Magnet
Magnets are found in all kinds of restaurant equipment and serve many purposes. Magnets are useful for their "stickiness" with ferrous metals. In the simplest foodservice equipment designs they are used to keep swinging doors secure on rolling service carts. Some more complex uses integrate magnets with motorized systems to provide contactless magnetic drives as seen in certain high volume blending systems.
Magneto
A magneto is an electrical generator that uses permanent magnets to produce periodic pulses of alternating current. Unlike a dynamo, a magneto does not contain a commutator to produce direct current. It is categorized as a form of alternator, although it is usually considered distinct from most other alternators, which use field coils rather than permanent magnets.
Magnetron
A magnetron is a high-powered vacuum tube that generates microwaves using the interaction of a stream of electrons with a magnetic field while moving past a series of open metal cavities (cavity resonators). Electrons pass by the openings to these cavities and cause microwaves to oscillate within. The frequency of the microwaves produced (the resonant frequency) is determined by the cavities' physical dimensions.
The magnetron serves as an oscillator, generating a microwave signal from direct current electricity supplied to the vacuum tube. The microwave radiation that the cavities produce is collected up and channeled by a kind of funnel called a waveguide into the cooking compartment of a microwave or rapid cook oven.
Manifold
A manifold is a pipe fitting with several lateral outlets for connecting one pipe with others such as a wide and/or bigger pipe, or channel, into which smaller pipes or channels lead. A pipe fitting or similar device that connects multiple inputs or outputs.
Medallion
A medallion is an applique or badge typically depicting a manufacturers logo. Medallions are commonly used in restaurant equipment and are usually raised as opposed to a flat decal depicting the the same logo.
Menu Card
In commercial foodservice equipment, the term "menu card" can be two different things, both having to do with custom production (cooking) controls. In the first example, a menu card may simply be an instructional insert of a control board identifying the function of each button. In a second example, a menu card may be a storage medium that interfaces with the equipment controls to upload new functions and parameters for custom programmed menu items to include both the equipment's operating menu and the addition of cooking parameters (time, temperature, moisture level, etc.) for new menu items, updates and additions.
Micro Switch
A miniature snap-action switch, also trademarked and frequently known as a micro switch, is an electric switch that is actuated by very little physical force, through the use of a tipping-point mechanism, sometimes called an "over-center" mechanism.
Microwave
A microwave oven, commonly referred to as a microwave is an electric oven that heats and cooks food by exposing it to electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range. This induces polar molecules in the food to rotate and produce in a process known as dielectric heating.
Microwaves are a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from about one meter to one millimeter; with frequencies between 300 MHz (1 m) and 300 GHz (1 mm). Different sources define different frequency ranges as microwaves; the above broad definition includes both UHF and EHF (millimeter wave) bands.
Mixer
A mixer is a kitchen device that uses a gear-driven mechanism to rotate a set of "beaters" in a bowl containing the food or liquids to be prepared by mixing them. Mixers help automate the repetitive tasks of stirring, whisking or beating. When the beaters are replaced by a dough hook, a mixer may also be used to knead.
Module
In foodservice equipment, a module is one sub-component (or "part") of a larger more complex device that may be the fully assembled piece of equipment itself. A module may refer to a variety of replacement parts including relay modules, ignition modules, communications modules, heater modules and others.
Momentary
A momentary on‑off switch usually takes the form of a button and only closes the circuit when the button is depressed. The momentary push-button switch is a type of biased switch. The most common type only makes contact when the button is pressed and breaks when the button is released.
Motor
A motor is a machine designed to convert one form of energy into mechanical energy. Electric motors convert electrical energy into mechanical motion, pneumatic motors use compressed air. A motor is a device driven by electricity, air, or hydraulic pressure, which does not change the chemical composition of its energy source.
Electric motors may be classified by considerations such as power source type, internal construction, application and type of motion output. In addition to AC versus DC types, motors may be brushed or brushless, may be of various phase (see single-phase, two-phase, or three-phase), and may be either air-cooled or liquid-cooled. General-purpose motors with standard dimensions and characteristics provide convenient mechanical power for industrial use.
Motormount
A motor mount consists of the componentry that affixes a motor into place within a piece of equipment. Motor mounts may be assemblies or kits that include different parts such as nuts, bolts, brackets, and noise and vibration dampeners that are affixed to the base or to the structural framing of the equipment.
MOV
A metal oxide varistor, or MOV, is an electronic component that protects restaurant equipment from voltage surges in a power line, such as from lightning strikes. Simple and inexpensive, the MOV absorbs the energy in a surge, preventing it from damaging other devices in a circuit.
Mullion
A mullion is a slender vertical member that forms a division between units of a window, door or panel. A mullion may include a heating element or wire that is activated to keep moisture and frost from forming, for example on the exterior or glass door of a refrigerator or freezer.