Catch the (micro) wave - or trade up

I recently previewed a cool new microwave oven from Panansonic that has what the electronic manufacturer calls “Inverter” technology. Simply put, it means that rather than crudely regulating heat throughout a cooking cycle by having it turn on and off, the oven consistently provides the level of power required for the specific cooking function. So if it needs 60 per cent of available power, the oven delivers 60 per cent power all the time, rather than a “pulsed” delivery of 100 per cent power 60 per cent of the time. Get it? The result is that foods cook more evenly, and can simmer without overcooking on the edges and surfaces. I’ll have more on this in an upcoming Hot Home Products column. In the meantime, though, Panasonic is encouraging homeowners to dispose of their ancient microwave ovens (any brand) in an environmentally responsible way with a Trade Your ‘Wave pilot program that runs from Sept. 4 – 6 at 23 Future Shop locations in the GTA (see list below). The units will be recycled by GEEP, which deals with end of life electric and electronic products in their plant in Barrie, Ont. For being good greenies, consumers can get up to $50 in savings on a new, energy efficient Panasonic microwave. Partipating locations include:

• Ajax – 40 Kingston Road East
• Brampton – 70 Great Lakes Drive, 9145 Airport Road
• Etobicoke – 1563 The Queensway
• Mississauga – 1475 Dundas St. East, 5900 Mavis Road, 2975 Argentia Road, 3050 Vega Boulevard 
• Markham – 3828 Hwy 7, 7700 Markham Road 
• Newmarket – 17890 Yonge Street
• Oakville – 310 North Service Road West
• Orangeville – 95 First Street Oshawa,  1421 Harmony Rd. N
• Richmond Hill – 9325 Yonge Street
• Scarborough – 1141 Kennedy Road; 806 Warden Avenue
• Toronto – 2400 Yonge St., 2625A Weston Road, 845 Eglinton Avenue East, 10 Old Stock Yards Road
• Vaughan – 3200 Highway 7
• Whitby – 1650 Victoria St. E