My 8-10 year old Sharp microwave oven has died from a shorted HV
capacitor. I'll probably fix it, if the part is still available.

If not, I'd like my next oven to "listen" to popcorn, and shut off
after the popping rate slows to a threshold level. My current oven's
popcorn mode always comes up about 40 seconds short.

Are there any current models with "ears"?
--
Email reply: please remove one letter from each side of "@"
Spammers are Scammers. Exterminate them.

"Doug Warner" wrote in message
...

My 8-10 year old Sharp microwave oven has died from a shorted HV
capacitor. I'll probably fix it, if the part is still available.

If not, I'd like my next oven to "listen" to popcorn, and shut off
after the popping rate slows to a threshold level. My current oven's
popcorn mode always comes up about 40 seconds short.

Are there any current models with "ears"?

================================


You can't stand still in the kitchen for 3 minutes and listen with your own
ears???

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...

"Doug Warner" wrote in message
...

My 8-10 year old Sharp microwave oven has died from a shorted HV
capacitor. I'll probably fix it, if the part is still available.

If not, I'd like my next oven to "listen" to popcorn, and shut off
after the popping rate slows to a threshold level. My current oven's
popcorn mode always comes up about 40 seconds short.

Are there any current models with "ears"?

================================


You can't stand still in the kitchen for 3 minutes and listen with your
own ears???

I was going to say the same thing. Not to put down the OP, but how lazy have
we become? What's next? A remote that will come to you when you call it???

Hey.....wait a minute...........

;-]

"Dr. Hardcrab" wrote in message
news:Uesuf.44042$zJ3.3085@trnddc04...

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...

"Doug Warner" wrote in message
...

My 8-10 year old Sharp microwave oven has died from a shorted HV
capacitor. I'll probably fix it, if the part is still available.

If not, I'd like my next oven to "listen" to popcorn, and shut off
after the popping rate slows to a threshold level. My current oven's
popcorn mode always comes up about 40 seconds short.

Are there any current models with "ears"?

================================


You can't stand still in the kitchen for 3 minutes and listen with your
own ears???

I was going to say the same thing. Not to put down the OP, but how lazy
have we become? What's next? A remote that will come to you when you call
it???

Hey.....wait a minute...........

;-]


Here's something I want: A way to start my oven using my cell phone, so I
can put dinner into a preheated oven the moment I walk in the door.

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...

"Dr. Hardcrab" wrote in message
news:Uesuf.44042$zJ3.3085@trnddc04...

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...

"Doug Warner" wrote in message
...

My 8-10 year old Sharp microwave oven has died from a shorted HV
capacitor. I'll probably fix it, if the part is still available.

If not, I'd like my next oven to "listen" to popcorn, and shut off
after the popping rate slows to a threshold level. My current oven's
popcorn mode always comes up about 40 seconds short.

Are there any current models with "ears"?

================================


You can't stand still in the kitchen for 3 minutes and listen with your
own ears???

I was going to say the same thing. Not to put down the OP, but how lazy
have we become? What's next? A remote that will come to you when you call
it???

Hey.....wait a minute...........

;-]


Here's something I want: A way to start my oven using my cell phone, so I
can put dinner into a preheated oven the moment I walk in the door.

Most ovens have timers that will do that, but I guess YOU have to be on a
"regular timer" for it to work (in other words, you have to come home at the
same time)...

"Dr. Hardcrab" wrote in message
news:eyxuf.50$Gu6.26@trnddc06...

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...

"Dr. Hardcrab" wrote in message
news:Uesuf.44042$zJ3.3085@trnddc04...

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...

"Doug Warner" wrote in message
...

My 8-10 year old Sharp microwave oven has died from a shorted HV
capacitor. I'll probably fix it, if the part is still available.

If not, I'd like my next oven to "listen" to popcorn, and shut off
after the popping rate slows to a threshold level. My current oven's
popcorn mode always comes up about 40 seconds short.

Are there any current models with "ears"?

================================


You can't stand still in the kitchen for 3 minutes and listen with your
own ears???

I was going to say the same thing. Not to put down the OP, but how lazy
have we become? What's next? A remote that will come to you when you
call it???

Hey.....wait a minute...........

;-]


Here's something I want: A way to start my oven using my cell phone, so I
can put dinner into a preheated oven the moment I walk in the door.

Most ovens have timers that will do that, but I guess YOU have to be on a
"regular timer" for it to work (in other words, you have to come home at
the same time)...


