Microwaves have made our lives so convenient. Whether it’s leftovers, a Hot Pocket, or simply heating up our Starbucks coffee, it’s a cinch to nuke our food and beverages in the microwave. It comes out piping hot and ready to serve. Older microwaves didn’t have a round turntable that spins, so why do newer ones have a spinning turntable?
Why are microwaves that spin better? Microwaves with a turntable will be able to heat the food and beverage more thoroughly. You won’t end up with any undesirable cold spots like you would in a microwave that lacks a turntable. However, it’s still recommended to stir and reposition your items halfway through the heat cycle.
If you’re on the market for a new microwave, or simply want to know why you need the turntable in your microwave, you’ve come to the right place.
We are going to discuss the reasoning behind why turntables are so utterly important in your device and why you should always find a microwave that has one. We’ll also discuss a little bit of the turntable history.
Why Are Microwaves That Spin Better?
If you have ever seen or used an older, retro-style microwave, one thing you may have noticed right off the bat is the lack of a turntable. You would simply plop your item into the microwave, hit start, and hope for the best.
Most of the time, the top would come out scorching hot, but halfway through your meal, you would end up with a cold (not-so-hot) mess.
This is because heat is not evenly distributed in a microwave without a turntable. The energy and heat that is dissipated through the microwave oven work like a beam, and if your food is in a single spot for the entirety of the microwaving, then it simply won’t be able to catch the beams and heat up.
So, the answer to the question “Why are microwaves that spin better” is simple- a microwave with a turntable will allow the food to cook more evenly.
You won’t have to deal with losing ‘hot spots,’ which are common in free-standing microwaves, as the food is in constant motion around the microwave. In this way, the energy and heat beams are able to hit the food from top to bottom.
Are Microwaves That Spin Perfect?
When it comes to buying a microwave, you want to make sure that you are opting for a microwave that includes a turntable. Even if you loved your old school microwave oven, it’s a device that should be left in the past. And don’t worry- you will thoroughly enjoy how well your food is cooked and ready to be consumed.
Does that mean that these types of microwaves are perfect? No, unfortunately not. In fact, no electronics are entirely foolproof. While microwave ovens that include a turntable will allow for more even cooking, there is still a slight chance that the food might be warmer in some places compared to others.
What should the consumer do? Well, it’s simple. While old school, retro microwave ovens informed their consumers to stir and move the position of their food generously throughout the heating process, newer models with turntables suggest changing the position of the food just once. You don’t have to stir, either, unless you want to.
When Did Microwaves Start Spinning?
Microwaves didn’t always spin, and anyone who was around during the 1970s can attest to this. So when did the actual first microwave start spinning?
Well, according to the National Museum of American History, Nordic Ware created the first microwave with a turntable in 1980. They referred to this microwave as the ‘Micro-Go-Round.’
Nordic Ware identified the issue with the conventional microwaves around this time–that there were far too many hot and cold spots resulting in these ovens. They worked tirelessly to find a solution to the problem and found that introducing a turntable inside the device would solve this issue.
The Micro-Go-Round was quickly introduced to the public and worked by winding up the knob and switching to ‘on.’ The interior plate wood then rotates the food, much like the turntables we see today, and could work for up to an hour to ensure your food is adequately heated- and evenly, too.
Do All Microwaves Spin?
By now, you’re probably curious as to whether or not all microwaves spin. And the answer to that is simple- no, not all microwaves spin. If you take a look at an old, retro microwave from the 1970s, you will notice that the microwaves did not include a turntable. That was not invented until the 1980s, as mentioned above.
However, retro microwaves aren’t the only microwaves that do not utilize a turntable- commercial microwaves are also designed without a turntable. This might be rather shocking, as you would assume a commercial business would want their food to be heated thoroughly for their customers. So what’s the deal?
- Commercial microwaves use a stirrer system. This allows for the good to be evenly cooked as the stirrer makes sure that the food is being generously mixed during the heating process.
- No turntable means less cleaning work. Commercial kitchens and businesses utilize a microwave that lacks a turntable, which means there is less cleanup to do.
- No turntable also means oddly shaped and larger sized plates can fit. Large kitchens will likely be using plates of all shapes and sizes, and turntables won’t be able to spin correctly with an oddly shaped or extra-large plate. No turntable ensures any plate can fit and be heated up.
- Some commercial microwaves use a generator underneath the cooking chamber with infrared heat sensors. Newer models are finding unique ways of heating up food. Some new, professional microwaves are placing generators underneath the cooking chamber for proper heating, and the sensors ensure that the food is cooked evenly.
Can You Use a Microwave Without the Turntable?
If you currently own a microwave that utilizes a turntable, and it’s broken or going through a wash cycle, then you might wonder if it’s still safe to use. Yes, you can use a microwave without the turntable. However, keep in mind that without the spinning mechanism, your food won’t be heated as evenly.
If you are using a microwave without the turntable, then you should stir and change the position of your food regularly through the heating process. This is ideal as you will be able to keep your food from having hot and cold spots, which is a problem without utilizing the turntable.
Can You Use Commercial Microwaves at Home?
Most traditional homes will have a microwave already built into the kitchen. But does that you mean you have to stick to a household model? Can you buy commercial microwaves at home?
Well, yes. Technically, you can find commercial or ‘professional’ microwaves that are small enough for home use, but they use the same techniques as a commercial microwave (such as a stirrer or applying heat and energy from below). One great example is the Panasonic NE-1054F.
Keep in mind, though, that commercial and professional microwaves that don’t need a turntable to operate are going to be far more expensive than traditional household microwaves.
Conclusion
Microwaves that spin will ensure that your food is heated up evenly so that you don’t end up with cold and hot spots. However, you should always make sure to move the food or beverage halfway through the heating cycle for superior results.