Microwave turntable direction

[Tom Del Rosso]

Some microwaves have turntables that turn in alternate directions each time
they start. Why the heck is that?


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[Franc Zabkar]

On Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:43:20 -0400, "Tom Del Rosso"
<td_03@att.net.invalid> put finger to keyboard and composed:

Some microwaves have turntables that turn in alternate directions each time
they start. Why the heck is that?

I believe that's just a characteristic of the type of motor that is
often used.

See this discussion at aus.electronics:
http://groups.google.com/group/aus.electronics/browse_thread/thread/f923f4653eb17f79/d4a2211cf45dbf8c?lnk=st&q=#d4a2211cf45dbf8c

- Franc Zabkar
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[Claude Hopper]

Tom Del Rosso wrote:

Some microwaves have turntables that turn in alternate directions each time
they start. Why the heck is that?


It's so your food will cook more evenly. Many directions are to

microwave for a few minutes, open and stir contents, then continue a few
more minutes. It's more through to run the food past the microwaves in
both directions.

 

[Arfa Daily]

"Claude Hopper" <boobooililililil@roadrunner.com> wrote in message
news:rZudnWlVfs1Qw2PVnZ2dnUVZ_r7inZ2d@giganews.com...

Tom Del Rosso wrote:
Some microwaves have turntables that turn in alternate directions each
time
they start. Why the heck is that?


It's so your food will cook more evenly. Many directions are to
microwave for a few minutes, open and stir contents, then continue a few
more minutes. It's more through to run the food past the microwaves in
both directions.

Based on what all of my microwave ovens have done, including the one
currently in use at home, and the two we use in my wife's cafe, the
direction of rotation appears to be completely random, and I would suspect,
a function of the motor type, as Franc suggests. I would also be surprised,
given the way that the microwaves bounce around the oven cavity almost
infinitely, that the direction of rotation of the turntable would have the
slightest effect on the eveness of the microwave penetration, and cooking
efficacy.

Arfa

 

[William Sommerwerck]

It's so your food will cook more evenly. Many directions are to
microwave for a few minutes, open and stir contents, then
continue a few more minutes. It's more thorough to run the food
past the microwaves in both directions.

No, it's not. It shouldn't make any difference, as the food is subjected to
the same "pattern" regardless of which way the table turns.

My guess is that it's to even out the wear.

 

[hr(bob) hofmann@att.net]

On Oct 21, 6:00 pm, Claude Hopper <boobooililili...@roadrunner.com>
wrote:

Tom Del Rosso wrote:
Some microwaves have turntables that turn in alternate directions each time
they start.  Why the heck is that?

It's so your food will cook more evenly. Many directions are to
microwave for a few minutes, open and stir contents, then continue a few
more minutes. It's more through to run the food past the microwaves in
both directions.

NO

 

[hr(bob) hofmann@att.net]

On Oct 21, 6:47 pm, "Arfa Daily" <arfa.da...@ntlworld.com> wrote:

"Claude Hopper" <boobooililili...@roadrunner.com> wrote in message

news:rZudnWlVfs1Qw2PVnZ2dnUVZ_r7inZ2d@giganews.com...

Tom Del Rosso wrote:
Some microwaves have turntables that turn in alternate directions each
time
they start.  Why the heck is that?

It's so your food will cook more evenly. Many directions are to
microwave for a few minutes, open and stir contents, then continue a few
more minutes. It's more through to run the food past the microwaves in
both directions.

Based on what all of my microwave ovens have done, including the one
currently in use at home, and the two we use in my wife's cafe, the
direction of rotation appears to be completely random, and I would suspect,
a function of the motor type, as Franc suggests. I would also be surprised,
given the way that the microwaves bounce around the oven cavity almost
infinitely, that the direction of rotation of the turntable would have the
slightest effect on the eveness of the microwave penetration, and cooking
efficacy.

Arfa

Yes

 

[hr(bob) hofmann@att.net]

On Oct 21, 7:52 pm, "William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgee...@comcast.net>
wrote:

It's so your food will cook more evenly. Many directions are to
microwave for a few minutes, open and stir contents, then
continue a few more minutes. It's more thorough to run the food
past the microwaves in both directions.

No, it's not. It shouldn't make any difference, as the food is subjected to
the same "pattern" regardless of which way the table turns.

My guess is that it's to even out the wear.

It a function of the type of motor used, it is much smaller to make a
motor that will turn in either direction than one that always turns in
the same direction. If you look at some extremely small motors, some
have a ratchet and tiny gear that only allow them to turn in one
direction, but the ratchet and gear take up space and cost extra $$
and so Uwaves don't bother to use them.. The direction of rotation
does nothing unless you have a really wierd-shaped piece of food.