Unfortunately, "regular time" does not exist in my home. I have a teenage
son. :-) His favorite saying: "Dad, how many times do I have to tell you?
Things aren't happening until they're happening. I can't plan like you do".

On Tue, 03 Jan 2006 12:58:13 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:


"Dr. Hardcrab" wrote in message
news:Uesuf.44042$zJ3.3085@trnddc04...

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...

"Doug Warner" wrote in message
...

My 8-10 year old Sharp microwave oven has died from a shorted HV
capacitor. I'll probably fix it, if the part is still available.

If not, I'd like my next oven to "listen" to popcorn, and shut off
after the popping rate slows to a threshold level. My current oven's
popcorn mode always comes up about 40 seconds short.

Are there any current models with "ears"?

================================


You can't stand still in the kitchen for 3 minutes and listen with your
own ears???

I was going to say the same thing. Not to put down the OP, but how lazy
have we become? What's next? A remote that will come to you when you call
it???

Hey.....wait a minute...........

;-]


Here's something I want: A way to start my oven using my cell phone, so I
can put dinner into a preheated oven the moment I walk in the door.


I think you can get such a thing, but I forgot where.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what
to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb
contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin

"Mark Lloyd" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 03 Jan 2006 12:58:13 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:


"Dr. Hardcrab" wrote in message
news:Uesuf.44042$zJ3.3085@trnddc04...

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...

"Doug Warner" wrote in message
...

My 8-10 year old Sharp microwave oven has died from a shorted HV
capacitor. I'll probably fix it, if the part is still available.

If not, I'd like my next oven to "listen" to popcorn, and shut off
after the popping rate slows to a threshold level. My current oven's
popcorn mode always comes up about 40 seconds short.

Are there any current models with "ears"?

================================


You can't stand still in the kitchen for 3 minutes and listen with your
own ears???

I was going to say the same thing. Not to put down the OP, but how lazy
have we become? What's next? A remote that will come to you when you
call
it???

Hey.....wait a minute...........

;-]


Here's something I want: A way to start my oven using my cell phone, so I
can put dinner into a preheated oven the moment I walk in the door.


I think you can get such a thing, but I forgot where.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

Thanks, Mark. :-)

Here's something I want: A way to start my oven using my cell phone, so I
can put dinner into a preheated oven the moment I walk in the door.

If you have an electric oven, I don't see why you couldn't get an X10
unit to handle this.

"Larry Bud" wrote in message
oups.com...
Here's something I want: A way to start my oven using my cell phone, so I
can put dinner into a preheated oven the moment I walk in the door.

If you have an electric oven, I don't see why you couldn't get an X10
unit to handle this.


It's on the list to think about, after:
1) Paint back windows
2) Build pantry shelves
3) Wax the cat
4) Rip up kitchen floor, including the wood underneath, so I can insulate
the crawl space under half the room.
5) Replace bathroom sink.
6) Spray paint vanity, hopefully achieving a piano finish
7) Remove wallpaper around shower because only lunatics have wallpaper in
the shower.
8) Replace deadbolt in side door.
9) Install bars on basement windows
10) Fix dryer vent duct so it's more straight than convoluted.
11) Install fluorescent lights in basement so it doesn't look like
Frankenstein's laboratory down there, with dark corners where who-knows-what
might be living.

etc etc etc....

On 3 Jan 2006 11:07:49 -0800, "Larry Bud"
wrote:

Here's something I want: A way to start my oven using my cell phone, so I
can put dinner into a preheated oven the moment I walk in the door.

If you have an electric oven, I don't see why you couldn't get an X10
unit to handle this.

That sounds like something I was looking for (x10 circuit breakers).
They're probably expensive.

Another thing you might be able to get somewhere, is a combination
refrigerator / oven. It keeps the food cold until you tell it to start
cooking.

Of course, it still won't stir the dinner for you.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what
to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb
contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...

"Dr. Hardcrab" wrote in message
news:Uesuf.44042$zJ3.3085@trnddc04...

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...

"Doug Warner" wrote in message
...

My 8-10 year old Sharp microwave oven has died from a shorted HV
capacitor. I'll probably fix it, if the part is still available.

If not, I'd like my next oven to "listen" to popcorn, and shut off
after the popping rate slows to a threshold level. My current oven's
popcorn mode always comes up about 40 seconds short.

Are there any current models with "ears"?

================================


You can't stand still in the kitchen for 3 minutes and listen with your
own ears???

I was going to say the same thing. Not to put down the OP, but how lazy
have we become? What's next? A remote that will come to you when you
call
it???

