If you’ve read my blog any amount of time, you probably know I am not a fan of the microwave. Here’s a funny story that I know I’ve shared before.
Back in maybe 1975, my best friend since first grade, who is still my best friend, was working for a large lumber yard/home improvement store in Lake Charles. It was before the days of Walmart, Home Depot, etc. in our area. Microwaves were not in every home at that time but the store were Sarah worked was just getting them in and offered each employee one at half price (or it might have been free – I can’t remember). Sarah didn’t want one but knew I loved to cook and asked me if I wanted hers. Of course! It was a new kitchen gadget.
When that thing came in, it was almost as big as my car! It was huge. I was newly married and living in a mobile home with very little counter top. I cannot even remember where I put it. I think we had to get a small stand and stick it somewhere in the kitchen. I thought I was really special with my own microwave. I don’t remember what I used it for – probably melting butter, maybe popcorn.
I also don’t remember when I decided I didn’t need a microwave. When we bought the house in town in Kentucky, it had the microwave/stove vent over the stove. I asked Vince if he would remove it and put in a regular vent hood and he did. He rarely stayed at that house so he didn’t care if we had a microwave or not so I never got one.
When we moved to Nevada, MO, it was built in over the stove and when I asked if we could get rid of it, Vince said “NO! We’re not staying here long!” Ughh .. he was right. We stayed 4 years so leaving it up was probably a wise decision.
I think the very first thing we did when we moved to Texas was take the microwave down from over the stove and put up a vent hood. After a while, Vince decided he needed a microwave so we bought a small one and put it on a shelf in the laundry room.
Here, I was so thankful the microwave was not over the stove. It’s built in above the wall oven. When it goes out, my preference is to use that area for storing cookbooks but somehow, I’m betting we replace it. Vince likes his coffee boiling hot and he microwaves it after it comes out of the coffee pot. He does use the microwave so I won’t squawk if he wants to replace it.
As we were getting everything ready to move into the basement, I took a pressure cooker, the hot plate, and the backpack stoves downstairs. I guess, whenever the floor guy is really going to come, we’ll move the air fryer/toaster oven and coffee pot downstairs. Vince came down, looked around and said “What are we going to use for a microwave?” Huh? Can we not go a few days without a microwave? Nope, we cannot.
Vince found one on sale at Best Buy for $50. The box is what I used for the prop last night for my ottoman. That’s less than it would cost us to go out for dinner one night so I’m not complaining but . . what are we going to do with it when we’re done. I say . . donate it. Vince says . . keep it, we may need it again. I suggested he put it out in his shop in case his coffee gets cold while he’s out there.
I was thinking . . in most of our early years, we didn’t even have a microwave. Now, it’s hard to live without one.
Joyce says
I was in college when my parents got their first microwave. It was a novelty, but they did use it a lot over the years. I use mine every day even if it’s nothing more than for heating a cup of water for tea. I also actually cook with it too, so it is useful in my kitchen. For me it is a time-saving appliance, since I’m not home during the day to be able to spend time in the kitchen.
Phyllis says
My first microwave was a huge Amana with stainless steel interior and cost well over $500. Bought it from a furniture store and they gave cooking classes. They were convinced it would replace your stove and be the only appliance needed. I did use it for a lot of things and we still use one most days to warm something.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I act like I NEVER use mine but I’m betting if/when it stops working, I’ll realize I use it more than I think I do. I store leftovers in Ball jars and most of the time, I dump the contents of the jar into a pot and heat it on the stove but there are times, I stick the jar in the microwave and re-heat it that way.
Those first microwaves were so huge.
Cindy F says
We waited a long time before we got a microwave and when we got it I was thinking “why did we wait so long?!” We use it primarily for reheating leftovers and some frozen veggies. I also like it for softening butter when I’m not thinking ahead to put it out on the counter.