1sec timer and keypad on microwave oven?
 

We have an ancient Saisho MW4500 microwave oven that has a keypad by
which any cooking time may be input.

Looking around you now seem to get either a rotary dial or three timer
buttons, but a limit of 10s steps in the timer.

Do any microwave ovens still have a keypad and a 1s cooking timer?

We've seem a Panasonic which has 10min/1min/10s/1s buttons, but
pressing so many would be a real pain....and no, my wife will not
round up/down to the nearest 10s which is the obviuos thing to do.

"Conrad Edwards" > wrote in message
om...
> We have an ancient Saisho MW4500 microwave oven that has a keypad by
> which any cooking time may be input.
>
> Looking around you now seem to get either a rotary dial or three timer
> buttons, but a limit of 10s steps in the timer.
>
> Do any microwave ovens still have a keypad and a 1s cooking timer?
>
> We've seem a Panasonic which has 10min/1min/10s/1s buttons, but
> pressing so many would be a real pain....and no, my wife will not
> round up/down to the nearest 10s which is the obviuos thing to do.

I have a brand new Maytag microwave oven that has a keypad and a 1s cooking
timer.

Joe

"Conrad Edwards" > wrote in message
om...
> We have an ancient Saisho MW4500 microwave oven that has a keypad by
> which any cooking time may be input.
>
> Looking around you now seem to get either a rotary dial or three timer
> buttons, but a limit of 10s steps in the timer.
>
> Do any microwave ovens still have a keypad and a 1s cooking timer?
>
> We've seem a Panasonic which has 10min/1min/10s/1s buttons, but
> pressing so many would be a real pain....and no, my wife will not
> round up/down to the nearest 10s which is the obviuos thing to do.

I have a brand new Maytag microwave oven that has a keypad and a 1s cooking
timer.

Joe

"Conrad Edwards" > wrote in message
om...
> We have an ancient Saisho MW4500 microwave oven that has a keypad by
> which any cooking time may be input.
>
> Looking around you now seem to get either a rotary dial or three timer
> buttons, but a limit of 10s steps in the timer.
>
> Do any microwave ovens still have a keypad and a 1s cooking timer?
>
> We've seem a Panasonic which has 10min/1min/10s/1s buttons, but
> pressing so many would be a real pain....and no, my wife will not
> round up/down to the nearest 10s which is the obviuos thing to do.

I have a brand new Maytag microwave oven that has a keypad and a 1s cooking
timer.

Joe

Joe Pak wrote:

> "Conrad Edwards" > wrote in message
> om...
>
>>We have an ancient Saisho MW4500 microwave oven that has a keypad by
>>which any cooking time may be input.
>>
>>Looking around you now seem to get either a rotary dial or three timer
>>buttons, but a limit of 10s steps in the timer.
>>
>>Do any microwave ovens still have a keypad and a 1s cooking timer?
>>
>>We've seem a Panasonic which has 10min/1min/10s/1s buttons, but
>>pressing so many would be a real pain....and no, my wife will not
>>round up/down to the nearest 10s which is the obviuos thing to do.
>
>
> I have a brand new Maytag microwave oven that has a keypad and a 1s cooking
> timer.
>
> Joe
>
>
I live in the UK and Maytag microwaves seem to be unheard of...retailers
just seem to stock the fridges.

Joe Pak wrote:

> "Conrad Edwards" > wrote in message
> om...
>
>>We have an ancient Saisho MW4500 microwave oven that has a keypad by
>>which any cooking time may be input.
>>
>>Looking around you now seem to get either a rotary dial or three timer
>>buttons, but a limit of 10s steps in the timer.
>>
>>Do any microwave ovens still have a keypad and a 1s cooking timer?
>>
>>We've seem a Panasonic which has 10min/1min/10s/1s buttons, but
>>pressing so many would be a real pain....and no, my wife will not
>>round up/down to the nearest 10s which is the obviuos thing to do.
>
>
> I have a brand new Maytag microwave oven that has a keypad and a 1s cooking
> timer.
>
> Joe
>
>
I live in the UK and Maytag microwaves seem to be unheard of...retailers
just seem to stock the fridges.

