Yes, you can.
We’re thinking outside the box here, but some ingenious ideas are worth exploring.
Maybe the oven is playing up, or you’re on holiday. Could be a budget issue, or access is limited. Could be you don’t want to heat the kitchen, or are looking to save time and effort.
Perhaps you’re bored, and the novelty factor transforms a mundane task. Either way, cooking in appliances other than your oven is possible.
Dishwasher cooking
One could argue these are simply low temperature, easy cooking ideas. Slow cookers usually cook at around 70–140°C, depending on the model.
Dishwasher temperatures are usually around 50-60°C, so even lower. Go for the long cycle, and choose the top shelf of the dishwasher.
The secret to dishwasher cooking is a sealed plastic bag. Others swear by sealed glass jars; to each their own.
Cooking salmon in the dishwasher has been around since the seventies and is still a crowd pleaser – although I’d like to try my hand at snapper.
For steak fans, it’s about measuring thickness against preference (rare, medium rare, etc). To simply seal or be vacuum-sealed in the bag, seems to be the question.
Sous vide is a French cooking technique whereby food is vacuum-sealed and cooked in hot water slowly; albeit a stricter process of temperature control than dishwasher cooking.
Whichever way you choose to proceed with packaging, your meat won’t be seared. Give up on swish dinner party plating, or sear in a pan prior to serving.
On to the vegies. A friend told me to toss vegetables in oil first, before adding a bit of hot water. I stayed clear of the potato family, and went for beans and broccoli.
Some experimenting later, and the verdict is in: depends on crispness preference, vegetable type, and how you slice. Like any new dish or technique, trial and error are key.
In the world of wild cooking experiments, the adventurous online have waded into the deep end – excuse the water pun – by creating dishwasher lasagne.
Since tightly wrapped aluminium foil is the outer packaging, and I’m not too excited about accidentally eating a mouthful of detergent water, I passed on this.
Turns out, airtight and hygienic is where I draw the line. If you do decide to experiment, fresh pasta sheets appear to be the best bet.
Likewise, it seemed safer to also give chicken a pass. Why risk salmonella if undercooked?
Overall, perfecting ingredient amount and slicing/thickness ratio takes a few tries. Once you get it right though, whipping up dinner while doing the dishes is quite handy.
Think of it as a multitasking masterclass. Remember to add spices, herbs, oils, even sauces to the bag too, for flavour perfection.
Kettle cooking
The kettle cooking scene is big with students in dorm rooms, and prisoners allowed a kettle. As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention.
Using an electric kettle to cook a meal is different to using a dishwasher. This is very hot water we’re talking about, reaching high temperatures quickly.
You’re basically boiling everything. Obviously, certain foods will cook, especially if boiled repeatedly. But if things get messy, a new kettle purchase could be on the cards …
I prefer cooking in heat-proof bags or containers, but that may be my pedantic side talking. Adding food pushes up the water line in the kettle, so check first to avoid it boiling over.
Remember to unplug before removing the food. Be careful. Watch out for steam burns when opening the lid.
For extra flair, combine with a thermos. After cooking in the kettle, place food in a thermos that sustains heat, letting your meal gently cook for another half an hour at least.
Social media is rife with kettle cooking hacks. While instant noodles are a favourite, people go all the way, whipping up porridge, pasta, couscous, and even curry.
At heart, these hacks are about science and ingenuity: easy to cook meals created by looking beyond the designed use of an appliance, and taking advantage of the heat produced.
Have you tried cooking in your dishwasher and kettle? How did it turn out? Let us know in the comments section below.
Also read: Cooking secrets and terrible advice
