Normally, microwaves are used to heat up food or make popcorn. And little else. And that’s a shame because a microwave can do a lot. Don’t you think? Well, here are 17 surprising uses that will revitalize the way you use this appliance.
Bake a cake
Do you have a sweet tooth, but don’t feel like baking a huge cake or going out to buy one? No problem: in no time at all you can bake a mug cake with the help of the microwave. The channel Youtube specialized in recipes honey house tand explains how to do it.
Cook a hard-boiled egg
Getty Images
Note: Don’t microwave an egg, it will burst. The trick is to crack the egg into a small bowl. Prick the yolk with a toothpick several times. Put it in the microwave but cover it with a plate first. Cook it at half power for 45 seconds. Keep an eye on the egg. If it’s done, eat it. If not, do 15-second intervals and check.
The total time will depend on your microwave and the egg, but you shouldn’t spend more than a minute extra. Always use medium power. There’s a reason for this method: it’s to prevent the egg from exploding.
Make your own homemade potato chips
If you fancy some potato chips but you forgot to buy them at the supermarket, you can always make them in the microwave. It’s super easy and they turn out crispier than you might expect. Follow the instructions in this YouTube video.
Disinfects and deodorizes bath sponges
Getty Images
Don’t throw away your kitchen sponge just because it smells like last night’s dinner. Soak it in water with a dash of white vinegar or lemon juice, then microwave the sponge for one minute on high. In addition to removing the smell, you’ve also disinfected it.
These are some of the uses you can give to your strainer (and no, they are not what you imagine)
Blend the honey again
If your honey has turned into bee glue, put the open jar of honey in the microwave. Heat it for 30 seconds to a minute at medium power.
Get more juice from your citrus fruits
Getty Images
It’s hard to squeeze a lemon or lime straight out of the fridge because of the cold. Before juicing, microwave the fruit for 20-30 seconds.
Give your used colored pencils a new use
Do you have a lot of super worn-out colored pencils? Don’t throw them away just yet: you can play with them and, for example, turn them into candles or create original shapes.
First, take out the wrappers because when the wax melts it can be a mess. You can scrape off the paper wrappers with a knife. If you’re scared, soak the pencils in a cup of hot water to loosen the paper.
Use a box cutter or kitchen knife to cut the pencils into smaller pieces. Consider grouping these pieces by color or making a rainbow medley, whichever works for you.
Put all the pieces you want to melt together in a microwave-safe container. Even an old, unused mug will do. If you want to make candles out of them, add a piece of candle wax for each piece of pencil. If you want the candles to be scented, add a few drops of essential or fragrance oil.
Place the bowl in the microwave and heat for 2 minutes. Pause every 30 seconds to stir the bowl. Stay close to the microwave: keep an eye on it because the pieces may melt sooner than expected.
Now you have melted wax. You can put it in molds, make shapes with it using its new form… now it’s up to your imagination!
Make liquid caramel
With a little water and just 30-60 seconds you can have liquid caramel. For more details and instructions, follow this Youtube video.
Toast nuts, croutons or coconut chips
You can toast all of these snacks in less time than in the oven. Spread the almonds, for example, on a plate and heat them for 2-3 minutes. Stop every minute to stir the plate. Don’t eat them straight away: they will continue to toast for another minute after you take them out of the microwave.
These are some of the practical uses of clothespins
Cook the vegetables
Getty Images
As with the nuts above, spread the vegetables out over the plate. Add 2-3 tablespoons of water and cover the plate (but leave room for steam to escape). 3-7 minutes on high and presto.
6 ways to cook vegetables to make them tastier
Cut onions without crying
Do you hate the drama that starts every time you start chopping onions? Put them in the microwave for 30 seconds to remove the juice. This way you won’t get all teary-eyed.
Peel garlic more easily
If you have trouble peeling garlic cloves, put them in the microwave on kitchen paper for just 10 seconds. The paper will absorb the moisture and make your job easier.
Remove stamps from envelopes
If you collect stamps and are afraid to remove them from the envelopes the old-fashioned way in case they break, add two drops of water to the stamp and put it in the microwave for a few seconds. You will see that it will be easier to remove from the envelope.
Heats hair oils and other beauty products
Just like the honey above, hair oil can harden and be difficult to remove from its container. Microwave it for 20-30 minutes to liquefy the oil and make it easier to remove. Do the same with other beauty products like wax.
Soak legumes in case of emergency
Getty Images
If you forgot to soak the legumes the night before, you can use the microwave as a backup plan. Put the legumes in water: three glasses of water for each glass of legumes. Put the bowl in the microwave for 15 minutes at maximum power until they boil. Let the legumes rest for an hour or so and that’s it: ready to cook.
Improvise a heating pad
Have you just finished working out and your muscles are sore? Fill an unused sock with rice or legumes. Heat the sock in 15-second intervals until it reaches the right temperature. You now have a pad.
Sterilize garden soil
Lifepack
Do you want to plant some seeds in a pot, for example? First of all, spread the soil on a flat surface and heat the soil in the microwave at intervals of 15-20 seconds until steam begins to come out (in 3-5 minutes). You will have soil free of viruses, pathogens, weeds… so that the new plants that grow there will do so in a healthy and strong way.
Learn how we work at .
Tags: Trending, Lists, Home, Appliances