"Conrad Edwards" > wrote in message
...
> Joe Pak wrote:
>
> > "Conrad Edwards" > wrote in message
> > om...
> >
> >>We have an ancient Saisho MW4500 microwave oven that has a keypad by
> >>which any cooking time may be input.
> >>
> >>Looking around you now seem to get either a rotary dial or three timer
> >>buttons, but a limit of 10s steps in the timer.
> >>
> >>Do any microwave ovens still have a keypad and a 1s cooking timer?
> >>
> >>We've seem a Panasonic which has 10min/1min/10s/1s buttons, but
> >>pressing so many would be a real pain....and no, my wife will not
> >>round up/down to the nearest 10s which is the obviuos thing to do.
> >
> >
> > I have a brand new Maytag microwave oven that has a keypad and a 1s
cooking
> > timer.
> >
> > Joe
> >
> >
> I live in the UK and Maytag microwaves seem to be unheard of...retailers
> just seem to stock the fridges.

Here is a link to microwaves sold in the UK. There are plenty of touch pad
controlled ovens available
http://comparestoreprices.co.uk/microwave-ovens.asp

Rather than cross-posting, I put a reply in rfc with a unit that will
do what you want.


--
Steve

Whose cruel idea was it for the word "lisp" to have an "s" in it?

Wayne > wrote in message >...
> This probably won't help you in the UK, since I'm unfamiliar with the
> appliances available. However, practically all the microwave ovens in
> the US have a numeric keypad that is capable of selecting cook times from
> 1 second to 99.99 minutes. Only the very tiny inexpensive units seem to
> have rotary timing controls. Many also have "express" cooking buttons
> which provide a variety of automatically selected cooking times and power
> levels.

It's the reverse in the UK....most microwaves don't have a numeric
keypad but just three buttons or a dial. Seems like a major step
backwards, and just a lazy, cheap design as the timers are mainly
digital anyway.

If, for example, we want to set 2mins 30s on our current one it is
just three presses on the keypad. A new microwave would need 5
presses.
In the extreme our keypad can set any time up to 99min59sec with four
key presses...a new one could take 24 key presses.

Could you imagine a car company selling a family car without a
synchromesh gearbox, telling you to double declutch instead?
Or an oven manufacturer selling an oven that you could only set to
50degC increments and nothing inbetween?

So our old microwave may be 13 years old, but it is technologically
more advanced that the rubbish you can buy now. Though most people
under the age of 30 have probably never had the choice to buy a decent
one.

Maybe I should look to see if there are any companies that import US
microwaves....

Wayne > wrote in message >...
> This probably won't help you in the UK, since I'm unfamiliar with the
> appliances available. However, practically all the microwave ovens in
> the US have a numeric keypad that is capable of selecting cook times from
> 1 second to 99.99 minutes. Only the very tiny inexpensive units seem to
> have rotary timing controls. Many also have "express" cooking buttons
> which provide a variety of automatically selected cooking times and power
> levels.

It's the reverse in the UK....most microwaves don't have a numeric
keypad but just three buttons or a dial. Seems like a major step
backwards, and just a lazy, cheap design as the timers are mainly
digital anyway.

If, for example, we want to set 2mins 30s on our current one it is
just three presses on the keypad. A new microwave would need 5
presses.
In the extreme our keypad can set any time up to 99min59sec with four
key presses...a new one could take 24 key presses.

Could you imagine a car company selling a family car without a
synchromesh gearbox, telling you to double declutch instead?
Or an oven manufacturer selling an oven that you could only set to
50degC increments and nothing inbetween?

So our old microwave may be 13 years old, but it is technologically
more advanced that the rubbish you can buy now. Though most people
under the age of 30 have probably never had the choice to buy a decent
one.

Maybe I should look to see if there are any companies that import US
microwaves....

"Vox Humana" > wrote in message >. ..
a 1s
> Here is a link to microwaves sold in the UK. There are plenty of touch pad
> controlled ovens available
> http://comparestoreprices.co.uk/microwave-ovens.asp


That's a good price list, but none of the specs actually list what
timer it has....looks like I'm going to be in for a lot of days out
looking at microwaves.

