Microwaves: questions and Band 8 answers

Yes, pretty much every day, actually. I tend to lead quite a busy life, so it's brilliant for reheating leftovers from the night before or quickly warming up a bowl of porridge in the morning before heading out to work.

Mainly for defrosting meat and heating up pre-cooked meals. To be honest, I rarely use it for proper cooking from scratch, because food can turn out a bit rubbery, but it’s definitely a lifesaver when I'm pressed for time.

Yes, we did. I remember we had this bulky, noisy machine on the kitchen counter. My parents mostly used it to warm up milk or make instant popcorn for our family film nights at the weekend, which I absolutely loved.

Absolutely, it's very straightforward. Most models just have a dial for the timer and a couple of buttons for the power level. Even my elderly grandfather, who usually struggles with modern gadgets, managed to get the hang of his in no time.

I could manage, but I suppose it would be a bit inconvenient. I'd have to heat everything up on the hob or in the oven, which takes far longer and creates more washing-up. So, while it's not essential, I’d certainly miss having one around.