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[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
Hi all
I'm thinking of getting a new microwave. Not my favourite bit of kitchen equipment by a long way. I was wondering ... what are the economies made between the ultra- cheapo models found in the supermarkets etc. and the ones you might find in more up-market stores, say John Lewis for reference? Are there power/electronic/microwave emission compromises made, and/or is it 'just' the usual finish/quality issues? I'd quite like a lightly smaller one than the old Sharp we have at the moment, & wondering if a cheap semi-disposable one is the way to go. Any specific recommendations for an ordinary 750W or similar gratefully received. I have a particular gripe against the use of 'digital' inputs (keypad etc.) to select an essentially analog variable (time), so I guess sensible ergonomics is a plus for me. Thanks jon N |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
On 11 Mar 2007 14:47:23 -0700, "jkn" wrote:
Hi all I'm thinking of getting a new microwave. Not my favourite bit of kitchen equipment by a long way. I was wondering ... what are the economies made between the ultra- cheapo models found in the supermarkets etc. and the ones you might find in more up-market stores, say John Lewis for reference? I wouldn't describe John Lewis as up-market, but still... Are there power/electronic/microwave emission compromises made, and/or is it 'just' the usual finish/quality issues? I've taken a look inside several owned by various members of the family, and it's pretty clear that the build quality is somewhat better in the better quality makes - Panasonic, Sharp etc. than in the £70 specials from the supermarket. I bought a replacement a few months ago (Sharp) based on a few reviews. Generally it seems that the better products do heat more evenly. Certainly stainless steel seems to command a higher price. I'd quite like a lightly smaller one than the old Sharp we have at the moment, & wondering if a cheap semi-disposable one is the way to go. I think you would have to say disposable. The cheap ones aren't economically repairable. Any specific recommendations for an ordinary 750W or similar gratefully received. Ordinary now seems to be 800-900w. I have a particular gripe against the use of 'digital' inputs (keypad etc.) to select an essentially analog variable (time), so I guess sensible ergonomics is a plus for me. I don't think it matters. They all seem to come with a bunch of features that are not that useful. I tend to set power level and time on mine and that's about it. I can't be bothered with the fancy settings and I am not going to cook a 300g pizza from frozen in one. I did use the cook from frozen function with a carton of soup the other day and that seemed to work OK. It seems to me that one might as well buy a decent quality one or buy the cheapest and throw it away when it needs cleaning. -- ..andy |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
Andy Hall wrote:
On 11 Mar 2007 14:47:23 -0700, "jkn" wrote: Hi all I'm thinking of getting a new microwave. Not my favourite bit of kitchen equipment by a long way. I was wondering ... what are the economies made between the ultra- cheapo models found in the supermarkets etc. and the ones you might find in more up-market stores, say John Lewis for reference? I wouldn't describe John Lewis as up-market, but still... Are there power/electronic/microwave emission compromises made, and/or is it 'just' the usual finish/quality issues? I've taken a look inside several owned by various members of the family, and it's pretty clear that the build quality is somewhat better in the better quality makes - Panasonic, Sharp etc. than in the £70 specials from the supermarket. *seventy* quid? - that's a dear one - around here the supermarkets are knocking cheapos out for £24 |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
"Andy Hall" wrote in message ... On 11 Mar 2007 14:47:23 -0700, "jkn" wrote: Hi all I'm thinking of getting a new microwave. Not my favourite bit of kitchen equipment by a long way. I was wondering ... what are the economies made between the ultra- cheapo models found in the supermarkets etc. and the ones you might find in more up-market stores, say John Lewis for reference? I wouldn't describe John Lewis as up-market, but still... I know you turn your nose up at Aldi and Lidl, but I'd say John Lewis is about the poshest place you can go shopping for Microwaves. Unless Bang and Olufsen / similar hifi bods have started making them... |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 22:07:25 +0000, Andy Hall
