crazietalk.net

First, before I write about dinner, let me say this:

Miles, if you so much as post a single letter, character, number, smilie, space, or ANYTHING regarding this thread, you are not only COMPLETELY treating me to the BBQ Festival, you also owe me a COMPLETE DINNER at Angus Barn once you move. You will drive out to RDU and treat me to dinner. At my request. On your dime. Got it? You post NOTHING anywhere ever about this.

Ok so my mom gave me some brisket and potatoes from Passover dinner to bring home w/ me. I reheated some tonight.

I don't do leftovers. I just don't. (Reheated soup/spaghetti sauce/meatballs don't count as I make a TON and therefore they're not leftovers).

Anyway, I had NO CLUE how long to reheat it in the microwave.

I killed it. 4 min. Oops. Just a bit too long. Just a bit.

I once worked with a guy who got one of those honeybun danish things out of the vending machine. It said 'great warm!' on the package. Inspired, he tossed it in the microwave. He meant to set it for 20 seconds. He got 20 minutes. He filled his coffee, got sidetracked forgot about the honeybun...at the six minute mark it caught fire. Smoke began forcing its way out of the microwave. He had the good sense to stop the microwave (by pulling the plug) but then compounded his problem by opening the microwave so he could snuff out the flames. The area around the breakroom immediately filled with smoke....he did notice the sudden shower in the office, becasue he was distracted by the deafening sounds of the fire alarm.
The fire department was not amused, management was not amused. The office smelled like scorched plastic and sugar for a month. He was banned from ever touching the microwave ever again.

In short, if the firetrucks didn't come, your good.


(the upside was apparently the sprinkler system was inproperly installed - they should not have gone off in that situation - when they were inpsected a number of problems were found, and we ended getting the whole system replaced)

Windsor's post sounds just like that commercial where the guy accidentally puts the fork in th microwave and the office gets an indoor rain shower.
We do leftovers in our house, or least create them. Unfortunately nobody ever eats them, so our fridge quickly gets filled with stuff that gets pushed to the back.

CameronBornAndBred wrote:We do leftovers in our house, or least create them. Unfortunately nobody ever eats them, so our fridge quickly gets filled with stuff that gets pushed to the back.

I have no problem with leftovers. I have three dogs. . (yes, they eat human food sometimes - and raw food quite often)

Sue71 wrote:
Ok so my mom gave me some brisket and potatoes from Passover dinner to bring home w/ me. I reheated some tonight.

Anyway, I had NO CLUE how long to reheat it in the microwave.

I killed it. 4 min. Oops. Just a bit too long. Just a bit.

The sad part is that you didn't get to enjoy the brisket again

Here's a hint for you. This is what I've found. For most meal type things, you want to wet a paper towel, semi-wring it out (you want it to still be fairly wet, but not dripping), and spread it back out and lay it over the dish. This helps prevent drying out. Further, if it contains anything that's better moist (like rice for example), you want to put just a little splash of water from the sink in it. Then, depending on your microwave's strength, you want to heat it about 1:30, then stir it and do it in 30 second increments from there (as you get closer to desired heat, go with 15 second intervals). If you have a multi-part dish, like carnitas (where you have a tortilla plus stuff to go in it), I usually heat the parts separately. For the tortilla, put wet paper towels on BOTH sides of the tortilla and heat it about 20 seconds, then add in 5 second intervals as needed.

For something that's better crispy or at least not soggy (like pizza), I skip the microwave entirely and heat it in our toaster oven (about 4 minutes at 325 is usually enough, 5 minutes at 350 if you don't want to wait for it to preheat).

bjornolf wrote:Here's a hint for you. This is what I've found. For most meal type things, you want to wet a paper towel, semi-wring it out (you want it to still be fairly wet, but not dripping), and spread it back out and lay it over the dish. This helps prevent drying out. Further, if it contains anything that's better moist (like rice for example), you want to put just a little splash of water from the sink in it. Then, depending on your microwave's strength, you want to heat it about 1:30, then stir it and do it in 30 second increments from there (as you get closer to desired heat, go with 15 second intervals). If you have a multi-part dish, like carnitas (where you have a tortilla plus stuff to go in it), I usually heat the parts separately. For the tortilla, put wet paper towels on BOTH sides of the tortilla and heat it about 20 seconds, then add in 5 second intervals as needed.

