Why do carousel microwaves always spin in the opposite direction from the last time you turned them on?

[randay]

because you touch yourself at night.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

So people can make threads asking about it.

 

[Fritzo]

OK, this is officially the least interesting topic ever posted here.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
Mine switches direction every few minutes. Probably to ensure even heating.

I'd be more willing to bet that someone realized that if they made it switch directions at random intervals, most consumers wouldn't care, but some would convince themselves that it resulted in more even cooking - making it a better microwave. For an extra $0.20 in parts, they increased their sales by 25%

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: FP
It changes the direction of the Earth.

Sort of...but not quite.

The potential for creating a black hole if all the microwave turntables turned the same way is too great to even consider, so, in their infinite wisdom, the microwave manufacturers have them rotate in opposite directions to help offset the effect.

If people think the "hardon collider" has the potential for earth-shattering results...they ain't seen nothing compared to the microwave singularity.

 

[octopus41092]

The real question is, why not?

 

[SparkyJJO]

Mine randomly changes direction. And for a turntable microwave it does a horrible job at evenly heating stuff, I get hot and cold spots all the time.

 

[techs]

Originally posted by: Modelworks
Curious so I asked my brother who does appliance repair.

The motors are standard AC motors. The motor shafts are offset from the turntable mount, so it isn't a direct drive. There is a gear inside that grabs the motor shaft , depending on where the gear is when the motor starts turning determines which direction the tray turns. The gear is what attaches to the turntable. Converts the high rpm motor down to 2-3 RPM. He said the plastic gear usually breaks meaning you have to replace the entire motor.

I notice my Sharp Carousel also changes direction. But it ALWAYS goes in the opposite direction of when you stopped it, so your brothers info would not seem to be a valid explanation.