Mental model of a microwave
There are two types of people in this world. Those who open the microwave while it still running and those who stop it first and then open the door. Cooking with a microwave is a tricky thing and you never know how much time it will take. You can estimate by setting up the timer but somehow you always find yourself opening the door before the timer stops!
If you read the manual, it won’t tell you that you can open the door when the microwave is on so how are you so sure that you won’t toast yourself? If you were an alien, using the microwave for the first time, your mental model would argue that it might be risky to open it without stopping it first.
A microwave door can be opened while the microwave is working but how about a washing machine door? most washing machines will lock the door during operation. Dishwasher doors will open… Why? because there is a user need to do this. With microwaves, because it is difficult to know how long it will take to cook, users need to check the food frequently. Also if the food is still uncooked you can put it back in and the timer will continue to run from the same time you left it without having to re-programme it. If the dishwasher is not full, occasionally you want to stop it to add another cup or plate… Opening a washing machine while it’s working will be a bad idea because it’s full with water…
What about you? Do you just open the door with no fear or are you a goody pressing the stop button first? No right or wrong answer…
