Something that I’ve noticed across most of the microwave ovens that I’ve used is that when they hum while cooking food, I can pick out 2 distinct tones. One of them is pretty clearly 60 120 hz, the 2nd harmonic of the AC power frequency. The other is consistently a minor 7th above that (which would be somewhere around 106-108 212-214 hz depending on the exact ratio). What causes this 2nd frequency to be produced?
Edit: after checking against a tone generator, the low frequency is actually 120 hz, double the grid frequency. The question is still the same, just an octave higher.
Do people actually use microwaves for cooking or is that just a meme?
I like how instead of imagining there might be something you don’t know about microwaves, you just kind of assumed everyone bought a dust and popcorn machine for no reason. It’s such an “am I so out of touch?” moment.
Op uses it for music
What do you use it for?!
Collecting dust. Popcorn.
Literally nothing is cookable in a microwave without it being disgusting
frozen peas
it strikes me as weird that somebody operating on your level of elitism considers microwave popcorn acceptable
Disgusting how?
I mostly use mine for reheating stuff, but cook the occasional two minute noodles or frozen pie. Never had it be disgusting, at worst it can be cold if not done long enough. Cutting the food up and stiring it around halfway through helps.
Yup, also primarily use it for reheating food. Sometimes, when I’m lazy and just want sth to eat, I’ll make myself microwave potatoes. And I also use it to defrost frozen vegetables or fruit sometimes.
However, when I was living in a one bedroom apartment, which didn’t have an oven in the kitchen-corner, I had a microwave with integrated oven and with that I was able to bake myself anything that fits into a pizza sized round baking tray. Still love that thing. It’s a 30 y/o hand me down Siemens from my uncle that still works perfectly. It’s also rather large (about twice the size of a normal microwave) and sadly doesn’t fit into my current kitchen…
What do you think is happening to the popcorn when you put it in the microwave?
Anyway, microwave popcorn is disgusting.
How do you recommend cooking popcorn, Mr Blumenthal?
In a popcorn popper … or a pot.
Right tools for the job, eh
Reheating, generally.
30s-1min in a microwave will make old bread soft again
30s will melt cheese
other than that, I use it for reheating food and heating up spiced wine.
Yes, microwaves are a poor substitute for an oven but they work fine for vegetables that you might otherwise use a steamer to cook. Stuff like broccoli, beans, carrot pieces etc. Corn on the cob works well too, just give it a few minutes in the microwave with the husk still on.
Anything that’s ok mushy, really. You can also use it to start cooking something that you finish somewhere else.