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Why every microwave sucks these days

moth.monster

251–260 of 419 posts

Re: Why every microwave sucks these days

#251
post #20

”what can we learn from this? i don't know. capitalism will destroy everything it touches.” Microwaves are better in countries with less capitalism?

The problem with any argument over capitalism is that it is responsible for both good and bad.

On the one hand all the innovation and cheap prices are a result of capitalism driven competition.

On the other hand, all the deceptive marketing, addictive vacuous features, vendor lock-in, planned obsolescence and enshitification are also a result of capitalism, which only cares about maximizing profits and return on capital.

Re: Why every microwave sucks these days

#252
post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I usually set such clocks to some random time that's so off you would never mistake it for the real thing.

Re: Why every microwave sucks these days

#253

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I like the concept, but the rotating turntable for the food and plate is silly. I have a Panasonic NE-1022F (sadly, no longer available) and it rotates the antenna under the floor of the unit. That approach enables use of a smaller motor, requires fewer moving parts, and makes the interior very easy to clean.

Interesting, I've never seen a microwave oven without a rotating turntable.

I think Panasonic still make some. The term they use if you're web searching is "flatbed".

Re: Why every microwave sucks these days

#254
post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> does it beed every +30 seconds No joke, I bought and returned 4 microwaves before I found one that doesn't. I'm picky, and finally found one that does a quick double "beeep beeep" and is done.

Well don't leave the crowd in suspense.

Not OP, but most LG microwaves allow to turn sounds off with a special button combination. Even though my model's manual doesn't mention it, I could guess it from other manuals and YT videos.

Re: Why every microwave sucks these days

#257

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.

I know what you mean. Sadly, looks like our Panasonic (NN-CF778SBPQ) may be on the way out after a decade of daily service, and I've been trying to find an equivalent with the two knobs. You can adjust power and time while it's still cooking. If something needs more time, a quick twist of one adds more seconds. If something is about to overheat and you want to buy a bit more time while you prep something else, you can twist the other and back off the power from high to warm/simmer/low. Plus it's a combi, so could initially microwave to defrost, then convection cook whilst also gently grilling to toast the top of the foodstuff.

Re: Why every microwave sucks these days

#259

I wonder how much the author has traveled abroad, because when TFA mentions "the world", I don't recognize what I see here where I live: I've never found a pocorn button, for example, or moisture sensors, not even in the good old times. And Instant Pot is completely unknown, Covid notwithstanding.

I had the exact same thoughts, that this might be centric to the US. I also never seen a popcorn button and popcorn for the microwave exists and is fairly easy. Not as good as from a popcorn machine, but still ok.

I also don't know anyone using an Instant Pot.

And so far I also don't know anyone whose microwave broke after just one year, no matter if cheap or expensive.

Re: Why every microwave sucks these days

#260
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.

As usual, the industrial-grade stuff is the only stuff that is actually worth having; while the whole entire consumer market is by and large a rip-off and a scam. Not just for microwaves. Also food ingredients, cosmetics, drugs, electronics. The problem is that business-to-business suppliers are harder to find and contact, they rarely engage with private individuals and often they are even restricted by the government from selling to you. The whole thing drives me nuts.
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