User manual

10
To cook/defrost food in a microwave oven, the
microwave energy must be able to pass through the
container to penetrate the food. Therefore it is
important to choose suitable cookware.
Round/oval dishes are preferable to square/oblong
ones as the food in the corners tends to overcook.
It is important to turn, rearrange or stir food to ensure
even heating.
Standing time is necessary after cooking as it enables
the heat to disperse equally throughout the food.
Composition Foods high in fat or sugar (e.g. Christmas pudding, mince pies) require less heating time. Care should
be taken as overheating can lead to fire.
Density Food density will affect the amount of cooking time needed. Light porous foods, such as cakes or
bread, cook more quickly than heavy, dense foods, such as roasts and casseroles.
Quantity The cooking time must be increased as the amount of food placed in the oven increases. E.g. Four
potatoes will take longer to cook than two.
Size Small foods and small pieces cook faster than large ones, as microwaves can penetrate from all sides
to the centre. For even cooking make all the pieces the same size.
Shape Foods which are irregular in shape, such as chicken breasts or drumsticks, take longer to cook in the
thicker parts. Round shapes cook more evenly than square shapes when microwave cooking.
Temperature The initial temperature of food affects the amount of cooking time needed. Chilled foods will take
of food longer to cook than food at room temperature. Cut into foods with fillings, e.g. jam doughnuts, to
release heat or steam.
FOOD CHARACTERISTICS
Arrange Place the thickest parts of food towards the outside of the dish. E.g. Chicken drumsticks.
Cover Use vented microwave cling film or a suitable lid.
Pierce Foods with a shell, skin or membrane must be pierced in several places before cooking or reheating as
steam will build up and may cause food to explode, e.g. Potatoes, Fish, Chicken, Sausages.
Important: Eggs should not be heated using microwave power as they may explode, even after
cooking has ended, e.g. poached, fried, hard boiled.
Stir, turn and For even cooking it is essential to stir, turn and rearrange food during cooking. Always stir and
rearrange rearrange from the outside towards the centre.
Stand Standing time is necessary after cooking to enable the heat to disperse equally throughout the food.
Shield Some areas of food being defrosted may become warm. Warm areas can be shielded with small
pieces of foil, which reflect microwaves, e.g. legs and wings on a chicken.
COOKING TECHNIQUES
MICROWAVE SAFE COOKWARE
Aluminium foil / ✔ / ✘ Small pieces of aluminium foil can be used to shield food from overheating. Keep foil at
foil containers least 2 cm from the oven walls, as arcing may occur. Foil containers are not
recommended unless specified by the manufacturer. Follow instructions carefully.
Browning dishes ✔ Always follow the manufacturers instructions. Do not exceed heating times given. Be
very careful as these dishes become very hot.
China and ceramics ✔ / ✘ Porcelain, pottery, glazed earthenware and bone china are usually suitable, except for
those with metallic decoration.
Glassware e.g. Pyrex ® ✔ Care should be taken if using fine glassware as it can break or crack if heated suddenly.
Metal ✘ It is not recommended to use metal cookware when using microwave power as it will
arc, which can lead to fire.
Plastic / polystyrene ✔ Care must be taken as some containers warp, melt or discolour at high temperatures.
e.g. fast food containers
Cling film ✔ Should not touch the food and must be pierced to let the steam escape.
Freezer / roasting bags ✔ Must be pierced to let steam escape. Ensure bags are suitable for microwave use. Do
not use plastic or metal ties, as they may melt or catch fire due to the metal arcing.
Paper - plates, cups ✔ Only use for warming or to absorb moisture. Care must be taken as overheating may
and kitchen paper cause fire.
Straw and wooden ✔ Always attend the oven when using these materials as overheating may cause fire.
containers
Recycled paper ✘ May contain extracts of metal which will cause ‘arcing’ and may lead to fire.
and newspaper
Cookware Microwave Comments
safe
MICROWAVE COOKING
MICROWAVE COOKING ADVICE