Is microwave cooking practical

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Considering the slow warm-up time of a conventional over and the rapid cooking time of a microwave, can the argument be made that a microwave would be a good choice for an alternate energy package?

Calculations supporting your point of view would be appreciated.

Roger Altman

-- Roger Altman (rogaltman@aol.com), September 29, 1998

Answers

Hi Roger, I do these calculations dozens of times a day...this one's easy! The average electric oven uses an element that draws between 2000 and 4000 watts. The average microwave 1200 watts. And let's use my favorite munchie, the good old burrito. Pop that little guy in the electric oven and it takes app. 1/2 (.5) hour. Put it in the microwave and it takes 3 minutes (.05)or less. Electric oven: .5 X 2000 = 1000. Microwave: .05 X 1200 = 60. No competition...that's why I trashed my electric stove (and dryer...and water heater!). Microwaves are very affordable (electrically speaking) in a renewable energy system. Hope this helps, Roy @ Four Winds

-- Roy Butler (4windpwr@infoblvd.net), September 30, 1998.

Yes, but after you wash your cat, can you still put him in the microwave to dry off? Is he fluffier if you use the dryer?

3 minutes for a burrito? That's a BIG burrito. I only use 1 min:35 seconds for mine.

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), September 30, 1998.


That's because the wet cat's in the oven. Much shorter if you remvoe it first.

Nuked Cat???????? Aggggggggh.

Roger.......our power does down several times a year because of icing, winds, etc. Our normal power out configuration (generator/batteries/inverter) includes only the microwave. Can heat water for coffee, as Roy mentioned, cook......and even dry kittens. Good piece of equipment.

Hi, Roy.......glad to see you here.

rocky

-- rocky (rknolls@hotmail.com), September 30, 1998.


Gotta be a relatively LARGE invertor and you might consider plugging the power conditioner in before the microwave in the circuit.

cr

-- Chuck a Night Driver (rienzoo@en.com), October 01, 1998.


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