On Mon, 2 Mar 2009 16:47:34 -0800, Dimitri wrote:

> "blake murphy" > wrote in message
> ...
>> my apologies for bringing up what surely is not a new topic, but i bought
>> my dad a microwave for christmas, and he would like a book. i don't think
>> he intends to cook much using it, but is there a good, basic book covering
>> the fundamentals? (apparently the instructions with the oven were less
>> than satisfying.) he does realize that he will just have to dick around
>> with it some, but any insights here on a basic book would be welcome.
>>
>> your pal,
>> blake
>
> Step 1
>
> Have your dad Read the instruction book cover to cover and make notes of any
> questions.
>
> Step 2
>
> Unless you have a microwave purchased for yourself in the past few years
> you'll need to do the same.
>
> Step 3
>
> The newest microwaves are usually 1 button operations as example push
> reheat. That's it. Or push the popcorn button once for the large size a
> second time for a 3 oz pack and a third time for the 1.75 ounce pack
>
> In addition they use a heat sensor ( I suspect it is IR).
>
> Unless the cookbook has been updated it's going to be of no use.
>
> Most of the newer models also have several programs which make time cooking
> difficult at best and impossible under normal circumstances.
>
> Dimitri

well, he wanted something as small as possible, so that limited things a
little. i ended up getting a 0.7 cubic foot oster:

<http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8739626&type=product&id=12026489 86925&ref=06&loc=01&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=8739626 >

....which apparently has some pre-set functions. (i wasn't there when he
opened the box.) he seems to like it; the old lady won't go near it, so
far. (they finally set up the mr. coffee-type coffee machine i gave them
christmas before last the day before this christmas, and he seems to like
that, too. but he must have seen similar machines at work. she's 89, he's
87.)

thanks, dimitri, and also lin, theron, guisi, janet and jean. i will look
into the kafka book. (o.k., just looked. maybe i'll get myself a copy,
too.)

your pal,
blake