wrote: I don't think it matters. They all seem to come with a bunch of features that are not that useful. I tend to set power level and time on mine and that's about it. I can't be bothered with the fancy settings and I am not going to cook a 300g pizza from frozen in one. I did use the cook from frozen function with a carton of soup the other day and that seemed to work OK. I have a fairly bog-standard Panasonic 800W jobbie which has auto-weight and stand/delay settings, which I never use - in fact I wouldn't know how to use 'em unless I RTFM... :-) It's mainly used for thawing out frozen stuff in a 'hurry'; such as bread rolls et al. I'm sure the turntable pleases itself which way it turns, much like ancient synchronous electric clocks! If you strap out the door interlocks and fix the machine on top of a pole with the door open, I suppose you could use it as a 2·45 GHz transmitter and modulate it with a carbon microphone in series with the mains supply, provided you don't mind a bit of mains hum. -- Frank Erskine |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 23:19:59 -0000, "Doki" wrote:
"Andy Hall" wrote in message .. . On 11 Mar 2007 14:47:23 -0700, "jkn" wrote: Hi all I'm thinking of getting a new microwave. Not my favourite bit of kitchen equipment by a long way. I was wondering ... what are the economies made between the ultra- cheapo models found in the supermarkets etc. and the ones you might find in more up-market stores, say John Lewis for reference? I wouldn't describe John Lewis as up-market, but still... I know you turn your nose up at Aldi and Lidl, but I'd say John Lewis is about the poshest place you can go shopping for Microwaves. I was talking about the store, not the products.... Unless Bang and Olufsen / similar hifi bods have started making them... -- ..andy |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
Frank Erskine wrote:
On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 22:07:25 +0000, Andy Hall wrote: I don't think it matters. They all seem to come with a bunch of features that are not that useful. I tend to set power level and time on mine and that's about it. I can't be bothered with the fancy settings and I am not going to cook a 300g pizza from frozen in one. I did use the cook from frozen function with a carton of soup the other day and that seemed to work OK. I have a fairly bog-standard Panasonic 800W jobbie which has auto-weight and stand/delay settings, which I never use - in fact I wouldn't know how to use 'em unless I RTFM... :-) I am the same. Panasonic all singing, all dancing and I cant be a**ed to even find the manual. It's mainly used for thawing out frozen stuff in a 'hurry'; such as bread rolls et al. Me too, but the wife does cook scrambled eggs and some veg in it. She used to cook potatoes in it a long time ago, but I did not like the taste, so she has abandoned them now. I'm sure the turntable pleases itself which way it turns, much like ancient synchronous electric clocks! If it's owt like ours, the turntable changes direction each time it is powered up :-) If you strap out the door interlocks and fix the machine on top of a pole with the door open, I suppose you could use it as a 2·45 GHz transmitter and modulate it with a carbon microphone in series with the mains supply, provided you don't mind a bit of mains hum. Better still, hook into the main diode and get it to put out SSB :-) Dave |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
"jkn" wrote in message ups.com... Hi all I'm thinking of getting a new microwave. Not my favourite bit of kitchen equipment by a long way. I was wondering ... what are the economies made between the ultra- cheapo models found in the supermarkets etc. and the ones you might find in more up-market stores, say John Lewis for reference? Are there power/electronic/microwave emission compromises made, and/or is it 'just' the usual finish/quality issues? I'd quite like a lightly smaller one than the old Sharp we have at the moment, & wondering if a cheap semi-disposable one is the way to go. Any specific recommendations for an ordinary 750W or similar gratefully received. I have a particular gripe against the use of 'digital' inputs (keypad etc.) to select an essentially analog variable (time), so I guess sensible ergonomics is a plus for me. Thanks jon N They all do the same job - cook food. Not very well compared to a proper oven, but they heat stuff up if you're in a hurry. The price difference reflects the fancy features you can get. Mine has a timer so I can set it to cook as I am driving home if I want, or set it to have a bite to eat ready in the morning. You can get them with bar code recognition which is crap and never took off and various wattages. The higher the wattage the faster it cooks. Mine also has "inverter" plastered over it. Instead of pulsing on and off at full power for a "medium" setting, it reduces the supply and cooks constantly on medium if you see what I mean. Mine also has a convection oven which is more like an infra red oven, burning rather than heating! I prefer a proper oven, can't beat them. I would get a really cheap one and just use it for warming stuff up, then throw it out after a few years when it blows up! I would never buy an expensive microwave again. The last one was £250 and lasted 10 years. The one after was £159 from Costco and lasted 2 years. The current one is from Currys and cost £109. |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
