Whether it's making fancy cheese boards or removing postage stamps, your microwave is the kitchen's "Swiss Army Knife" (unless you have an actual Swiss Army Knife in your kitchen, of course). She can do things you never dreamed of! Get ready to impress your friends and co-workers because this list will reveal 25 cool microwave uses you never knew existed.
25. Squeezing more juice from lemons and limes
Microwave the lemon for 20 seconds to make it extra juicy.
24. Drying herbs
Parsley and other herbs will dry in a few minutes in the microwave without any waste.
23. Quickly peel garlic
For one clove, microwave for about 15 seconds. It will be much easier to peel the skin.
22. Soften stale bread
Yes, it's actually possible. Wrap the bread in a wet towel and turn on the microwave several times for 10 seconds. Repeat until you get it to your desired moisture level.
21. Make chips crispy again
Just place the chips on a towel in the microwave and warm them up a little. The towel will absorb the moisture and the chips will crisp again.
20. Apply a hot compress
Just put a damp towel in the microwave for about a minute and the compress is ready!
19. Grinding sugar
This is often useful with brown sugar - simply place a damp towel in the sugar bowl, close the lid and heat it for 20 seconds. There will be no more lumps in the sugar!
18. Cleaning the inside of the microwave oven
This is a trick you will definitely appreciate. Place a bowl of water and vinegar in the microwave for about five minutes. The inside of the microwave will fill with steam, and all food stains will be easily removed as soon as you wipe the walls.
17. Check if the dishware can be used in the microwave
To test this, take a cup that you know is microwave safe and fill it with cold water. Place the cup on the container or dish you want to test and place it all in the microwave. If after one minute of heating the water is warm and the container is cold, then it can be used in the microwave. However, if the container is hot and the water is cold, then never use the container in the microwave again.
16. Easy fruit cleaning
Fruits like peaches and tomatoes will be much easier to peel if you microwave them for 30 seconds. Just let them cool for 2 minutes afterwards before you start peeling them.
15. Preventing explosions
While we're on the subject of microwaving, some fruits and vegetables with relatively thick skins require extra precautions when heating for long periods of time. This section includes potatoes, tomatoes and pumpkin. Before you start heating them in the microwave, make a few holes, because if you don't do this, the crust will retain steam, which can even lead to an explosion!
14. Easy removal of postage stamps
All you have to do is drop some water on the stamp and heat it for 20-30 seconds. The postage stamp will come off on its own!
13. Cutting onions without tears
Simply cut off the ends of the onion and microwave it for 30 seconds before you start chopping it. Your eyes will no longer water!
12. Honey restoration
By removing the lid and heating the honey at 50% power for two minutes, you can restore old crystallized honey.
11. Cooking fish well
Microwaving fish can be tricky, so we've put together some tips. First of all, dry your fish well. Next, if you have several pieces of fish, place them so that the thin pieces are facing the same direction - this way the pieces will cook evenly. One final tip is to remove the fish from the microwave before it is fully cooked as it will continue to cook on its own after you remove it from the oven.
10. Quick Soak Beans and Lentils
If the recipe told you to soak the beans and lentils overnight and you forgot, we have good news for you! Pour the beans into a bowl, add a little baking soda and fill it all with water. Place the bowl in the microwave for 10 minutes and then leave it for about 40 minutes. The results you'll achieve in just 50 minutes will be comparable to a whole night of soaking.
9. Poached eggs
Pour boiling water into a microwave-safe bowl (see step 17). Add a little vinegar and crack the egg into a bowl. Lightly pierce the yolk with a toothpick and cover the bowl with cling film. Place the bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds. Turn the egg over and leave for another 20 seconds. Enjoy.
8. Say no to soggy sandwiches.
Warming up your sandwiches with paper towels around them allows the towels to absorb moisture that would otherwise collect in the sandwiches!
7. Create a scent
By heating nuts, seeds and seasonings for 15 seconds in the microwave, you'll fill your kitchen with a pleasant aroma.
6. Another cleaning method
If you don't have vinegar for step 18, just wet some paper towels and microwave them for 5 minutes. They will fill the microwave with steam and when cool, you can use them to clean out any accumulated grease.
5. Omelette in 3 minutes
Need a quick breakfast? Simply beat the eggs, cheese and milk in a bowl, add salt and pepper and heat the resulting mixture in the microwave for one and a half minutes. Don't forget to stir the eggs after the first 45 seconds.
4. Parmesan cheese plates
This is a bit of a complicated tip, but you'll definitely impress your friends. Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese into a pizza circle shape on the parchment paper. Microwave the paper until the cheese is golden brown. Now you need to do everything very quickly - take a circle of cheese and place it on an inverted bowl (so that the cheese takes its shape). Place another inverted bowl on top so the cheese is sandwiched between the two bowls and wait. Now fill your plate with salad and congratulations, you're almost French!
3. Cooking potato chips
Making chips crispy again is cool, but cooking them is even cooler! The most difficult thing is the beginning. Slice the potatoes as thinly as possible and place the slices on a plate. Now you need to put the potatoes in the microwave and cook them several times for three minutes at a time, reducing the power each time you turn them over. Try it and your friends will be impressed!
2. Boiled corn on the cob
Simply microwave the entire cob. After a few minutes, the leaf wrapper will come off on its own, and the corn will be sweet and tender!
1. Making chocolate cake
Simply whisk together all the dry ingredients—sugar, cinnamon, cocoa, salt, flour, vanilla, oil, and water—in a mug until the mixture is smooth. Place the mug in the microwave for 2 minutes. Then don't forget to thank us.
