Microwave Safe

W

hen we get home from a long day in the office, sometimes the last thing we want to do is cook a complete meal. Thankfully, a wonderful contraption called the microwave can save us from slaving over a hot stove, but we don't always get the best results, so we set out to find some of the best foods for microwaving, as well as some of the worst.

We've heard of putting lightbulbs or CDs in the microwave for the novelty of it, but what are the best and worst foods for microwaving?

Best
Some of the best foods to heat up in the microwave are vegetables, if you want them steamed. Frozen or fresh, all you need is a bowl and a little bit of water. Cover the bowl with wax paper, and heat up the veggies.

Fish also works well in the microwave, but please, for the love of everyone in a one-mile radius of you and your microwave, don't do it unless you absolutely have to.

Soups are also great for heating in the microwave, as all you need to do is warm them (assuming you're eating canned soup).

Potatoes work well, especially faux-baked potatoes. Poke a few holes in the potato, and run the skin under water, then hit it with five minutes or so with microwave heat, then flip it over and let it run for five more minutes. Way easier than waiting 45 minutes to an hour for a baked potato, right? French fries and hashbrowns, though, should stay far away from the microwave, unless you're really into soggy French fries.

Eggs turn out decently, even poached eggs, but like fish, spare anyone around you. Just because you can cook some things in the microwave doesn't mean you have to.


Worst
Hamburgers—we're not sure why, but after you put a burger in the microwave, it's got a strange taste. Whether it's a chemical transformation or just the burger resenting not being on a grill, stay away from this.

Bread often doesn't fare well in the microwave, either. Two seconds too long and you've got yourself a rock-hard, hot piece of bread. The only real time the microwave can revive bread-like food is if it's a bagel. Wrap the bagel in a damp paper towel and toss it in for a few seconds; the bagel will be delightfully chewy once again.

Pasta is also pretty bad when reheated. It gets gummy, dried out, and gross. And it gets that way really fast if you're not careful. If you need to reheat pasta in the microwave, make sure you add a bit of water and cover the container so that it steams rather than dehydrates.

Meat isn't just kind of gross to heat up in the microwave, but it's not very safe—especially if you're planning on cooking the whole way through. While microwaves kill vitamins in veggies, they tend not to do a great job at killing bacteria in meats. Stick to regular heat from the oven or stove for your chicken or steaks, and you'll be safe. Defrosting in the microwave is fine, however, just make sure to set the microwave to half power.

Now that you know what's best for microwaving and what fares worst, go forth and (sort-of) cook. But be aware—99 percent of the time, food cooked on the stovetop or in the oven will taste better.