No microwave?

We lost our microwave, toaster oven, and coffee maker to a power surge awhile back.  The coffee maker was replaced immediately (priorities!) but we still haven't replaced the microwave or toaster oven.  Part of the issue is that we have almost no counterspace.  We had the previous toaster oven on top of the microwave, but it was crowded looking.  

For awhile I was looking at a microwave/toaster oven/air fryer combo, but I was worried that it might end up being one of those items that does multiple things but doesn't do them well.

I'm now thinking of just not getting a microwave at all, and instead buying a toaster oven/air fryer combo.  But there are a few things that I only know how to heat in a microwave.  For example, my husband came home from work with half a White Castle crave case.  I've no idea of how to reheat a slider without a microwave.  But at the same time is it really worth buying an appliance that I only actually *need* three to four times a year, max?  

Most other microwave uses have easy workarounds.  For example, my husband was upset because he had no way to reheat his beef lo mein.  I showed him it was simple to reheat it in a pot.  I used to make oatmeal for the kids in the microwave, but it takes maybe two or three minutes longer on the stove, so no loss there.


more expensive - and not needed if you are literally talking about usage 3 or 4 times a year - but would you consider one of the wall mounted over the range microwaves?


get a microwave/toaster oven combo. it looks like they work ok. The top rated one is a Cuisinart on this link.

https://thebrilliantkitchen.com/best-toaster-oven-and-microwave-combo-in-2020/#value

ETA: er, maybe not. requires more research.


We got along without a microwave for a year or so (?) a while back.  As you've seen, there are workarounds for most everything.  My biggest problem was putting water on the stove for tea, forgetting it, burning the pan; but that's easily solved with a whistling kettle, and you're apparently coffee people anyhow.

We finally replaced it (despite limited counter space), and i use it multiple times daily.  In addition to saving cook time, i think it saves material clean-up time (oatmeal bowls vs. oatmeal pan, heat veggies in serving bowl, etc.).  One other thought, when your kids start fixing things for themselves, i would think the micro would be safer than the stove at first.  Or maybe they're already good with the stove....


bub said:

more expensive - and not needed if you are literally talking about usage 3 or 4 times a year - but would you consider one of the wall mounted over the range microwaves?

 I would, but that would mean removing cabinets and running electric up there.  If we ever redo the kitchen I was going to have one installed.  It just isn't in the budget right now.


mjc said:

We got along without a microwave for a year or so (?) a while back.  As you've seen, there are workarounds for most everything.  My biggest problem was putting water on the stove for tea, forgetting it, burning the pan; but that's easily solved with a whistling kettle, and you're apparently coffee people anyhow.

We finally replaced it (despite limited counter space), and i use it multiple times daily.  In addition to saving cook time, i think it saves material clean-up time (oatmeal bowls vs. oatmeal pan, heat veggies in serving bowl, etc.).  One other thought, when your kids start fixing things for themselves, i would think the micro would be safer than the stove at first.  Or maybe they're already good with the stove....

 Even when we had one I didn't use it that much, which is probably why I'm putting off getting a new one.  I already have a tea kettle.  I'm actually worried about the kids using the microwave, I know it's just a matter of time before someone forgets and leaves a fork or a spoon in something and shorts it out.


So no experience on how to reheat sandwich type foods, like White Castle sliders?  The only other item we have that absolutely has to be microwaved are the frozen cheeseburgers from Costco.  


drummerboy said:

get a microwave/toaster oven combo. it looks like they work ok. The top rated one is a Cuisinart on this link.

https://thebrilliantkitchen.com/best-toaster-oven-and-microwave-combo-in-2020/#value

ETA: er, maybe not. requires more research.

 I'm actually looking at the cuisinart toaster oven/air fryer combo.  It gets good reviews, and everyone is gushing about their air fryers, so I thought that might be the way to go


spontaneous said:

drummerboy said:

get a microwave/toaster oven combo. it looks like they work ok. The top rated one is a Cuisinart on this link.

https://thebrilliantkitchen.com/best-toaster-oven-and-microwave-combo-in-2020/#value

ETA: er, maybe not. requires more research.

 I'm actually looking at the cuisinart toaster oven/air fryer combo.  It gets good reviews, and everyone is gushing about their air fryers, so I thought that might be the way to go

Yeah, my brother got an air fryer (a Ninja, I think) and he's pretty impressed by it.

I'd get one myself if I had the counter space.



funny - I can't find any reviews of combo units on Consumer Reports.


I've reheated sandwich type foods both in a frying pan on the stovetop (turn it over once for even heating) and on tinfoil in the oven (which works better, but the time I used the stovetop the power was out so the oven wouldn't light).  You could probably use a griddle instead of a frying pan.  I've also made fudge in a pot on a woodstove.