"Vox Humana" > wrote in message >. ..
a 1s
> Here is a link to microwaves sold in the UK. There are plenty of touch pad
> controlled ovens available
> http://comparestoreprices.co.uk/microwave-ovens.asp


That's a good price list, but none of the specs actually list what
timer it has....looks like I'm going to be in for a lot of days out
looking at microwaves.

"Conrad Edwards" > wrote in message
om...
> "Vox Humana" > wrote in message
>. ..
> a 1s
> > Here is a link to microwaves sold in the UK. There are plenty of touch
pad
> > controlled ovens available
> > http://comparestoreprices.co.uk/microwave-ovens.asp
>
>
> That's a good price list, but none of the specs actually list what
> timer it has....looks like I'm going to be in for a lot of days out
> looking at microwaves.

The list does mention if the controls are dial or touch pad. For instance,
there are several Sharp microwaves with touchpads listed. If you go the
Sharp website for UK products, you can look at the models. If you want
details on operating the oven there are PDFs of the complete owner's manuals
available online. Here is the site for Sharp UK:
http://www.sharp.co.uk/products/range.asp?id=69

I have a Sharp Microwave/convection oven that I love. I did find it strange
that the Sharp oven for the UK seemed to only have three buttons for time
selection: 10 minutes, 1 minute, and 10 seconds. I guess with all the
sensor and pre-programmed cooking option these days, timed cooking is less
important. I use the sensor option frequently on mine for cooking and
reheating. I guess that for setting the cooking time for 5 minutes and 30
seconds you just have to push the 1 minute button 5 times and the 10 second
button 3 time.

I find it interesting that you anticipate shopping for a microwave will take
a lot of days. In the US, there are giant retailers who have displays of
dozens of different microwaves form several different manufactures. After
visiting a couple of these stores, you will have seen about anything that is
available. Such stores are generally located very close together in my
area. Within two miles of my home I can go to Best Buy, Circuit City, HH
Gregg, Sears, Wal-Mart, and a couple regional chains that sell electronics
and appliances. It might take two hours, but not several days.

"Conrad Edwards" > wrote in message
om...
> "Vox Humana" > wrote in message
>. ..
> a 1s
> > Here is a link to microwaves sold in the UK. There are plenty of touch
pad
> > controlled ovens available
> > http://comparestoreprices.co.uk/microwave-ovens.asp
>
>
> That's a good price list, but none of the specs actually list what
> timer it has....looks like I'm going to be in for a lot of days out
> looking at microwaves.

The list does mention if the controls are dial or touch pad. For instance,
there are several Sharp microwaves with touchpads listed. If you go the
Sharp website for UK products, you can look at the models. If you want
details on operating the oven there are PDFs of the complete owner's manuals
available online. Here is the site for Sharp UK:
http://www.sharp.co.uk/products/range.asp?id=69

I have a Sharp Microwave/convection oven that I love. I did find it strange
that the Sharp oven for the UK seemed to only have three buttons for time
selection: 10 minutes, 1 minute, and 10 seconds. I guess with all the
sensor and pre-programmed cooking option these days, timed cooking is less
important. I use the sensor option frequently on mine for cooking and
reheating. I guess that for setting the cooking time for 5 minutes and 30
seconds you just have to push the 1 minute button 5 times and the 10 second
button 3 time.

I find it interesting that you anticipate shopping for a microwave will take
a lot of days. In the US, there are giant retailers who have displays of
dozens of different microwaves form several different manufactures. After
visiting a couple of these stores, you will have seen about anything that is
available. Such stores are generally located very close together in my
area. Within two miles of my home I can go to Best Buy, Circuit City, HH
Gregg, Sears, Wal-Mart, and a couple regional chains that sell electronics
and appliances. It might take two hours, but not several days.

