A friend recently pointed out that, despite most microwave ovens having a Popcorn function, most bags of popcorn specifically say NOT to use that function. It got me wondering how the Popcorn button works (or doesn't work). Apparently there are several different approaches in common use.
Basic method: Microwave on full power for a set amount of time. With clumsy designs like this I'm not surprised the popcorn sellers would discourage using the Popcorn button.
Improved method 1: Have the user enter the weight of the popcorn bag. The microwave adjusts the cooking time accordingly. Better, but still not great.
Improved method 2: Add a humidity sensor to detect the humidity change when the bag bursts open. Much better; now we have a real-time feedback mechanism.
Improved method 3: Add a microphone to listen for the time between pops, just like humans do. I had no idea this was a real thing, but apparently it has existed for years. For example, Whirlpool calls its implementation "AccuPop."
Does anyone have another clever idea to add to the list?
I think it would be simpler to print the proper cooking time on each bag and allow the user to set the oven accordingly.
You do realize that's not only exactly what they attempted to do in that image, but the "cooking time may need to be adjusted" part is because microwaves have drastically different amounts of power. Most times are based on thousand watt models, but they can vary from 600-2000 watts from what I've seen. No one time will work for that
Right, so maybe a suggested range, then, like 2-2½ minutes.
That's not a wide enough range. 600 to 2000 is over at 3x difference in power, with the corresponding 3x difference in cooking time.
Which is why I said "suggested." Maybe add a little note that cooking time may need to be adjusted.
It literally already does?
Ah! Looks like this one's already been figured out then! Our work here is done.