Sharp SMD2470ASY Microwave Drawer: The Future of Kitchen Convenience

The microwave oven, a ubiquitous fixture in modern kitchens, has a surprisingly fascinating history. It wasn’t a carefully planned invention, but rather a serendipitous discovery. In the 1940s, Percy Spencer, an American engineer working for Raytheon, was experimenting with radar technology. He noticed that a candy bar in his pocket had melted while he was standing near an active magnetron, the vacuum tube that generates microwaves for radar systems. Intrigued, Spencer began experimenting with other foods, including popcorn, and quickly realized the potential of microwaves for cooking.

This accidental discovery led to the development of the first commercial microwave oven, the “Radarange,” in 1947. It was a behemoth – nearly six feet tall, weighed over 750 pounds, and cost thousands of dollars. Obviously, it wasn’t destined for the average home kitchen. Over the next few decades, however, microwave technology advanced rapidly, becoming smaller, more affordable, and more accessible.

The Problem with Traditional Microwaves

Despite their widespread adoption, traditional microwave placements have always presented challenges. The over-the-range microwave, while saving counter space, often requires awkward reaching, especially for shorter individuals or those with mobility issues. It also provides inadequate ventilation for the cooktop below. Countertop microwaves, on the other hand, consume valuable workspace, a precious commodity in many kitchens. Both options often present cleaning challenges, with hard-to-reach corners and crevices.

Enter the Microwave Drawer: A New Paradigm

The microwave drawer represents a significant evolution in microwave design. Instead of a swinging door, it features a drawer that glides open and closed, much like a kitchen drawer. This seemingly simple change offers a number of significant advantages. It eliminates the need to reach up or bend down, making it more ergonomic and accessible for people of all ages and abilities. It also frees up valuable counter space and integrates seamlessly into lower cabinetry, creating a cleaner, more streamlined kitchen aesthetic.

How Microwaves Work: The Science of Invisible Cooking

So, how does this seemingly magical box heat our food so quickly? It all comes down to the interaction between microwaves and water molecules. Microwaves are a form of electromagnetic radiation, similar to radio waves and light waves, but with a specific frequency that’s particularly effective at exciting water molecules.

Imagine water molecules as tiny, restless dancers. When exposed to microwaves, they start to vibrate and rotate rapidly, bumping into each other and generating heat through friction. This is known as dielectric heating. It’s important to note that microwaves don’t heat the air inside the oven or the container itself (unless it contains water or other microwave-absorbing materials). They primarily heat the water content within the food, cooking it from the inside out.

Inside the Magnetron: The Heart of the Microwave

The key component that generates these microwaves is the magnetron. This ingenious device, a specialized vacuum tube, is the heart of every microwave oven. While the specifics of its operation involve complex physics, the basic principle is relatively straightforward.

Within the magnetron, electrons are emitted from a central cathode and subjected to a powerful magnetic field. This field forces the electrons to travel in a circular path. As they move, they pass by resonant cavities, which are precisely engineered chambers within the magnetron. These cavities are designed to resonate at a specific frequency, much like the air inside a musical instrument resonates at a specific pitch.

As the electrons pass by these cavities, they generate electromagnetic oscillations – essentially, they create microwaves. These microwaves are then channeled out of the magnetron through a waveguide, a hollow metal tube that directs the microwaves into the cooking chamber of the oven. The waveguide acts like a conduit, ensuring that the microwave energy is efficiently delivered to the food.

The Sharp SMD2470ASY: Innovation in Detail

The Sharp SMD2470ASY embodies the advantages of the microwave drawer design, incorporating several features that enhance convenience, style, and performance.

• Seamless Integration: The SMD2470ASY is designed to be built into your lower cabinets or kitchen island. This creates a clean, uncluttered look, freeing up valuable counter space. The stainless steel finish complements a wide range of kitchen styles, adding a touch of modern sophistication.

• Effortless Operation: The Easy Touch Automatic Drawer system is a standout feature. With a gentle push of a button, the drawer smoothly glides open. And with another touch, it closes automatically. This hands-free operation is particularly convenient when you’re holding a hot dish or have your hands full. This is a significant improvement from manually and sometimes, forcefully, opening traditional microwave doors.

