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Engineering your microwave's Popcorn button (img.wonderhowto.com)
submitted 11 months ago by kersploosh@sh.itjust.works to c/engineering@sh.itjust.works
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A friend recently pointed out that, despite most microwave ovens having a Popcorn function, most bags of popcorn specifically say NOT to use that function. It got me wondering how the Popcorn button works (or doesn't work). Apparently there are several different approaches in common use.

Basic method: Microwave on full power for a set amount of time. With clumsy designs like this I'm not surprised the popcorn sellers would discourage using the Popcorn button.

Improved method 1: Have the user enter the weight of the popcorn bag. The microwave adjusts the cooking time accordingly. Better, but still not great.

Improved method 2: Add a humidity sensor to detect the humidity change when the bag bursts open. Much better; now we have a real-time feedback mechanism.

Improved method 3: Add a microphone to listen for the time between pops, just like humans do. I had no idea this was a real thing, but apparently it has existed for years. For example, Whirlpool calls its implementation "AccuPop."

Does anyone have another clever idea to add to the list?

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[-] transientpunk@sh.itjust.works 9 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

I also watched the recent Technology Connections video.

[-] kersploosh@sh.itjust.works 5 points 11 months ago

I'm not familiar with Technology Connections, but judging by all the comments I clearly need to check it out.

[-] InEnduringGrowStrong@sh.itjust.works 2 points 11 months ago

You really do, it's a great channel. See you in a few days lol

[-] b0gl@sh.itjust.works 1 points 11 months ago

Do it. He's legendary

[-] kersploosh@sh.itjust.works 3 points 11 months ago

Sheesh. I did some Googling, posted this quick write-up thinking it was an interesting tidbit, went to bed, and woke up to accusations of ripping off a YouTube channel that I wasn't aware of. This was my "Simpsons already did it" moment. I accept that most of my thoughts are unoriginal, but please don't accuse me of intentional plagiarism. I'll try to be better about linking sources next time.

For what it's worth, here are some of the places I found info:

[-] Shayreelz@sh.itjust.works 3 points 11 months ago

I just assume your friend watched the video since it was released recently (it was the first video from that channel that I'd seen). That's so often how "Simpson Moments" can appear in the wild in this way

[-] starman2112@sh.itjust.works 2 points 11 months ago

I hope the dickhead commenters haven't soured your experience with the channel, it's well worth watching! My favorite videos of his are the rice cooker one and the dishwasher one because they've legitimately changed how I use my appliances

[-] kersploosh@sh.itjust.works 3 points 11 months ago

I actually just checked it out on my lunch break and spent 30 minutes learning about brake lights. I see why this guy has so many followers! I'm going to start showing his stuff to my kids.

And to address the other comment you left, I checked back with my friend who brought up popcorn buttons and he did get it from the recent Technology Connections video. Apparently that bastard has been into this channel for years but never told me about it.

[-] vrighter@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 11 months ago

a friend called alec watson, who has a popular youtube channel who released a video recently with this exact information, point for point, by any chance?

[-] ElBarto@sh.itjust.works 5 points 11 months ago

I'll play devils advocate here and say their friend is the one who watched Technology Connections and passed the info onto them.

[-] newjunkcity@lemmy.dbzer0.com -1 points 11 months ago

I honestly don't get what runs through the head of people when they summarise someone else's research and try and pass it off as their own (...or their "friend's").

I mean, it's a niche, but nonetheless popular YouTube channel. Did they think they wouldn't get called out?

Even if they did (think that they wouldn't get called out), what possible gain is there from passing it off as their own? Internet points from anonymous strangers?

[-] starman2112@sh.itjust.works 2 points 11 months ago

Even if they did (think that they wouldn't get called out), what possible gain is there from passing it off as their own? Internet points from anonymous strangers?

Almost makes you wonder if maybe they weren't trying to take credit for someone else's thing, and simply had a conversation with a friend who recently watched that video (or saw that thumbnail, or maybe even just had the same idea around the same time)

[-] octoperson@sh.itjust.works 0 points 11 months ago

The ideal microwave would have

  • a dial to set the timer
  • NO OTHER CONTROLS!

Start/stop? Use the door. Clear? Turn back the dial. Power settings? Full power, wait, repeat. Everything else? Nobody uses it, nobody knows what it does, nobody kept the instructions. Get rid of it.

[-] SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world 0 points 11 months ago

I think it would be simpler to print the proper cooking time on each bag and allow the user to set the oven accordingly.

[-] Kvoth@lemmy.world -1 points 11 months ago

You do realize that's not only exactly what they attempted to do in that image, but the "cooking time may need to be adjusted" part is because microwaves have drastically different amounts of power. Most times are based on thousand watt models, but they can vary from 600-2000 watts from what I've seen. No one time will work for that

this post was submitted on 29 Nov 2023
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