Operating Instruction and Cook Book Microwave Oven For home Use Model No. NN-ST342W Please read these instructions carefully before using this product, and save this manual for future use.
We are glad you have chosen to purchase a PANASONIC microwave oven. Before operating this oven, please read these instructions carefully and completely, and keep them for further reference. If you have never used a microwave oven before, you will realise that a microwave oven uses a totally different method of converting energy into heat. This requires an understanding of what exactly happens to food when placed in the oven. This is explained in the following pages.
Table of Contents Before Operation Safety Instructions ..........................................................................................................................2 Installation and General Instructions ..............................................................................................3 Microwaves and How They Work ...................................................................................................4 Cookware and Utensils Guide .........................................
Safety Instructions READ CAREFULLY AND KEEP FOR FUTURE REFERENCE Precautions to be taken when using Microwave Ovens for Heating foodstuffs INSPECTION FOR DAMAGE. A microwave oven should only be used if an inspection confirms all of the following conditions: 1. The door fits squarely and securely and opens and closes smoothly. 2. The door hinges are in good condition. 3. The metal plates of a metal seal on the door are neither buckled nor deformed. 4.
Installation and General Instructions General Use 1. In order to maintain high quality, do not operate the oven when empty. The microwave energy will reflect continuously throughout the oven if no food or water is present to absorb energy. This can lead to damage to the microwave oven including arcing within the oven cavity. 2. If smoke is observed, press the STOP/RESET Pad and leave door closed in order to stifle any flames.
Microwaves and How They Work Microwaves are a form of high frequency radio waves similar to those used by a radio, including AM, FM and CB. They are similar to a television where the radio waves are converted to a picture on the screen. However, microwaves are much shorter than radio waves; approximately twelve centimetres wave length. Electricity is converted into microwave energy by the magnetron tube (which is the heart of the microwave oven).
Cookware and Utensils Guide (continued) Plastics Plastic dishes, cups and some freezer containers should be used with care in a microwave oven. Choose plastic containers carefully, as some plastic containers may become soft, melt and may scorch. The majority of plastic dishes, even those designed for use in the microwave oven, are not suitable for cooking foods with high fat or sugar content, or for lengthy cooking times.
Feature Diagram Glass Tray 1. 2. 3. 4. Do not operate the oven without the Roller Ring and Glass Tray in place. Only use the Glass Tray specifically designed for this oven. Do not substitute another Glass Tray. If Glass Tray is hot, allow to cool before cleaning or placing in water. Do not cook directly on Glass Tray. Always place food on a microwave-safe dish, or on a rack set in a microwave-safe dish. 5.
Control Panel (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) CONTROL PANEL (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) Display Window Power Level Pad (pg. 9) Time Pad Turbo Defrost Pad (pg. 12) Auto Cook Pads (pg. 14) Serving/Weight Pads Timer/Clock Pad (pg. 8, 17) (8) Stop/Reset Pad Before cooking: One tap clears all your instructions. During cooking: One tap temporarily stops the cooking process. Another tap cancels all your instructions and colon or time of day appears in the Display Window.
To Set Clock You can use the oven without setting the clock. 1 Press twice Colon will blink in Display Window. 2 Enter Time of Day Enter time of day using Time Pads e.g. 12:35 Clock is a 12 hour display. There isn’t a.m. or p.m. setting. 12 times 3 times 5 times Time appears in the Display Window, colon is blinking. Verify time of day in the Display Window. 3 Press Colon stops blinking; time of day is entered and locked into Display Window. NOTES: 1.
To Cook/Reheat/Defrost by Micro Power and Time 1 Plug in Plug into a properly earthed electrical outlet. 2 Open Door Open the door and place container with food in a dish on Glass Tray in the oven. Then close the door. 3 Select Power Level Press Micro Power pad until your desired power level appears in the Display Window. (see chart below) eg. MEDIUM-HIGH Press Power Level Pad twice. Press Note: When selecting High Power on the first stage, you can start from step 4. 4 Set Time e.g.
To Reheat by Micro Power and Time Reheat by Setting Power and Time - Frozen Pre-cooked Foods FROZEN ITEM (Pre-cooked) POWER TIME (in minutes) BREAD & BAKED PRODUCT Bread 1 slice 1 loaf HIGH HIGH 10 - 15 sec 2-4 6 rolls MEDIUM 1-2 Do not let bread get hot, or it will become rubbery and dry out. Remove whole loaf from original wrapper. Place on paper towel to absorb moisture. Cheesecake (600 g) DEFROST 2-3 Remove from container. Defrost on plate.
