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Not a fan of the microwave oven? Looking for good alternatives? Here are 11 appliances that will replace the ever-present kitchen gadget. Read on!
A microwave is great for different purposes. It makes drinks hot and can be washed without making dishes dirty. It is really good at baking a frozen pizza or melting butter. You want microwave popcorn over kettle corn, and that is exactly what it does. It helps to make some recipes, such as making gnocchi from scratch, without being concerned with the amount of water in the potatoes.
The microwave’s limitation is that you can’t place metal dishes in them. Cooks worry about how microwaves affect the nutrition and quality of food they cook, too.
Other appliances are often superior to it, and it is not all that unique – they do certain tasks better.
If you want to heat and rewarm your food in the comfort of your kitchen, these microwave alternatives are the best. There are ways to make sure your food is hot without losing its nutrition with microwave alternatives.
Any microwave replacement must be fast and easy to use on a countertop. We did the homework and found the best microwave oven alternatives currently available. We have included product links to illustrate with examples, and these earn our site a commission (we are always transparent about it.)
All-in-one Cooker
For example, NinjaCooker offers an All in One cooker that combines a slow cooker, pressure cooker, steamer, broiler, saute, roast into one device. This means it cooks at lower temperatures while still providing quick cooking times. It’s great for those who want convenience but don’t want to deal with multiple appliances.
Advantages Include:
- Convenient
- Lower maintenance costs
- Efficient
- Good for smaller kitchens
- Cheap
Oven
The most common way people use their ovens today is for reheating leftovers or cooking dinner. Ovens have been around since ancient times. The first oven was invented by an Egyptian named Kekh-Amen, who created a clay oven called “oven,” which he placed over a fire. He baked bread inside this oven using wood as fuel. This invention changed history.
Today there are many ovens, including convection ovens, electric ovens, gas ovens, ceramic ovens, induction ovens, infrared ovens, steam ovens, etc. Each type has advantages and disadvantages. Some ovens cost more than others, but all will get the job done.
Convection ovens work by circulating heated air throughout the entire oven cavity. Convection ovens tend to bake foods faster because the temperature stays consistent across the whole oven. However, some people find convection ovens too noisy. Electric ovens usually come equipped with timers, so users don’t need to keep track of time while baking. Gas ovens also come with timers. Ceramic ovens are great at browning meats and vegetables. Infrared ovens help cooks prepare healthy meals quickly. Steam ovens create moist results when preparing meatloaf, lasagna, chicken pot pie, and other casseroles.
Conventional ovens are still one of the top choices for home chefs. If you’re looking for something new, then consider buying an electric oven. These ovens are becoming popular due to their versatility.
How does the oven compare to the microwave?
Both ovens are similar in size and shape. Both require electricity to operate. But what sets them apart from each other is the heating method. A conventional oven uses radiant energy, whereas a microwave uses electromagnetic waves.
What do I need to know before choosing between the two?
When comparing both options, remember that the main difference is heating methods. You should choose whichever option works better for you. For example, if you like to watch TV during meal preparation, you might prefer a microwave. On the other hand, if you enjoy spending time outdoors, you may benefit from having a traditional stove.
Crockpot
This kitchen appliance allows you to slow cook large quantities of food without burning it. Crockpots were originally designed for camping trips where families would spend days together enjoying nature. Today crock pots are commonly seen in kitchens everywhere.
There are several different models of crockpots out there. Most of these models include:
- Slow cooker – Uses low heat to cook food slowly
- Pressure cooker – Used high pressure to cook food
- Rice cooker – Allows rice to cook
- Dutch oven – Has a lid and can be used on the stovetop or in the oven
Benefits of Using a Crock Pot
- It saves money
- It’s easy to clean up after yourself
- Food tastes good
- No mess!
- It Can make your life easier
- Takes less time
- Doesn’t burn food
- Easy to store
- Great for parties
Toaster Oven
The toaster oven was invented back in 1950 as a way to save space in homes. The first model had only 2 settings; defrost and broil. Since then, manufacturers have added features such as self-cleaning cycles, variable cooking temperatures, and even built-in microwaves. Toasters now offer multiple functions which allow you to toast bread, melt cheese, reheat leftovers, warm cookies, and much more.