In message , Frank Erskine
writes I'm sure the turntable pleases itself which way it turns, much like ancient synchronous electric clocks! Spot on. The cheaper motors are synchronous motors and do indeed please themselves in the direction of rotation when turned on. In the clocks there was supposed to be a mechanism that would stop it winding the wrong way, but they often gunk up or wear out meaning you have to switch the old clocks on and off a few times until they run in the right direction. The random direction nature of cheap synchronous motors means they are often used in disco lights where they will bounce the light about in random directions when their power is pulsed on and off to the beat. If you stall one of these motors it just goes into reverse and carries on running. -- Clive Mitchell http://www.bigclive.com |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
I'm sure the turntable pleases itself which way it turns, much like ancient synchronous electric clocks! They all do, because they *are* powered with a self-starting synchronous motor with no mechanical direction-of-rotation inhibit. http://snipurl.com/1cplk -- Graham. %Profound_observation% |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:47:37 GMT, Clive Mitchell
wrote: In message , Frank Erskine writes I'm sure the turntable pleases itself which way it turns, much like ancient synchronous electric clocks! Spot on. The cheaper motors are synchronous motors and do indeed please themselves in the direction of rotation when turned on. In the clocks there was supposed to be a mechanism that would stop it winding the wrong way, but they often gunk up or wear out meaning you have to switch the old clocks on and off a few times until they run in the right direction. Old clocks used to have a spinny-thing to twirl to get the clock going in the right direction, until the newfangled gizmo came along that was supposed to nudge it the right way. I still have a couple of clocks like that - the newfangled type if I remember correctly. I bought them at a car-boot sale, purely for the old-fashioned maroon twisted flex they were attached to, to use for theatre practical props... -- Frank Erskine Better smeg than shed |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
jkn wrote:
Hi all I'm thinking of getting a new microwave. Not my favourite bit of kitchen equipment by a long way. I was wondering ... what are the economies made between the ultra- cheapo models found in the supermarkets etc. and the ones you might find in more up-market stores, say John Lewis for reference? Basically they are all te same power unit I reckon, just in fancier cases with more gimmickty hung around. I am stll using a 7 year olkd model that has a mechanical timer, and a power levels switch, and that does all I need.. No complex dials saying '1 baked potatao' - '2 baked potaoes' '3 pot noodles' etc. tec. Are there power/electronic/microwave emission compromises made, and/or is it 'just' the usual finish/quality issues? I'd quite like a lightly smaller one than the old Sharp we have at the moment, & wondering if a cheap semi-disposable one is the way to go. Any specific recommendations for an ordinary 750W or similar gratefully received. I have a particular gripe against the use of 'digital' inputs (keypad etc.) to select an essentially analog variable (time), so I guess sensible ergonomics is a plus for me. Just buy the cheapest bit of **** you can. The rest is all fluff and ******** anyway. Thanks jon N |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
I am the same. Panasonic all singing, all dancing and I cant be a**ed to
even find the manual. I can't even set the clock on my Panasonic - whenever I try, the display scrolls "please read the manual" (sod that, i'm a bloke ffs) Other than that, flawless performance and i'd recommend them to anyone ! |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
In message , Owain
writes around here the supermarkets are knocking cheapos out for £24 The same model appears in several slightly different fascias and colours. My Tesco £25 is acceptably adequate. With the added advantage that when an "experiment" goes wrong you can just buy another one. (After ripping out the salvageable components.) For some entertainment type "microwave" into youtube to see all manner of dubious experiments. Incidentally, it's worth mentioning that the transformers inside microwaves put out several thousand volts at a high enough current to terminate your life instantly. Good fun to play with though. -- Clive Mitchell http://www.bigclive.com |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
