Microwave, macro annoying

November 10, 2008 / Microwaves are actually pretty efficient, I guess.

Failed on buying a microwave tonight. We have the right amount of store credit, store has not the right amount of microwave. I really have no patience for shopping in the physical world anymore.

We’ve been getting by okay without it, unlike the TV—that had to be replaced immediately. The problem is that it’s acutely annoying not having it for those little moments, after which you want to get on with your life rather quickly: melting butter, defrosting bread, warming coffee, reheating leftovers. Back at home I find that it will cost more to buy it from said retailer online than in the local store, if they had it. Then this:

Use your microwave or toaster oven to reheat or cook small portions. You can reduce cooking energy by as much as 80 percent when using your microwave for small portions.

But what about the whole carbon footprint question, I start wondering. Maybe the earth would be insignificantly better off if we did not by another one of these ill-constructed, spiteful things? More Googles, then this:

[O]ld microwave ovens are considered non-hazardous and are managed as a solid waste for disposal.

And:

In fact, compared to conventional ovens, microwave ovens are about five times more energy efficient, transferring 50 percent of their energy into food compared to the 10 percent energy transfer of conventional ovens.

Damn.