Updating Old Things…

But it’s my own fault the microwave broke!

… No excuse, but the old one was over 15 years old! And it couldn’t take the pressure!

Here’s what happened: My fridge was nearly empty and I was hungry for lunch and too lazy to go to the store. I dug under the American Cheese Slices in the fridge’s meat compartment and found a hot dog. Perfect! Micro that little dog, wrap it up in a piece of bread with a bit of mustard, and lunch is served.

But it’s been a while since I’d micro’d a hot dog and without thinking I wrapped the dog in a paper towel, stuck it on the turn table and punched in “4 minutes!” (I’ve since discovered this is an insanely long time to heat up a dog!)

So no surprise, when the oven finally chimed “done” and I opened the door to fetch my lunch… and VOILA! it was gone! I mean totally disappeared. The only trace left behind was a very oily paper towel and a horrible smell. I had nuked my dog!!!

I wiped down the turn table, and the insides and ceiling of the microwave, but the smell??@!!!! Nothing could touch it. Imagine very dirty socks on a very hot day in a very tiny space and you might begin to imagine the stench.

I tried leaving an open box of baking soda in the oven for a few days… but even that barely touched the smell…

Next stop was to go shopping for a new microwave oven.

Went to Walmart, then online to Amazon. But that didn’t work out. A real disappointment. The inside was painted a dark grey. Great to hide the spills, but not easy to see what was cooking. And the keypad was so dark (grey printed against black) that it was nearly impossible to read. Sent it back. Kept shopping.

But today, at last, success! Just picked up a new microwave: brushed chrome exterior, white interior, easy to read keypad. I think this one’s a keeper. I’m heating up some tea water as I write. And later, perhaps a hot dog? (30 seconds-tops!)

The old one will be recycled at the transfer station tomorrow. I shall mourn its loss.

Do you microwave? Any story to tell?