Haven't had a microwave for years, gave the last one away as I hardly used it. I remember when they'd just come out, going to a Women's Institute demonstration. It was shown that one could cook a whole chicken very quickly, and the demonstrator made an entire meal, custard, gravy and everything. I was most impressed. But I never liked it. I tend to cram my ordinary oven with all sorts of things and use the heat economically. And I find food tastes better cooked this way. The microwave seemed to remove the flavour somehow. But if one likes to buy 'ready-made' or frozen complete meals (yuk!) I suppose they're fine. I know many busy folk who work all day may enjoy the convenience of heating food up in a couple of minutes.