[pbharrin]

This is a great idea. One thing I would like to point out is that microwaves come in different power levels. A large one may be 1200W while a small dorm microwave may be 750W. The cooking instructions in your database will need to account for this.

[jsingleton]

Looks like this was already thought of "If cooking instructions are posted for a 1000W microwave, you can request the instructions for a 700W microwave, and the cooking times will be automatically adjusted.".

[jaynos]

Also, some microwaves are continuous power (magnetron always running) and some cycle on/off instead. Based on my struggle to find a continuous power microwave for a Senior Design Project (disposing of toxic compounds in standard microwave oven, I can't imagine this will effect too many models, but cycle times do differ between microwaves.

The Raspberry Pi microwave is awesome, though I do wonder why the 1 second buttons exist.

[eik3_de]

> I do wonder why the 1 second buttons exist

Ever tried to soften a small piece of cold butter? 10 seconds is way too long for that

[thesis]

Wouldnt hitting "4" and "start" be almost as fast? Unless you eat an absurd amount of butter I don't see how much time it could possibly save someone.

[Timothee]

If the cooking is under 10 seconds, you might as well start it for 10 seconds and stop it when needed. You won't have time to turn around and forget about it.

If it's over, I doubt a one-second difference will make one (difference).

[jaynos]

True. I forgot that I often hit 30 seconds and then watch the microwave until 15 second have passed (or whatever increment I need).

[nobodysfool]

>continuous power microwave

That technology is called a 'Microwave Inverter'. A lot of Panasonic microwaves have it.