"Conrad Edwards" > wrote in message
om...
> "Vox Humana" > wrote in message
>. ..
> a 1s
> > Here is a link to microwaves sold in the UK. There are plenty of touch
pad
> > controlled ovens available
> > http://comparestoreprices.co.uk/microwave-ovens.asp
>
>
> That's a good price list, but none of the specs actually list what
> timer it has....looks like I'm going to be in for a lot of days out
> looking at microwaves.

The list does mention if the controls are dial or touch pad. For instance,
there are several Sharp microwaves with touchpads listed. If you go the
Sharp website for UK products, you can look at the models. If you want
details on operating the oven there are PDFs of the complete owner's manuals
available online. Here is the site for Sharp UK:
http://www.sharp.co.uk/products/range.asp?id=69

I have a Sharp Microwave/convection oven that I love. I did find it strange
that the Sharp oven for the UK seemed to only have three buttons for time
selection: 10 minutes, 1 minute, and 10 seconds. I guess with all the
sensor and pre-programmed cooking option these days, timed cooking is less
important. I use the sensor option frequently on mine for cooking and
reheating. I guess that for setting the cooking time for 5 minutes and 30
seconds you just have to push the 1 minute button 5 times and the 10 second
button 3 time.

I find it interesting that you anticipate shopping for a microwave will take
a lot of days. In the US, there are giant retailers who have displays of
dozens of different microwaves form several different manufactures. After
visiting a couple of these stores, you will have seen about anything that is
available. Such stores are generally located very close together in my
area. Within two miles of my home I can go to Best Buy, Circuit City, HH
Gregg, Sears, Wal-Mart, and a couple regional chains that sell electronics
and appliances. It might take two hours, but not several days.

"Vox Humana" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Conrad Edwards" > wrote in message
> om...
> > "Vox Humana" > wrote in message
> >. ..
> > a 1s
> > > Here is a link to microwaves sold in the UK. There are plenty of
touch
> pad
> > > controlled ovens available
> > > http://comparestoreprices.co.uk/microwave-ovens.asp
> >
> >
> > That's a good price list, but none of the specs actually list what
> > timer it has....looks like I'm going to be in for a lot of days out
> > looking at microwaves.
>
> The list does mention if the controls are dial or touch pad. For
instance,
> there are several Sharp microwaves with touchpads listed. If you go the
> Sharp website for UK products, you can look at the models. If you want
> details on operating the oven there are PDFs of the complete owner's
manuals
> available online. Here is the site for Sharp UK:
> http://www.sharp.co.uk/products/range.asp?id=69
>
> I have a Sharp Microwave/convection oven that I love. I did find it
strange
> that the Sharp oven for the UK seemed to only have three buttons for time
> selection: 10 minutes, 1 minute, and 10 seconds. I guess with all the
> sensor and pre-programmed cooking option these days, timed cooking is less
> important. I use the sensor option frequently on mine for cooking and
> reheating. I guess that for setting the cooking time for 5 minutes and 30
> seconds you just have to push the 1 minute button 5 times and the 10
second
> button 3 time.
>
> I find it interesting that you anticipate shopping for a microwave will
take
> a lot of days. In the US, there are giant retailers who have displays of
> dozens of different microwaves form several different manufactures. After
> visiting a couple of these stores, you will have seen about anything that
is
> available. Such stores are generally located very close together in my
> area. Within two miles of my home I can go to Best Buy, Circuit City, HH
> Gregg, Sears, Wal-Mart, and a couple regional chains that sell electronics
> and appliances. It might take two hours, but not several days.
>
>

You are lucky to be able to go to Circuit City and Best Buy within 2 miles
of your home! I can go to Walmart and Sears and a local appliance/furniture
store within minutes, but not CC and BB. We have to drive to Milwaukee to
see those! (an hour away!) The last time we bought a microwave, we ended
up buying it at the local appliance store, since they get rid of the old
one. I love my Sharp and use Popcorn, Baked Potato, Rice, Frozen Veggie,
Frozen Main Dish more than I use the timing buttons.

