Mystery of the Microwave Fan Noise Solved?

[jobyts]

First I thought of posting this on the random thoughts thread, but I need an answer to this bugging question.

Why the hell a microwave (the cooking device) makes that fanlike noise? While an infrared device (electric heater), visible light device (a flashlight), x-ray machine do not make any sound. My microwave does not have a turn table, so, the mechanical movement is ruled out.

 

[Borg]

The noise is from the fan that is used to cool the magnetron.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_components_in_a_microwave_oven"

 

[rewebster]

and to remove heat from the cooking area...


take one apart sometime

 

[lisab]

and to remove heat from the cooking area...


take one apart sometime

...and moisture.

 

[jobyts]

why does it have to remove heat and moisture from the cooking area?

 

[rewebster]

stick a potato in your microwave for 30 minutes---

when the buzzer goes off---check to see if its hot and how much moisture is left

 

[hypatia]

You would not want to open the microwave door and have very hot steam hit you in the face, or hands.

 

[Evo]

stick a potato in your microwave for 30 minutes---

when the buzzer goes off---check to see if its hot and how much moisture is left

30 minutes on high? It will probably burst into flames.

 

[leroyjenkens]

I can even feel the wind from my microwave coming from under it.

 

[Borg]

30 minutes on high? It will probably burst into flames.

LOL. I just remembered that I had a girlfriend who cooked a hot dog for 10 minutes once.
It ruined the plate and didn't do much for the hot dog either. I can only imagine what 30 minutes would have done.

 

[HeLiXe]

When I saw the title of this thread I was wondering why it is in the general discussion area and I got so excited because I thought it was about http://i16.tinypic.com/4v61kz8.jpg" microwave noise.

Microwaving a potato for 30 mins is dangerous! I ought to try that...good way to live on the edge

 

[Moonbear]

LOL. I just remembered that I had a girlfriend who cooked a hot dog for 10 minutes once.
It ruined the plate and didn't do much for the hot dog either. I can only imagine what 30 minutes would have done.

That sounds a bit like the guys who lived in the other half of the dorm I lived in for college. Our side was all women, and their side was co-ed (two colleges sharing one building). The men on their side used to do things like cook popcorn for 10 minutes. We never quite figured out if they were complete idiots or just wanted to see the women on our side exit in our nightclothes when they set off the smoke detectors. We pretty much chalked it up to a little of both since none of us was going to date such a moron.

 

[Jack21222]

This thread reminds me of a youtube "show" that I watch on occasion:

http://www.youtube.com/show/isitagoodideatomicrowavethis

They're in their 8th season. Pretty impressive. Here's a good example:

 

[IcedEcliptic]

There is also the noise from the scattering mechanism which is a metal fan to scatter the microwaves more evenly. If you're worried, fetch a fluorescent light and test for leaks.

 

[HeLiXe]

We pretty much chalked it up to a little of both since none of us was going to date such a moron.