Something that I’ve noticed across most of the microwave ovens that I’ve used is that when they hum while cooking food, I can pick out 2 distinct tones. One of them is pretty clearly 60 120 hz, the 2nd harmonic of the AC power frequency. The other is consistently a minor 7th above that (which would be somewhere around 106-108 212-214 hz depending on the exact ratio). What causes this 2nd frequency to be produced?

Edit: after checking against a tone generator, the low frequency is actually 120 hz, double the grid frequency. The question is still the same, just an octave higher.

  • @SpaceNoodle
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    31 year ago

    Why have I not been microwaving rice? Does this affect the texture at all?

    • @HerrBeter
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      11 year ago

      Only if you don’t turn down the power, you want full effect to get in to temp and then turn it down to keep temperature steady

        • @HerrBeter
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          11 year ago

          I don’t think I specified, but much like cooking rice on a stove top you won’t run it at the same temperature. The microwave will use less energy than a traditional stove top, not sure about induction ones. And after learning to boil things with it, I do it all the time.

          Just get it to boiling then 450 then if needed 300