We love a quick fix. (Who doesn’t?) Your microwave is the go-to appliance for a quick and lazy dinner but that’s not all it’s good for.

Wave goodbye to mundane chores like juicing lemons or peeling garlic because your microwave can get the job done so much more easily. Here are some corners you can cut with yours.

Perfect Pizza

Pizza is one of those glorious foods that tastes good both hot and cold. If you do want to reheat it though, put a glass of water in the microwave along with your pizza to stop the dough going hard and chewy. You can do the same for bread, crumpets or other baked goods.

Revitalised Make Up                                                         

Gunky dried mascara is no reason for despair; it can be salvaged by popping it in the microwave briefly. As we all (hopefully) know, metal and microwaves don’t mix so it goes without saying only microwave plastic mascara pots and remove the wand if it has metal parts in it!

Lemony Freshness

Some people think life’s too short to cover food in the microwave. Strangely enough, these types have rather messy microwaves. Hardened on food can be steamed off by microwaving a bowl of warm water and cut lemon slices for a minute or two, then wiping clean.

Sterilised Soil

Plants grown in sterilised soil have a better chance of flourishing as the soil won’t have any disease-causing bacteria or weed seeds lurking in it. If you’re planting seeds, sterilise the soil you’re planting them in first by heating it in the microwave to help keep your plants healthier.

Effortless Juice

Here’s a juicy culinary tip for you. Fancy fresh OJ in the morning or need some lemon juice to make a delicious drizzle cake? When juicing citrus fruits zap them in the microwave for 20 seconds first and it will be much easier to squeeze the juice out.

Tear-free Onions

What’s the matter? Oh wait, it’s just an onion that’s got your eyes streaming. Next time you’re cooking with them, trim the ends off your onions then microwave them for 30 seconds. That way they won’t make you cry when you cut them.

Preserved Herbs

Fresh herbs add a certain je ne sais quoi to your cooking, but once picked they don’t last long. Rather than binning the excess, dry the herbs by placing them on a paper towel to soak up moisture, then microwaving in 30-second bursts until completely dry.

Melted Chocolate

Melting bowls of chocolate in your microwave is much easier than the stovetop method. No more messing around with saucepans and simmering water, you just need to pop your choc in the microwave, checking and stirring it every few seconds so it doesn’t burn.

Runny Honey

Cloudy, hard honey hasn’t gone bad, it’s just crystallised. Some people prefer the crystallised taste and texture, but if you’re on team runny this process is easily reversed. You can restore a jar of honey to its former liquidity by microwaving it in short bursts, stirring in between.

Easy-peel Garlic

Everyone has their own method of peeling garlic cloves. This is the microwave shortcut technique that could become your new go-to. Zap your garlic cloves in the microwave for about 15 seconds and the skin will be loosened, making it easier to peel.

The moral of the story is whenever you’re pressed for time in the kitchen; don’t forget about your microwave. In fact, all of your household appliances can be handy for more than just the obvious tasks. Savvy dishwasher owners, this one is for you.

Tags: Foodie Tips, Microwave Tips