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submitted 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) by olsonexi@lemmy.wtf to c/askscience@lemmy.world

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.

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[-] CameronDev@programming.dev 5 points 11 months ago

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.

[-] accideath@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago

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…

this post was submitted on 30 Nov 2023
69 points (94.8% liked)

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