Microwave oven buy or not?

kishoremommy · Jan 17, 2012

.
Dear Ilites,

I am planning to buy a microwave oven.Please,go through my requirements and give your valuable suggestions.

1.We are 5 members in our family.3 adults ,2 kids.

2.I wish to make normal poriyal,avial,kootu,soups ---south indian varieties.

3.Non veg items too----fish,chicken ,mutton etc.

4.Biscuits.

5.Cakes.(Come on .I will try at least.).

I have a few doubts regarding microwave.

1.Is it good for health ? -the radiation and all.

2.Can we use glass bowls for cooking instead of plastic ones?
If,yes what are the best brands of the containers?

3.Can we make crispy potatoes,ladies finger,fish,chicken in microwave?For crispy results which is the best mode?

I have never used an oven before.should I buy it or not.

Please,give your suggestions regarding ,

1.Oven brand.

2.Type.

3.Vessels to cook.

4.Side effects of oven if any.

5.And tips too.

I have gone through nearly all the posts in this topic in our forum.This thread could be helpful for all who read this in future.

rkgurbani · Jan 17, 2012

Dear KishorMommy,

Indeed a microwave is a very useful appliance especially in large families and also with kids around. Most of all, it saves a lot of time.

In your case, you could buy a microwave-cum-convection-grill. This would perform all the functions of reheating, cooking, bakibg, grilling...

A friend of mine recommended this link to me a few years ago when I was also in a confused mind on whether to buy a microwave or not. Today, it is more a blessing in our household. Hope you find this link useful..
Benefits of using microwave oven

Shanvy · Jan 17, 2012

my answers inline.

kishoremommy said: ↑

.
Dear Ilites,

I am planning to buy a microwave oven.Please,go through my requirements and give your valuable suggestions.

1.We are 5 members in our family.3 adults ,2 kids.
go for something that is more than 27lts i think you get a 32 ltrs. though 27 is equally good.

2.I wish to make normal poriyal,avial,kootu,soups ---south indian varieties.
you definitely can make everything in mw..but it takes a little trial and error to reach your comfort zone and confidence
3.Non veg items too----fish,chicken ,mutton etc.
being a vegetarian no idea. but since we do grill paneer/ roast vegetables, i can say it would come out well ..
4.Biscuits.
it is all in your interest and following a recipe to the t. baking is unforgivable when you mess up measurements.
5.Cakes.(Come on .I will try at least.).
same as 4.
I have a few doubts regarding microwave.

1.Is it good for health ? -the radiation and all.you should rest anything cooked in mw before serving. i often see people just remove and eat immediately from the mw, that is what is harmful.

2.Can we use glass bowls for cooking instead of plastic ones?
If,yes what are the best brands of the containers?though the market throws a lot of choice in case of mw plastic ones.. nobody takes the time to understand how can somebody offer a bowl that can be used for mwing at rs.30/40. virgin plastic which is reasonably better for mw is costly. i prefer glass bowls.but with kids and during the initial few weeks/month you need to learn to handle them with care. not to keep them near water when it is hot..or splash of cold water would crack a heated glass bowl. instead try to use ceramic it is a little better and forgives rough handling with chipping..though breaks if hit hard

3.Can we make crispy potatoes,ladies finger,fish,chicken in microwave?For crispy results which is the best mode?
it is done on a combination of grilling and mircowave.
I have never used an oven before.should I buy it or not.
it is your choice..somethings are appreciated only after personal use.
Please,give your suggestions regarding ,

1.Oven brand.
i have a sharp.lot of my friends have samsung and are happy with it.
2.Type.
i have a double grill jet convection which is 10 year old. i think convection is what will be helpful reading your requirements
3.Vessels to cook.
for mw i have already ttold the types. ceramic can be used for both mw and baking and same goes for glass bowl (though some glass bowls are not suitable for baking) you can also pick up alumimium baking trays and tins as well as silicon. you get a lot of variety which all depends on your enthusiasm, your interest and your pocket.
4.Side effects of oven if any.
nothing i can think of except it is addictive.
5.And tips too.
lot of tips are there in ask chitvish forum and other threads..
I have gone through nearly all the posts in this topic in our forum.This thread could be helpful for all who read this in future.
Click to expand...

kishoremommy · Jan 17, 2012

Thank you rkgurbani.Your suggestion sounds perfect.I checked the link and found useful.

kishoremommy · Jan 17, 2012

Dear shanvy,
Your answer for every question is fantastic.My doubts are gone.After reading all these things,how could I stop getting an oven.But,you sound doubtful over the biscuits and cakes part.

After buying an oven I will try chitvish recipes and post the results of my experiments.

Thank you very much.