A microwave question About This Page:

[disneymom9092]

DS#1 is going to be a sophomore at Syracuse University in the fall. He has chosen his living facility and he has a 2 bedroom condo on campus for next year . Problem is, he doesn't cook much. Do you know of any microwave "utensils" that might be of use for him? I have been thinking but not coming up with alot. I have purchasesd the "lotsa Pasta" for him. They can't have alot of certain appliances because of fire hazards, etc. so any suggestions would be sooo appreciated!

[lukeandbrookesmom]

I have a lot of great Tupperware that I use in my microwave - I especially love the steamer! Type in 'microwave' in the search box at the top and it'll show you everything available. Congrats on your DS and his new living quarters!

Tupperware | Tupperware - the official World Web Site for Tupperware Products

[DyanKJ130]

He'll definitely need a microwave plate cover! Will help keep the microwave from getting a gross buildup of splatter from everything!

They have microwave popcorn poppers, but it would probably be easier for him just to purchase the prepackaged bags. They're cheap enough and he won't have to clean up after making it, other than throwing the bag away in the trash.

Maybe some Gladware to heat stuff up in?

Will they allow him to have a crockpot, Dianne? My parents gave my brother one with a 'Fix It & Forget It' cookbook, when he moved away and he said it was the thing he got the most use out of. With a removeable pot and the slow cooker liners, there would be very little clean up with that, as well.

Hope this helps! If I think of anything else, I'll come back!

[TinkerBelz]

A lot of the silicone stuff works great in there. I LOVE my bacon cooker, drains the fat as it cooks and I have a tupperwear steamer - where you actually put water in the bottom, put a center section in the middle and the food on the top. Also I HIGHLY recommend the steamer bags for veggies. Quick and easy and no excuse not to eat his veggies! LOL

[Danielle Harmon]

I think Ziploc has a line of microwavable steamer bags that you can throw your fresh veggies in and steam them.

There are also microwavable rice containers (usually in the International foods section of the grocery) that are 1 serving each. We use these a lot for work.

[Belle*]

I don't microwave plastic so I love my pyrex left over containers!!

[wheatenwalker]

Lots of frozen veggies come in steamer versions- you can cook them right in the bag- and there are Unlce Ben rice packs that you can cook right in the mw-
I second the crock pot idea- Nick does use it- I printed out some quick things for him to make and he does- and his roommates love it- they all chip in to buy stuff to cook in it now-
Nick and his roommates have a couple different things that they barely use- a pannini maker forone thing-
Theres a Wegmans pretty close to the school too so you can do some good grocery shopping when you are htere!

[jjj6689]

I don't have any suggestion, but the twins are using the microwave right now - they are blowing up Peeps.

[Huntermom]

My boys are both good cooks-they learned at school and my second son also at his summer job. I found that when they were living in a group, especially if they are in a co-ed one, they learn to cook pretty quickly. They both had some fundamentals at home and used internet recipes to beef up their abilities. If he has a full kitchen, I would encourage him to cook real meals, not rely on the microwave.

My Dnephew, while not the greatest cook, does fine with broiling steaks, fish and chicken breasts. If you add a baked potato or rice and a veggie, you have a decent meal.

MY Dnephew is and one of my sons went to school in New York and I know they are really strict about appliances. DS had a fire in his dorm freshman year from a crock pot left unattended and I know it was on the no have list.

If you DS isn't interested in cooking, most schools have a partial meal plan with only one meal a day. He could eat his big meal in the cafeteria and then fix himself breakfast and a sandwich for the other meal.

Ironically, it's my DD who doesn't cook. Her school doesn't have the best residential facilities, although living on campus is required and because it has such a high yield, I don't think the school feels it needs to sell the school on housing. They largely have traditional dorms and this year the shared kitchens are rooms.

[wheatenwalker]

I am sure that it isnt ok to have a crock pot in an actual dorm room but in an apt with a full kitchen, that may be another story- a broiler in an oven seems to be more risky-

[Chrissi]

A small, one-serving, vegetable steamer. We used to use ours a lot. (Lost it when we moved. :smirk.)

Hot pads or oven mitts would be good, too. I often heat up pasta well past "just warmed through".

[Huntermom]

My son had a full kitchen and still could not have a crockpot on campus in NY. His cousin also does at another school and crockpots are also out although he can have a toaster, which seems more likely to get on fire. My son said that NY restrictions were pretty severe and at his school enforced (especially after the fire).

There are lots of one pot recipes on line. And according to my kids, even home made hamburgers are better than school ones.

[stretch2864]

Originally Posted by jjj6689

I don't have any suggestion, but the twins are using the microwave right now - they are blowing up Peeps.

If he has a full kitchen in his condo, maybe you could get him a basic cookbook to get him started. When DD first moved down to AZ, she didn't cook at all. However since she was living in off campus housing with a full kitchen, she had to figure out something so she wouldn't starve. She actually discovered a lot of things she could make very easily that we satisfying, such as chicken on the Foreman grill with some microwaved veggies on the side. If he is allowed to have a Foreman grill, I would get him one of those as he can quickly grill most kinds of meats.

Alternately, her boyfriend was living on his own as well, but didn't cook much. He has a recipe book that his mom gave him called "A Man, A Plan, and A Can." It is one of those board books like they make for toddlers! Everything in there is VERY simple! Good luck!

[wheatenwalker]

Originally Posted by Huntermom

My son had a full kitchen and still could not have a crockpot on campus in NY. His cousin also does at another school and crockpots are also out although he can have a toaster, which seems more likely to get on fire. My son said that NY restrictions were pretty severe and at his school enforced (especially after the fire).

There are lots of one pot recipes on line. And according to my kids, even home made hamburgers are better than school ones.

My sons went/go to school in NY- as do most of their friends- and there havent been restrictions for crockpots in housing that has kitchens, even the suites in the dorms that have kitchens it was ok if it was in the KITCHEN and not the dorm room- I think every school prob has its own rules on this- which I am sure Diannes son will research before he gets any appliances.

[Colexis Mom]

I have a bunch of Corelle plates I use in the microwave!!