low.  Pour in enough kernels to cover the bottom of the pot without any on top of the others, or maybe a little less.  Then pour in enough oil (regular vegetable oil, not olive oil, which burns more easily) to cover the kernels so they're about 3/4 covered but not drowning.  Turn the heat to somewhere between low and medium.  Put the cover on.  No need to shake the pan.  Wait until there's a couple of seconds between pops -- the same point at which you'd take the bag out of the microwave.  Take the pan off the stove, pour into a bowl, enjoy.

I do shake the pan (front-to-back, not up-and-down), but then I probably have a thin pan (Revereware).  Mine doesn't burn.

In the olden days, I had a roommate who had made only Jiffy pop and did not know you could make it on the stove.

[Debbie M]

But I find a microwave is invaluable for tasks like thawing and steaming. You can cook awesome rice in a casserole dish in the microwave, as well as steam veggies/potatoes, and make hot cereal. Even if I can do them on the stove in a pinch, if I can have such an efficient and versatile tool that does these things and reheats my leftovers, I would find room for it even in a small space. Put it on a shelf, table, fridge, in another room, etc.

I finally figured out how to make rice right on the stove.  But how do you make it in a microwave?

[Debbie M]

One could argue that nothing we do is badass compared to, say, what polar bears do (no microwaves, no stoves, no bicycles, ...).  So what?  It's much more helpful to compare ourselves to our former selves.  (And to each other aka our possible future selves.)

Last time my microwave broke, I also went without.  I was surprised at how easy it was.  Most things I was re-heating, I could re-heat on the stove, though it does take extra dishes.  I enjoyed the extra counter space.

But then my boyfriend got me a new one.  That was over fifteen years ago and it's still going.  I kind of want to get rid of it for the counter space, but now there are some things I really prefer to use the microwave for.  One is making oatmeal.  One is heating liquids (though I've never tried to boil water).  One is quickly finishing up something that mostly got properly re-heated in the toaster oven but is still cold in the middle.  And I do live somewhere that's usually hot, so it makes lots of sense for energy bills, too.

[I don't use the microwave for thawing stuff.  I put the frozen thing on an aluminum cookie sheet set across the open space between my counter and my washer (yes, my washer is in my kitchen).]

One thing that helps me with the space issue is to set the microwave on top of four matching upside-down mugs--one in each corner.  You can slide short things underneath if they don't quite fit in front while you're working, and you can open the microwave door even if there's a bowl or pie place or cutting board or something else short in front of it.

[dragoncar]

But I find a microwave is invaluable for tasks like thawing and steaming. You can cook awesome rice in a casserole dish in the microwave, as well as steam veggies/potatoes, and make hot cereal. Even if I can do them on the stove in a pinch, if I can have such an efficient and versatile tool that does these things and reheats my leftovers, I would find room for it even in a small space. Put it on a shelf, table, fridge, in another room, etc.

I finally figured out how to make rice right on the stove.  But how do you make it in a microwave?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=make+rice+in+the+microwave

[Debbie M]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=make+rice+in+the+microwave

Thanks, but I already know how to find out how random people claim you can make rice in the microwave.

[aglassman]

I find reheating things on the stove also make them taste much better.  Throw your fancy pants restaurant leftovers into a pan, and they'll taste 10x better than putting them in the microwave.  I find this to be doubly true for any creamy dishes. 

[galliver]

But I find a microwave is invaluable for tasks like thawing and steaming. You can cook awesome rice in a casserole dish in the microwave, as well as steam veggies/potatoes, and make hot cereal. Even if I can do them on the stove in a pinch, if I can have such an efficient and versatile tool that does these things and reheats my leftovers, I would find room for it even in a small space. Put it on a shelf, table, fridge, in another room, etc.

I finally figured out how to make rice right on the stove.  But how do you make it in a microwave?

