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this post was submitted on 10 Dec 2023
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I microwave at lower power settings for longer times, and I stop to stir and taste at regular intervals. My microwaved food is usually the temperature I want it to be.
Using low power on a microwave almost feels like cheating. For anyone unaware, a microwave can only be on or off, so setting a microwave to 50% power really just makes the microwave run for only half of the total runtime. A minute at 50% will be on for 10s, off for ten, etc.
It cooks way better, especially things like stews or other semi-liquidy things that tend to get hot and cold spots.
Edit: looks like my info is old considering my microwave is from 2004, lol. In 2006, LG patented using an inverter to drive the magnetron. The main benefit (according to the patent documentation) is that it's cheaper to produce. A secondary benefit is that you can, in fact, provide lower power to the magnetron. Seems like a handful of producers must be paying LG to use that method, but probably more will start when the patent expires next year.
I haven't seen one in the wild, but they are out there.
That used to be correct. I bought a microwave with an inverter and it can actually heat constantly at different power levels. Curiously, it has a 0 Watt power level as well 🤷🏻♂️
I guess maybe it's so you could do like a programmed cook that does have a 0 watt period?
No, pretty much any microwave by Panasonic actually lowers the power. The difference is dramatic. Look for their "Inverter" logo. I'm not sure about other brands.
Wait, how can that be true?
Most microwaves have a dial to set Wattage. Is that a lie?
I've never seen this. The power setting on every microwave in my life has modified duty cycle. 30% power is 3s on, 7s off.
I've owned 2 microwaves and they had that dial with specific Wattage. That why I was surprised
I've never seen a dial set to wattage, but just a "power level". Either way, though, changing a microwave to only be on half the time will cut the average watts in half.
Here's GE's explanation of it. There are probably some fancy newer models that can do some different things, bit for the most part, it's just on or off. You can even hear it click on and off if you listen to it run.
I've owned 2 microwaves and they had that dial with specific Wattage. That why I was surprised
Wattage as averaged over a second, yes it's a lie. Wattage as averaged over a minute, it might be true. ;)
Same.