Secret uses for your microwave.

I know despite the fact that how convenient and easy to use microwave to cook and heat, it concerns microwave cooking significantly changes food nutrients.
Regardless, it also became one of the electrical items that we are so accustomed.
I was reading Yahoo and came across this few informative tips of uses for microwave and thought to share.

Disinfect and Deodorize Sponges

Don't throw out the kitchen sponge that smells like last night's salmon.
Soak it in water spiked with white vinegar or lemon juice, then heat it on high for 1 minute. (Use an oven mitt to remove it.)
This will also disinfect any sponges you used to wipe up the juices from a raw chicken.

Disinfect Plastic Cutting Boards

Wash the board well, rub it with the cut side of a lemon, then heat for 1 minute.

Soften Brown Sugar

Keep the sugar in its plastic packaging, add a few drops of water, and heat on medium for 10 to 20 seconds.

Decrystalize Honey

Honey that has solidified can be brought back to liquid life by uncovering the jar and heating on medium power for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Proof Yeast Doughs

Yeast doughs that normally take an hour or more to rise at room temperature can be proofed in the microwave in about 15 minutes.
Place the dough in a very large bowl and cover with plastic.
Place an 8-ounce cup of water in the back of the microwave with the bowl of dough in the center, and set the power as low as possible (10 percent power).
Heat for 3 minutes, then let the dough rest in the microwave for 3 minutes.
Heat for 3 minutes longer, then let rest for 6 minutes.
The dough will double in bulk.

Warm Beauty Products

Warming up a hot-oil conditioning pack for your hair takes about 10 to 20 seconds and feels marvelous, as does briefly heating up a moisturizing facial mask. (Stir the mask and test the temperature with your finger before applying to your face.) And if hot wax hardens when you're only halfway up your calf, reheat it in the microwave. It's much less messy than using a double boiler.

Roast Garlic

It takes 45 minutes to roast garlic in the oven but less than 8 in the microwave.
Slice off the top of the head to reveal all the cloves.
Place the head in a small, deep dish, season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of good olive oil. Spoon 2 tablespoons of water into the bottom of the dish, cover it with plastic wrap, and cook at medium power for 7 to 7½ minutes.
Let stand for a few minutes before unwrapping.

Toast Bread Crumbs, and Coconut

The microwave toasts them in a quarter of the time it takes in a conventional oven. Spread them out on a plate and heat on high for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every minute. Keep in mind that they will continue to toast for about a minute after removal.

Get More Juice From Citrus Fruits

A lemon or lime taken straight from the refrigerator is harder to juice than one left at room temperature or warmed slightly.
To get the most juice, microwave citrus fruits for 20 seconds before squeezing.

Source-Yahoo Shine.

When I saw the title of your thread Nan, I thought it was going to be about people drying their underwear in the microwave or other secret uses like that.  I had no idea how very useful this was going to be.

I particularly think the "Disinfect Plastic Cutting Boards" one is fantastic.  I always worry about my plastic chopping boards harbouring germs.

Thanks so much.

blue

Great tip for sponges. Never thought of that 

Great tips, now I'll surprise my wife with some of this knowledge

Thanks for the yeast dough short cut.  I am a yeast dough slut in other words u wouldnt believe how many packets of fast rise yeast I buy in a year.  Its not uncommon for me to have at least 20 in the kitchen cabinet.  I mostly make yeast products in the summer.  I am in my 3rd summer of trying to perfect homemade Cinnabons.  Its really not bad, I get to eat all the rejects.  In the last 3 months I think Ive eaten 120  rejects.  None of u would want my baking supplies bill.  Thank god for Sams Club where I buy flour, sugar and butter in bulk size, lol.

I've already used the honey and citrus tips and I have to say that my wife was hugely impressed!

Dialogue:
Wife: Where the hell did you learn these things?
Johnny: It's called LCB baby, they know everything!

:)

I expect your wife was suitably impressed then Johnny.

blue

Blue...I've dried my panties in the microwave quite a few times!  lmao

LOL LMAO.  How many minutes did you "cook" them for and did they actually dry?  I've never tried it myself.

blue

Lol...1-2 mins and they are dry!

That's handy to know.  Thanks Satansmuff.

blue

I forgot to add these to the list, the popcorn suggestion is a great one for cheap microwave popcorn -

Warm Tortillas
Wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel. Microwave on high (power level 10) for 40 seconds to 1 minute.

Toast Pine Nuts and Sliced Almonds
Spread nuts on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high (power level 10) in 1-minute intervals, tossing in between, until beginning to turn golden, 4 to 5 minutes.

Make Applesauce
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 pound peeled and diced apples (Macintosh, Fuji, or Gala are best) with ¼ cup water, 2 teaspoons sugar, and ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon. Cover and microwave on high (power level 10) until the apples are tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Mash with a fork or potato masher.

Make Homemade Popcorn
Place ½ cup popcorn kernels in a large microwave-safe bowl with 1 tablespoon olive or canola oil. Cover with a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high (power level 10) until the majority of the kernels have popped, 3 to 5 minutes.