A Linux-powered microwave oven

Post by Grishnakh » Thu, Feb 18, 2016, 4:01 PM UTC

toomanybeersies wrote: post #24

derefr wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are some fascinating things you could do with one of those. You could, for example, make a "stick boiler"—like a "stick blender"—that you stick inside a cup of liquid to heat it up, without any part of the stick itself getting hot. (Presumably there'd be a waffle-grid cross-guard to block reflected RF.) But, in the wrong hands, that's a directed-energy weapon, isn't it? (Hell, stick one of these in the right ki…

You can do plenty of damage with a normal microwave oven in the wrong hands, I remember reading a book from the library a few years back that detailed making an EMP from one. Thinking of that book, I don't think it's likely that libraries would carry that kind of book any more, sadly.

Post by bazzargh » Thu, Feb 18, 2016, 4:47 PM UTC

skykooler wrote: post #42

jahnu wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can anyone here explain to me why microwave ovens always have their power settings as multiples of some value, e.g. 200/400/800w but never have the ability to set a specific power output, e.g. 425w.

Microwave ovens use magnetrons to produce the microwave radiation. Magnetrons cannot be run at anything less than full power. Some microwaves have additional coils in the magnetron that can be connected to increase the power level, but it's limited to the power levels you can get from the various combinations of coils. For the same reason, running a normal microwave at "50% power" actually means it runs at full power…

Post by pkaye » Thu, Feb 18, 2016, 5:09 PM UTC

Post by digi_owl » Thu, Feb 18, 2016, 6:13 PM UTC

chipperyman573 wrote: post #5

noonespecial wrote: post #3

That's a fine looking death machine there. Then again, the buttons on my microwave are also so horrible I've been tempted... If he gets the voice control worked out to where I can say "Tea, Earl Grey, Hot" I might be sold.

>Then again, the buttons on my microwave are also so horrible Is it really that hard to push "Time cook -> 2 -> 3 -> 0 -> Start"? I mean come on I can understand wanting to optimize your life or whatever but complaining about microwave buttons seems a bit ridiculous.

Post by aidenn0 » Thu, Feb 18, 2016, 6:25 PM UTC

bazzargh wrote: post #53

skykooler wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Microwave ovens use magnetrons to produce the microwave radiation. Magnetrons cannot be run at anything less than full power. Some microwaves have additional coils in the magnetron that can be connected to increase the power level, but it's limited to the power levels you can get from the various combinations of coils. For the same reason, running a normal microwave at "50% power" actually means it runs at full power…

Solid-state microwave generators have been developed to replace magnetrons recently, and they can run at variable power. http://electronicdesign.com/blog/say-good-bye-last-vacuum-tu... Using the MHT1003N, manufacturers can use from one to eight of these 250 W units to build a microwave oven with the desired power level. And the magnetron’s 4 kV power supply goes away in place of a supply of 28 to 50 volts. Furthermor…