"microwave oven" news and stories

Happy Microwave Oven Day!

Pioneered in 1946, the microwave oven was yet another "accidental" discovery of sorts -- Raytheon engineer Percy Spencer happened to walk by a microwave tube and notice that a candy bar in his pocket had melted, spurring him to research its power to cook food. Officially named the Radarange (but comically dubbed the "Speedie Weenie," for its ability to heat hot dogs in a flash), the first microwave oven weighed a whopping 670 pounds and stood nearly five feet tall -- hardly appropriate for household use. A microwave oven suited for home consumption didn't hit the market until 1955, but by 1976 the invention was used in 60% of American homes.

According to one research company, microwave ovens cook 22.5% of main meals in the U.S. today. In light of the economic downturn, more and more Americans are eating at home -- and it's no surprise microwave use is on the rise.

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Ever struggle trying to get juice from a lemon or lime? Here's a tip to make those juices flow!

So you dreamt about what you'd like to see in the kitchen of the future, right? Well, if it included being able to tell a machine to cook something without having to get up from in front of the tv, you don't have to wait for the future. You can do it now! I said now!

Daewoo's new microwave oven can hear me loud and clear. The countertop microwave oven has a brushed aluminum finish, and though it has a full keypad, it doesn't need it because this baby is voice-activated. It stores 40 commands and responds to anyone who speaks to it. Not only is it voice-activated, but it also has the ability to automatically determine the cooking time with 95% accuracy. Just hope that it's not popcorn in there the other 5% of the time (unless you're like me, who kind of likes the smell of burnt popcorn).

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