[mrighele]

The microwave has two big related issues (both mentioned in the article).

The first is that it is not easy to make a mental model of how it works. The second is that since it takes little too cook the food, it is unforgiving and you have to be very careful with both timings and amounts.

This makes it hard to learn how to properly use it just by trial and error. Also since now we have inductive stoves there is even less reason to use it.

[nandomrumber]

Adjust the power setting.

I’m surprised almost everyone I’ve shown this to in real life hadn’t known, and goes on to never use it.

This was less of an issue when more microwaves had two knobs rather than buttons only.

[codeulike]

But on most of them the power setting just changes the percentage of time the magentrotron is 'on', but while it is on, its full power. So something like 'low for 40s' becomes a game of russian roulette

[xattt]

Microwave ovens have been a reliable way to heat milk without scalding at the bottom.