How to Survive Without a Microwave

Before the mid 1980s most people cooked exclusively on their stovetop and oven. However for the last 20 years or so, we've been nuking our food. Since we really don't know how many chemicals are leached out of the plastic containers and into our food, we might consider going back to our stovetop roots. Here's how to survive without a microwave.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Oven with a stovetop
• Copper or stainless steel kettle with whistle
• Slow cooker
• Stainless steel sauce pan
• Garbage bag

1. Get to know your range top and oven. There are many aspects of your oven you probably wouldn't consider using until you live without the microwave. For instance the broiler can easily be used to heat up leftovers.

2. Put the kettle on. Go get a stainless or copper kettle with a whistle you can keep on the stove. In terms of preparation time, heating up water in the kettle on the stove actually takes fewer motions. With the microwave, you must open the door, put in the cup, close the door and press at least two buttons to heat the water. With the kettle, you only need to turn on the burner and pour.

3. Pick a favorite saucepan with a lid. Make it sized appropriately for your family. This will serve as your workhorse for cooking veggies and rice.

4. Find slow cooker recipes. A slow cooker is great for people who have family members getting home at different times. Make sure yours has a "keep warm" setting so that your meal doesn't get overcooked.

5. Toss out all those blistered, half-melted plastic containers. Now you can feel good about serving food knowing there are no plastic chemicals in your food and you will never again have that burnt plastic smell in your kitchen.