If you've ever wondered how a microwave heats food, or why aluminum foil
is shiny on one side and dull on the other, or whether it is better to
use cold or hot water in a garbage disposal, you should read The Way
Kitchens Work. Modern kitchens are hi-tech marvels, with more machinery
than any other room in the house. Each of the 50+ entries includes its
history, interesting trivia, and a discussion of the technology
involved.
Readers will also enjoy reviewing the utensils' and appliances' original
patent blueprints, as well as photos of the "guts" of these culinary
tools. The author even includes odd side stories, such as how the waffle
iron played a role in the founding of Nike, how you can reset a turkey
timer, and why socialite Josephine Cochran really invented the
dishwasher in 1886--it wasn't because she wanted to ease the burden of
her servants, but because she wanted a device that would avoid the
unsightly chips associated with hand washing.
And finally, for those whose stovetop skills are still in development,
Sobey provides information on the invention and use of the smoke
detector and hand-held fire extinguisher.