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My ideal microwave would have two buttons.

1: The first two times you push it, it sets the timer to 0:30 and starts cooking. The next time, adds 0:30. Each time after that, it adds 1 minute and starts cooking.

2. Reset the timer to 0.

And a door latch which stops cooking.

I don't need power levels, or more precise timing, or any of that other stuff.



I just press "Start" on my microwave and it uses sensors to cook. Works at least as well as I do with guessing times.

For something like popcorn with a set time (2 min 20 s is perfect on ours, 10s too much and it burns), it's twist the dial then press start.


I think I had such a bad time with sensors in the 80s I've never trusted them since. :)


Which model is that?


Hitachi MRO-W1A


but power levels are amazing for reheating (around 50%) and defrosting (around 25%)

and I would argue these are two of the major reasons to use a microwave


Power levels are essential to me. I thought all microwave ovens were borderline useless to heat/cook food unless you don't care about how the food comes out. Learning to use power levels really improved the usefulness of the machine.

Particularly for defrosting things and softening butter.


Does cooking for 4 minutes at 50% really yield a significant difference to compared to 2 minutes at 100% then waiting 2 minutes? I'm curious.


Yes, it's a massive difference.


This is the nearest I've seen to that: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Russell-Hobbs-RHEM2301B-Flatbed-Mic...

Four buttons: Microwave, Defrost, Stop, Start.

Defrost is 40% power. It is a flatbed, so no turntable to clean.


What an asinine solution. A button that doesn’t work consistently. How are you going to set 1:30 (which is very common)? Or 55? You’re going to stand there and press that one button 57 times? What about defrosting where you want a low power level? Or soups? Or a hundred other examples. How does having a number pad ruin the experience?


>What an asinine solution

Please be nice. This isn't Reddit.

> A button that doesn’t work consistently.

A button that is context-aware.

>How are you going to set 1:30 (which is very common)?

Good point. It should add 30 seconds until it gets to 2:00 then do 60 second increments.

>Or 55?

55 minutes is not a thing I ever do with a microwave.

>What about defrosting where you want a low power level?

I already said I don't use power levels. If I want to defrost, I just cook for a few minutes then let it sit for a long time, or use some other method.

>Or soups?

Assuming you mean a tub of frozen soup, I usually cook for 5 minutes, stir, do another few minutes, etc.

> Or a hundred other examples.

There are not a hundred other examples. That's the point. The vast majority of the time I'm heating at full power for short periods of time.

> How does having a number pad ruin the experience?

It doesn't ruin anything. But it costs money to implement.


> What an asinine solution

"Why does not everyone have the same opinions and preferences as I do?!"


Commercial microwaves for restaurants are like that.


Ah, nice. Do you know any brands/models?




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