In general very interesting...note re microwaves...
I still use my microwave for a lot of things (small kitchen + large family).
Years ago, my husband and I rented a house for a short while in Cape Town and it had no oven/stove so all we had was our microwave, something called a "TV Braai" (like a toaster oven with no sides (less safety)) and an electric frying pan with one wonky leg. We often invited people over for dinner parties, and would cook together - he perfected (I would never have had the nerve) cooking roast beef (silverside cut - like a brisket) in the microwave using its temperature probe (it came out brown on the outside, pink in the middle, and tender!!), and I steamed the veggies in their serving dishes on top of a grid placed in the frying pan over water. I also often baked cakes in that microwave. It was amazing could be done with that thing! -Sandyj