My microwave has a bunch of different modes. Most of them are a bit more complex than “run at X power for Y seconds”. Like, the “defrost” or “potato” settings (yes there is a “potato” setting) will cycle the power on and off in bursts, which gives you more even defrosting and less explosive potatoes.
lime@feddit.nu 5 hours ago
…that’s just low power mode. magnetrons are designed for a particular input power so the only way to “lower” it is to pulse them.
Eheran@lemmy.world 4 hours ago
Imagine thinking you are so special with a pulsing microwave, unlike the casual plebs, just to find out you are one of them.
AnAmericanPotato@programming.dev 4 hours ago
Well TIL.
I’ve been lied to all my life!
emeralddawn45@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 hours ago
I mean most microwaves I use have a scale of 1-10 for power that changes how long it pulses for. For heating up leftovers with different densities it can be really handy, or anything that’s like multiple different types of food. Full plates of thanksgiving leftovers or Chinese food come to mind. Instead of ending up with some things being molten and some being cold in the center, chuck that baby on for 60-70% power and it really helps to distribute the heat more evenly.
snooggums@piefed.world 9 minutes ago
Yeah, microwave power settings are like the dial on the stove top. People don’t try to cook most things on the stove with the dial maxed out and they shouldn’t use full power on the microwave most of the time for the same reason.