Bob Hofmann

 

[Puckdropper]

"William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote in
news:CeydnZD-tu455GPVnZ2dnUVZ_hqdnZ2d@comcast.com:

It's so your food will cook more evenly. Many directions are to
microwave for a few minutes, open and stir contents, then
continue a few more minutes. It's more thorough to run the food
past the microwaves in both directions.

No, it's not. It shouldn't make any difference, as the food is
subjected to the same "pattern" regardless of which way the table
turns.

My guess is that it's to even out the wear.

Maybe the change in direction is just to keep the user entertained while
their food heats. Just like the light bulb...

Puckdropper
--
If you're quiet, your teeth never touch your ankles.

To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm

 

[William Sommerwerck]

My guess is that it's to even out the wear.

It a function of the type of motor used, it is much smaller to make a
motor that will turn in either direction than one that always turns in
the same direction. If you look at some extremely small motors,
some have a ratchet and tiny gear that only allow them to turn in one
direction, but the ratchet and gear take up space and cost extra $$
and so Uwaves don't bother to use them.

Shades of the very first AR turntable. It used two motors, the smaller of
which was present to make sure the larger turned in the correct direction.

My InSinkErator changes direction on each cycle, but this is intentional.

 

[Samuel M. Goldwasser]

"William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> writes:

My guess is that it's to even out the wear.

It a function of the type of motor used, it is much smaller to make a
motor that will turn in either direction than one that always turns in
the same direction. If you look at some extremely small motors,
some have a ratchet and tiny gear that only allow them to turn in one
direction, but the ratchet and gear take up space and cost extra $$
and so Uwaves don't bother to use them.

Doubt it. 99.9999999999 percent of motors in consumer appliances and
electronics are either unidirectional or may have their direction changed
trivially by the electronics, and it doesn't cost more or take up more space
or cost more.

--
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Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is
ignored unless my full name AND either lasers or electronics is included in the
subject line. Or, you can contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.

Shades of the very first AR turntable. It used two motors, the smaller of
which was present to make sure the larger turned in the correct direction.

My InSinkErator changes direction on each cycle, but this is intentional.

 

[Claude Hopper]

Arfa Daily wrote:

"Claude Hopper" <boobooililililil@roadrunner.com> wrote in message
news:rZudnWlVfs1Qw2PVnZ2dnUVZ_r7inZ2d@giganews.com...
Tom Del Rosso wrote:
Some microwaves have turntables that turn in alternate directions each
time
they start. Why the heck is that?


It's so your food will cook more evenly. Many directions are to
microwave for a few minutes, open and stir contents, then continue a few
more minutes. It's more through to run the food past the microwaves in
both directions.

Based on what all of my microwave ovens have done, including the one
currently in use at home, and the two we use in my wife's cafe, the
direction of rotation appears to be completely random, and I would suspect,
a function of the motor type, as Franc suggests. I would also be surprised,
given the way that the microwaves bounce around the oven cavity almost
infinitely, that the direction of rotation of the turntable would have the
slightest effect on the eveness of the microwave penetration, and cooking
efficacy.

Arfa

Microwaves do not 'bounce around' in the oven. Microwaves are
directional, that's why you move the food. The microwave emitter does
not move.
Studies on choice of optimized regimes of RF plasma production/heating
in Uragan-3M were performed by
using microwave reflectometry. Radial profiles of electron density and
it fluctuation and poloidal rotation velocity
have been measured for different RF antenna configurations and confining
magnetic field direction. It was shown
that plasma parameters are changing at magnetic field reversal. Best
regime is that one when magnetic field
direction is “normal” (that one at which magnetic configuration was
“tuned” at magnetic surfaces studies). This
regime is characterized by higher value of electron density and by
higher value of poloidal rotation velocity shear.

 

[Claude Hopper]

William Sommerwerck wrote:

It's so your food will cook more evenly. Many directions are to
microwave for a few minutes, open and stir contents, then
continue a few more minutes. It's more thorough to run the food
past the microwaves in both directions.

No, it's not. It shouldn't make any difference, as the food is subjected to
the same "pattern" regardless of which way the table turns.

My guess is that it's to even out the wear.

Is that the offical dummy version?

 

[GregS]

In article <csCdnQ7sXaqBvWLVnZ2dnUVZ_uudnZ2d@giganews.com>, Claude Hopper <boobooililililil@roadrunner.com> wrote:

Arfa Daily wrote:
"Claude Hopper" <boobooililililil@roadrunner.com> wrote in message
news:rZudnWlVfs1Qw2PVnZ2dnUVZ_r7inZ2d@giganews.com...
Tom Del Rosso wrote:
Some microwaves have turntables that turn in alternate directions each
time
they start. Why the heck is that?


