Comments on: SERVANTS from the Laboratories

By: Rick Auricchio

Rick Auricchio — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:12:30 +0000

The chefs, not the microwave cookers.

By: Rick Auricchio

Rick Auricchio — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:12:04 +0000

Ah, I didn’t look that closely to see the details. Hopefully the basket’s top went up into that front “chute.”

Let’s see…1947…anyone know some old chef who might have used this device? Or are they all gone…

By: Toronto

Toronto — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:58:04 +0000

Rick – I understand microwaves not going through a hole (like the screens in the doors of current designs.) But the baskets appear to hang from a lip like a Fry-o-lator basket, so the seal on the top is questionable. Remember, this was designed for a busy commercial kitchen.

I supposed there could be a spring- or hydralic-lifter to press it into place, though.

By: StanFlouride

StanFlouride — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:40:45 +0000

The squeezing clothes washer brings to mind an article I read a while back about the development of washing machines. Wringing out the clothes was a major obstacle and Maytag’s invention of the Spin Cycle revolutionized the industry.

By: Rick Auricchio

Rick Auricchio — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:56:06 +0000

Charlie, there was a Popular Science article in the 50s/60s explaining the operation of the automatic vacuum coffeemaker.

My parents had the Sunbeam all-stainless unit from the 60s. Water went in the bottom vessel; coffee up top. As the water boiled, steam forced it up the tube into the upper vessel. The little water remaining below continued heating, bubbling steam up which agitated the water/coffee mixture above, till the thermostat cut off. A few minutes later, cooling caused a vacuum that sucked the brewed coffee down from above. You separated upper and lower vessels and poured from the lower vessel. After the thermostat cut off the high brewing heat, the heat remained at a keep-warm level.

By: Rick Auricchio

Rick Auricchio — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:52:07 +0000

Toronto:

1. The metal food-cooking basket traps the microwaves. Depending on the frequency of the microwaves, the holes in the basket don’t allow any leakage. The basket is grounded while contacting the metal frame of the appliance.

2. I presume the dishwasher rack spins at a slow enough speed so that it doesn’t throw water around. (But spinning out of control, throwing plates, would have been a fun thing for a cartoon!)

By: Toronto

Toronto — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:33:21 +0000

That Radar Range appears to leak microwave somewhat, doesn’t it? There’s no enclosed “oven”.

And that dishwasher spin dries your plates OUTSIDE the machine? Won’t that get water all over the place?

By: LightningRose

LightningRose — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:31:11 +0000

Five minute dishwasher?

Sounds like my dog.

By: Myles

Myles — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:22:07 +0000

“The cooker prepares …, a six-pound roast in two minutes” But you wouldn’t want to eat it. I’m still waiting for that 5 minute dishwasher.