Comment by schiffern
3 days ago
I feel like 80% of the microwave's downfall was adopting VCR-like push button interfaces.
The two dial microwave was peak UX. Quick, painless, no wondering what sequence to press on a strange 'wave, zero time delay between input and cooking, and easy use of the (essential) power function.
It even lets you change time or power mid-cook. For maximum laziness it's possible to leave the door cracked with time on the dial, throw in the food, and adjust the dial while it's already on (slightly reducing the wait before eating). Using the microwave becomes forgiving instead of foreboding, because it's so easy to change your mind.
The only downside is that it's slightly less precise, but getting the exact time down to the second is probably less important than you think. It's also a mechanical part to fail, but I've had microwaves die because the push buttons failed too, whereas my dial unit is still going strong. YMMV
There are some use cases where exact time is very important. Warming milk for a baby for instance - it’s pretty low volume and the difference between 30s and 40s is huge. I used to favour the 2 knob microwave, but since having to do that a lot I’d always choose a digital timer. Some have decent interfaces.
The CDC recommends against heating milk in a microwave[0] whether it's human milk or formula meant for a baby due to the creation of "hot spots" and also the potential destruction of nutrients.
[0] https://www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/formula-feeding...
We are repeating this same UX mistake with induction hobs now.
At least there's a good reason there - they're easier to clean. That's not much of a concern with microwave controls.
But I disagree with the idea that we don't need precise times on a microwave. The article / book disagrees with that, and the think I most regularly microwave (milk for my kids) needs 1 minute 50 seconds. 2 minutes and they'll reliably complain it's too hot.
The real problem with microwave UX is that the interfaces are often simply bad. People think the power/time dial interface is good but that's because it's difficult to mess it up (though they usually manage anyway by having them go up to 30 minutes or whatever).
It's really easy to mess up a button interface but you can also do it well. My microwave is close to doing it really well. You press a high/med/low button, then 1s/10s/1m/10m buttons to the desired time, then start. The only things they got wrong are that it requires pressing the power when 99% of the time you want high, and you could probably get a more useful distribution of time increments (I'm literally never going to use the 10m button).
But apart from that it's nicer than dials, which are often very cheap and imprecise.
I've never had an issue cleaning the dials. They're smooth hard plastic, and they don't get particularly dirty.
What's the issue? I've microwaved that long before.
We're very different people! That UX sounds dreadful to me, one of the worst I've heard (and unfortunately encountered).
Enter time on the keypad, optionally press Power and enter that, press Start. Also needs a Plus 30s button. This is the one and only correct way to implement a push button microwave. ;)
I count five presses instead of 3 to get 90 seconds, including one way that's just pressing the same button 3 times (+30s).
Seven presses?
The dial microwave I use can distinguish between those two. It helps that the shorter times are given more room, so you can adjust them more precisely. 1:50 vs 2:00 will make a difference in my experience, but 7:50 vs 8:00 generally won't.
You could have a hybrid approach of course, but then I suspect the engineering tendency would be to "lock in" the time after starting the oven, so it can't "accidentally" be changed.
Looking for a photo of my microwave dial, I came across this surprisingly relevant post:
https://ux.stackexchange.com/questions/90769/why-do-microwav...
4 replies →
I have used only microwave ovens with rotary knobs.
They had a finer resolution of 10 seconds for short times, then the resolution was progressively coarser for longer times, e.g. of 30 seconds for times over 10 minutes.
This is perfectly adequate for finding optimum times, and I cook in a microwave oven all the food that I am eating, from raw ingredients.
I noticed, it's an unfortunate regression.
What's amazing is how the vibe of using the microwave completely changed. Before it was:
"Okay, how much time?? I've gotta get this right, I only get one shot. Think!!"
to:
"Probably 2 minutes." moves knob, cooking starts "Eh, maybe 90 seconds actually." moves knob again
That alone probably reduces the error rate, and it certainly reduces annoyance.
With the new stoves, I've noticed people are starting to dread using their stove the same way they dread the microwave. Hopefully we can fix both.
I quite like how mine has a rotary knob that sets preset programmes (which I never use) but also you just tap it to increase the time in 30 second increments. Tap tap tap - wait - <HUUMMMMMM> and it's on for a minute and a half.
I do prefer the mechanical wind-up timers though.
May I recommend the excellent, push-button-deprived IKEA Tillreda? https://applink.ikea.com/tY8M9r9M4w--80511549--ca--fr
Peak microwave UX is today, IMO — modern commercial microwaves. You seem like my people, so check this out — https://shop.sharpusa.com/medium-duty-commercial-microwave-o...
Consumer-grade microwaves are made to look cool, not to use. Commercial microwaves are made to make money. One dial, no bullshit.
And check out the scale on the dial. That’s modern, no old-skool 2-dial microwaves can do that, AFAIK.
So this can only do the full 1000 W power? Kind of a one trick pony, no way to melt butter or a dozen other things that need lower power. For a restaurant that only needs to heat a few different items at high speed it's probably fine.
Up voted for basic commercial unit recommendation.
I have one of Panasonics upper model flatbed microwaves that also acts as a fan forced oven with traditional oven element and fan, and as a grill with two overhead halogen grilling elements.
I picked it up for 50% RRP as it marked down for a minor defect I can’t even recall.
It’s 1900 watt on full microwave power, if I recall correctly, where most on the market amend here are 1400 watt. Makes a lot of difference, browning the top of food is easy with a bit of oil.
I can’t really fault it, it’s super easy to keep clean and works great for baking where using full size oven is overkill.
Meh, I still only buy the two-dial microwaves. They are both the cheapest and best at the same time!