Dear LPG, 

Do you remember not having a television in your home? Even we oldies sometimes wonder how we ever managed without one, and there are a few more bits of paraphernalia that now fit into the category of home necessities that we don’t miss until they go wrong. 

One such object is the microwave oven, although I never realised just how long they have been a bit of kitchen equipment that most of us take for granted, use and only really miss when it stops working.  

I found some internet information which tells that they were invented quite a bit earlier than you might think. A prototype was around as early as 1947, although I don’t remember hearing much about them until the 1970s.   

Where would we be without them today? There are so many things that we are so used to just putting in for a couple of minutes when our stomachs feel the need for a virtually instant meal that needs little preparation.   I know that I go to the shops and nearly always come home with something that will cook itself while I put the shopping away.

Back in the day, it would go wrong eventually and be one of those appliances that worked for a couple of years, and then you just replaced it.  

I would replace mine and think no more about it, but the other day a friend asked the question, and I realised that my present one has lasted for quite a while. I vaguely remember being advised not to stand next to it when it was working when I first got it, and I took that instruction seriously for a while. However, I have to say that I now find myself heating my porridge oats while standing in front of the thing nearly every morning. I keep my kitchen television next to it, and there is usually some item of breakfast television interest that keeps me rooted to the spot until I hear the inevitable ping.

My son visited recently and pointed out that microwaves are not the healthiest particles that you can expose yourself to, and the internet informs that if the door stops fitting correctly, they can help bring on Cataracts in the eyes. They are not too good for the skin either. 

You can do a straightforward test to check how safe yours is. All you need are two mobile phones. I have asked LPG to leave a link below my message… 

One vital thing… Please do not microwave your phone!

BC, Crofton Park

BC shares some information about the microwave / mobile phone test…

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… and the history of the microwave …

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