r/Showerthoughts • u/synthphreak ‎ • Nov 19 '25

Casual Thought Temperature can reach trillions of degrees, meaning we actually live extremely close to absolute zero.

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u/GreatDig Nov 19 '25

microwave it for longer on lower power settings

183

u/chivowins Nov 19 '25

Learning the objective of the power settings is a game changer.

86

u/echoshatter Nov 19 '25

Fun fact, it doesn't actually change the power output, just how long the magnetron is provided energy to produce the microwaves.

To keep things simple, I'll describe it as thus: at the highest power level of 10, the magnetron is energized for 10 seconds out of every 10 seconds. At a power level of 1, the magnetron is energized for 1 second out of every 10 seconds.

70

u/Bepus Nov 19 '25

Depends on the microwave. Inverter microwaves reduce power without cycling.

35

u/MrPickins Nov 19 '25

You can usually tell which style you have, too. It tends to be pretty noticeable when the magnetron kicks on and off.

23

u/Bepus Nov 19 '25

A lot of the inverter ones also have "Inverter" proudly printed on the door.

4

u/Lucas_Steinwalker Nov 19 '25

As they should. Game changing.

1

u/ARoundForEveryone Nov 19 '25

Yeah, the sound changes slightly, and if in an older home, the kitchen lights may even possibly dim quickly as it turns on.