It's so your food will cook more evenly. Many directions are to
microwave for a few minutes, open and stir contents, then continue a few
more minutes. It's more through to run the food past the microwaves in
both directions.

Based on what all of my microwave ovens have done, including the one
currently in use at home, and the two we use in my wife's cafe, the
direction of rotation appears to be completely random, and I would suspect,
a function of the motor type, as Franc suggests. I would also be surprised,
given the way that the microwaves bounce around the oven cavity almost
infinitely, that the direction of rotation of the turntable would have the
slightest effect on the eveness of the microwave penetration, and cooking
efficacy.

Arfa



Microwaves do not 'bounce around' in the oven. Microwaves are
directional, that's why you move the food. The microwave emitter does
not move.
Studies on choice of optimized regimes of RF plasma production/heating
in Uragan-3M were performed by
using microwave reflectometry. Radial profiles of electron density and
it fluctuation and poloidal rotation velocity
have been measured for different RF antenna configurations and confining
magnetic field direction. It was shown
that plasma parameters are changing at magnetic field reversal. Best
regime is that one when magnetic field
direction is “normal” (that one at which magnetic configuration was
“tuned” at magnetic surfaces studies). This
regime is characterized by higher value of electron density and by
higher value of poloidal rotation velocity shear.

I dissagree that microwaves cannot bounce in a cavity. The bouncing creates a field
pattern with waves of energy. Its constant. Its possible to tune the cavity for
different fields. Microwave emitter can change such as in my Heath Kit microwave
that had a rotating thing right after microwaves entrance into the cavity. This does the
same thing as rotating a plate. Putting in massive absorptive objects into the
cavity reduces the reflective field. I remember the lava bricks in the Heath
Kit demo at the stores in 1971 instead of using food.

greg

 

[William Sommerwerck]

"Claude Hopper" <boobooililililil@roadrunner.com> wrote in message

Microwaves do not 'bounce around' in the oven. Microwaves are
directional, that's why you move the food. The microwave emitter
does not move.

Perhaps we should dub you "Clod Hopper". (Perhaps your posts are jokes, and
you're waiting to see who's the first to "get it".)

Microwaves do, indeed, "bounce around" within the oven cavity. There is
usually a standing-wave pattern with hot and cold spots, which is the main
reason for the turntable.

 

[William Sommerwerck]

"Claude Hopper" <boobooililililil@roadrunner.com> wrote in message
news:csCdnQnsXarEvWLVnZ2dnUVZ_uudnZ2d@giganews.com...

William Sommerwerck wrote:

It's so your food will cook more evenly. Many directions are to
microwave for a few minutes, open and stir contents, then
continue a few more minutes. It's more thorough to run the food
past the microwaves in both directions.

No, it's not. It shouldn't make any difference, as the food is subjected
to the same "pattern" regardless of which way the table turns.
My guess is that it's to even out the wear.

Is that the offical dummy version?

Yes. I found it in "The Big Dummy's Guide to Servicing Microwave Ovens".

 

[Arfa Daily]

"Claude Hopper" <boobooililililil@roadrunner.com> wrote in message
news:csCdnQ7sXaqBvWLVnZ2dnUVZ_uudnZ2d@giganews.com...

Arfa Daily wrote:
"Claude Hopper" <boobooililililil@roadrunner.com> wrote in message
news:rZudnWlVfs1Qw2PVnZ2dnUVZ_r7inZ2d@giganews.com...
Tom Del Rosso wrote:
Some microwaves have turntables that turn in alternate directions each
time
they start. Why the heck is that?


It's so your food will cook more evenly. Many directions are to
microwave for a few minutes, open and stir contents, then continue a few
more minutes. It's more through to run the food past the microwaves in
both directions.

Based on what all of my microwave ovens have done, including the one
currently in use at home, and the two we use in my wife's cafe, the
direction of rotation appears to be completely random, and I would
suspect,
a function of the motor type, as Franc suggests. I would also be
surprised,
given the way that the microwaves bounce around the oven cavity almost
infinitely, that the direction of rotation of the turntable would have
the
slightest effect on the eveness of the microwave penetration, and cooking
efficacy.

Arfa



Microwaves do not 'bounce around' in the oven. Microwaves are
directional, that's why you move the food. The microwave emitter does
not move.

On some cookers, that isn't strictly true.

<snip>

regime is characterized by higher value of electron density and by
higher value of poloidal rotation velocity shear.

Dear oh dear ...