In message , The Natural
Philosopher writes No complex dials saying '1 baked potatao' - '2 baked potaoes' '3 pot noodles' etc. tec. I looked through the manual and there wasn't even a special setting for light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, candles, CD's or even Dove soap. -- Clive Mitchell http://www.bigclive.com |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
jkn wrote:
I was wondering ... what are the economies made between the ultra- cheapo models found in the supermarkets etc. and the ones you might find in more up-market stores, say John Lewis for reference? Probably the only extra feature worth paying for is a stainless interior. The only "cleaver" thing we use on our panasonic is the ability to stick in a sequence of instructions (you know, the "Full Power for three mins, hold for two, medium for three" sort of stuff) (ours also has a grill facility that was nice in theory until not long after new, SWMBO decided it would be a good idea to soften some frozen butter in it, and over did the timing a tad. Net result was the butter exploded over the inside of the oven, coating the quartz heater element in lots of inaccessible places. Hence any attempt to use the grill now results in so much smoke generation the kitchen soon vanishes!) Any specific recommendations for an ordinary 750W or similar gratefully received. I have a particular gripe against the use of 'digital' inputs (keypad etc.) to select an essentially analog variable (time), so I guess sensible ergonomics is a plus for me. personally I like the digital controls, since it can be quite hard to differentiate short durations on some analogue ones - and on a more powerful oven it can make quite a big difference when you just want to heat something small. (e.g. slice of treacle tart - 20 secs, nice an warm, 30 secs, just boiled me tongue!) -- Cheers, John. /================================================== ===============\ | Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------| | John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \================================================= ================/ |
cheap microwaves - how come?
On Mar 11, 8:51 pm, "Phil L" wrote:
Andy Hall wrote: On 11 Mar 2007 14:47:23 -0700, "jkn" wrote: Hi all I'm thinking of getting a new microwave. Not my favourite bit of kitchen equipment by a long way. I was wondering ... what are the economies made between the ultra- cheapo models found in the supermarkets etc. and the ones you might find in more up-market stores, say John Lewis for reference? I wouldn't describe John Lewis as up-market, but still... Are there power/electronic/microwave emission compromises made, and/or is it 'just' the usual finish/quality issues? I've taken a look inside several owned by various members of the family, and it's pretty clear that the build quality is somewhat better in the better quality makes - Panasonic, Sharp etc. than in the £70 specials from the supermarket. *seventy* quid? - that's a dear one - around here the supermarkets are knocking cheapos out for £24- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Agree: El cheapos available here almost everywhere for as lttle as $50 Canadian. Roughly 25 quid! |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
"Doki" wrote in message ... I know you turn your nose up at Aldi and Lidl, but I'd say John Lewis is about the poshest place you can go shopping for Microwaves. Unless Bang and Olufsen / similar hifi bods have started making them... I can rebadge a Tesco one for you for £3000 if you want to be a snob. ;-) |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
"Graham" wrote in message ... I'm sure the turntable pleases itself which way it turns, much like ancient synchronous electric clocks! They all do, because they *are* powered with a self-starting synchronous motor with no mechanical direction-of-rotation inhibit. My aging Sharp - I keep it because it is set entirely by rotary knobs - always runs clockwise when viewed from above. Colin Bignell |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
"Ian" wrote in message ... They all do the same job - cook food. Not very well compared to a proper oven, but they heat stuff up if you're in a hurry. That depends on the food.. They are far better at cooking, fish, vegetables and xmas puds than a "real" oven. The price difference reflects the fancy features you can get. Mine has a timer so I can set it to cook as I am driving home if I want, or set it to have a bite to eat ready in the morning. Does it have a built in fridge to stop the stuff going off while it sits there? I always thought a combined fridge-microwave was a good idea.. maybe I should hack a £25 Tesco microwave and put a peltier cooler in it? I could put a B&O badge on it and make a fortune. ;-) You can get them with bar code recognition which is crap and never took off and various wattages. The higher the wattage the faster it cooks. Nit picking that should be the faster it heats. The power level doesn't determine how fast it cooks for many foods. Just how fast it overcooks. Mine also has "inverter" plastered over it. Instead of pulsing on and off at full power for a "medium" setting, it reduces the supply and cooks constantly on medium if you see what I mean. But it doesn't make any difference over switching it on and off unless you are cooking very small portions. Mine also has a convection oven which is more like an infra red oven, burning rather than heating! Cheap thing then. Mine has a fan oven that works just like a "real" one. I guess you get more if you spend £80 on a microwave. I prefer a proper oven, can't beat them. I would get a really cheap one and just use it for warming stuff up, then throw it out after a few years when it blows up! I would never buy an expensive microwave again. The last one was £250 and lasted 10 years. The one after was £159 from Costco and lasted 2 years. The current one is from Currys and cost £109. |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
In article ,
Ian wrote: They all do the same job - cook food. Not very well compared to a proper oven, but they heat stuff up if you're in a hurry. IMHO it's wrong to call them an oven because apart from heating stuff they more commonly do jobs you'd use the hob for. I cook most vegetables with mine - apart from root ones like potatoes. Although a baked potatoe can be speeded up by microwaving first before crisping the skin in a conventional oven. Some say they can tell the difference between vegetables steamed in a microwave and those steamed in a conventional way - I can't. What of course it doesn't do is 'boiled for a week' cabbage or sprouts so only really of use if you like them crunchy. -- *Happiness is seeing your mother-in-law on a milk carton Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
In article ,
Clive Mitchell wrote: I'm sure the turntable pleases itself which way it turns, much like ancient synchronous electric clocks! Spot on. The cheaper motors are synchronous motors and do indeed please themselves in the direction of rotation when turned on. Not on my Neff. It always rotates in the same direction unless you stop it mid stream to add something, etc. It will then run in the opposite direction. -- *Sleep with a photographer and watch things develop Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
In article ,
John Rumm wrote: Probably the only extra feature worth paying for is a stainless interior. In my case I paid a *lot* extra to get a built in type which matched the oven. They are in the same housing and if looks matter it was the only way. -- *Rehab is for quitters Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 09:44:48 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote: In article , Clive Mitchell wrote: I'm sure the turntable pleases itself which way it turns, much like ancient synchronous electric clocks! Spot on. The cheaper motors are synchronous motors and do indeed please themselves in the direction of rotation when turned on. Not on my Neff. It always rotates in the same direction unless you stop it mid stream to add something, etc. It will then run in the opposite direction. If it changes direction the food will get cold again ;-) -- Frank Erskine "Automatic door - push button to operate" |
cheap microwaves - how come?
In my case I paid a *lot* extra to get a built in type which matched the oven. They are in the same housing and if looks matter it was the only way. That's the sort I would never buy. When it goes wrong in a few years, you're going to have problems replacing it. The microwave will be obsolete, the kitchen design will also be obsolete and the manufacturers won't be interested. In answer to the OP, like many others have said, go for a basic unit that suits your needs. A higher power is useful. I don't find electronic timers help. A mechanical one is OK but can't take times less than about 30s. For these occasions, I just count the seconds. After all, cooking is not an exact science and you can always give the food a few more microwaves. It might be worth looking at comercial units. They are built to last and are much higher power than the domestic ones. FWIW, my 750W Phillips microwave has performed well since I bought it in 1987. It now needs a new light bulb. Not bad for 20 years use. John |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
In article , Ian
writes The higher the wattage the faster it cooks. Mine also has "inverter" plastered over it. Instead of pulsing on and off at full power for a "medium" setting, it reduces the supply and cooks constantly on medium if you see what I mean. I hadn't realised any actually modulated the power, what's the make & model. -- fred Plusnet - I hope you like vanilla |
cheap microwaves - how come?
On 12 Mar 2007 03:45:03 -0700 John wrote :
In answer to the OP, like many others have said, go for a basic unit that suits your needs. A higher power is useful. I don't find electronic timers help. A mechanical one is OK but can't take times less than about 30s. For these occasions, I just count the seconds. After all, cooking is not an exact science and you can always give the food a few more microwaves. This I would disagree on. On my microwave heating a mug of milk to make drinking chocolate is 1:50, not 1:40 and not 2:00. My first microwave lasted 15+ years. On the second, an enamel lined LG, I accidently left a bit of foil on something when it was almost new which arced and burnt off a little enamel under the turntable. Foolish I didn't touch it up and recently discovered it had rusted through, so to be on the cautious side I replaced with another £50 LG. Basically a nice unit, but still has the same software bug: open the door and occasionally the display reads garbage. And I missed the fact that in the interests of being shed shelf friend it has the useless auto cook stuff discussed previously and now omits the useful countdown timer. -- Tony Bryer SDA UK 'Software to build on' http://www.sda.co.uk |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
Graham wrote:
I'm sure the turntable pleases itself which way it turns, much like ancient synchronous electric clocks! They all do, because they *are* powered with a self-starting synchronous motor with no mechanical direction-of-rotation inhibit. http://snipurl.com/1cplk Our Panasonic always alternates direction each time you start it... -- Cheers, John. /================================================== ===============\ | Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------| | John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \================================================= ================/ |
cheap microwaves - how come?
Tony Bryer wrote:
This I would disagree on. On my microwave heating a mug of milk to make drinking chocolate is 1:50, not 1:40 and not 2:00. SWMBO has refined this to 1:23 on ours since that a) Gets it the temperature she likes, and b) wait for it, returns the handle of the mug to the same position by the door! -- Cheers, John. /================================================== ===============\ | Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------| | John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \================================================= ================/ |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
The difference is...
o Duty cycle -- how long they will last re failure risk & design life o Stainless interior -- for when you put eggs in & blow them up o Combination cooking -- grill, fan oven o Power -- however most are typically 800-950-1150W these days Spending a lot does not mean it will last forever, just do not expect to get the life of a 1980s £290 microwave for £35 today. You may be lucky or you may find it fails in 2-3 years. There are often 2 warranties, one for microwave, one (longer) for magnetron. For commercial usage spending more really does matter, because the Magnetron & PSU are upgraded to handle that duty cycle. Same reason top-end Miele washer last longer than bottom-end Hotpoint. For consumer use, I suspect most would prefer a stainless interior. Then it comes down to how often you use it (3x a day or 2x a week). -- Dorothy Bradbury |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:42:47 +0000, Owain
wrote: Clive Mitchell wrote: The same model appears in several slightly different fascias and colours. My Tesco £25 is acceptably adequate. With the added advantage that when an "experiment" goes wrong you can just buy another one. My cooking isn't *that* bad. But how do you manage to cook those deep fried pizzas in a microwave? -- ..andy |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
Andy Hall wrote:
On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:42:47 +0000, Owain wrote: Clive Mitchell wrote: The same model appears in several slightly different fascias and colours. My Tesco £25 is acceptably adequate. With the added advantage that when an "experiment" goes wrong you can just buy another one. My cooking isn't *that* bad. But how do you manage to cook those deep fried pizzas in a microwave? Take out the deep fried Mars bar first? -- Cheers, John. /================================================== ===============\ | Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------| | John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \================================================= ================/ |
cheap microwaves - how come?
Huge wrote:
On 2007-03-12, John Rumm wrote: Tony Bryer wrote: This I would disagree on. On my microwave heating a mug of milk to make drinking chocolate is 1:50, not 1:40 and not 2:00. SWMBO has refined this to 1:23 on ours since that a) Gets it the temperature she likes, and b) wait for it, returns the handle of the mug to the same position by the door! A mate's microwave always stops the turntable so it's in the same position it was when you started it. And ours always goes round the same way. And thats why some cost 250 quid, and the rest 25.. |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
In message , Owain
writes Cheaper to buy a microwave than a neon lighting transformer? Completely different beasts. The neon transformer is designed to limit it's output current to about 30mA and the voltage will tend to match the load within reason. A microwave transformer will deliver as much current through a neon tube as it can and then either blow the primary fuse or burn out. Tube will be nice and bright though. Briefly. -- Clive Mitchell http://www.bigclive.com |
cheap microwaves - how come?
In message , The Natural
Philosopher writes And ours always goes round the same way. And thats why some cost 250 quid, and the rest 25.. Boo Hoo! My Ready Brek is going anticlockwise. I wish I'd spent the extra 200 quid for one that offered consistent porridge direction. -- Jock McDumpling |
cheap microwaves - how come?
In article . com,
John wrote: In my case I paid a *lot* extra to get a built in type which matched the oven. They are in the same housing and if looks matter it was the only way. That's the sort I would never buy. When it goes wrong in a few years, you're going to have problems replacing it. The microwave will be obsolete, the kitchen design will also be obsolete and the manufacturers won't be interested. My last Neff microwave is still going strong in a neighbour's kitchen. And it dates back to the early '90s. However, if it did go wrong it can always be fixed like any electronics if the will is there. -- *Very funny Scotty, now beam down my clothes. Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 13:00:00 +0000, John Rumm
mused: Graham wrote: I'm sure the turntable pleases itself which way it turns, much like ancient synchronous electric clocks! They all do, because they *are* powered with a self-starting synchronous motor with no mechanical direction-of-rotation inhibit. http://snipurl.com/1cplk Our Panasonic always alternates direction each time you start it... Can't say as I've noted the direction of travel on ours. Doubt I ever will tbh, not something I really need\want to know! -- Regards, Stuart. |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
"Lurch" wrote in message ... On Mon, 12 Mar 2007 13:00:00 +0000, John Rumm mused: Graham wrote: I'm sure the turntable pleases itself which way it turns, much like ancient synchronous electric clocks! They all do, because they *are* powered with a self-starting synchronous motor with no mechanical direction-of-rotation inhibit. http://snipurl.com/1cplk Our Panasonic always alternates direction each time you start it... Perhaps g you haven't read the manual;- as shipped the devices are 'equatrorial' ex-factory. You need to set the dip-switcha to North or South 1 / 0 . {along with settings for language; time (metric or sexagesimal; weight (Kgs/grames/ ounces (avoidupois or Troy) etc. etc. } When the machine 'knows' which way the water goes down the plug-hole it'll attempt to match this. - a turntable which alternates direction of movement on turn-ON may be an indicor for the device thinking it's still on a ship in the Straits of Malaccca. {Some forward shippersset the dip switches while the ship is in the Singapore Roads prior to the devices being shipped on to UK. These devices may cost more that than cheaper models. Luckily a Water molecules is the same dimensions all over the planet and a microwave will 'flip'; the diamagnetc molecules no matter which way the turntable is going. HTH. Can't say as I've noted the direction of travel on ours. Doubt I ever will tbh, not something I really need\want to know! -- Regards, Stuart. Concur: who's got time to look through the glass window and comment; "Happen that turntable went t'other way'. Mother!" -- Brian |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember Frank Erskine saying something like: Not on my Neff. It always rotates in the same direction unless you stop it mid stream to add something, etc. It will then run in the opposite direction. If it changes direction the food will get cold again ;-) It's often occurred to me there's a fortune waiting for the inventor of the cooling device that can cool things in a domestic setting as fast as a microwave can heat them up. Blast freezers are a bit cumbersome for the average kitchen. -- Dave |
[slightly OT] cheap microwaves - how come?
We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember John Rumm saying something like: (ours also has a grill facility that was nice in theory until not long after new, SWMBO decided it would be a good idea to soften some frozen butter in it, and over did the timing a tad. Net result was the butter exploded over the inside of the oven, coating the quartz heater element in lots of inaccessible places. Hence any attempt to use the grill now results in so much smoke generation the kitchen soon vanishes!) I'm surprised at the demise of my last microwave. Fairly decent Sharp with loads of extra options which, of course, were rarely used. A carton of milk leaked in it and promptly caused the thing to constantly trip the RCD every time it was plugged in. What boggles me is the designers failing to take into account that internal spills are almost inevitable and siting a piece of mains circuitry beneath the level of the oven floor. -- Dave |
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