Your microwave is a trusty kitchen appliance with a simple purpose.
It’s always there if you need to reheat some leftovers, defrost frozen foods, or melt some butter, but it’s not good for much else — or so you thought.
Microwaves are actually a highly versatile kitchen tool that you can use for baking, cooking, and the odd DIY project.
So if you’re looking to make the most of your microwave, here are seven ways to use this fan-favorite appliance that you’ve probably never considered.
Upgrading your microwave
Before you experiment with unconventional microwave uses, consider upgrading your current microwave to a more robust and efficient appliance.
If your food is leaving the microwave still cold or if your microwave emits strange buzzing or grinding sounds, it’s time to replace your machine.
When you’re upgrading, consider investing in a convenient gadget like a wall oven microwave combo like these from Goedeker’s.
With this appliance displayed in your chef’s kitchen, you can prepare intricate meals to satisfy your house guests’ tastebuds.
Not to mention, with a wall oven microwave combo, you can capitalize on its self-cleaning, quick-heating, and eco-friendly features.
Soften stale bread
Gone are the days of trashing bags of rock-hard, stale bread.
Whether you prefer baguettes or sliced bread for your sandwiches and toast, you never have to worry about your bread becoming unusable after only a few days.
Instead, soften stale bread by wrapping it in a damp paper towel and putting it in the microwave for 10-30 seconds.
Your bread will be as soft as the day you purchased it and ready for enjoying in under a minute.
Decrystallize your old honey
If you’ve ever reached into the back of your cabinet and pulled out a container of crystallized honey, there’s no need to throw it away if you have a microwave.
Simply uncover your jar of honey and heat it in your microwave for 30-60 seconds or until it liquefies.
Your honey will quickly soften up and return to its original delicious state.
Bake a sweet treat
While it’s not possible to bake an entire cake or a tray of cookies in your microwave, it does have the power to whip up some single-serving baked goods.
So whether you’re craving a chocolate chip cookie or a slice of chocolate cake, it’s possible to treat yourself without having to put in the effort to bake full-sized cakes and pies.
From a simple cobbler or crisp to a brownie or cinnamon roll, all it takes to make a sweet treat are a few ingredients like butter, sugar, egg, flour, and baking powder.
Mix all of the ingredients in your favorite mug, pop it in the microwave for a minute or two, and you can enjoy a personal serving of your favorite dessert in no time.
Easily peel garlic
Any aspiring chef knows that garlic can be considered the ultimate seasoning.
Full of delicious flavor, garlic can enhance almost any dish, but the process of peeling cloves can be highly frustrating.
Luckily, by microwaving a head of garlic for 20 seconds, trying to scratch off that last bit of garlic skin is no longer an issue.
The steam the microwave produces in your garlic separates the bond between the cloves and their skin so that you can slide the garlic right out.
Create your own homemade lip balm
If you’re tired of constantly needing to purchase a new stick of Chapstick every time you misplace your current tube, try making your own lip balm at home.
With only a few ingredients like beeswax and honey, you can make an all-natural, simple balm that keeps your lips moisturized at all times.
Melt beeswax in the microwave, mix in additional ingredients, pour into a container, wait for it to harden, and you have a lip balm that you can keep for yourself or give away as gifts.
Fulfill your specialty coffee cravings
Stopping by your local coffee shop every day for your daily dose of caffeine can drain your wallet quicker than you think.
If you can’t survive without a latte or cappuccino, all you need is a microwave to make your specialty coffee at home.
To create milk foam, simply fill a jar halfway with milk, shake it up, and then microwave it with the lid off for about 30 seconds.
Pour it into your espresso, and you’ll be caffeinated and ready for your day.
Poach an egg
Poached eggs are a popular brunch option, especially on top of toast and covered in hollandaise sauce.
If you’re craving a nice runny yolk for breakfast, it’s not so tricky to poach an egg at home with a microwave.
Crack your egg into a mug and fill it with a water and white vinegar mixture.
After microwaving the cup for about a minute, you should have the perfect poached egg.
The bottom line
Though it may not seem like it initially, your microwave is actually one of the most versatile tools in your kitchen.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and use your microwave in unconventional ways. Y
ou may just find your new favorite recipe or DIY project along the way.