Read paragraph 3 of

http://www.doctorndtv.com/FAQ/detailfaq.asp?id=7837

and 2) of paragraph 1 at

http://www.gallawa.com/microtech/howcook.html

and the third paragraph of

http://www.techitoutuk.com/knowledge/food/microovens.html

and the fourth paragraph of

http://www.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=microwave.htm&url=http://www.gallawa.com/microtech/how_work.html

Many people apparently disagree with your understanding of how microwaves
behave inside the oven cavity ...

Arfa

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

Claude Hopper wrote:

Arfa Daily wrote:
"Claude Hopper" <boobooililililil@roadrunner.com> wrote in message
news:rZudnWlVfs1Qw2PVnZ2dnUVZ_r7inZ2d@giganews.com...
Tom Del Rosso wrote:
Some microwaves have turntables that turn in alternate directions each
time
they start. Why the heck is that?


It's so your food will cook more evenly. Many directions are to
microwave for a few minutes, open and stir contents, then continue a few
more minutes. It's more through to run the food past the microwaves in
both directions.

Based on what all of my microwave ovens have done, including the one
currently in use at home, and the two we use in my wife's cafe, the
direction of rotation appears to be completely random, and I would suspect,
a function of the motor type, as Franc suggests. I would also be surprised,
given the way that the microwaves bounce around the oven cavity almost
infinitely, that the direction of rotation of the turntable would have the
slightest effect on the eveness of the microwave penetration, and cooking
efficacy.

Arfa



Microwaves do not 'bounce around' in the oven.

If you were right, waveguide wouldn't work.


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The crazy, and the insane.
The first sign of insanity is denying that you're crazy.

 

[hr(bob) hofmann@att.net]

On Oct 22, 8:25 pm, "Arfa Daily" <arfa.da...@ntlworld.com> wrote:

"Claude Hopper" <boobooililili...@roadrunner.com> wrote in message

news:csCdnQ7sXaqBvWLVnZ2dnUVZ_uudnZ2d@giganews.com...





Arfa Daily wrote:
"Claude Hopper" <boobooililili...@roadrunner.com> wrote in message
news:rZudnWlVfs1Qw2PVnZ2dnUVZ_r7inZ2d@giganews.com...
Tom Del Rosso wrote:
Some microwaves have turntables that turn in alternate directions each
time
they start.  Why the heck is that?

It's so your food will cook more evenly. Many directions are to
microwave for a few minutes, open and stir contents, then continue a few
more minutes. It's more through to run the food past the microwaves in
both directions.

Based on what all of my microwave ovens have done, including the one
currently in use at home, and the two we use in my wife's cafe, the
direction of rotation appears to be completely random, and I would
suspect,
a function of the motor type, as Franc suggests. I would also be
surprised,
given the way that the microwaves bounce around the oven cavity almost
infinitely, that the direction of rotation of the turntable would have
the
slightest effect on the eveness of the microwave penetration, and cooking
efficacy.

Arfa

Microwaves do not 'bounce around' in the oven. Microwaves are
directional, that's why you move the food. The microwave emitter does
not move.

On some cookers, that isn't strictly true.

snip

regime is characterized by higher value of electron density and by
higher value of poloidal rotation velocity shear.

Dear oh dear ...

Read paragraph 3 of

http://www.doctorndtv.com/FAQ/detailfaq.asp?id=7837

and 2) of paragraph 1  at

http://www.gallawa.com/microtech/howcook.html

and the third paragraph of

http://www.techitoutuk.com/knowledge/food/microovens.html

and the fourth paragraph of

http://www.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=microwave.htm&url=http....

Many people apparently disagree with your understanding of how microwaves
behave inside the oven cavity ...

Arfa- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

If nothing moved inside the oven, there would be a single standing
wave pattern inside the cavity. early ovens had a metallic stirrer
that was used to "mix" the standing wave pattern in an effort to heat
food more evenly. Now, the stirring is actually the moving food, this
damps out the peaks and valleys of the standing wave and also moves
the food within whatever standing waves remain.

Bob Hofmann

 

[Ron Johnson]

William Sommerwerck wrote:

"Claude Hopper" <boobooililililil@roadrunner.com> wrote in message

Microwaves do not 'bounce around' in the oven. Microwaves are
directional, that's why you move the food. The microwave emitter
does not move.

Perhaps we should dub you "Clod Hopper". (Perhaps your posts are jokes, and
you're waiting to see who's the first to "get it".)

Microwaves do, indeed, "bounce around" within the oven cavity. There is
usually a standing-wave pattern with hot and cold spots, which is the main
reason for the turntable.

There`s a demonstration which I`ve seen, where a shallow plate of
something which looks like porridge is placed in a m/w and when the oven
is operated, you can see the wave pattern on the surface. I`ve also seen
it done with hundreds of neon lamps laid on the plater

The demonstration indicates nicely the hot spots and nulls in the
microwave coverage.

Ron