How can I find out what wattage my Emerson MW8778W microwave is?
I want to use this microwave for firing glass and pottery that is microwavable but needs a specific wattage. I have long ago lost the operating manual for this microwave. How can I find out the wattage?
Microwave Ovens - Emerson - MW8168B Microwave Oven
Answers & Comments
I also bombed out on locating a downloadable manual but the hardcopy is available on eBay here:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Emerson-Microwave-Oven-MW8778W-S-D-B-Owners-Manual-7_W0QQitemZ320281595945QQihZ011QQcategoryZ159903QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
The efficiency of microwave oven is ~ 65% so if you will check the back of your unit for the AC line (input power) consumed, you can easily calculate the usable 'cooking' power available.
i.e. If the label states: 115 VAC 10 Amp(eres), this would amount to 10 X 115 = 1150 X .65 = ~ 740 watts delivered to the food.
The magnetrons do age (if not fail first) and their emissions fall with progressive use so a 10 year-old oven won't still give you that ~65% but substantially less.