Inverter Microwaves

[landrovereditor90]

Is anyone using an inverter microwave rather than a conventional microwave?
I have a 2000watt inverter and a 180watt lithium leisure battery.
An inverter microwave keeps a constant draw from the leisure battery whereas a conventional one fluctuates power. Also does an inverter microwave have a high startup voltage like a conventional one?

 

[Lenny HB]

We have one at home I think the startup current is about 33% more so not as bad as a conventional one.

 

[autorouter]

An inverter microwave keeps a constant draw from the leisure battery whereas a conventional one fluctuates power.

Not sure what you mean by that. I have an inverter microwave, and it switches on and off to regulate the average power. For example for 50% power it switches on for a few seconds, then off for the same number of seconds. So it definitely fluctuates.

I can imagine a microwave that regulates its power down by reducing the power output of the microwave magnetron, so the power doesn't fluctuate. I've never seen one, but I'm not au fait with the latest gadgets.

I thought an inverter microwave was one that didn't use a big heavy transformer, but used electronic components to generate high voltages, like inverters do.

 

[PlacidoD]

"I thought an inverter microwave was one that didn't use a big heavy transformer, but used electronic components to generate high voltages, like inverters do."

And so significantly lighter? That could be useful in a 3500kg Moho!! That looks worth an explore.

 

[Mike001]

I thought an inverter microwave was one that didn't use a big heavy transformer, but used electronic components to generate high voltages, like inverters do.

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[Pausim]

Not sure what you mean by that. I have an inverter microwave, and it switches on and off to regulate the average power. For example for 50% power it switches on for a few seconds, then off for the same number of seconds. So it definitely fluctuates.

I can imagine a microwave that regulates its power down by reducing the power output of the microwave magnetron, so the power doesn't fluctuate. I've never seen one, but I'm not au fait with the latest gadgets.

I thought an inverter microwave was one that didn't use a big heavy transformer, but used electronic components to generate high voltages, like inverters do.

I thought avoiding the on off power control was the advantage of an inverter microwave. Seems not, or are the marketing people just using the word “inverter” because they think it sounds like modern technology?

 

[The Wino]

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If it did work like that I'm just wondering what advantage that gives in a domestic setting does the temperature fluctuating matter?

 

[Pausim]

If it did work like that I'm just wondering what advantage that gives in a domestic setting does the temperature fluctuating matter?

I guess that there is a wasteful power surge every time the magnetron cuts in so powering it constantly at a lower level should be more efficient.

 

[Tombola]

I have one at home and was wondering what the difference was, and got the below form the Web

Inverter means it uses a solid state switching power supply to control the magnetron vs the old steel core transformer and a relay. An older microwave can only switch the full power ON/OFF with slow (10s of seconds) variable duty cycle (ratio of on/off time) whereas the inverter can vary the output power in smaller gradients which has a less detrimental effect to foods with thin skins or constrained areas (like eggs). The result is less popping, bursting, spitting and splatter, fewer hot spots.

The microwave also weighs considerably less as the transformers are much smaller due to the higher operating frequency.

 

[The Wino]

I guess that there is a wasteful power surge every time the magnetron cuts in so powering it constantly at a lower level should be more efficient.

I don't know enough about the physics! For instance running a filament lamp at lower temperaures makes it far less efficient in turning electricity into light so those old long life lightbulbs in the 1970's and 80's were a waste of time!

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[autorouter]

I just cooked some porridge in my microwave. It is a Panasonic brand, and has 'Inverter' written on the front. When I set it to 'simmer', I can clearly see the porridge bubble up for a few seconds, then settle down for a few seconds, regularly. That's presumably how it regulates the heating power, by switching on and off. It is definitely not continuous 'linear' power regulation.

It's a few years old, so it may be that the newer inverter microwaves have linear power control. I'm not surprised, that on-off method of power control always struck me as crude but reasonably effective. But it looks like their marketing guys have got the wrong end of the stick in their ad blurb.

And yes, inverter technology is noticably lighter than the old transformer technology, so a bonus for motorhomes.