• Spacious Interior: Despite its sleek, integrated design, the SMD2470ASY offers a generous 1.2 cubic feet of capacity. This is ample space to accommodate a 9” x 13” dish, making it suitable for everything from reheating leftovers to preparing family-sized meals.

• Hidden Controls: Cleanliness and Style: The control panel is cleverly concealed, tilting out at a 45-degree angle when needed and retracting when not in use. This design not only enhances the microwave’s sleek appearance but also makes it incredibly easy to clean. No more struggling to wipe around protruding buttons and knobs! As Amazon Customer stated in their five-star review, “After seven years of reliable service from our drawer microwave, we decided it was time for an upgrade. One feature that immediately caught our attention with the new model is the innovative design where the buttons extend out and face upwards, a significant improvement from our previous unit where they were located on the side.”

• Sensor Cooking: Demystifying the Technology: The SMD2470ASY features sensor cooking technology. This isn’t magic; it’s clever engineering. Sensors within the microwave detect the humidity released by the food as it heats. Based on this information, the microwave automatically adjusts the cooking time and power level to achieve optimal results. This helps to prevent overcooking or undercooking, ensuring that your food is heated perfectly every time. It takes the guesswork out of microwave cooking, especially for dishes where precise timing is crucial.

• Stainless Steel: Durability and Hygiene: The interior of the SMD2470ASY is made of stainless steel. This material is not only durable and long-lasting but also incredibly hygienic. It’s non-porous, meaning it doesn’t absorb food odors or bacteria, and it’s easy to wipe clean.

Beyond Convenience: The Ergonomics of a Drawer

The benefits of the microwave drawer extend beyond mere convenience. The lower placement is inherently more ergonomic. No more reaching above your head to place or retrieve heavy, hot dishes – a common hazard with over-the-range microwaves. This lower position is also more accessible for individuals of all heights and abilities, including children (with supervision, of course) and those with limited mobility. As reviewer Linda Forte mentioned, both she, at 4‘11”, and her 6‘4” husband find the drawer location ideal.

Addressing Common Concerns: Safety and Myths

Microwave ovens have sometimes been the subject of misconceptions and safety concerns. One common myth is that they make food radioactive. This is simply not true. Microwaves are non-ionizing radiation, meaning they don’t have enough energy to alter the molecular structure of food in a way that makes it radioactive.

The SMD2470ASY, like all modern microwave ovens, incorporates several safety features. The most important is the Faraday cage, a metal mesh screen built into the door. This mesh acts as a barrier, preventing microwaves from escaping the oven. The holes in the mesh are much smaller than the wavelength of the microwaves, effectively blocking them while still allowing you to see inside.

Another crucial safety feature is the interlock system. Multiple interlock switches are built into the door frame. These switches ensure that the magnetron cannot operate unless the door is securely closed. If the door is opened even slightly during operation, the interlock switches immediately cut off power to the magnetron, preventing any microwave leakage.

The Future of Microwave Cooking

Microwave technology continues to evolve. We can expect to see even more sophisticated sensor cooking capabilities, allowing for greater precision and customization. Integration with smart home ecosystems is also likely, allowing you to control your microwave from your smartphone or voice assistant. Future models may even incorporate additional cooking methods, such as convection baking or air frying, further expanding their versatility.

Conclusion: Rethinking the Microwave

The Sharp SMD2470ASY Microwave Drawer represents a significant step forward in microwave oven design. It addresses the shortcomings of traditional microwave placements, offering a combination of convenience, style, and performance that makes it a compelling choice for modern kitchens. By understanding the science behind microwave cooking and the thoughtful engineering that goes into appliances like the SMD2470ASY, we can appreciate the ingenuity that has transformed this once-revolutionary technology into an everyday essential. While it might be a more substantial investment than a countertop model, the improvements in ergonomics, kitchen design, and ease of use make it a worthwhile consideration for many homeowners. The overwhelmingly positive reviews, with an average rating of 4.4 stars from over 900 customers, highlight the satisfaction of many users.