Kitchen Tips How To Kitchen Tools and Techniques 13 Surprising Uses for a Microwave By Melanie Fincher Melanie Fincher Melanie Fincher is a Birmingham, Alabama–based food writer who covers everything from cooking techniques to gadget reviews. She has nearly 7 years experience writing news and lifestyle content. Allrecipes' editorial guidelines Published on September 1, 2021 Close Photo: Getty Images/Tetra Images If you're just using your microwave to pop popcorn or reheat leftovers, then you're underutilizing this appliance. Here are just a few ways you can get the most from your microwave. 01 of 14 Decrystallize Honey Getty Images/chengyuzheng If you have honey that's a little past its prime and has solidified in the jar, you can zap the life back into it using your microwave. To soften the honey and restore it to its liquid form, simply uncover the jar and microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute. 02 of 14 Dry Herbs Meredith It can be hard to get to those fresh herbs before they go bad. Instead of tossing them, try preserving them by drying them in the microwave. To do so, wash and pat dry, and then pick the leaves from their stem. Place the herbs between two paper towels and place on a microwave-safe plate. Heat for one minute, or until fully dried (if not dry after a minute, continue to microwave in 30-second bursts). Once the herbs are dry, you can grind them into smaller pieces and store in an air-tight container. How to Maximize the Flavor of Dried Herbs 03 of 14 Get More Juice From Citrus Fruits Andy Lyons/Meredith To get the most juice from your citrus fruits — including lemons, limes, grapefruits, and oranges — try zapping them in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds before juicing. Warming citrus fruits helps to soften the juice-holding membranes, allowing you to get more juice from each squeeze. 04 of 14 Make Peeling Garlic Easier Andrew Purcell/Meredith One way to loosen the peel of a clove of garlic is to smash it using the side of your knife. But who knew using the microwave can actually produce a similar effect, no smashing required? You can microwave individual cloves for around 10 seconds, or a whole head for 20 seconds, then watch the skins slide right off! How to Peel Garlic the Easiest Way: A Step-By-Step Guide 05 of 14 Proof Dough Zoe Francois/Meredith No proofing drawer? No problem! The microwave can provide a warm, somewhat humid environment that helps dough to rise. Bring a cup of water to a boil for several minutes, then add your dough as well as the cup of boiling water to the microwave, and watch the dough rise. 06 of 14 Sanitize and Deodorize Sponges Getty Images/Alexey Emelyanov If you're feeling a little iffy about your kitchen sponge, don't throw it away after a few uses. Instead, try microwaving it to disinfect and remove any lingering odors. Soak the sponge in water with a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar, and heat on high for about one minute. 07 of 14 Sanitize Plastic Cutting Boards Getty Images/EugeneTomeev Cutting on plastic cutting boards leaves lots of grooves where bacteria can hide. Fortunately, disinfecting them is easy with the use of a microwave. Wash the cutting board well, and rub with the cut side of a lemon, then microwave on high for one minute. Good as new! 08 of 14 Soften Brown Sugar Blaine Moats/Meredith Brown sugar has a tendency to solidify into one rock-hard lump that can be difficult to break into. To soften it, place it in a microwave-safe container, add a couple drops of water, and heat for 10 to 20 seconds, or until it's light and fluffy again. 09 of 14 Soften Stale Bread Blaine Moats/Meredith Bring stale bread back to life by rehydrating it using your microwave. Cover the whole loaf or individual slices with a damp paper towel, and microwave for 10 seconds. 10 of 14 Quick Soak Lentils and Beans Andy Lyons/Meredith Cooking beans or lentils from dry requires some forethought. Traditionally, beans are soaked 4 to 12 hours before cooking. However, the microwave can come to your rescue when you're really in a pinch. Add beans or lentils to a bowl and cover with water. Add a pinch of baking soda, and microwave for 10 minutes, then leave them inside the microwave for another 40 minutes. How to Cook Dried Beans 4 Ways 11 of 14 Toast Nuts Blaine Moats/Meredith Typically, you would toast nuts in the oven or over the stove to bring out their flavor, but if you're short on time, you can use the microwave too. Spread nuts over a microwave-safe plate and nuke for 2 to 3 minutes, or until aromatic. Stir every minute. How to Toast Walnuts 2 Ways 12 of 14 Warm Plates Getty Images Restaurants will often warm their plates to help the food maintain its temperature. You can do the same in your own home if you're serving guests (or just yourself!). Use a spray bottle to spray some water on your plates. Alternatively, you can place a glass of water on top. Next, stack them in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, or until they reach your desired temperature. Be sure to use oven mitts when removing them! 13 of 14 Make Delicious Recipes! No surprise here, but we had to include it: Your microwave can be used to make so many delicious recipes! From scrambled eggs to potato chips and even cake, there's no shortage or ways to cook with your microwave. Browse our entire collection of Microwave Recipes. 14 of 14 Related: Photo by Getty Images. How to Clean a Microwave Using Vinegar 5 Meals You Should Be Making In Your Microwave 20 Comfort Foods You Can Whip Up in the Microwave 17 Best Desserts You Can Make Quickly in Your Microwave Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit