#151044 - 27/03/2003 04:45
Microwaves ovens are dumb
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 21/07/1999
Posts: 1765
Loc: Brisbane, Queensland, Australi...
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if anyone can produce evidence otherwise, I'll stand humbly corrected.
Microwave smarts do not appear to have changed in the last ten years
Here's a list of things I want on a microwave oven
- permanent clock. One of the main things a microwave has become is a chronograph. Why not keep the clock on all the time?
- Separate time remaining/countdown display. This should be the same or smaller type of display as the clock with high visibility VFD numerals.
- An LCD for menu control functions
- a Jog wheel for easy adjustment and selection of features
- a funtion to add time to the current cooking time
- a function to adjust the power/temperature without stopping and resetting the cooking process.
- a current temperature display
- a touch screen would be great too
- comm or ethernet port for remote interrogation / notification when my coffee/danish has re-heated while i'm working in my study.
- hijackable kernel or at least upgradeable OS
- a robotic maid to bring the coffee to me
Ok, maybe the last one is a feature for next year but are there any other features to add?
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I What part of 'no' don't you understand?
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#151045 - 27/03/2003 05:13
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: muzza]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 09/08/2000
Posts: 2091
Loc: Edinburgh, Scotland
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Well, they aren't all bad:
permanent clock. One of the main things a microwave has become is a chronograph. Why not keep the clock on all the time?
Mine has this - and I like it. It does die if power cuts last too long, though.
Separate time remaining/countdown display. This should be the same or smaller type of display as the clock with high visibility VFD numerals.
Yup, got this too. It rocks:-)
An LCD for menu control functions
Don't understand what you mean.
a Jog wheel for easy adjustment and selection of features
Give me a keypad over a jog wheel anyday.
a funtion to add time to the current cooking time
I thought this had been standard from the days of clockwork timers.
a function to adjust the power/temperature without stopping and resetting the cooking process.
Could be useful. Mine does it, but you have to pause and then unpause.
a current temperature display
The high end ones give you a thermometer which gives you a core reading, on the front panel. They're cool!
a touch screen would be great too
Not after a couple of years when bits of food become embedded 
comm or ethernet port for remote interrogation / notification when my coffee/danish has re-heated while i'm working in my study.
A loud beep or ping often suffices.
hijackable kernel or at least upgradeable OS
a robotic maid to bring the coffee to me
Erm....okay...not sure about these.
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MkIIa, blue lit buttons, memory upgrade, 1Tb in Subaru Forester STi
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#151046 - 27/03/2003 07:39
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: muzza]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12318
Loc: Sterling, VA
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Well, that sounds like a pretty expensive microwave.
Like he said, I have a clock on mine. My cook time clock is not seperate, but i have an oven clock beneath it so that doesn't matter.
I don't need a jog dial. That would be annoying. The primary use of a microwave for me is for quick heating (hardly ever defrosting). For example, Campbell's Chunky soup takes 3 minutes to cook. On my microwave, you just need to press the "3" button for quick heating.
I am also able to adjust power level while cooking (without pausing), and add time in 30 second increments.
As for a robotic maid, maybe Honda can help you out.
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Matt
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#151047 - 27/03/2003 08:01
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: frog51]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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a funtion to add time to the current cooking time I thought this had been standard from the days of clockwork timers. If anyone knows of a microwave that can be purchased in the US that has this feature, I'd like to know about it.
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Bitt Faulk
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#151048 - 27/03/2003 08:06
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: wfaulk]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
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I have a Samsung 1000W microwave I bought 2 years ago with a big button to add 1 minute to the current cooking time. Each time you hit it, you add 1 minute. It is very handy.
My parents have a new GE Profile microwave with a +30 seconds button.
If this thread is still alive when I get home, I will post my microwave's model number.
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80GB 16MB MK2 090000736
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#151049 - 27/03/2003 08:54
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: robricc]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 13/07/2000
Posts: 4172
Loc: Cambridge, England
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I have a Samsung 1000W microwave I bought 2 years ago with a big button to add 1 minute to the current cooking time. Each time you hit it, you add 1 minute. It is very handy. My Samsung (M6245) bought more like seven years ago has the same button. If you press it while it's not currently cooking, it starts up for 1 minute at 100%. I very rarely use any other button except the door-opening one.
Peter
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#151050 - 27/03/2003 09:17
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: peter]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
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If you press it while it's not currently cooking, it starts up for 1 minute at 100% Mine also does this. I use that feature a lot when cooking frozen White Castles or burritos.
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-Rob Riccardelli
80GB 16MB MK2 090000736
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#151051 - 27/03/2003 09:35
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: muzza]
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 08/02/2002
Posts: 3411
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hijackable kernel or at least upgradeable OS
I think that's the most important!
Seriously though, you're right. Most microwaves UIs are still in the relative dark ages. My microwave clock is rarely set correct. Brownouts are so common that it often loses time. Usually just after I've resigned myself to setting it again.  Give me an ethernet port and a linux based OS, and I'll use ntpdate to keep it sync'd to my server.
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#151052 - 27/03/2003 09:36
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: robricc]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 09/08/2000
Posts: 2091
Loc: Edinburgh, Scotland
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ALthough my favourite (favorite if you prefer) button has a big star and CHAOS DEFROST written on it.
I've been too scared to find out what it does...
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Rory
MkIIa, blue lit buttons, memory upgrade, 1Tb in Subaru Forester STi
MkII, 240Gb in Mark Lord dock
MkII, 80Gb SSD in dock
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#151053 - 27/03/2003 09:51
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: frog51]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 17/01/2002
Posts: 3995
Loc: Manchester UK
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Probably opens some kind to worm hole to another dimension for the sole purpose of warming your food. Bet it uses quite a bit of electricity to do it... 
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Andy M
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#151054 - 27/03/2003 09:55
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: wfaulk]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 27/06/1999
Posts: 7058
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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If anyone knows of a microwave that can be purchased in the US that has this feature, I'd like to know about it. Most microwaves by Sharp have a "Minute Plus" button which does it.
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#151055 - 27/03/2003 09:56
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: tonyc]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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Damn it. I'm behind the times. I guess I need to get rid of my rotary-dial microwave, huh?
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Bitt Faulk
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#151056 - 27/03/2003 09:58
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: wfaulk]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 13/07/2000
Posts: 4172
Loc: Cambridge, England
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Damn it. I'm behind the times. I guess I need to get rid of my rotary-dial microwave, huh? Dude, you were scammed. Some bastard sold you an Aga.
Peter
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#151057 - 27/03/2003 10:00
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: wfaulk]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 27/06/1999
Posts: 7058
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Damn it. I'm behind the times. I guess I need to get rid of my rotary-dial microwave, huh? I guess, but if you're like me, you'll find yourself missing the satisfying "ding!" of a real bell, instead of the annoying "BEEP BEEP BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP" of most modern microwaves. The last microwave with a rotary dial I used was in my freshman dormitory at Penn State where they had combination microwave-fridge units with a microwave on the top that was so small you practically had to cut your microwave popcorn bags in quarters and microwave them separately.
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#151058 - 27/03/2003 10:04
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: peter]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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Some bastard sold you an Aga. Whoosh.
/me passes his hand over his head.
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Bitt Faulk
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#151059 - 27/03/2003 10:10
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: genixia]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12318
Loc: Sterling, VA
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Most microwaves UIs are still in the relative dark ages You're kidding, right? when I can open the door, put food in, and press one button to make food, how could you possibly improve the "user interface"? I'd say that it sounds like most of the people here own microwaves that can do this, too, so I wouldn't say most.
By the way, mine is a GE Spacemaker, model # JVM1630WB 002. This might be the kind Rob is talking about. It's a built-in though. It substitutes for an oven hood/light too.
Ding! Oooo, my delicious clam chowder is done...
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Matt
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#151060 - 27/03/2003 10:12
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: genixia]
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old hand
Registered: 18/08/2000
Posts: 992
Loc: Georgetown, TX USA
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Most microwaves UIs are still in the relative dark ages.