Dawn

"Vox Humana" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Conrad Edwards" > wrote in message
> om...
> > "Vox Humana" > wrote in message
> >. ..
> > a 1s
> > > Here is a link to microwaves sold in the UK. There are plenty of
touch
> pad
> > > controlled ovens available
> > > http://comparestoreprices.co.uk/microwave-ovens.asp
> >
> >
> > That's a good price list, but none of the specs actually list what
> > timer it has....looks like I'm going to be in for a lot of days out
> > looking at microwaves.
>
> The list does mention if the controls are dial or touch pad. For
instance,
> there are several Sharp microwaves with touchpads listed. If you go the
> Sharp website for UK products, you can look at the models. If you want
> details on operating the oven there are PDFs of the complete owner's
manuals
> available online. Here is the site for Sharp UK:
> http://www.sharp.co.uk/products/range.asp?id=69
>
> I have a Sharp Microwave/convection oven that I love. I did find it
strange
> that the Sharp oven for the UK seemed to only have three buttons for time
> selection: 10 minutes, 1 minute, and 10 seconds. I guess with all the
> sensor and pre-programmed cooking option these days, timed cooking is less
> important. I use the sensor option frequently on mine for cooking and
> reheating. I guess that for setting the cooking time for 5 minutes and 30
> seconds you just have to push the 1 minute button 5 times and the 10
second
> button 3 time.
>
> I find it interesting that you anticipate shopping for a microwave will
take
> a lot of days. In the US, there are giant retailers who have displays of
> dozens of different microwaves form several different manufactures. After
> visiting a couple of these stores, you will have seen about anything that
is
> available. Such stores are generally located very close together in my
> area. Within two miles of my home I can go to Best Buy, Circuit City, HH
> Gregg, Sears, Wal-Mart, and a couple regional chains that sell electronics
> and appliances. It might take two hours, but not several days.
>
>

You are lucky to be able to go to Circuit City and Best Buy within 2 miles
of your home! I can go to Walmart and Sears and a local appliance/furniture
store within minutes, but not CC and BB. We have to drive to Milwaukee to
see those! (an hour away!) The last time we bought a microwave, we ended
up buying it at the local appliance store, since they get rid of the old
one. I love my Sharp and use Popcorn, Baked Potato, Rice, Frozen Veggie,
Frozen Main Dish more than I use the timing buttons.

Dawn

"Vox Humana" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Conrad Edwards" > wrote in message
> om...
> > "Vox Humana" > wrote in message
> >. ..
> > a 1s
> > > Here is a link to microwaves sold in the UK. There are plenty of
touch
> pad
> > > controlled ovens available
> > > http://comparestoreprices.co.uk/microwave-ovens.asp
> >
> >
> > That's a good price list, but none of the specs actually list what
> > timer it has....looks like I'm going to be in for a lot of days out
> > looking at microwaves.
>
> The list does mention if the controls are dial or touch pad. For
instance,
> there are several Sharp microwaves with touchpads listed. If you go the
> Sharp website for UK products, you can look at the models. If you want
> details on operating the oven there are PDFs of the complete owner's
manuals
> available online. Here is the site for Sharp UK:
> http://www.sharp.co.uk/products/range.asp?id=69
>
> I have a Sharp Microwave/convection oven that I love. I did find it
strange
> that the Sharp oven for the UK seemed to only have three buttons for time
> selection: 10 minutes, 1 minute, and 10 seconds. I guess with all the
> sensor and pre-programmed cooking option these days, timed cooking is less
> important. I use the sensor option frequently on mine for cooking and
> reheating. I guess that for setting the cooking time for 5 minutes and 30
> seconds you just have to push the 1 minute button 5 times and the 10
second
> button 3 time.
>
> I find it interesting that you anticipate shopping for a microwave will
take
> a lot of days. In the US, there are giant retailers who have displays of
> dozens of different microwaves form several different manufactures. After
> visiting a couple of these stores, you will have seen about anything that
is
> available. Such stores are generally located very close together in my
> area. Within two miles of my home I can go to Best Buy, Circuit City, HH
> Gregg, Sears, Wal-Mart, and a couple regional chains that sell electronics
> and appliances. It might take two hours, but not several days.
>
>

You are lucky to be able to go to Circuit City and Best Buy within 2 miles
of your home! I can go to Walmart and Sears and a local appliance/furniture
store within minutes, but not CC and BB. We have to drive to Milwaukee to
see those! (an hour away!) The last time we bought a microwave, we ended
up buying it at the local appliance store, since they get rid of the old
one. I love my Sharp and use Popcorn, Baked Potato, Rice, Frozen Veggie,
Frozen Main Dish more than I use the timing buttons.

