Making porridge in the microwave

secretsam

Right

Totally hacked off with this

When making traditional (ie not in one of those little packets) porridge in the micro, the damn stuff overflows the bowl so more ends up down the sides than in the bowl

Tips?

MichaelW

Use a bigger bowl.
I zap for 2 mins.

secretsam

MichaelW wrote:

Use a bigger bowl.
I zap for 2 mins.

2 mins???? More like 5

verylonglegs

Sounds like you are over-heating it and are you stopping to stir it every so often? I do it for 3mins and stop to stir it roughly every minute. It starts to rise up a little by the end but not anywhere near overflowing.

verylonglegs

Also ideal heating time will vary with the power of your microwave.

team47b

Why?

pblakeney

I measured the amount of porridge in one of the small packets and now use the same amount from a large packet. I cannot remember the volume as I know it is the amount that fills a small dish that I have.
I add 180mls of water to a bowl twice the size you think that you would need.
I then pop it in the microwave for 3 mins at full power (1000w) and it comes out perfect every time.
No stirring required.

katiebob

I let mine soak for about half hour beforehand (I use all milk). Then 2 mins on full power, stopping every 30-40 seconds to stir

ballysmate

I think you may be overthinking this.

simonhead

Theres a company called sistema i think, they do microwave soup & noodle bowls, use one of them.

davecara

I've always used boiling water and then chucked it in the microwave for 30 secs or so. Spoonful of Jam and you're away!

secretsam

Ballysmate wrote:

I think you may be overthinking this.

Not really, I'm sick of clearing up the bl00dy mess!!!!!!

tlw1

SecretSam wrote:

Ballysmate wrote:

I think you may be overthinking this.

Not really, I'm sick of clearing up the bl00dy mess!!!!!!

I use wife mk1 for cleaning up my porridge spillage

wormo

I weigh out 50g of oats cover with milk and stir, zap in mircowave for 2 mins then take out and stir and zap for a further 1 1/2 to 2 mins and Bobs your uncle.

Works for me with no mess.

KnightOfTheLongTights

SecretSam wrote:

2 mins???? More like 5

It only takes 5 mins in the pan!

ai_1

Some of you are definitely overcooking your porridge.
If you don't believe 2 mins is enough then try it just once. What have you got to lose? You can always throw it mback in if we're lying!

There's almost nothing easier than cooking porridge in a microwave!
My method below is childsplay - typing it out makes it seem more complex but easier than avoiding the milk splashing out of a bowl of cornflakes!

There's no need to weigh it out. A 2:1 ratio by volume is perfect for me. 1 part porridge to 2 parts cold water/milk. I measure with a small glass filled to the same level each time - obviously measure the oats first so they don't get stuck in a wet glass and then you can use it for your orange juice too...efficiency is the name of the game!
Stick them in a bowl with a pinch of salt and sugar or honey if desired
Microwave for 2 minutes at 900W (add/subtract a little if your microwave differs)
It will usually start to bubble up slightly around the edges but unless your bowl is very undersized you'll be fine.
If you leave it in 2:30mins or longer it'll start boiling over and you've got a mess.

It will look slightly undercooked in the middle when you take it out but give it a quick stir and it is in fact perfect. There's enough heat in it to continue cooking a little after you stir it through.

If you like your porridge a little thicker or more watery just tweak the 2:1 ratio slightly but 2:1 is spot on for me.

KnightOfTheLongTights

and if you're in the habit of making porridge with water, I'd advise a rethink. Grim.

andyrr

I often make my porridge to have after I shower when I've been out for a cycle/run.
I use milk mostly with water added sometimes if we are short of milk. I also add in fruit (fresh/drier) and seeds, nuts etc.

I normally set the micro for a relatively low power, 20 - 30%, and cook for a longer time, 7 or 8 minutes. With the lower power setting it means that there is a much reduced chance of a splurge over the rim of the bowl and I have the porridge and milk mix pretty high up so the lower power does bubble it around the edge but the micro zaps for a few seconds then pauses, with that pause time related to the power setting. Once I am ready I often give it a short 30 - 60 second 100% zap to make sure it is nice and hot for consumption.

simonhead

alternatively dont make the porridge hot, make the night before by mixing 1/3rd oats, 1/3rd greek yoghurt and 1/3rd milk, throw in chopped banana, mix and leave in fridge overnight.

CiB

Handful of porridge in bowl, enough water and or milk to float it, mw it for 90 seconds but keep an eye on it for the last 15 or so; if it starts to bubble up stop it there.

Porridge is brilliant as an instant snack in a cup with cold milk and no cooking, it doesn't actually need cooking. If you must have it as a gooey paste (equally nice btw), 90 seconds, the last few watching it in case, is enough.

ETA if you have trendy bowls with shallow sides it's more likely to spill over. Buy old fashioned crockery with vertical sides instead.

drlodge

Just need a bigger bowl...I got some cheap plastic mixing bowls from Asda, they do the job fine. I think its this (£1.50) http://direct.asda.com/George-Home-Mixing-Bowl-Large/001455875,default,pd.html?cgid=D24M09G01C01

KnightOfTheLongTights

simonhead wrote:

alternatively dont make the porridge hot, make the night before by mixing 1/3rd oats, 1/3rd greek yoghurt and 1/3rd milk, throw in chopped banana, mix and leave in fridge overnight.

I do this with muesli - it's great.

finchy

Use a saucepan. It'll be much better.

team47b

How the hell can you be eating porridge it's August FFS

apreading

You are all just making a meal out of this...

anonymousblackfg

Honestly, small plastic bowl, 1:20 on full power.

KnightOfTheLongTights

team47b wrote:

How the hell can you be eating porridge it's August FFS

this. It's strictly an Oct-Mar breakfast in my book.

apreading

Porridge all year round - you have just been brainwashed by the old ReadyBrek adverts...

KnightOfTheLongTights

apreading wrote:

Porridge all year round - you have just been brainwashed by the old ReadyBrek adverts...

No honestly - all the moaning about the recent cold snap apart, this has been one of the hottest summers in recent memory: I do NOT want a warm breakfast when it's 18 degrees outside at 7am.

apreading

KnightOfTheLongTights wrote:

apreading wrote:

Porridge all year round - you have just been brainwashed by the old ReadyBrek adverts...

No honestly - all the moaning about the recent cold snap apart, this has been one of the hottest summers in recent memory: I do NOT want a warm breakfast when it's 18 degrees outside at 7am.

But you eat a hot dinner? Why not a warm breakfast?

drlodge

Porridge is king, any time of the year