olsonexiNov 30, 2023

Why do many microwave ovens hum in an interval of a minor 7th?

https://lemmy.wtf/post/2437281

Why do many microwave ovens hum in an interval of a minor 7th? - Lemmy.wtf

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 hz from the AC power frequency. The other is consistently a minor 7th above that (which would be somewhere around 106-108 hz depending on the exact ratio). What causes this 2nd frequency to be produced?

Show threadMr_BlottNov 30, 2023
Do people actually use microwaves for cooking or is that just a meme?
Show threadCameronDevNov 30, 2023
What do you use it for?!
Show threadMr_BlottNov 30, 2023

Collecting dust. Popcorn.

Literally nothing is cookable in a microwave without it being disgusting

Show threadElderWendigoNov 30, 2023
Maybe you’re just doing it wrong. It’s a poor craftsman that blames their tools. I don’t get mad at the toaster for being bad at boiling water.
Show threadMr_BlottNov 30, 2023

I’ve been trying to think of things that a microwave is better for, and could only think of melting butter. Though a small saucepan does that too.

A fan oven or a frying pan or a grill all cook stuff 10x better than a microwave

A craftsman wouldn’t use the worst tool for the job, after all

Show threadThereforeNov 30, 2023

Microwaves are fantastic cooking tools, and I’m pretty confident you’re not using yours to its potential. Defrosting, reheating, steaming, boiling. Does it all in half the time with half the mess. All those settings on the keypad do something good. Most people just wack a few numbers in and let the microwave literally cremate the food on full power. Those reheat and defrost settings apply microwave then switch to low or no power, leaving the applied heat to radiate internally before repeating. Different densities and starting temperatures are accounted for.

Obviously you wouldn’t cook a stir fry or a steak in a microwave. Potatoes before roasting though? Dumplings? Frozens? Yes please Mike.

Show threadHerrBeterNov 30, 2023
Mashed potatoes : Dice small, 10-15min Rice: 1,5dl water to 1dl rice, 10-12min I could go on. It’s a big water heater
Show threadSpaceNoodleNov 30, 2023
Why have I not been microwaving rice? Does this affect the texture at all?
Show threadHerrBeter
Only if you don’t turn down the power, you want full effect to get in to temp and then turn it down to keep temperature steady
Nov 30, 2023 at 11:03pmWeb
Show threadSpaceNoodleNov 30, 2023
So, not what you said, then
Show threadHerrBeterDec 1, 2023

I don’t think I specified, but much like cooking rice on a stove top you won’t run it at the same temperature. The microwave will use less energy than a traditional stove top, not sure about induction ones. And after learning to boil things with it, I do it all the time.

Just get it to boiling then 450 then if needed 300