We have a combo toaster oven/convection oven, and we use it to reheat almost everything.  I think the food turns out better, and it is nearly as fast on convection mode.  What doesn't reheat well in the toaster oven we steam in a pot on the stove top (to retain moisture).  Also have an electric kettle for hot water, which boils very fast. 


If it's used that rarely, does it have to go in the kitchen? I used to keep mine in a utility room off the attached garage. Slightly inconvenient, but I really needed the counter space in the kitchen.

I prefer using the toaster oven (or the real oven) to heat anything with bread. Microwaved bread has a weird texture and turns tough and rubbery if allowed to cool. Can't beat the crispy crunchiness of toasted bread.


kthnry said:

If it's used that rarely, does it have to go in the kitchen? I used to keep mine in a utility room off the attached garage. Slightly inconvenient, but I really needed the counter space in the kitchen.

I prefer using the toaster oven (or the real oven) to heat anything with bread. Microwaved bread has a weird texture and turns tough and rubbery if allowed to cool. Can't beat the crispy crunchiness of toasted bread.

Our old range died so we got a new one recently.  I splurged and bought one with two ovens.  Best decision I ever made.  I use the smaller top oven 99% of the time, even using it for things I would previously put in the toaster oven.  And even using it more than the old one our propane consumption has gone down.  But for some things, like toast or toasted bagels, a toaster is a must, so a toaster is definitely on my list.

I’m probably going to pass on the microwave oven.  Now I just have to figure out how long to put a White Castle slider in the oven to heat it up 


no, get the combo oven and let us know if it was worth it!  cheese


Anything that is "convection" is basically an air fryer. My toaster oven has a convection setting, as does my oven. I haven't tested the air fryer capability of it, as far as I know, but I am not big on fried food in general.

 https://www.thespruceeats.com/air-fryer-vs-convection-oven-4774315


I reheated the White Castle sliders in the regular over, 15 minutes at 350°.  The top buns got a little too toasted, so if I were to do this again I would probably only put the top bun in for the last five minutes.  I put them on a rack so the bottoms wouldn’t get soggy.  The boys agreed with me about the toasted top bun, but overall were thrilled to have White Castles and said they were great.

For our new appliance I finally settled on the Ninja toaster oven air fryer flip up thingamagig.  It’s reviews weren’t anywhere near as good as the Cusinart or the Breville, but it flips up and I have almost no counter space, so I was more than happy to compromise.  I use my oven and stovetop as my main cooking areas, so being able to have counter space for bowls and prep when cooking is worth the trade off for me.  The bells and whistles one was $199, but I got the one without the dehydrator (which I’ll likely never use anyway) so it came to $169.  More than I’ve ever spent on a toaster oven in my life, but still WAY less than what many of the other ones cost.  The Breville was about $400   question

If I were going to get a regular toaster oven I would have purchased one that mounts underneath the cabinet.  But apparently the air fryers get super hot, so they can’t be mounted that way.  I didn’t want two appliances (separate toaster oven AND air fryer) so buying a dual use item made more sense to me.


i use my microwave to heat gel heat pads.....


Since I don’t use a toaster every day, but also don’t want to unplug it and cart it into the other room (no available cabinet space in the kitchen), the flip up toaster/air fryer seemed like a good compromise.  

This is where the microwave used to be, with the old toaster perched on top.  I had zero use of this countertop then.


We had no microwave for several years.  I didn't miss it.


I needed a new microwave and toaster oven so I decided to try the Galanz Toastwave. It’s a microwave, toaster oven, air fryer, as well as an oven/convection oven. It’s the same size as my old microwave. I’ve had it for about 6 weeks now and have used all the features. I would highly recommend it.  It’s great to have one appliance on my counter and all the functions work very well.  The only down side is that it’s a little pricey but if you shop around, you can get it on sale. I got mine at Bed, Bath and Beyond and with the sale price plus coupon, I paid less than half the retail price. Good luck!


Mema said:

I needed a new microwave and toaster oven so I decided to try the Galanz Toastwave. It’s a microwave, toaster oven, air fryer, as well as an oven/convection oven. It’s the same size as my old microwave. I’ve had it for about 6 weeks now and have used all the features. I would highly recommend it.  It’s great to have one appliance on my counter and all the functions work very well.  The only down side is that it’s a little pricey but if you shop around, you can get it on sale. I got mine at Bed, Bath and Beyond and with the sale price plus coupon, I paid less than half the retail price. Good luck!

 I was looking at that.  It’s much larger than our old microwave though, we had a mini one.  I don’t recall the exact dimensions, but I remember that it was going to take almost the entire space.



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