Hey.....wait a minute...........

;-]


Here's something I want: A way to start my oven using my cell phone, so I
can put dinner into a preheated oven the moment I walk in the door.



Uh,.
That you can easily get.
post your request at comp.home.automation

AMUN

Doug Warner wrote:
My 8-10 year old Sharp microwave oven has died from a shorted HV
capacitor. I'll probably fix it, if the part is still available.

If not, I'd like my next oven to "listen" to popcorn, and shut off
after the popping rate slows to a threshold level. My current oven's
popcorn mode always comes up about 40 seconds short.

Are there any current models with "ears"?

Most of the ovens I have seen that have a popcorn auto-setting do it by sensing
the amount of moisture in the oven. It guarantees that the popcorn doesn't
burn, but it (as you say) grossly underestimates the cooking time leaving lots
of unpopped kernels.

We just bought a new 1200 watt Sharp and I have yet to find a power setting and
time combination that does a good bag of popcorn. I think the wattage might
simply be too high and the lower power levels do nothing more than cycle full
power off and on at different intervals. Our older Panasonic 1000 watter did a
perfect bag of corn at 2:35 with almost no unpopped kernels. On the new one I
have to choose between many unpopped kernels or burnt corn. I point this out
because even with me standing there listening to the popping I still can't get
good results. That means an oven that did its own listening (if such a thing
exists) might not do any better if the power level is not correct.

"Rick Brandt" wrote:


We just bought a new 1200 watt Sharp and I have yet to find a power setting and
time combination that does a good bag of popcorn. I think the wattage might
simply be too high and the lower power levels do nothing more than cyclefull
power off and on at different intervals. Our older Panasonic 1000 watter did a
perfect bag of corn at 2:35 with almost no unpopped kernels. On the newone I
have to choose between many unpopped kernels or burnt corn. I point this out
because even with me standing there listening to the popping I still can't get
good results. That means an oven that did its own listening (if such a thing
exists) might not do any better if the power level is not correct.

Hmm, you may be right. Our two small Panasonic units in the office
break room died, (they did perfect popcorn), They were replaced with
big commercial grade units with higher power and no turntables.
The exhibit the same problem. If you wait for the last 30 kernels to
pop, it'll burn.

I think the issue with these is that hot spots develop and start
burning before all the kernels have popped.

And, no, I don't have the patience to stand in one spot for 3-4
minutes waiting for popcorn to finish. I'm usually doing something
else in the meantime, and forget to listen. It shuts off early or
late, leaving it incomplete or burnt. (Popcorn simply has no margin
for error.)
--
Email reply: please remove one letter from each side of "@"
Spammers are Scammers. Exterminate them.

"Doug Warner" wrote in message
...
"Rick Brandt" wrote:


We just bought a new 1200 watt Sharp and I have yet to find a power setting
and
time combination that does a good bag of popcorn. I think the wattage
might
simply be too high and the lower power levels do nothing more than cycle
full
power off and on at different intervals. Our older Panasonic 1000 watter
did a
perfect bag of corn at 2:35 with almost no unpopped kernels. On the new
one I
have to choose between many unpopped kernels or burnt corn. I point this
out
because even with me standing there listening to the popping I still can't
get
good results. That means an oven that did its own listening (if such a
thing
exists) might not do any better if the power level is not correct.

Hmm, you may be right. Our two small Panasonic units in the office
break room died, (they did perfect popcorn), They were replaced with
big commercial grade units with higher power and no turntables.
The exhibit the same problem. If you wait for the last 30 kernels to
pop, it'll burn.

I think the issue with these is that hot spots develop and start
burning before all the kernels have popped.

And, no, I don't have the patience to stand in one spot for 3-4
minutes waiting for popcorn to finish. I'm usually doing something
else in the meantime, and forget to listen. It shuts off early or
late, leaving it incomplete or burnt. (Popcorn simply has no margin
for error.)

If you pop the same type, it's usually easy enought to figure out the time
to the best pop, and then set the timer to that for all your future popcorn
cook times. Popcorn kernels have a specific moisture content (13% as I
rcall) and if the weight and power are the same then there's no reason why
the same time shouldn't give fairly repeatable results.

--
Email reply: please remove one letter from each side of "@"
Spammers are Scammers. Exterminate them.

On Tue, 03 Jan 2006 03:15:34 GMT, "Rick Brandt"
wrote:

Doug Warner wrote:
My 8-10 year old Sharp microwave oven has died from a shorted HV
capacitor. I'll probably fix it, if the part is still available.