For something that's better crispy or at least not soggy (like pizza), I skip the microwave entirely and heat it in our toaster oven (about 4 minutes at 325 is usually enough, 5 minutes at 350 if you don't want to wait for it to preheat).

Good tips, bjornolf!

Sue - have to agree with Ozzie, too bad you couldn't save the brisket! Do you have one of those "tim the tool man" microwaves? Also, be careful if you have any canned food in your pantry, can's and microwaves don't mix well! :lol:

windsor wrote:I once worked with a guy who got one of those honeybun danish things out of the vending machine. It said 'great warm!' on the package. Inspired, he tossed it in the microwave. He meant to set it for 20 seconds. He got 20 minutes. He filled his coffee, got sidetracked forgot about the honeybun...at the six minute mark it caught fire. Smoke began forcing its way out of the microwave. He had the good sense to stop the microwave (by pulling the plug) but then compounded his problem by opening the microwave so he could snuff out the flames. The area around the breakroom immediately filled with smoke....he did notice the sudden shower in the office, becasue he was distracted by the deafening sounds of the fire alarm.
The fire department was not amused, management was not amused. The office smelled like scorched plastic and sugar for a month. He was banned from ever touching the microwave ever again.

In short, if the firetrucks didn't come, your good.


(the upside was apparently the sprinkler system was inproperly installed - they should not have gone off in that situation - when they were inpsected a number of problems were found, and we ended getting the whole system replaced)

Ok, um, damn. I was nowhere near that bad! Mine was edible but barely.

OZZIE4DUKE wrote:

Sue71 wrote:
Ok so my mom gave me some brisket and potatoes from Passover dinner to bring home w/ me. I reheated some tonight.

Anyway, I had NO CLUE how long to reheat it in the microwave.

I killed it. 4 min. Oops. Just a bit too long. Just a bit.

The sad part is that you didn't get to enjoy the brisket again

I didn't say I reheated ALL that was left. I can try again tonight.

Sue71 wrote:

OZZIE4DUKE wrote:

Sue71 wrote:
Ok so my mom gave me some brisket and potatoes from Passover dinner to bring home w/ me. I reheated some tonight.

Anyway, I had NO CLUE how long to reheat it in the microwave.

I killed it. 4 min. Oops. Just a bit too long. Just a bit.

The sad part is that you didn't get to enjoy the brisket again

I didn't say I reheated ALL that was left. I can try again tonight.

Tell me if my tips help. ;)

Sue71 wrote:First, before I write about dinner, let me say this:

Miles, if you so much as post a single letter, character, number, smilie, space, or ANYTHING regarding this thread, you are not only COMPLETELY treating me to the BBQ Festival, you also owe me a COMPLETE DINNER at Angus Barn once you move. You will drive out to RDU and treat me to dinner. At my request. On your dime. Got it? You post NOTHING anywhere ever about this.

Ok so my mom gave me some brisket and potatoes from Passover dinner to bring home w/ me. I reheated some tonight.

I don't do leftovers. I just don't. (Reheated soup/spaghetti sauce/meatballs don't count as I make a TON and therefore they're not leftovers).

Anyway, I had NO CLUE how long to reheat it in the microwave.

I killed it. 4 min. Oops. Just a bit too long. Just a bit.

