Spoutnik microwave oven has a look that's out of this world
December 7, 2012
Spoutnik offers a 360-degree view of the dish being cooked
Image Gallery (7 images)With a name and design that suggest a Space Age, Barbarella-style design, Fagor’s new Spoutnik microwave could perhaps be mistaken for a cartoon-ish UFO that landed on the kitchen counter. Its bold, fun design is about more than just looks, though – it serves a functional purpose, too.
The most noticeable feature of the freestanding Spoutnik is its transparent dome design, which allows for a 360-degree view of its interior. This way, the user can fully observe the cooking process. The dome also incorporates a 28-cm (11-inch) turntable with grid lines, to make it easier to position the dish.
Spoutnik illuminates when cooking begins, changing from red while the dish is cooking, to blue when the dish is ready (it also emits an audible signal when cooking has finished). It features a lever that ensures the smooth lifting of the dome, which opens up to a 65-degree angle. The design guarantees full access to the interior, which makes it easier to clean the crusty residue that often results from microwave cooking.
Finding space for the freestanding oven shouldn't be a problem, since it's only 36.9 cm (14.5 inches) wide, 32.7 cm (12.9 inches) tall and 42.9 cm (16.9 inches) deep. Its total capacity is 23 liters.
It also looks easy to use the rather minimalist LCD control panel. There are four modes to choose from (High temperature, Low temperature, Reheat and Defrost) through an intuitive interface – just enter the desired cooking time and voilà. There’s also a Quick Start option, which sets the oven to full power with a timer that can be adjusted at 5-second increments.
The bright color options are an added attraction, with the unit being available in Blue Odyssey, Ultraviolet and Green Flash.
Spoutnik costs £179 (US$287).
Source: Fagor
Brazilian-Italian Antonio Pasolini graduated in journalism in Brazil before heading out to London for an MA in film and television studies. He fell in love with the city and spent 13 years there as a film reviewer before settling back in Brazil. Antonio's passion for green issues - and the outdoors - eventually got the best of him and since 2007 he's been writing about alternative energy, sustainability and new technology. All articles by Antonio Pasolini
nah, how many watts? 700 or 1kw?
Bill Bennett7th December, 2012 @ 09:19 pm PST
Well, Husqvarna made something much like this in 1959. See http://museumvictoria.com.au/about/mv-blog/?tag=microwave%20ovens
But why change the illumination from hot to cold when the food goes from cold to hot?
Jussi Laaksonen10th December, 2012 @ 12:58 am PST
This *IS* an idea that someone had years ago. Many decades ago, in fact. Some of the very first microwave ovens were of the same shape.
Mr. T10th December, 2012 @ 01:39 am PST
Bill,
Features
Max power 700W
4 power levels
Electronic programming
LCD display
Quickstart
60 min timer
Spherical, panoramic 360° vision with translucent cover
Assisted, innovative dome opening to 45° - 65°
Coloured backlit display
1 x 28cm Glass turntable
Harmonious sounds
Dimensions (mm)
H 327 x W369 x D 429
Taigi Maeda10th December, 2012 @ 01:40 am PST
I wonder where the magnetron is located? In rectangular microwave ovens, the magnetron is typically located in the top or side, but with this design, it looks like it may be in the bottom.
robertswww10th December, 2012 @ 08:18 am PST
The real question is: how easy is this thing to clean? I hate cleaning the microwave!!
I'm guessing it won't look nearly as pretty with a veneer of fat all over it.
nutcase10th December, 2012 @ 02:56 pm PST
I have long thought of a lunch carrier that was in fact a microwave...possibly with self contained power (couple min, worth)
Robert Harold Knapman11th December, 2012 @ 05:25 pm PST
Great idea---the corners in the typical microwave oven are totally wasted space, seeing as the load must revolve to get even heating. The dome should also help focus/shape the microwave beam toward the center of the chamber, rather than bounce it around the empty corners. And it looks much better than the traditional "CRT TV" type.
On the minus side, 700W is really borderline. Any less, and you could heat the food quicker in a conventional oven; and to most users, the key advantage of the microwave is heating speed. And like with lightbulbs, the efficiency relationship is not linear: in my experience a 700W µwave oven takes about twice the time to heat a meal that a 1kW model does.
So, while I like the design, I won't be buying one until the power goes a little up, and the price goes a little down.
Freederick12th December, 2012 @ 12:51 am PST
The first Microwave the my Family had was a model with a dome. That was in the early mid 70's.
I was only just a teen then and remember a large green base with a chromed dome lid
this is b4 any used stirrer blades and you had lots of hot spots and uneven cooking
Bruce Mawby16th December, 2012 @ 04:58 pm PST
found a site with a picture of one
http://museumvictoria.com.au/about/mv-blog/jun-2011/five-things-about-microwaves/
it was a Swedish Husqvarna, Electronic 2001 ‘Cupol
not sure where my father got it from
Bruce Mawby17th December, 2012 @ 02:14 pm PST
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That seems like an idea that someone should have had years ago.... I hope the style catches on and the price decreases.
Racqia Dvorak7th December, 2012 @ 01:59 pm PST