That's probably why they're so cheap nowdays, they're pretty much disposable. No more high dollar R&D it's all just production. Crank 'em out and sell 'em for $89 at Fry's Electronics.
BTW I have the 1 minute button, that and the timer (no-cook mode) is all I really need. Oh and the door open button...
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Dave Clark
Georgetown, Texas
MK2A 42Gb - AnoFace - Smoke Lens - Dead Tuner - Sirius Radio on AUX
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#151061 - 27/03/2003 10:18
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: wfaulk]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 10/06/1999
Posts: 5914
Loc: Wivenhoe, Essex, UK
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#151062 - 27/03/2003 10:28
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: andy]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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Yeah, I found that, but I don't see what that has to do with rotary-dial microwaves. They just look like ranges to me.
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Bitt Faulk
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#151063 - 27/03/2003 10:36
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: wfaulk]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 10/06/1999
Posts: 5914
Loc: Wivenhoe, Essex, UK
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In think he was suggesting that the technology level of a rotary dial microwave was on par with a range...
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#151064 - 27/03/2003 10:40
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: andy]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 13/07/2000
Posts: 4172
Loc: Cambridge, England
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In think he was suggesting that the technology level of a rotary dial microwave was on par with a range... Yeah, OK, that was a bit obscure, sorry.
Peter
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#151065 - 27/03/2003 11:03
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: Dignan]
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 08/02/2002
Posts: 3411
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I presume you're looking at the use of one specific feature - the 'One Minute' feature.
Now why is that *so* useful. Perhaps because for a lot of stuff that you cook, it's easier to guesstimate the amount of cooktime needed than it is to use the 'Tell The Microwave What It's Cooking And It's Weight' feature? Get my point?
If I could take a piece of chicken out of the freezer, put it in the microwave and hit 'defrost' or 'cook' without having to look at the little sticker in the door that tells me which program I need, and without having to enter the weight, then the UI would be much improved.
A decent display and rotary dial could handle the first requirement. Turn the dial until it displays 'Chicken'. Then if the microwave had a built in scale, the second requirement could be met. Press the defrost button.
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#151066 - 27/03/2003 11:07
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: genixia]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 27/06/1999
Posts: 7058
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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If I could take a piece of chicken out of the freezer, put it in the microwave and hit 'defrost' or 'cook' without having to look at the little sticker in the door that tells me which program I need, and without having to enter the weight, then the UI would be much improved.
A decent display and rotary dial could handle the first requirement. Turn the dial until it displays 'Chicken'. Then if the microwave had a built in scale, the second requirement could be met. Press the defrost button. But does it run Linux?
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#151068 - 27/03/2003 11:55
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: genixia]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
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The empeg microwave lets you dial in the foodstuff, and then consistantly undercooks it. That's what the +1 minute button is for.
Rob
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#151069 - 27/03/2003 12:02
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: rob]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31569
Loc: Seattle, WA
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The empeg microwave For a moment, I thought you guys were branching out into new product lines.
I think you meant to say... the microwave at Empeg Towers...
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#151070 - 27/03/2003 12:07
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: muzza]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 13/09/1999
Posts: 2401
Loc: Croatia
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My old Moulinex has most of those features (well, at least those that don't require mlord and pca to implement them ), plus conventional fan-assisted hot air oven and broiler. Of course, all these functions can be combined.
I do use it mostly as a clock and coffe warmer.
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#151071 - 27/03/2003 12:08
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: tfabris]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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I think the joke would have worked on Bitt if you'd said "Toaster Oven" instead of "Aga". Now, that would have been funny.
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Bitt Faulk
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#151072 - 27/03/2003 12:24
Re: Microwaves ovens are dumb
[Re: tfabris]
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 08/02/2002
Posts: 3411
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Curiously enough, I was wondering earlier whether it'd eventually be possible to interface the tuner kits' additional IO lines to a microwaves control unit. Then just embed a dock and speakers into a case that mates with the microwave, and you'd have the ultimate microwave. Of course, someone would need to write empcook.
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