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I'm ALWAYS burning my food, even when I follow a recipe! I'm a terrible cook! Is my stove/oven too hot?

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At lunch I cooked this packet pasta, and it told me to chuck it uncovered into my microwave for 10 minutes on high. I did exactly that and it STILL came out burned. Is it more complex than just having the stove/oven set too high? This might sound utterly ridiculous but I really do suck at cooking.

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15 Answers to "I'm ALWAYS burning my food, even when I follow a recipe! I'm a terrible cook! Is my stove/oven too hot?"

  1. SpiritOfTheRabbit - 31-35 years old - female

    Posted by SpiritOfTheRabbit Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:11AM

    You should watch your food- don't walk away and do other things while you cook. That's the only time I burn things. But it's possible your microwave could be too hot. In that case, try cooking you package food for less than the recommended time, and take it out if it looks "done". Test it. Put it back in if it's not done. Eat it and remember the time it took to cook if it is done. Trial and error.

    Like (2)

  2. tbaskco - 41-45 years old - male

    Posted by tbaskco Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:09AM

    Practice. Lots of it.
    Rice: usually done in boiling water after 12 minutes.
    Pasta: cook until it's tender. Throw it against the wall, if it sticks, it's done. (seriously)
    Stir. dont forget to stir.

    Like (2)

  3. ThisIsMediocritiesOldAcc - 18-21 years old - female

    Reply by ThisIsMediocritiesOldAcc Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:10AM

    I like that!

    Like (1)

  4. Beausejour - 31-35 years old - male

    Reply by Beausejour Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:23AM

    Stir...yeah.

    Like (1)

  5. benetal - 70+ years old

    Posted by benetal Dec 21st, 2012 at 1:02AM

    DOn't be discouraged.Your nuker is probably waked. They get older too with all that door slamming! Call the owner if yu'r in an apt and tell him it could be leaking and dangerous fire hazard. He should start moving at "fire hazard."

    Like (1)

  6. sibusisorichard - 26-30 years old

    Posted by sibusisorichard Dec 21st, 2012 at 1:00AM

    Why don't you take some classes on cooking

    Like (1)

  7. christinemelody - 56-60 years old

    Posted by christinemelody Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:57AM

    having been a chef I always cook things for 1/2 the specified time, check it, and do it for 1/2 the time remaining and so forth

    Like (1)

  8. rolo65 - 46-50 years old - male

    Posted by rolo65 Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:13AM

    I can't stand an electric range because there's no instant heat control and you have to pull the pan off, no real cook uses them when gas is so much better and controllable. The microwave is a gimme, but they work better on 50% so the food can heat without exploding all over the inside of the nuke box.

    Like (1)

  9. 1littlerose - 56-60 years old - female

    Posted by 1littlerose Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:12AM

    Don't cook just buy your food ready to eat!

    Like (1)

  10. ThisIsMediocritiesOldAcc - 18-21 years old - female

    Reply by ThisIsMediocritiesOldAcc Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:13AM

    Might have to start doing that!

    Like (1)

  11. Unlearn - 26-30 years old - male

    Posted by Unlearn Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:05AM

    quit talking dirty. will you.

    Like (1)

  12. ThisIsMediocritiesOldAcc - 18-21 years old - female

    Reply by ThisIsMediocritiesOldAcc Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:06AM

    I just can't help myself!

    Like (1)

  13. DarkSoulsShallBeMineRIP - 41-45 years old - male

    Posted by DarkSoulsShallBeMineRIP Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:05AM

    I would of cooked it for 5 minutes and check on it again than add more time if it wasn't cooked

    Like (1)

  14. ThisIsMediocritiesOldAcc - 18-21 years old - female

    Reply by ThisIsMediocritiesOldAcc Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:06AM

    I did that, it kept bubbling over really fast.

    Like (1)

  15. denverguy - 36-40 years old - male

    Posted by denverguy Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:04AM

    the secret to becoming a good cook is to make many mistakes as a bad cook and learn from them

    Like (1)

  16. ThisIsMediocritiesOldAcc - 18-21 years old - female

    Reply by ThisIsMediocritiesOldAcc Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:06AM

    I'll certainly feel the "learning" soon! That pasta smelled God-awful!

    Like (1)

  17. TrustIsEarned - 41-45 years old - female

    Posted by TrustIsEarned Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:03AM

    Sometimes, it's about the oven being too high. Sometimes your microwave may be more powerful than their package is looking for. And sometimes, when you're using the oven or stove, you need to use the timer.

    You maybe just need someone to go over how to use your machines... it's not always intuitive.

    Like (1)

  18. ThisIsMediocritiesOldAcc - 18-21 years old - female

    Reply by ThisIsMediocritiesOldAcc Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:05AM

    I think I must just have that magical 'burning-food' finger. I can do it without ANY effort, man.

    Like (1)

  19. KeasbeyNights - 22-25 years old - male

    Posted by KeasbeyNights Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:03AM

    With the oven, you may want to get a thermometer to make sure it's cooking at the temp it says to. And for the microwave, check the wattage. Some are higher power than others and require less time or a lower power setting.

    Like (1)

  20. ThisIsMediocritiesOldAcc - 18-21 years old - female

    Reply by ThisIsMediocritiesOldAcc Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:05AM

    Hmmm. Good point.

    Like (1)

  21. elyay2001 - 36-40 years old - male

    Posted by elyay2001 Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:03AM

    That is based on wattage of the microwave. Did you take that figure into account?

    Like (1)

  22. ThisIsMediocritiesOldAcc - 18-21 years old - female

    Reply by ThisIsMediocritiesOldAcc Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:04AM

    Yes, I did.

    Like (1)

  23. elyay2001 - 36-40 years old - male

    Reply by elyay2001 Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:06AM

    Did it tell you to rotate it? Try cooking for dummies. That's a good start.

    Like (1)

    2 more replies
  24. siamul - 22-25 years old - male

    Posted by siamul Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:03AM

    That's impressive, but 10 minutes? How much pasta was there? That just sounds a little excessive to me.

    Like (1)

  25. ThisIsMediocritiesOldAcc - 18-21 years old - female

    Reply by ThisIsMediocritiesOldAcc Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:04AM

    Man, it tasted so bad. It was just one of those mac and cheese packets.

    Like (1)

  26. siamul - 22-25 years old - male

    Reply by siamul Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:07AM

    Yeah, 10 minutes is way too long to heat something like that up in any decent microwave. Next time, try checking it every minute or so to see how fast it heats up

    Like (1)

  27. MikeWinther - 41-45 years old - male

    Posted by MikeWinther Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:03AM

    Microwave heating is NOT cooking... just wanted too point that out

    Like (1)

  28. ThisIsMediocritiesOldAcc - 18-21 years old - female

    Reply by ThisIsMediocritiesOldAcc Dec 21st, 2012 at 12:03AM

    SO is, man.

    Like (1)

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