If not, I'd like my next oven to "listen" to popcorn, and shut off
after the popping rate slows to a threshold level. My current oven's
popcorn mode always comes up about 40 seconds short.

Are there any current models with "ears"?

Most of the ovens I have seen that have a popcorn auto-setting do it by sensing
the amount of moisture in the oven. It guarantees that the popcorn doesn't
burn, but it (as you say) grossly underestimates the cooking time leaving lots
of unpopped kernels.

We just bought a new 1200 watt Sharp and I have yet to find a power setting and
time combination that does a good bag of popcorn. I think the wattage might
simply be too high and the lower power levels do nothing more than cycle full
power off and on at different intervals.

I can hear the cycling on my microwave, when it's set for less than
full power.

BTW, this microwave is around 20 years old and still works. It came
from Penney's when they sold things other than clothes.

Our older Panasonic 1000 watter did a
perfect bag of corn at 2:35 with almost no unpopped kernels. On the new one I
have to choose between many unpopped kernels or burnt corn. I point this out
because even with me standing there listening to the popping I still can't get
good results. That means an oven that did its own listening (if such a thing
exists) might not do any better if the power level is not correct.



--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what
to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb
contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin

"Mark Lloyd" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 03 Jan 2006 03:15:34 GMT, "Rick Brandt"
wrote:

Doug Warner wrote:
My 8-10 year old Sharp microwave oven has died from a shorted HV
capacitor. I'll probably fix it, if the part is still available.

If not, I'd like my next oven to "listen" to popcorn, and shut off
after the popping rate slows to a threshold level. My current oven's
popcorn mode always comes up about 40 seconds short.

Are there any current models with "ears"?

Most of the ovens I have seen that have a popcorn auto-setting do it by
sensing
the amount of moisture in the oven. It guarantees that the popcorn
doesn't
burn, but it (as you say) grossly underestimates the cooking time leaving
lots
of unpopped kernels.

We just bought a new 1200 watt Sharp and I have yet to find a power
setting and
time combination that does a good bag of popcorn. I think the wattage
might
simply be too high and the lower power levels do nothing more than cycle
full
power off and on at different intervals.

I can hear the cycling on my microwave, when it's set for less than
full power.

BTW, this microwave is around 20 years old and still works. It came
from Penney's when they sold things other than clothes.

Came with a probe that you plug in? About as big as a 20" tv??

I had one! My brother has it now and it still works!

I used to work for a drug store in the early 80s (Treasury Drug) and we were
a division of J C Penney. I got married while I was still working there. We
got 20% discount on anything from Penny's. Needless to say, every appliance
and piece of furniture I owned was from them.

I was in a Pennys just before Christmas and I think that was the first time
I had been in one in about 15 years.....

On Tue, 03 Jan 2006 17:52:20 GMT, "Dr. Hardcrab"
wrote:


"Mark Lloyd" wrote in message
.. .
On Tue, 03 Jan 2006 03:15:34 GMT, "Rick Brandt"
wrote:

Doug Warner wrote:
My 8-10 year old Sharp microwave oven has died from a shorted HV
capacitor. I'll probably fix it, if the part is still available.

If not, I'd like my next oven to "listen" to popcorn, and shut off
after the popping rate slows to a threshold level. My current oven's
popcorn mode always comes up about 40 seconds short.

Are there any current models with "ears"?

Most of the ovens I have seen that have a popcorn auto-setting do it by
sensing
the amount of moisture in the oven. It guarantees that the popcorn
doesn't
burn, but it (as you say) grossly underestimates the cooking time leaving
lots
of unpopped kernels.

We just bought a new 1200 watt Sharp and I have yet to find a power
setting and
time combination that does a good bag of popcorn. I think the wattage
might
simply be too high and the lower power levels do nothing more than cycle
full
power off and on at different intervals.

I can hear the cycling on my microwave, when it's set for less than
full power.

BTW, this microwave is around 20 years old and still works. It came
from Penney's when they sold things other than clothes.

Came with a probe that you plug in? About as big as a 20" tv??


Yes, for temperature cooking. The microwave switches to that when the
probe is plugged in.

I had one! My brother has it now and it still works!


That microwave quit one time (the only time it's had a problem). I
removed the cover and looked around, knowing there would be almost
nothing in there I could fix. The problem was a blown fuse, and Radio
Shack had suitable replacements.

