Reuters reports that a study by the NPD Group on eating patterns has found that Americans are microwaving meals more than ever. From 1990 to 2007 about 20% of meals were made with a microwave. The percentage of microwaved meals jumped to 30% last year.
Americans have been eating at home more often since the beginning of the decade, but in 2008 their microwaves did much of the work, according to NPD Group's 24th annual report on eating patterns in America.
"Microwaving has been flat for two decades, but it increased last year as Americans found a way to eat at home and not cook," said Harry Balzer, chief industry analyst at NPD Group.
About 20 percent of all meals prepared in U.S. homes from 1990 to 2007 involved using a microwave. Last year, such usage rose ten percent, the market research company found.
The increase usage should ultimatelty lead a rise in microwave purchases as more microwaves will break down if more of them are being used.
Photo: Panasonic NN-H965BF Luxury Full-Size 2.2-Cubic-Foot 1,250-Watt Microwave Oven, Black from Amazon.com
Reuters 