Reheating Tips and Techniques IMPORTANT POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN REHEATING COLD FOODS IMPORTANT POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN REHEATING FOODS FROM THE FREEZER STARTING TEMPERATURE — Foods taken from the refrigerator will take longer to reheat than foods from room temperature. VOLUME — The greater the volume and the more dense the item, the longer it takes to reheat. E.g. frozen cake will take less time than frozen casserole. Quantity — One serving heats faster than several servings.
To Defrost To Defrost using Turbo Defrost This feature allows you to defrost meat, poultry and seafood automatically by just setting the weight of the food. 1 Set Weight The shape and size of the food will determine the maximum weight the oven can accommodate. The recommended maximum weight of food depends on the oven cavity size. Weight must be programmed in kilograms and tenths of a kilogram (max 2.0 kg). For best results, the minimun recommended weight is 0.2 kg. Enter weight.
Defrosting Tips and Techniques Preparation for Freezing: 1. Heavy-duty plastic wraps, bags and freezer wrap are suitable. 2. Freeze meats, poultry and fish in packages with only 1 or 2 layers of food. To aid in separating layers, place two pieces of wax paper between them. 3. REMOVE ALL AIR and seal securely. 4. LABEL package with type and cut of meat, date and weight. 5. Defrosting times given in the charts are for thoroughly frozen foods (i.e. at least 24 hours in freezer maintained at -18°C or lower).
To Cook/Reheat Food Using Auto Cook This feature allows you to cook foods without selecting times and Power Level. Only set desired menu number and Serving/Weight, the oven will cook your food automatically. 1 Select desired menu number Press the Auto Cook pad until the desired menu number appears in the display window. (see below chart) eg.
To Cook/Reheat Food Using Auto Cook (continued) Potatoes Suitable for cooking potatoes. Pare potatoes well and cut into even size pieces. Place in a suitable size microwave safe casserole. Cover with a well fitting lid. Stir after beep sounds. Fresh Pasta Suitable for cooking a variety of fresh pastas.Place them into a suitable sized microwave safe casserole with boiling water. Allow at least ½ depth of volume for evaporation to prevent boiling over.
3-Stages Setting This feature allows you to program 3 Stages of cooking continuously. E.g.: Continually set [High Power] 2 minutes, [Medium Power] 3 minutes and [Low Power] 2 minutes. 1. Press once to select “High power”. 2. Set as 2 minutes using Time Pad. 3. Press 3 times to select “Medium power”. twice 6. Set as 2 minutes using Time Pad. 5. Press 5 times to select “Low power”. 4. Set as 3 minutes using Time Pad. twice three times 7. Press once.
To Use Timer This feature allows you to paogram standing after cooking is completed and to program the oven as a minute or 10 seconds timer or program delay start. To Use as a Kitchen Timer Press once. Set desired amount of time. (up to 99 minutes and 50 seconds) Press Start. Time will count down without oven operating. To Set Standing Time Press once. Set desired amount of standing time. (up to 99 minutes and 50 seconds) Press Start. Cooking will start.
Microwave Recipe Techniques Microwaves penetrate the surface of the food to a depth of about two to three centimetres and then the heat is gradually conducted in a random pattern. Some parts of food matter cook faster than others. Special microwave techniques are used to promote fast and even cooking. Some of these techniques are similar to those used in conventional cooking, but because microwaves produce heat very quickly the following techniques are extremely important.
Microwave Recipe Techniques (continued) Covering Covering food minimizes the microwave cooking time. Because microwave cooking is done with time and not direct heat, the rate of evaporation cannot be easily controlled. However, this can be corrected by using different materials to cover dishes. Plastic wrap is the best substitute for a lid as it creates a tighter seal and so it retains more heat and steam. Wax paper and paper towels hold the heat in but not the steam.
Microwave Recipe Techniques (continued) Menu Planning for Microwave Cooking Increasing & Decreasing Recipes How to Keep Everything Hot at The Same Time Plan your meals so that the food will not all need last minute cooking or attention at the same time. The special features of microwave cookery make it easy to serve meals with everything piping hot. Cooking of some foods may be interrupted while you start others, without harming the nutritional value or flavour of either.
Basic Recipes GRANOLA CEREAL POACHED EGGS Makes: approximately 4 cups Ingredients: 2 cups oats 2 ⁄3 cup chopped nuts 1 ⁄3 cup wheat germ 1 ⁄4 cup brown sugar 1 ⁄4 cup honey 1 teaspoon vanilla essence 1 ⁄3 cup raisins 1 ⁄3 cup coconut Method: 1. Place oats in 2-litre casserole dish, cook on High for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring twice. 2. Add nuts, wheat germ, and brown sugar. Stir in honey and vanilla. Cook on High for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring twice during cooking. 3. Add raisins, coconut and allow to cool.
