So, about two years ago my husband — in a fit of minimalistic vigor — got rid of our microwave. At the time, I remember being a little unsure about that decision. " But," I sputtered, "we use it for... re-heating! And it has that nifty timer on it! What are going to do now when we need to heat something up? Use the oven?"
Well, yes. What seemed like a kitchen necessity at the time has not been much missed. Though it may take a little longer (but usually, not very much) we re-heat our food on the stove or in the oven and we defrost frozen items in the fridge overnight. And actually, from what we've read, using the stove/oven might be the GREENER option as well...
>>Take our survey after the jump!
Planet Green says the electric stove comes out the winner as it's more practical and useful overall, and even though microwaves are speedy, they don't end up saving that much more energy than a stove. (And personally, we think food just tastes better when it's cooked in an oven or on the stovetop.)
TreeHugger acknowledges that it's a bit more tricky deciding which is the greener option. They recommend checking appliance labels for average wattage, and then multiplying the wattage by how many hours or fractions of an hour you need to cook the food. That sounds like an awful lot of work to do every time you want to cook something, but it would be the best way to determine which is the greener option.
Aside from the energy efficiency question, sometimes the issue is just learning to live with less. Is having a microwave an absolute essential? Probably not. And as an added bonus, it sure frees up our kitchen counter space!
(Image: Flickr member Logan Cyrus licensed under Creative Commons)
My oven is about 10 or 15 years old, and when I turn it on it heats up the whole kitchen, you can warm up standing in front of it (not so bad in the winter). And sits next to the refrigerator, so when I turn it on it reduces the refrigerator efficiency. I'm renting, so moving it isn't really an option.
My microwave is about 2 years old, and energy efficient, and I unplug it between uses. I'm for sure some people would be more efficient to use the stove to reheat but probably not for me.
But if anyone wants to lend me 300$, I'd me more than willing to purchase a more efficient oven!
view Rolen the Great's profile
When you compare which is more efficient a stove or a microwave you have to consider what kind. A gas stove is the least efficient, an electric stove is somewhat efficient and induction cooktops are very efficient.
The article doesn't actually say that a stove is greener, just that if you have to chose one it is more practical because a stove can do more.
If you have a microwave the easiest way to make it greener is to unplug it when you aren't using it.
view jinx's profile
If by "greener" we mean more efficient use of energy, the microwave oven wins big time. Most of the energy from any conventional oven or stove (induction cook tops possibly excepted) is going into the room, not the food you're cooking. This, the Planet Green, and Treehugger posts are susrprisingly devoid of factual comparisons, but this engineer says it's a clear land slide in favor of the microwave.
But... who wants to eat microwaved food all the time? Nobody! Until somebody figures out how to sautée or make a fond in a microwave, I'll keep using mine only for simple tasks: reheating, preheating, defrosting, melting cheese, and baking potatoes.
Tip: use lower power levels in your microwave to avoid strange texture and flavor artifacts of uneven and fast heating.
view salsa's profile
Salsa, here's an interesting article I found on microwave vs. stove top that delves a bit more into the specifics you were looking for.
view CambriaNYAT's profile
Hmmm... it didn't link above. Here it is: http://www.utilitybillbusters.com/articles/home-energy-lab/home-energy-experiment-1-which-cooks-more-efficiently-a-microwave-or-gas-range/
view CambriaNYAT's profile
Imagine how much more green you could be if you stopped using your computer to create this blog and just used a bullhorn and a rooftop.
view Khurt Williams's profile
I think what would be really efficient is if you chose not to purchase a microwave. Think of the resources that would be saved, not to mention counterspace.
view drea_nicole's profile
The oven is "purer"? What the heck is that supposed to mean?
view Cheryl's profile