Today, almost every second home in the United States of America has a microwave. However, this wasn’t the case about 50 years ago.
Although they were used for commercial purposes since the 1950’s, the year 1967 saw America’s first home-use microwaves being sold by Amana Corporation. This became possible due to the miniaturization of technology and cost cutting due to which these commercial microwaves were able to be manufactured in smaller sizes and at cheaper rates.
A little bit of history first
The first domestic microwave oven was christened, ‘radarange’, which was a name coined from the terms radar and range. But why ‘radar’? What is the connection between a radar and a microwave? This has a long, but rather interesting story to it.
Radar stands for, ‘radio detection and ranging’ and a magnetron is a device that produces it. This device was used in abundance during World War II. However, the American army was falling short of magnetrons. Therefore, Percy Spencer, an engineer who worked with Raytheon and was given the task of revving up the production of the magnetron.
So Spencer began work. During one of his stints where he was working with a live magnetron, Spencer noticed that a piece of candy in his pocket had melted. Suspecting it was the radar from the magnetron at play, he experimented again, only this time consciously and with a raw egg. He pointed a radar beam towards the egg and his suspicion was confirmed, as the egg exploded due to quick heating. And then a series of experiments continued one of which included corn kernels that turned into popcorn when they were subject to radar emission. And this was the advent of microwave ovens. Spencer then went on to patent his findings and this is how the first microwave came into existence.
Businesses began adopting the technology founded by Spencer and soon ‘radarange’ came to be known as the microwave. Owing to the short wavelength of the radio waves used in cooking, as compared to the longer wavelengths of radio waves used in telecommunication, this technology was rechristened from the ‘radarange’ to the microwave (another term for a shortwave).
A few things to know about microwave cooking
The microwave has come a long way and has undergone a number of transformations since 1967. But all said and done, microwave ovens have certainly done us a world of good in the kitchen due to their rapid heating technology, thus making the whole cooking process a whole lot easier. So here’s to fifty years of microwaving!
Ever wondered what you would do without your cell phone? Or how you will reach work on time without your car or the public transport? Well, almost everything you see around you and every piece of machinery which has played a major role in making your life simpler and easier is the outcome of progress in the field of technology.
With changing times and varying demands, some of these technological innovations that were earlier considered a luxury, have now become a necessity. This is applicable to the air conditioners as well. Air conditioners were once considered to be a luxury, but the fact that the weather has started getting warmer and warmer each year, air conditioners have become quite necessary. Even schools and workplaces have acknowledged the fact that they cannot function without air conditioners since smoldering heat can leave everyone distressed.
There are various things to be considered when one sets out to buy an air conditioner. For instance, you have to determine how much should be the air conditioner’s capacity, the price, the air quality, the type of air conditioner, and lastly, the after-purchase services offered by the company. After coming to a conclusion about which air conditioner will meet your demands, you need to figure out where to buy it from.
Air conditioners can be bought from stores or even online. Online shopping has become a rage since all you have to do is select the item you wish to purchase and add it to the cart, pay for it online, and it will be delivered to your doorstep within the given date.
Here are some amazing online stores where you can order your air conditioners from.
Wall ovens are one the great cooking appliances that every individual should have in their kitchen. From cooking meats to baking cakes, you can carry out most functions with wall ovens very effortlessly.
Wall ovens are a great alternative to standard all-in-one ranges of ovens, especially if you have the budget and the kitchen space that can accommodate the same. These types of oven are placed high on the wall and do not occupy too much of space on the surface of the kitchen floor. Unlike with other ovens, you do not have to bend over during cooking. Movement of heavy food items is much more convenient with wall ovens.
A wall oven is a big investment and you should make certain considerations when choosing one. There are many factors that will determine the final purchase and here are a few:
Cost or price-range: It comes as no surprise, wall ovens do come at an exorbitant price. You can not expect to find a very cheap option as the appliance is a heavy commodity. Wall ovens are available in a range that is anywhere between $500 to $4000 depending on the brand and the features that it packs. The models that are available in the below $1000 bracket are entry-level single wall ovens that do not come with extra features. The cost of the appliance will determine the kind of quality and features it packs.
Fuel: Wall ovens are either powered by gas or electricity. However, it is the electric wall ovens that have taken over the gas-fuel variants. While gas ovens are still popular among cooking-enthusiasts, they are much more expensive and come at a higher maintenance cost. Electric wall ovens come in a broader range and more function controls.
Size: Wall ovens are available in different inch sizes. The size you decide upon should abide by the kitchen space or slot that you have available. Usually, wall ovens are available in standard sizes that range from 24-inches, 27-inches and 3–inches. However, the size does vary from brand to brand, and it is advisable to stay loyal to a brand if you are considering a change in the model a few years down the line.
Controls: Today, most wall ovens in the market come with controls that let one set the time and carry out cooking functions with much ease. The settings that come with this appliance vary from model to model. Electronic displays are the most common control panels, and they make user-experience extremely great. Wall ovens with a good control panel will cost a price above $1000.
Convection: Convection is a system that uses an internal fan which efficiently circulates the hot air through the oven compartment. The circulation of hot air in the oven compartment is believed to allow better cooking due to evenly distributed heat. This also consumes less time for cooking. Wall ovens with convection do cost a higher amount, and you have to decide if you wish to spend the additional premium. In case of high-end models, they are fitted with ‘true convection,’ this is an additional heating element that surrounds the fan.
Cleaning-system: Wall ovens are left with a lot of after-cooking mess that has to be cleaned regularly to avoid damage to the appliance. There are self-cleaning wall ovens that allow for the bottom to be cleaned. You can also consider manual-clean wall ovens if they suit your liking.
Considering the above factors very carefully will help you make the right choice. After all, a wall oven will stay with you at least for a few years.