# My reversing microwave. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 8, 2008, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636 "2008-07-08T01:55:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636/21 "2008-07-08T14:47:26Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] Start with inventing something simpler, such as the darkbulb, then work up to the anti-microwave, would be my suggestion. [/QUOTE] I already did that, and when I flipped the switch I was damn near eaten by a Grue. Never again. > [@Colophon](#): > > I think entropy gets in the way, unfortunately. Isn’t cooling the very nature of entropy? The gradual dissipation of heat to reach equilibrium with the surrounding temperature? Not that it matters, since the idea here is to beat entropy about the head long enough to reduce temperatures rapidly. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636/22 "2008-07-08T19:00:45Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] Start with inventing something simpler, such as the darkbulb, then work up to the anti-microwave, would be my suggestion. [/QUOTE] Darkbulb? Anti-microwave? This sounds like it’s right up Prof. Farnsworth’s alley! ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636/23 "2008-07-08T19:18:32Z")
Re the Blast Chiller: “Model FXBC10 has 10 kg capacity and can blast chill product **from 70ºC to 3ºC within 90 min** to maintain food quality and ensure HACCP food safety law compliance. Chiller enables left-over food from hot servery counter to be quickly and safely chilled for later use with complete confidence in its quality and safety. Suited for restaurateurs, hoteliers, and publicans, it also aids in advance food preparation by chilling larger batches for later use.” Emphasis added. ---
**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636/24 "2008-07-08T19:23:28Z")
90 _minutes?_ Who wants to wait that long for an ice cold beer? When I invent my anti-microwave, it’ll take a 2-4 from summer’s-afternoon-in-the-trunk temperature to spine-tingling frosty in 90 _seconds_. I bet that’s worth a Nobel… ---
**Author:** ![sugar\_and\_spice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@sugar\_and\_spice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugar_and_spice)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636/25 "2008-07-08T19:29:23Z")
[QUOTE=Mindfield] 90 _minutes?_ Who wants to wait that long for an ice cold beer? When I invent my anti-microwave, it’ll take a 2-4 from summer’s-afternoon-in-the-trunk temperature to spine-tingling frosty in 90 _seconds_. I bet that’s worth a Nobel… [/QUOTE] well, [URL=[http://www.cybercandy.co.uk/aaasmt/index.php/url\_indprod?xlc=945](http://www.cybercandy.co.uk/aaasmt/index.php/url_indprod?xlc=945)]this guy[/then] is claiming 60 seconds. isn’t there also some do-dad to instantly chill wine? ---
**Author:** ![Influential\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Influential\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Influential_Panda)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636/26 "2008-07-08T19:30:55Z")
The quickest way to chill a beer is to put it in a bowl of ice, water, and rock salt, and stir the water around it really fast. You’ll have ice cold beer in seconds. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636/27 "2008-07-08T19:34:04Z")
[QUOTE=Mindfield] Isn’t cooling the very nature of entropy? The gradual dissipation of heat to reach equilibrium with the surrounding temperature? [/QUOTE] Well yes, if you start with something hotter than its surroundings. But if you have a nice cold bottle of beer, entropy will drag it towards room temperature, and you’re not going to be able to reverse that process without creating some more entropy somewhere else (like, say, out the back of your refrigerator). ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636/28 "2008-07-08T19:40:44Z")
[QUOTE=sugar and spice] well, [URL=[http://www.cybercandy.co.uk/aaasmt/index.php/url\_indprod?xlc=945](http://www.cybercandy.co.uk/aaasmt/index.php/url_indprod?xlc=945)]this guy[/then] is claiming 60 seconds. [/QUOTE] Notice how that item had become discontinued, despite universally positive reviews? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636/29 "2008-07-08T20:42:09Z")
I timed the rotation of my microwave turntable this evening and it does indeed take 12 seconds per full rotation here with 50Hz AC mains. I would not have thought it so slow if I hadn’t actually timed it. ---
**Author:** ![Belrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636/30 "2008-07-08T21:26:00Z")
I saw a rapid-chiller in a liquor store once. It was a swirling bath of (I assume salty) water that was somewhere south of “damned cold”. Buy your wine, stick the bottle in for a short bit, and walk away with cold wine. ---
**Author:** ![Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2008, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636/31 "2008-07-08T23:06:03Z")
[QUOTE=Belrix] I saw a rapid-chiller in a liquor store once. It was a swirling bath of (I assume salty) water that was somewhere south of “damned cold”. Buy your wine, stick the bottle in for a short bit, and walk away with cold wine. [/QUOTE] Yes, there is a place near me that has one of these. I’ve never tried it (I rarely buy wine that I need chilled right away. Or ever, for that matter). ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2008, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636/32 "2008-07-09T01:39:51Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] They all do that. The type of motor–a synchronous induction motor–will start randomly in one direction or the other. There’s no particular reason for it, except that the motors are cheap and it’s one of the few motor-driven applications where direction is unimportant. Another neat trick: Nearly all of them complete one full turn every ten seconds, so if you put your coffee cup in the front and set the timer for a multiple of ten seconds, it will always return to the front in easy reach. [/QUOTE] Dude, when I get impressed with myself for knowing more than my HS students, I can always count on a QED post to give me an intellectual wedgie in the technical/science department. I know that everyone who knows more than you looks like a freakin’ genius, but this happens over, and over, and over… ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2008, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636/33 "2008-07-09T01:46:53Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] Another neat trick: Nearly all of them complete one full turn every ten seconds, so if you put your coffee cup in the front and set the timer for a multiple of ten seconds, it will always return to the front in easy reach. [/QUOTE] I’m going to have to play with this. It’s one of my really, really minor pet peeves that my coffee cup always comes out with the handle facing backwards, but it should be a 50/50 shot! ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2008, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636/34 "2008-07-09T01:54:09Z")
My last microwave pulled a rather horrifying trick on me: it started emitting microwave radition when the door was open :eek: :eek: :eek: I knew if I just threw it away as it was, someone would use it (we were living in Egypt, where everything is recycled by trashpickers) and I didn’t want to be responsible for some child’s cells getting scrambled because they were standing in front of radiating microwaves with no shield. So I took that sucker apart with a screwdriver and damaged the insides beyond repair. It was rather satisfying, actually. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2008, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636/35 "2008-07-09T01:59:39Z")
[QUOTE=CairoCarol] My last microwave pulled a rather horrifying trick on me: it started emitting microwave radition when the door was open :eek: :eek: :eek: [/QUOTE] Are you sure about that? More likely, only the light and fan were running. All ovens have not one, but three, interlock switches to prevent the actual magnetron from energizing (only one of these interlocks the light and fan, however). The last line of defense here is the third interlock which, when all else has failed, will create a dead short to ground thus blowing the fuse. It would take a spectacularly unlikely failure of all three interlocks switches at the same time to allow an oven to radiate with the door open or even slightly ajar. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2008, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636/36 "2008-07-09T03:05:47Z")
[QUOTE=Chefguy] Not only does my micro reverse directions, the turntable slides from side to side as well. ::adopts look of smug superiority:: [/QUOTE] 😛 (that smiley used to be a tongue sticking out) Not that I hope you choke on your next re-heated pizza or anything. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2008, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636/37 "2008-07-09T03:08:57Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] Start with inventing something simpler, such as the darkbulb, then work up to the anti-microwave, would be my suggestion. [/QUOTE] Wouldn’t that be a macro-wave? The darkbulb does exist. It’s called a black hole. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2008, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636/38 "2008-07-09T03:33:19Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by **Q.E.D.:** > Are you sure about that? More likely, only the light and fan were running. Indeed, that thought did occur to me and maybe that’s all it was. But it was just way too weird for me - you’d open the door, all would be normal, and all the sudden for no particular reason it would turn on by itselt. I didn’t want to mess with it, since even if I had proven to my satisfaction that it was only the light and fan, it would have been a very scary microwave. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2008, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636/39 "2008-07-09T07:46:45Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] The darkbulb does exist. It’s called a black hole. [/QUOTE] Tricky to package and sell alongside the lightbulbs though. ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2008, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636/40 "2008-07-09T13:54:20Z")
[QUOTE=Influential Panda] The quickest way to chill a beer is to put it in a bowl of ice, water, and rock salt, and stir the water around it really fast. You’ll have ice cold beer in seconds. [/QUOTE] That’s the quickest _practical_ way to chill it, which MythBusters lists as taking 5 minutes to chill a beer to “satisfactory temperature”. A fire extinguisher only takes 3 minutes. 🆒 ```auto Ice + water + salt Ice + water Freezer Ice Fridge 5 minutes 15 minutes 25 minutes 30 minutes 40+ minutes ``` > **[MythBusters (2005 season)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MythBusters_%28season_3%29)** > > The cast of the television series MythBusters perform experiments to verify or debunk urban legends, old wives' tales, and the like. This is a list of the various myths tested on the show, as well as the results of the experiments (the myth is busted, plausible, or confirmed). > > In this episode, Adam and Jamie relived Buster's finest moments, from his introduction in Exploding Toilet to his ultimate demise (supposedly in Ming Dynasty Astronaut), and showed the construction of the new "Buster ... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-reversing-microwave/455636.md?page=3)