jake rich designs a microwave that can be taken anywhere

jake rich designs a microwave that can be taken anywhere
all images courtesy of jake rich

jake rich‘s ‘mediumwave’ is a microwave that prioritizes the relationship consumers have with it – both in terms of how it’s used and how they live with it. it is common for people to readily accept that everyday objects exist in the way they do for good reason, but challenging these preconceptions can lead to outcomes that revolutionize the way they interact with them. this project addresses the way domestic technology is designed and exists within our homes, with the microwave being a key example of a piece of technology whose shape and design has not changed since its original conception.

although it has a small size, the appliance is still able to cook large quantities

rich said, ‘I chose to focus on the microwave because as a piece of design it has remained essentially untouched for over fifty years. when the technology was invented and the next step was to make it an affordable domestic appliance, and the easiest and most efficient way to do this was to encase it in the metal box we are all very familiar with. I wanted to challenge this archetype, prioritizing factors such as how we use it and interact with it, looking to design a microwave that is intuitive and responsive.’

users and adjust the amount of heat and cooking time

the creative process was driven by research into how we already use microwaves, and how we could use them. as the power level is lowered, the light dims, and as it is raised, it gets brighter. utilizing light in this way provides an immediate and tangible understanding of what power level you are cooking at. in response to the produced heat and a need for safety, when the 360 degree view lid is removed the circuit is broken. this means that at any moment you can lift the lid off and give your food a stir, taste, or smell. by having the contents accessible, the device counteracts the feeling of detachment people have from their food when they cook it in a conventional microwave. furthering the contrast to the project’s predecessor, the removable lid is dishwasher-safe and makes the interior easy to clean.

the device is easy to clean with a dishwasher-safe lid

the form of the ‘mediumwave’ was defined by technical constraints as it was important for all existing components used in the typical kitchen gadget to fit into its base. being the size of a large dinner plate, it takes up a smaller footprint on the worktop without sacrificing the amount of food that it can warm up at once. in addition, attaching wheels to the bottom compartment allows users to store the microwave into tight compartments for more space throughout the kitchen.

‘mediumwave’ in context of a kitchen counter

view of the device from the front

detail of the temperature adjusting knob

plug detail of the gadget

view of the device at full power

view of the device at low power

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.