I used to work for a drug store in the early 80s (Treasury Drug) and we were
a division of J C Penney. I got married while I was still working there. We
got 20% discount on anything from Penny's. Needless to say, every appliance
and piece of furniture I owned was from them.

I was in a Pennys just before Christmas and I think that was the first time
I had been in one in about 15 years.....


I haven't been in a Penney's since about 1984.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what
to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb
contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin

Mark Lloyd writes:

On Tue, 03 Jan 2006 03:15:34 GMT, "Rick Brandt"
wrote:

Doug Warner wrote:
My 8-10 year old Sharp microwave oven has died from a shorted HV
capacitor. I'll probably fix it, if the part is still available.

If not, I'd like my next oven to "listen" to popcorn, and shut off
after the popping rate slows to a threshold level. My current oven's
popcorn mode always comes up about 40 seconds short.

Are there any current models with "ears"?

Most of the ovens I have seen that have a popcorn auto-setting do it by sensing
the amount of moisture in the oven. It guarantees that the popcorn doesn't
burn, but it (as you say) grossly underestimates the cooking time leaving lots
of unpopped kernels.

We just bought a new 1200 watt Sharp and I have yet to find a power setting and
time combination that does a good bag of popcorn. I think the wattage might
simply be too high and the lower power levels do nothing more than cycle full
power off and on at different intervals.

We just got a new MW at Sears.
It has a popcorn setting, and it leaves about a dozen kernels unpopped.
Close enough for me.

I'm not sure of the model, but it's large and has a rounded inside.

"Dan Espen" wrote

We just got a new MW at Sears.
It has a popcorn setting, and it leaves about a dozen kernels unpopped.
Close enough for me.

There's an old joke out there somewhere which has a punchline of

"But how do it know???!!!"


;-]

"Dr. Hardcrab" writes:

"Dan Espen" wrote

We just got a new MW at Sears.
It has a popcorn setting, and it leaves about a dozen kernels unpopped.
Close enough for me.

There's an old joke out there somewhere which has a punchline of

"But how do it know???!!!"

Yes, I was going to say, I have no idea, but I guess I do.
After popping a while, it beeps then it shows seconds remaining.
(I think about 30 or 40 seconds.)
So it must be reading the steam, not listening for pops.

It's more accurate than I am listening to pops.
At least so far.

Dr. Hardcrab wrote:
"Dan Espen" wrote

We just got a new MW at Sears.
It has a popcorn setting, and it leaves about a dozen kernels unpopped.
Close enough for me.

There's an old joke out there somewhere which has a punchline of

"But how do it know???!!!"

A thermos, keeps hot hot and cold cold... How do it know?

our panasonic inverter microwave 2 cubic foot has a great popcorn
button. but no ears. plenty big enough and a nice reheat mode and keep
warm mode. has function of the beep programmable to OFF which is just
as important as finding a quiet dishwasher. NN-T964SF. sf means
stainless front i guess. we bought 8/2004

see also review at:
http://www.epinions.com/content_155706494596

Doug Warner wrote:
My 8-10 year old Sharp microwave oven has died from a shorted HV
capacitor. I'll probably fix it, if the part is still available.

If not, I'd like my next oven to "listen" to popcorn, and shut off
after the popping rate slows to a threshold level. My current oven's
popcorn mode always comes up about 40 seconds short.

Why don't you just set your microwave timer to pop 40 seconds more than
the popcorn mode?

Or is pressing 4 more buttons too much work for you?

"Larry Bud" wrote:


Doug Warner wrote:
My 8-10 year old Sharp microwave oven has died from a shorted HV
capacitor. I'll probably fix it, if the part is still available.

If not, I'd like my next oven to "listen" to popcorn, and shut off
after the popping rate slows to a threshold level. My current oven's
popcorn mode always comes up about 40 seconds short.

Why don't you just set your microwave timer to pop 40 seconds more than
the popcorn mode?

Or is pressing 4 more buttons too much work for you?


Because, at least in my oven, the transition time between all-popped
and burnt to a crisp is about one second. The way I do it, to avoid
burning, is to push the PC button, which gets it close then dive for
the minute plus button when it times out.
Since I only use one type and brand, I really need to time a few bags,
and put a label on the oven with the optimum cooking time.

BTW: The a new capacitor and fuse ($27.00) fixed it.

If they made this:
http://www.halfbakery.com/idea/Giant...orn#1093798800
it would blow the door off when it popped :-)
--
Email reply: please remove one letter from each side of "@"
Spammers are Scammers. Exterminate them.