Why every microwave sucks these days • Hacker News Board

Re: Why every microwave sucks these days

#141

Post by somat » Thu, Oct 26, 2023, 5:28 AM UTC

jpalomaki wrote: post #127

Couple of things I'm now looking at microwave: 1)inverter 2)no rotating plate. My understanding is that with inverter the microwave can actually adjust the power instead of doing the on/off/on/off cycle you get with the cheap ones. I guess the rotating plate is there, because it's hard to distribute the microwaves evenly inside the oven. Some time ago I tried to find one without the rotating plate, but the only ones…

The rotating plate is a weird one. I am not really sure why they are found in most consumer microwaves. It feels like a fancy feature? Not having one is definitely the better options. easier to clean for one.

Without a rotating plate there will be a hidden metal fan-like object ether in the ceiling or the floor. this is a rotating reflector designed to scatter the waves a bit.

Don't consider this a recommendation(it may well be utter garbage) but my next microwave is going to be a Sharp R-21LCFS mainly because it hits all my key points. no rotating platter, no modes or features, just one big dial to set the timer... it's... well perfect. Plus I was able to find the service manual for it. I always feel better about a product if it has a service manual.

https://www.sharpusa.com/ForBusiness/CommercialCooking/Comme...

"Perfection is reached, not when there is no longer anything to add, but when there is no longer anything to take away."

-- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Re: Why every microwave sucks these days

#142

Post by Arainach » Thu, Oct 26, 2023, 5:29 AM UTC

Waterluvian wrote: post #22

ForkMeOnTinder wrote: post #11

As a chronic comparison shopper, this is a first-world problem that's near and dear to my heart. I think the reason microwaves (and appliances in general) suck is because comparison shopping is so hard. I wish I could get a list of all microwaves and filter by criteria such as: - Does the +30 seconds button start cooking immediately, or do you have to also press "start" afterwards? - Does it beep every 30 seconds aft…

I just want a microwave with an analog dial for time and a switch for low, med, high. They can keep the computer.

Dare I ask why? Analog dials for time are imprecise, frustrating, and I've seen far more of them break than any electronic component in home appliances.

Re: Why every microwave sucks these days

#143

Post by kevincox » Thu, Oct 26, 2023, 5:29 AM UTC

pcl wrote: post #110

emchammer wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I could do without the clock. How about if I do not set a time on the clock, then do not display 12:00 or anything when not in use.

Seriously. I used to have a microwave and oven stacked on top of each other. Both had an LCD, and so some horrible PMs somewhere presumably had entire sets of meetings to spec out the clock feature. The microwave would not function if the time and AM/PM values were not set. (As far as I could tell, there was no way to actually ever see the AM/PM value after setting it!) So. Every time the power went out, I would be c…

Not to mention having to update the time every DST transition otherwise you have a wrong clock which is worst than no clock at all.

Re: Why every microwave sucks these days

#144

Post by aidenn0 » Thu, Oct 26, 2023, 5:29 AM UTC

gonzo41 wrote: post #91

rsync wrote: post #90

We have a Panasonic NE-1258R. It's a commercial kitchen microwave oven and is built like a tank. It requires a 20amp circuit and it has no turntable because it has two magnetrons . https://www.manualslib.com/products/Panasonic-Ne1258r-Commer... Recommended.

Well at least you know your electrical system will be up for fast charging an EV. a 20A microwave is probably something you'd want to supervise pretty closely.

It's only 33% more power than a regular microwave (which requires a 15A circuit).

Re: Why every microwave sucks these days

#145

Post by maytc » Thu, Oct 26, 2023, 5:29 AM UTC

rsync wrote: post #90

We have a Panasonic NE-1258R. It's a commercial kitchen microwave oven and is built like a tank. It requires a 20amp circuit and it has no turntable because it has two magnetrons . https://www.manualslib.com/products/Panasonic-Ne1258r-Commer... Recommended.

This microwave is at all the convenience stores in Japan

Re: Why every microwave sucks these days

#146

Post by aidenn0 » Thu, Oct 26, 2023, 5:31 AM UTC

hotnfresh wrote: post #51

The best microwave I've ever used was probably from the early 80s. It was in my maternal grandparents' house. The controls were two knobs. There were no other controls. No start button. No open-door button. Both knobs felt Very Serious. There was no spinny platter thing, but it didn't seem to really do any worse than the new ones with it—but it was easier to clean. It was pretty big for a microwave. One knob was powe…

I'm fine with digital entry for time (30 vs 45 seconds can be a big deal when heating up your coffee), but just have a knob for the power level. Every single microwave seems to have a different way of selecting power, when a knob would be so easy.

Re: Why every microwave sucks these days

#147

Post by kevincox » Thu, Oct 26, 2023, 5:33 AM UTC

Arainach wrote: post #142

Waterluvian wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just want a microwave with an analog dial for time and a switch for low, med, high. They can keep the computer.

Dare I ask why? Analog dials for time are imprecise, frustrating, and I've seen far more of them break than any electronic component in home appliances.

Very quick and easy to turn it to where I want and precise time isn't very important on a microwave. Idealy the scale wouldn't be linear so that you have more accuracy under 1min and more range available.

Re: Why every microwave sucks these days

#148

Post by teo_zero » Thu, Oct 26, 2023, 5:35 AM UTC

voisin wrote: post #75

hotnfresh wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What are the magic words these people use to get a bank to give them millions of dollars, let them walk off with it, then eat the loss?

The debt likely wasn’t a normal bank, and the interest rate was likely quite high. The parties making the loan were likely fully aware of the risk and thought the interest rate appropriate compensation.

Are those banks the same that failed to recognize what a bad idea it was to bet on sub-prime loans before 2009?

Re: Why every microwave sucks these days

#149

Post by stevage » Thu, Oct 26, 2023, 5:35 AM UTC

ForkMeOnTinder wrote: post #11

As a chronic comparison shopper, this is a first-world problem that's near and dear to my heart. I think the reason microwaves (and appliances in general) suck is because comparison shopping is so hard. I wish I could get a list of all microwaves and filter by criteria such as: - Does the +30 seconds button start cooking immediately, or do you have to also press "start" afterwards? - Does it beep every 30 seconds aft…

My ideal microwave would have two buttons.

1: The first two times you push it, it sets the timer to 0:30 and starts cooking. The next time, adds 0:30. Each time after that, it adds 1 minute and starts cooking.

2. Reset the timer to 0.

And a door latch which stops cooking.

I don't need power levels, or more precise timing, or any of that other stuff.

Re: Why every microwave sucks these days

#150

Post by bick_nyers » Thu, Oct 26, 2023, 5:35 AM UTC

ForkMeOnTinder wrote: post #11

As a chronic comparison shopper, this is a first-world problem that's near and dear to my heart. I think the reason microwaves (and appliances in general) suck is because comparison shopping is so hard. I wish I could get a list of all microwaves and filter by criteria such as: - Does the +30 seconds button start cooking immediately, or do you have to also press "start" afterwards? - Does it beep every 30 seconds aft…

My "favorite" feature on the GE microwave that came with my house: If you cook something then walk away (leaving the food inside) then come back and want to zap it for 30 seconds, you must open and close the door to "Insert Food".