Soups and Snacks CHICKEN AND PRAWN LAKSA NACHOS SUPREME Serves: 4 Ingredients: Soup: 2 tablespoons 400 ml 1 litre 1 tablespoon Serves: 4 to 6 Ingredients: 500 g 35 g 1 ⁄3 cup 1 teaspoon 310 g 180 g 1 1 ⁄2 cup 1 ⁄2 cup Laksa: 250 g 8 cups 1 bunch 4 laksa paste coconut milk chicken stock soy sauce fresh ground black pepper rice noodles boiling water coriander, leaves chopped small red chillies, seeds removed and finely chopped bean sprouts limewedges peanut oil cooked chicken tenderloins, sliced green ki
Soups and Snacks (continued) PUMPKIN SOUP PEA AND HAM SOUP Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 kg 1 2 cups 1 teaspoon Serves: 6 Ingredients: green split peas 21⁄2 cups 850 g smoked ham hock 1 medium onion, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves 1 bay leaf 6 cups chicken stock 1 ⁄2 cup frozen peas Method: Wash split peas and place in a 2-litre capacity bowl with 1-litre of water. Cover and allow soaking for 8 hours or overnight. Remove rind from ham hock and discard. Cut meat away from the bone and roughly chop.
Fish and Shellfish Directions for Cooking Fish and Shellfish by Micro Power Clean fish before starting the recipe. Arrange fish in a single layer, do not overlap edges. Prawns and scallops should be placed in a single layer. Cover dish with plastic wrap. Cook on the power level and for the minimum time recommended in the chart below. Halfway through cooking rearrange or stir prawns or scallops. Cooking Fish and Shellfish by Micro Power AMOUNT POWER APPROX.
Poultry Cooking Whole Poultry by Micro Power Season as desired, but salt after cooking. Browning sauce mixed with equal parts of butter will enhance the appearance. Poultry may be stuffed or unstuffed. Tie legs together with cotton string. Place on a microwave rack set in a rectangular dish. Place poultry breastside down: turn over halfway through cooking. Cover with wax paper to prevent splattering.
Poultry (continued) CHICKEN SAN CHOY BAU HONEY SESAME WINGS Serves: 4 Ingredients: 10 dried chinese mushrooms 2 teaspoons sesame oil 1 clove garlic, chopped 500 g minced chicken 10 water chestnuts, finely chopped 227 g bamboo shoots, chopped 1 tablespoon soy sauce 2 teaspoons oyster sauce 2 tablespoons sherry 1 small iceberg lettuce Method: 1. Cover mushrooms with boiling water, stand for 30 minutes. Drain, remove stems and chop finely. 2.
Main Fare Meats Cooking Tender Cuts of Meat by Micro Power For best results, select roasts that are uniform in shape. Place meat on a microwave rack in a suitable dish. Beef rib roast should be placed cut-side down. Other bone-in roasts should be placed fat-side down. Boneless roasts should be placed fat-side up. Halfway through cooking, turn roasts. Half hams should be shielded by wrapping an 8 cm wide strip of foil around the large end of the ham. Secure to the body of the ham with wooden toothpicks.
Main Fare Meats (continued) CHILLI BEEF SPAGHETTI MEAT SAUCE Serves: 4 Ingredients: 500 g minced beef 1 onion, diced 1 clove garlic, crushed 35 g Pkt chilli seasoning mix 410 g can tomato puree 420 g can kidney beans, drained Method: 1. Place all ingredients in a 2-litre casserole dish. Mix well. Cook on High for 20-25 minutes. Stir halfway through cooking. 2. Serve in taco shells or in tortillas with salad and cheese.
Main Fare Meats (continued) MUSSAMAN BEEF CURRY GOULASH Serves: 4 Ingredients: 500 g round steak diced 1 ⁄3 cup mussaman curry paste 400 g potato diced 250 ml coconut milk 250 ml beef stock 1 tablespoon brown sugar Method: Place steak, curry paste and potato in a 3-litre casserole dish cook on High for 6 minutes. Add coconut milk, beef stock and brown sugar, stir, cook on Low for 40 minutes. Stir once during cooking serve with jasmine rice.