Dawn

"DawnK" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> You are lucky to be able to go to Circuit City and Best Buy within 2 miles
> of your home! I can go to Walmart and Sears and a local
appliance/furniture
> store within minutes, but not CC and BB. We have to drive to Milwaukee to
> see those! (an hour away!) The last time we bought a microwave, we ended
> up buying it at the local appliance store, since they get rid of the old
> one. I love my Sharp and use Popcorn, Baked Potato, Rice, Frozen Veggie,
> Frozen Main Dish more than I use the timing buttons.

If you are ever in the market for another microwave, I would recommend that
you consider one of Sharp's convection/microwave ovens. I didn't think I
would use the convection feature all that much - maybe only for large
holiday meals. It turns out that I use the thing 95% of the time instead of
my full sized oven since there are only two of us. The combination
microwave + convection comes in handy for some foods, but I mostly use
either the pure convection or pure microwave settings. The sensor cooking
feature is wonderful. For things like frozen dinners, you can just press
the "sensor re-heat" button and the rest is automatic. No more programming
3 minutes at full power, 4 minutes rest, and 8 minutes at 50%! The oven has
a slow cook setting for braising so it replaces a crock pot and I also use
it for proofing yeasted doughs. My life would be shattered (almost) if the
thing stopped working.

"DawnK" > wrote in message >...
> "Vox Humana" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "Conrad Edwards" > wrote in message
> > om...
> > > "Vox Humana" > wrote in message
> >. ..
> > > a 1s
> >
> > I find it interesting that you anticipate shopping for a microwave will
> take
> > a lot of days. In the US, there are giant retailers who have displays of
> > dozens of different microwaves form several different manufactures. After
> > visiting a couple of these stores, you will have seen about anything that
> is
> > available. Such stores are generally located very close together in my
> > area. Within two miles of my home I can go to Best Buy, Circuit City, HH
> > Gregg, Sears, Wal-Mart, and a couple regional chains that sell electronics
> > and appliances. It might take two hours, but not several days.
> >
> >
>

In the UK there are really two major chains (Currys, Comet) that have
a display of maybe twenty microwaves. Usually the same 'major' brands
with only slight differences. Then it's a case of trawling the small
specialist shops which seem to be few and far between.
In the UK the cheaper Sharp models have a painted interior which, I've
been told, can get damaged over time and start corroding underneath
then peeling off.
So I am really limited in choice as to what I can easily get hold of.
If I could find the right model then I could buy over the
internet...that's why I asked what models were out there.

"DawnK" > wrote in message >...
> "Vox Humana" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "Conrad Edwards" > wrote in message
> > om...
> > > "Vox Humana" > wrote in message
> >. ..
> > > a 1s
> >
> > I find it interesting that you anticipate shopping for a microwave will
> take
> > a lot of days. In the US, there are giant retailers who have displays of
> > dozens of different microwaves form several different manufactures. After
> > visiting a couple of these stores, you will have seen about anything that
> is
> > available. Such stores are generally located very close together in my
> > area. Within two miles of my home I can go to Best Buy, Circuit City, HH
> > Gregg, Sears, Wal-Mart, and a couple regional chains that sell electronics
> > and appliances. It might take two hours, but not several days.
> >
> >
>

In the UK there are really two major chains (Currys, Comet) that have
a display of maybe twenty microwaves. Usually the same 'major' brands
with only slight differences. Then it's a case of trawling the small
specialist shops which seem to be few and far between.
In the UK the cheaper Sharp models have a painted interior which, I've
been told, can get damaged over time and start corroding underneath
then peeling off.
So I am really limited in choice as to what I can easily get hold of.
If I could find the right model then I could buy over the
internet...that's why I asked what models were out there.