A toaster oven offers many benefits over a regular oven. Some of those benefits include:
- Save space
- Quickly heats food
- Keeps food hot longer than a regular oven
- Reheats leftover food easily
- Easier cleanup
- Less expensive compared to a full-sized oven
Dutch Oven
These types of pans are ideal for making soups, stews, roasts, and baked goods. They are often made of cast iron, but they can also be found in stainless steel.
Some advantages of using this kind of pan include:
- Sturdy construction
- Good for boiling water
- Heats evenly
- Nonstick surface
- Dishwasher safe
- Long-lasting
Air Fryer
An air fryer has become very popular among people who want healthier meals. This device cooks foods by circulating heated air around the food instead of directly exposing it to flames. Air fryers use convection technology to circulate hot air around the food while keeping its temperature constant.
Advantages of using an air fryer include:
- Healthy alternative to deep-frying
- Tastes great
- Convenient
- Low maintenance
Steamer
Steamers work similarly to a kettle except for steam rather than liquid fills them. Steamers come with either electric or gas-powered versions. Electric steamers usually cost about $20-40 dollars, whereas gas ones run between $50-100 dollars. Steaming is one of the easiest ways to prepare vegetables because you need steamed veggies and a few spices.
Benefits of using a steamer include:
- Helps retain nutrients
- It makes healthy eating fun
- Very inexpensive
- Cleanup is simple
- You don’t need any special equipment
Popcorn Maker
This gadget allows you to create delicious popcorn without having to open a microwave. Popcorns are perfect when entertaining guests since they’re ready right away. There are two main kinds of popcorns available today. One uses oil and salt, and another does not. Both methods produce tasty results. However, if you choose to go with the non-oil method, you need to add butter to enhance flavor.
Advantages include:
- Delicious
- Fast
- No mess
- Portable
- Affordable
Speed Oven
If you like baking cakes, pies, brownies, etc., speed ovens are your best bet. These devices cook quickly so that you won’t spend hours waiting on something to finish. Speed ovens heat up faster than other conventional ovens do. In fact, most models reach their maximum temperature within 30 minutes.
Advantages include:
- Easy clean up
- Faster heating time
- Great for small spaces
- Versatile
Pressure Cooker
These gadgets can be used as both slow cookers and pressure cookers. Slow cookers allow you to set the desired temperature and let things simmer until done. They also tend to be less expensive than pressure cookers.
On the other hand, pressure cookers provide fast cooking times but require additional ingredients such as water, lids, and weights. Some models even feature timers allowing users to monitor the process.
Advantages include:
- Higher quality products
- Less messy cleanup
- Easier to control
- Better tasting food
- Cheaper
Stovetop Pot
Nothing beats the old-fashioned stovetop pot when it comes to heating food the cheapest way. You just pour some water, add food wrapped in foil and bring it to a boil. It’s effective.
A stovetop pot is similar to a pressure cooker in terms of functionality. The difference lies in how much power these pots have. Pressure cookers require high levels of energy which makes them more difficult to operate. On the contrary, stovetops only take low amounts of electricity, meaning they are easier to handle.
The benefits of using a stovetop pot include:
- Quick cooking times
- Safe to use
- Can withstand higher temperatures
- More versatile
FAQ
The easiest way is to wrap food in foil, add it to a pot with some water, and bring it to a boil.
It really depends on what kind of lifestyle you lead. For example, if you enjoy eating at restaurants or going camping often, then you’ll probably find yourself needing one. But if you prefer making meals at home, then you might be able to live without one.
Microwaves aren’t just useful for reheating leftovers. You can actually make some pretty amazing dishes by simply placing items inside a microwave. Microwaving eggs creates fluffy omelets while steaming vegetables produce perfectly cooked veggies. And don’t forget about frozen dinners! Many people rely heavily upon microwaved meals because they’re quick and simple to prepare.
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