Vegetable Varieties Directions for Cooking Vegetables FRESH VEGETABLES BY MICRO POWER Place vegetables in a casserole dish. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water per 500 g of vegetables. Add salt to water or add after cooking. Do not place salt directly on vegetables. Cover dish with glass lid or plastic wrap. Cook on High according to time recommended in charts. Halfway through cooking, stir, turn vegetables over or rearrange.
Vegetable Varieties (continued) Cooking Fresh Vegetables by Micro Power Vegetables should be covered and cooked on High power for best results. Weights given are trimmed weights. VEGETABLE QUANTITY COOKING PROCEDURE Asparagus 250 g Covered dish with 1⁄4 cup water Beans (finely sliced) 250 g Covered dish with ⁄4 cup water Beets 4 whole (1 kg) 1 Covered with 1 cup water in 4-litre dish. Stand after cooking - 5 mins. APPROX.
Vegetable Varieties (continued) CAULIFLOWER IN WHITE SAUCE POTATO CASSEROLE Serves: 4 Ingredients: 500 g cauliflower flowerets 2 tablespoons water 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons flour 1 cup milk 1 ⁄2 cup grated tasty cheese Method: 1. Place cauliflower and water in a shallow casserole dish. Cover and cook on High for 6-8 minutes. 2. Place butter in a 4 cup jug. Cook on High for 1-2 minutes, stir in flour and cook on High for 1 minute. Add milk gradually, stirring well and cook on High for 2-3 minutes.
Rice, Pasta and Cereal Cooking Rice and Other Grains by Micro Power Follow directions in chart for recommended dish size, amounts of water and cooking time. Add grain to water. Add salt and butter according to package directions. Cook on High for time recommended in chart. Allow to stand, covered, before serving. For special rice, substitute beef or chicken stock for water. Add cooked onion, mushrooms or crumbled bacon before serving. APPROX.
Rice, Pasta and Cereal (continued) BACON AND ONION TORTELLINI CHICKEN RISOTTO Serves: 4 Ingredients: 600 g fresh tortellini 6 cups boiling water 1 onion, diced 1 clove garlic, crushed 3 rashers bacon, chopped 300 ml cream 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon chicken stock powder 2 tablespoons chopped parsley ground black pepper Parmesan cheese, extra Method: 1. Place pasta and water in a 3-litre casserole dish. Cook on High for 8-10 minutes. Stand covered for 2 minutes. Drain. 2.
Desserts BUTTERSCOTCH PUDDING PEAR CUSTARD Serves: 4 to 6 Ingredients: 400 g sweetened condensed milk 30 g butter 1 teaspoon vanilla essence 1 ⁄2cup milk 3 ⁄4 cup self raising flour, sifted 1 cup brown sugar 1 ⁄2 cup hot tap water Method: 1. Place condensed milk in 2-litre casserole dish. Cook on Medium for 6 to 7 minutes, stirring twice during cooking. 2. Stir in butter, vanilla essence and milk. Stir until butter is melted. Cool slightly. 3. Add milk mixture to sifted flour. Mix well.
Before Requesting Service THESE THINGS ARE NORMAL The oven causes interference with my TV. Some radio and TV interference might occur when you cook with the microwave oven. This interference is similar to the interference caused by small appliances such as mixers, vacuums, hair dryers, etc. It does not indicate a problem with your oven. The oven lights dim. When cooking with a power other than HIGH power, the oven must cycle to obtain the lower power levels.
Care of your Microwave Oven Note: The oven should be cleaned regularly and any food deposits removed. Failure to maintain the oven in a clean condition could lead to deterioration of the surface that could adversely affect the life of the appliance and possibly result in a harzardous situation. AFTER CLEANING: Be sure to replace the Roller Ring and Glass Tray in the proper position and press Stop/Reset Pad to clear the Display Window. BEFORE CLEANING: Unplug at socket of the oven.
Panasonic Warranty (Australia) – 38 –
Panasonic Warranty (New Zealand) We warrant that the Panasonic Microwave Oven which you have purchased is free from defects in material and workmanship under normal home use and service.
Quick Guide to Operation Feature How to Operate (12 hour clock Max 12:59) Set time of day. To Set Clock ( page 8) Twice (Hours) (10 Minutes) (1 Minute) To set To cancel To Set/Cancel Child Safety Lock ( page 8) Press 3 times. To Cook/Reheat/ Defrost by Micro Power and Time Setting ( page 9) To Use Turbo Defrost Pad ( page 12) To Cook/Reheat Food Using “Auto Reheat/Cook” Pads ( page 14) To Use as a Kitchen Timer ( page 17) To Set Standing Time ( page 17) Display Select power. Press 3 times.
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