How my mom makes it in the microwave:
1) Get out 2 qt round casserole dish with a heavy/pretty tight fitting lid.
2) 2 cups rice/4 cups hot water (boiled in electric kettle).
3) Microwave 5mins on hi, 10 mins on 50%, 10 mins on 10% power.
4) Done. Add butter for best tastiness.
*note* it boils over during cooking. Rinse the microwave carousel in the sink. Done.

How *I* make rice in the microwave:
1) Get out 1 qt pyrex bowl with tight fitting lid.
2) 1 c rice/2c boiling water.
3) Microwave for: 5 mins on hi (no lid), 10 mins on 50% (lid preferred), 10 mins on 10% (lid)
4) Done. Add sushi seasoning for tastiness.

Recipe is for 1000 or 1100 W microwave (if yours is 1500, it might dry out/burn/overcook)

[Nords]

Thanks, but I already know how to find out how random people claim you can make rice in the microwave.

"Random people"?!?  Pffft.  We live on an island full of rice cookers but we use our microwave oven.  Here you go for a 1000-watt model:
2 cups rice (we buy whatever five-pound bag is cheap*)
2 2/3 cups water
1 2-quart covered casserole pot called "Nordic Ware" (a 1986 microwave-safe wedding gift from a snarky friend)
4 min 30 seconds on high power (or until you see steam venting out of the pot vent)
12 minutes on low power (30%)

You may have to tweak the time splits if you're using a different container.  If the container boils over then use a shorter time at high power and a longer time at low power for the same total time.  If the cooked rice is too crunchy for your taste then give it a little longer at high power and a little less time at low power.  If it's still too crunchy (or starts boiling over) then add an extra minute of cooking time at low power.

* We're apparently buying "Mahatma extra long grain enriched rice" this time, but I doubt that the brand or pedigree makes much difference.  Of course around here the "right" brand of rice can be as controversial as a "tastes great, less filling" bar fight...

Before someone asks about cooking spaghetti or macaroni in the microwave, look for one of these at a garage sale:
http://www.fastapastacooker.com/

Or use your own microwave cookware with one of these charts:
http://www.fastapastacooker.com/cooking-chart/

[avonlea]

* We're apparently buying "Mahatma extra long grain enriched rice" this time, but I doubt that the brand or pedigree makes much difference.  Of course around here the "right" brand of rice can be as controversial as a "tastes great, less filling" bar fight...

I guess my fightin' side would be showing up in one of those conversations.  Sometimes the brand name doesn't even matter.  Nords...extra long grain enriched rice?  That's almost a dirty word in this house.  Say it ain't so.
:)

[Argyle]

We just microwave the rice for 20 minutes on high and it works every time.  I don't see that it needs all that fancy adjusting of power levels.

[Nords]

I guess my fightin' side would be showing up in one of those conversations.  Sometimes the brand name doesn't even matter.  Nords...extra long grain enriched rice?  That's almost a dirty word in this house.  Say it ain't so.
:)

I probably bought it on sale with a coupon for Twofer Tuesday.

Our daughter left home for college over three years ago, and we no longer have to set a good example of domestic parenthood.  We've been enjoying our empty-nester "no cooking" fling and rarely cook with anything except the microwave oven.  Even then I think it's been more than a year since we've cooked up a batch of rice for chili.

We just microwave the rice for 20 minutes on high and it works every time.  I don't see that it needs all that fancy adjusting of power levels.

I guess that depends on the microwave power and the pot geometry.  We do it to keep the water from boiling over the sides of the pot and making a mess.

[dragoncar]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=make+rice+in+the+microwave

Thanks, but I already know how to find out how random people claim you can make rice in the microwave.

Then why did you ask?  Or did you really want Nords super secret method of putting rice and water in the microwave?

[avonlea]

Our daughter left home for college over three years ago, and we no longer have to set a good example of domestic parenthood. We've been enjoying our empty-nester "no cooking" fling and rarely cook with anything except the microwave oven.  Even then I think it's been more than a year since we've cooked up a batch of rice for chili.

Haha!  Got a nice laugh out of your first line.
Sounds like you are now fully enjoying retirement! ;)