1. I challenge your right to construct such a contract that limits my freedom of speech.
2. I couldn't give you advice on to reheat the yummy-sounding leftovers in a microwave. I don't own one.
3. I WAS gonna treat you to BBQ fest ANWAY. WAS!

bjornolf wrote:Here's a hint for you. This is what I've found. For most meal type things, you want to wet a paper towel, semi-wring it out (you want it to still be fairly wet, but not dripping), and spread it back out and lay it over the dish. This helps prevent drying out. Further, if it contains anything that's better moist (like rice for example), you want to put just a little splash of water from the sink in it. Then, depending on your microwave's strength, you want to heat it about 1:30, then stir it and do it in 30 second increments from there (as you get closer to desired heat, go with 15 second intervals). If you have a multi-part dish, like carnitas (where you have a tortilla plus stuff to go in it), I usually heat the parts separately. For the tortilla, put wet paper towels on BOTH sides of the tortilla and heat it about 20 seconds, then add in 5 second intervals as needed.

For something that's better crispy or at least not soggy (like pizza), I skip the microwave entirely and heat it in our toaster oven (about 4 minutes at 325 is usually enough, 5 minutes at 350 if you don't want to wait for it to preheat).

I have to applaud bjornolf for his meticulous approach to reheating. I do exactly like he does above. The key to reheating is to remember that microwave ovens work by using radiation to excite water molecules in the food. The more wet it is, the more quickly it will heat.

OZZIE4DUKE wrote:

Sue71 wrote:
Ok so my mom gave me some brisket and potatoes from Passover dinner to bring home w/ me. I reheated some tonight.

Anyway, I had NO CLUE how long to reheat it in the microwave.

I killed it. 4 min. Oops. Just a bit too long. Just a bit.

The sad part is that you didn't get to enjoy the brisket again

The good news is that she didn't microzap any pastrami.

DukeUsul wrote:
..... The key to reheating is to remember that microwave ovens work by using radiation to excite water molecules in the food. The more wet it is, the more quickly it will heat.

Although subconcious, I didn't realize that .... I've only heard "Don't stand in front of microwave because it makes you infertile!!!" Don't have to worrry about that now!!!!!! Too many microwave dinners, ...... I guess!

Lavabe wrote: The good news is that she didn't microzap any pastrami.

Oh gross.

Miles wrote: 1. I challenge your right to construct such a contract that limits my freedom of speech.
2. I couldn't give you advice on to reheat the yummy-sounding leftovers in a microwave. I don't own one.
3. I WAS gonna treat you to BBQ fest ANWAY. WAS!

1. You love me.
2. Welcome to 2009.
3. Liar. Easy to put something like that in print when you don't have to back it up.

cl15876 wrote:

DukeUsul wrote:
..... The key to reheating is to remember that microwave ovens work by using radiation to excite water molecules in the food. The more wet it is, the more quickly it will heat.

Although subconcious, I didn't realize that .... I've only heard "Don't stand in front of microwave because it makes you infertile!!!" Don't have to worrry about that now!!!!!! Too many microwave dinners, ...... I guess!

Nah I wouldn't worry. The wire mesh across the window is sufficient to keep most of the microwaves inside the oven.

DukeUsul wrote:

cl15876 wrote:

DukeUsul wrote:
..... The key to reheating is to remember that microwave ovens work by using radiation to excite water molecules in the food. The more wet it is, the more quickly it will heat.

Although subconcious, I didn't realize that .... I've only heard "Don't stand in front of microwave because it makes you infertile!!!" Don't have to worrry about that now!!!!!! Too many microwave dinners, ...... I guess!

Nah I wouldn't worry. The wire mesh across the window is sufficient to keep most of the microwaves inside the oven.

I'd worry more about a brain tumor anyway, especially if you have one of those microwaves in the top of your oven/stove like I do.

As for the water molecules, not only does adding a splash of water to, say, rice under the wet paper towel help it cook faster, but it also cooks more evenly cause you get the steaming action of the water vaporizing and getting trapped under the paper towel. Definitely yummier that way.

bjornolf wrote:
As for the water molecules, not only does adding a splash of water to, say, rice under the wet paper towel help it cook faster, but it also cooks more evenly cause you get the steaming action of the water vaporizing and getting trapped under the paper towel. Definitely yummier that way.

Engineers.

Sue71 wrote: Engineers.

Where we would be in this world, if it wasn't for us!