"Richard G. Gould" wrote in message
...
It appears that our microwave oven has lost cooking/heating power over the
years. Is that possible: Can the magnetron put out less power as it
ages? How can one test the heating power of a microwave oven: Perhaps by
heating a known quantity of water to a desired rise in temperature over a
prescribed time period? Are there any such measures for a microwave oven
of a known original/rated power?

Rick


The waveguide on the output of the mag (and it is a mag - ignore what
clodhopper says below about it being a klystron) can become coated with
resolidified vapourised grease and clag from the food that's been cooked in
it - especially if it is a combination type that has a conventional oven in
it as well. This can result in substantially reduced microwave cooking
efficiency.

Arfa