Need Suggestions for Microwave

Category: accessible Devices

Post 1 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 11-Dec-2010 22:12:11

I have a truly wonderful microwave that I've owned for about seven years now. It has a single dial and all you need do is set the minutes with it and walk away until it dings and your food is done. It's also flat so although I started out using bump dots to help me learn the location of the minutes on the dial, I eventually just learned it's position.

That said, I want to get another microwave. It will mostly be used for melting glycerine during the soap making process. I don't think it's a good idea to use the same machine for food and soap. But I might need to do that incase, Gods forbid, something happens to my current model. Of course, I can always try to find the same one that I have now, but incase it's not available, I'd like some suggestions. I'm looking for another dial-based system, preferably under $100. It can have one or two dials and I don't care if they're round or flat. I just want it to be a simple machine that will serve me well for many years. Thanks for your help.

Post 2 by b3n (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Saturday, 11-Dec-2010 22:23:16

Just get any old microwave. If it's a touch screen, get someone to put stickyback over the parts of the screen that you'll need. I do this at home and it works fine. Much cheaper than buying a talking one as well.

Post 3 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 11-Dec-2010 22:46:31

Thanks, but I want a dial one. They're much easier. If something is not fully accessible and there's a similar product out there that is, I'll choose that one every time, unless the price stops me.

Post 4 by b3n (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Saturday, 11-Dec-2010 22:56:50

How is memorising how many times you have to turn a dile easier than pressing a button once?

Post 5 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 11-Dec-2010 23:03:07

I have full control of the machine. You said that they'd label only what you needed. That means that other things would be inaccessible. Plus, those touch screens have all sorts of extra functions and settings. I'd rather just set the minutes and let it do the work. So how is it harder to simply turn a dial than to have to memories settings and so on?

Post 6 by dallas cowboy fanc (Veteran Zoner) on Friday, 28-Jan-2011 5:29:19

tiff. Contact panasonic and ask them if their inverter system is accessible. Tell me how it went.

Post 7 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Friday, 28-Jan-2011 19:17:09

A digital system is by leaps and bounds more precise. If you want 30 seconds rather than 45, you can just type it in.
As to what gets labeled, you decide that and have it done, or rather make the labels yorself and have someone help you stick them on.
If you're going to be working with chemicals, the difference of five seconds exposure to microwaves could prove disastrous.

Post 8 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Sunday, 30-Jan-2011 22:50:57

I looked up the inverter system and it does sound interesting. I've never heard of steam microwaves. I like how they cook food evenly and are extremely accurate with temperature.

http://www.ameinfo.com/92431.html

But I'm guessing it's more money than I'm willing to pay ($100 or $150 at the most) and far more complicated than I'm seeking. I just saw this page and my thoughts were confirmed.

http://www.ehow.com/how_7513608_turn-panasonic-inverter-microwave.html

These have a ton of buttons, and while some are relatively easy to use, some look a bit difficult without being able to see the screen, and I'm guessing that these aren't even real buttons. What is a "jog wheel"? In any case, I want something that's 100% accessible where I just turn the dial and walk away. If they made a model like that, I might consider spending the extra money, particularly if it really was made in Japan. But according to the first article, it also gets rid of excessive fat, something which I normally like to keep in food, particularly when cooking things like bacon.

As an interesting sidenote, they had a 70's microwave at the Diamond Spring Lodge, and though I wouldn't normally use one in my home for fear of the high radiation in microwaves of the time, I simply had to try it. So they brought me over to this microwave with a totally flat screen and Bump Dots on the most used options. When I asked if this was the old one, they said yes! I seriously couldn't help but laugh. I had no idea that they made them like that back then!

I'm working with glycerine, which is a completely safe substance. I'm not using lye. You could definitely heat it a bit more than needed without a problem. There are actually tons of brand new dial microwaves out there, which I didn't know, so I'll check those out. Hopefully, a store will have one so that I can see it in person, but if not, then I could always read the description. If I can find one that's more powerful than mine and a bit larger, I may use the old one for the soap-making and the new one for the food.

Post 9 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 01-Feb-2011 0:23:54

K Mart has one that has a dial for 47 dollars. Call them and they'll tell you the brand. It's simple. I saw a more expensive one at Wal Mart for 160 that has the buttons actually raised so you can feel them, and I mean all of them, but it's 160 and large.

Post 10 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 01-Feb-2011 8:04:40

Opa! I'll check out both of them! I've never seen one with raised buttons, though I've heard of them.

Post 11 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 01-Feb-2011 9:57:49

This one has buttons much like a telephone, but they are round. All are raised, popcorn, whatever. You can even set the clock. They are soft, well spaced if you want to add a braille tag of whatever, say on the popcorn, or defrost buttons, but you could just remember them maybe, but it be neat to label them. The number pad is like the telephone, or the standard numbers. Off, On, Light, you name it. Lol. It's large though. The other one is small, just has a nob you turn as much as you want. I'll get the model if possible for you, but K Mart has it, and my friend just got one a day or 2 ago, so it's their.

Post 12 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 01-Feb-2011 13:18:08

Excellent. Thanks so much for the help. This is wonderful news!

Post 13 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Monday, 07-Feb-2011 23:26:36

Mom actually found a dial one at Shop Right, of all places, for $49! For those who don't know, Shop Right is a grocery store. *smile* Anyway, she said that she thinks mine is 500 wats and this one is 700, so that should make things easier. I know she read the size to me but I forget it and don't know mine off the top of my head so can't compare it. Still, more power, a good price and a dial! Looks like my problem is solved!