Did you know that it wasn’t until 1974 that the first domestic microwave model was sold in the UK?

Over the 40 years since the microwave became available as a cooking appliance within the UK, they have grown significantly in popularity, with over 30 million being sold annually throughout the world.

One of the reasons that microwaves have grown in popularity is due to them reportedly being one of the most energy efficient ways to cook. It is estimated that reheating via a microwave can save up-to 80% of the energy needed to heat an oven.

Another reason is likely to be because there are so many ways a microwave can help you when it comes to cooking; and we’ve highlighted five of the more unusual ways below.

Get More Juice:

Place a whole lemon or lime into the microwave and cook on the highest power for ten to twenty seconds. Once your microwave pings take out the fruit to find it juicer and easier to squeeze – perfect for those lemon drizzle cakes, mojitos and pancake toppings.

Peel Garlic:

How do you peel garlic? There are a number of tricks and tips available which claim to offer an easy solution. From the shake trick which involves using a jar and shaking for a couple of minutes, through to slicing each end of and then carefully peeling.

Another method is to place the clove in the microwave on full power for 15 seconds. This will draw out the moisture which gets trapped between the clove and skin, making it easier to peel.

Rehydrate Stale Bread:

Simply place the slices of bread onto kitchen towel inside the microwave and cook on full power for 10 seconds. Once the 10 seconds is up your bread will be fresh and ready to eat, either as a sandwich or as toast.

Tear Free Onions:

From time-to-time all of us when cooking are hindered by onions making us “cry” as we slice them. The reason onions have such an effect on us is due to the gas released by the onion as we slice its cells.

By utilising the powers of your microwave, you can have tear-free onions each and every time you cook. To achieve this, trim the ends of the onions and heat on full power for 30 seconds, after which your onions will be ready to slice and dice.

Instantly Dried Herbs:

Make your own at dried herbs at home by placing a cup of fresh herbs on a paper towel within the microwave for two minutes on full power. This will provide you with instantly dried herbs, ready for cooking with or to be stored for a later date.

NB: If looking to dry out herbs in your microwave, it’s advisable to place a cup of water in the appliance too; as this will help reduce the risk of arcing occuring. Alternatively, if using a combination microwave, place it on the grill setting.

There we have it, a handful of ways in which your microwave can help you with your cooking, without a ready-meal being anywhere in site, whilst also saving you money.

Tags: Cooking Tips, Microwave Spares