Owner Manual

10
MICROWAVE OVEN USE
A magnetron in the microwave oven produces microwaves which
reect off the metal oor, walls, and ceiling and pass through the
turntable and appropriate cookware to the food. Microwaves are
attracted to and absorbed by fat, sugar, and water molecules in
the food, causing them to move, producing friction and heat which
cooks the food.
■ To avoid damage to the microwave oven, do not lean on or
allow children to swing on the microwave oven door.
■ To avoid damage to the microwave oven, do not operate
microwave oven when it is empty.
■ The turntable must be in place and correct side up when
microwave oven is in use. Do not use if turntable is chipped
or broken. See the “Accessories” section to reorder.
■ Baby bottles and baby food jars should not be heated in
microwave oven.
■ Clothes, owers, fruit, herbs, wood, gourds, and paper,
including brown paper bags and newspaper, should not
be dried in the microwave oven.
■ Parafn wax will not melt in the microwave oven because
it does not absorb microwaves.
■ Use oven mitts or pot holders when removing containers from
microwave oven.
■ Do not overcook potatoes. At the end of the recommended
cook time, potatoes should be slightly rm. Let potatoes stand
for 5 minutes. They will nish cooking while standing.
■ Do not cook or reheat whole eggs inside the shell. Steam
buildup in whole eggs may cause them to burst. Cover
poached eggs and allow a standing time.
Food Characteristics
When microwave cooking, the amount, size and shape, starting
temperature, composition, and density of the food affect cooking
results.
Amount of Food
The more food heated at once, the longer the cook time needed.
Check for doneness and add small increments of time if
necessary.
Size and Shape
Smaller pieces of food will cook more quickly than larger pieces,
and uniformly shaped foods cook more evenly than irregularly
shaped food.
Starting Temperature
Room temperature foods will heat faster than refrigerated foods,
and refrigerated foods will heat faster than frozen foods.
Composition and Density
Foods high in fat and sugar will reach a higher temperature and
will heat faster than other foods. Heavy, dense foods, such as
meat and potatoes, require a longer cook time than the same size
of a light, porous food, such as cake.
Cooking Guidelines
Covering
Covering food helps retain moisture, shorten cook time, and
reduce spattering. Use the lid supplied with cookware. If a lid is
not available, wax paper, paper towels, or plastic wrap approved
for microwave ovens may be used. Plastic wrap should be
turned back at one corner to provide an opening to vent steam.
Condensation on the door and cavity surfaces is normal during
heavy cooking.
Stirring and Turning
Stirring and turning redistributes heat evenly to avoid overcooking
the outer edges of food. Stir from outside to center. If possible,
turn food over from bottom to top.
Arranging
If heating irregularly shaped or different-sized foods, arrange the
thinner parts and smaller-sized items toward the center. If cooking
several items of the same size and shape, place them in a ring
pattern, leaving the center of the ring empty.
Piercing
Before heating, use a fork or small knife to pierce or prick foods
that have a skin or membrane, such as potatoes, egg yolks,
chicken livers, hot dogs, and sausage. Prick in several places
to allow steam to vent.
Shielding
Use small, at pieces of aluminum foil to shield the thin pieces of
irregularly shaped foods, bones, and foods such as chicken wings,
leg tips, and sh tails. See the “Aluminum Foil and Metal” section
rst.
Standing Time
Food will continue to cook by the natural conduction of heat, even
after the microwave cooking cycle ends. The length of standing
time depends on the volume and density of the food.
Cookware and Dinnerware
Cookware and dinnerware must t on the turntable. Always
use oven mitts or pot holders when handling because any dish
may become hot from heat transferred from the food. Do not
use cookware and dinnerware with gold or silver trim. Use the
following chart as a guide, then test before using.
Material Recommendations
Aluminum Foil,
Metal
See the “Aluminum Foil and Metal” section.
Browning Dish Bottom must be at least 3/16" (5 mm)
above the turntable. Follow manufacturer’s
recommendations.
Ceramic Glass,
Glass
Acceptable for use.
China,
Earthenware
Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.
Melamine Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.
Paper: Towels,
Dinnerware,
Napkins
Use non-recycled and those approved by
the manufacturer for microwave oven use.
Plastic: Wraps,
Bags, Covers,
Dinnerware,
Containers
Use those approved by the manufacturer
for microwave oven use.
Pottery and Clay Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.
Silicone Bakeware Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.
Straw, Wicker,
Wooden
Containers
Do not use in microwave oven.
Styrofoam
®†
Do not use in microwave oven.
Wax Paper Acceptable for use.
To Test Cookware or Dinnerware for Microwave Use:
1. Place cookware or dinnerware in microwave oven with 1 cup
(250 mL) of water beside it.
2. Cook at 100% cooking power for 1 minute.
Do not use cookware or dinnerware if it becomes hot and the
water stays cool.
†Styrofoam
®
is a registered trademark of The Dow Chemical Company.