Use and Care Guide

15
Microwave
You can use the microwave to cook, heat up or defrost
food quickly.
To ensure optimum use of the microwave, please
observe the notes on cookware and familiarize yourself
with the data in the cooking charts at the end of this Use
and Care Guide.
Microwave utensil guide
Suitable ovenware
▯ Heat-resistant glass, glass ceramic and
earthenware:
Utility dishes, loaf dishes, pie plates, cake plates, liquid
measuring cups, casseroles and bowls without
metallic trim (e.g. Pyrex
®
, Anchor Hocking™, Corning
Ware
®
, Emile Henry, etc.).
▯ China:
Bowls, cups, serving plates and platters without
metallic trim.
▯ Plastic films and wraps:
Plastic wrap (as a cover) - lay the plastic wrap loosely
over the dish and press it to the sides. Vent plastic
wrap by turning back one edge slightly to allow excess
steam to escape. The dish should be deep enough so
that the plastic wrap will not touch the food.
▯ Microwave-safe plastics:
Microwave-safe plastic dishes, cups, semi-rigid freezer
containers and plastic bags for short cooking times.
Use these with care because the plastic may soften
from the heat of the food.
▯ Paper products:
Paper towels, wax paper, parchment paper, paper
napkins and paper plates with no metallic trim or
design. Look for the manufacturers label for any
special instructions for use in the microwave oven.
Unsuitable ovenware
▯ Metal utensils and cookware:
Metal shields the food from microwave energy and
produces uneven cooking. Also, avoid metal skewers,
thermometers or foil trays. Metal utensils can cause
arcing, which can damage your microwave oven.
▯ Metal decoration:
Bowls, cups, serving plates and platters with metallic
trim.
▯ Aluminum foil:
Avoid large sheets of aluminum foil because they
hinder cooking and may cause harmful arcing. Use
small pieces of foil to shield poultry legs and wings.
Keep ALL aluminum foil at least 1 inch (25 mm) from
the side walls of the oven cavity and door of the
microwave.
▯ Wood:
Wooden bowls and boards will dry out and may split
or crack when you use them in the microwave oven.
Baskets made of wood will react in the same way.
▯ Tightly covered cookware:
Be sure to leave openings for steam to escape from
covered cookware. Pierce plastic pouches of
vegetables or other food items before cooking. Tightly
closed pouches may explode.
▯ Brown paper:
Avoid using brown paper bags. They absorb heat and
can burn.
▯ Flawed or chipped cooking utensils:
Any utensil that is cracked, flawed or chipped may
break in the oven.
▯ Metal twist ties:
Remove metal twist ties from plastic or paper bags.
They become hot and could cause a fire.
Ovenware test
Do not turn on the microwave unless there is food inside.
The following ovenware test is the only exception to this
rule.
Perform the following test if you are unsure whether your
ovenware is suitable for use in the microwave:
1. Heat the empty ovenware at maximum power for ½ to
1 minute.
2. Check the temperature occasionally during that time.
The ovenware should still be cold or warm to the touch.
The ovenware is unsuitable if it becomes hot or if sparks
are generated.
Microwave power levels
You can select from 10 different microwave power levels.
If you do not set a power level, the microwave will
automatically operate at the highest power level 100%.
The table below provides suggested power levels for
various types of food that can be prepared in the
microwave.
Microwave
output
Use for
100%
high
Boiling water
Cooking ground meat
Making candy
Cooking fresh fruit & vegetables
Cooking fish & poultry
Preheating browning dish
Reheating beverages
Cooking bacon slices
90% Reheating meat slices quickly
Saute onions, celery & green peppers
80% All reheating
Cooking scrambled eggs