⚡ To Microwave or Not to Microwave: That Is the Question (and Why)

There comes a moment in every household when someone stands in front of the microwave and asks:

"Can I put this in there? For that matter, should I?"

Truth be told, the answers are “yes,” “no,” and maybe so on a technicality (but future generations may question your judgment).

As a foodie and a Savonnier (the fancy French term for soap maker), I have spent far more time than I should scrying the microwave door hoping for the right answers. 🔮 

Microwaves can melt soap and reheat leftovers. Sometimes it warms a forgotten cup of coffee (how long has that been out?). It is worth exploring the mysterious, magical microwave.

The Case for Microwaving

Microwaves are convenient and fast. For small batches of melt-and-pour soap, the microwave is your friend.

Need oatmeal in the morning before your stomach starts reciting a lament instead of growling? The microwave stands ready.

Need to soften butter because you forgot to take it out of the refrigerator? 🧈 Once again, the microwave comes to the rescue. Just remember to unwrap it and put it in a container (trust me).

When you are in a hurry, a microwave can save your sanity and sense of humor.

The Soapmaker's Perspective 🧼 

When working with melt-and-pour soap, the microwave is often the easiest way to gently melt a soap base. But you can’t rush it. Unlike a tool intended to melt soap, it’s hard to watch it behind the door. Everything looks fine behind that little window—right up until it isn't. 

So at stardustandsuds.com, my product comes from short bursts, followed by stirring. If you’re nice to your soap, it comes out beautifully. But if you become impatient, think bubble, scorch, and have a really bad attitude.

Foods That Generally Play Nicely 

😇  Some foods are perfectly content in the microwave:

• Casseroles

• Cheese 🧀 

• Chocolate 🍫 

• Dips and Sauces (with caution, they can bubble and spit)

• Mac n Cheese

• Oatmeal 🥣 

• Popcorn 🍿 

• Potatoes 🥔 

• Rice 🍚 

• Soups 🍲 

• Steamed vegetables (Cauliflower, broccoli, root vegetables) 🥦 

• Water (carefully. It gets hot very quickly)

These items emerge warm, cooperative, and ready to serve.

Foods That Hold a Grudge ⚠️ 

Then there are foods that never quite forgive the microwave.

Pizza 🍕 

The crust is muttering and grumbly, but the cheese is happy.

Bread 🍞 

A few seconds to warm it before basting with butter is amazing. However, leaving it in for 30 seconds, you have shoe leather. Tip: Wrap your bread with a damp paper towel to keep it spongy.

Coffee ☕ 

I confess, I reheat coffee. I also confess, the results are sometimes regrettable. If there are brewed grounds left over, consider repurposing them into a coffee scrub. Nothing says "waste not" quite like turning yesterday's coffee into today's self-care scrub (check out our coffee scrub)

Fried Foods 🍟 

Unless you have a Brownie aiding you in the kitchen, that once-crispy item is now limp and soggy. It takes a little longer, but stick with an air fryer or oven.

Steak & Chicken 🥩 

The microwave will not heat it evenly, leaving you with a cold shoulder here and a burning mouth there. Use a frying pan. Chicken comes out rubbery. Reach for a pan, the air fryer, or the oven. 🍗 

🎭 The Rest is Silence (well, not really)

Like any tool, the microwave itself is neither a hero nor a villain. You simply need to learn its quirks.

Before opening that door, ask yourself if this should be microwaved. Will it save time and give you the results you wanted? 

If you’re uncertain, consider that some mysteries have a “proceed at your own risk” sign on the door. Step away from the microwave; consult your oven.

Watch this space:

🧼🥃 Something new is curing on the workshop shelf...

The Gentlemen’s Collection is coming soon.