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MICROWAVING TIPS
• Make sure all cookware used in your microwave
oven is suitable for microwaving. Most glass
casseroles, cooking dishes, measuring cups, custard
cups, pottery or china dinnerware which does not
have metallic trim or glaze with a metallic sheen can
be used. Some cookware is labeled ‘‘suitable for
microwaving.’’
• If you are not
sure if a dish is
microwave-safe,
use this test: Place
in the oven both the
dish you are testing
and a glass measuring
cup filled with one
cup water—set the measuring cup either in or next
to the dish. Microwave 1 minute at high. If the dish
heats, it should not be used for microwaving. If the
dish remains cool and only the water in the cup
heats, then the dish is microwave-safe.
• Paper towels, waxed paper and plastic wrap
can be used to cover dishes in order to retain
moisture and prevent spattering. Be sure to vent
plastic wrap so steam can escape.
• Some microwaved foods require stirring, rotating
or rearranging. Check the Cooking Guide.
• Steam builds up pressure in foods which are
tightly covered by a skin or membrane.
Pierce potatoes, egg yolks and chicken livers to
prevent bursting.
If you use a meat thermometer while cooking,
make sure it is safe for use in microwave ovens.
VARIABLE POWER LEVELS (1–10)
Variable power levels add flexibility to your
microwave cooking. The power levels on your
microwave oven can be compared to the surface units
on a range. High (Power Level 10) or full power is the
fastest way to cook and gives you 100% power. Each
power level gives you microwave energy a certain
percent of the time. Power Level 7 is microwave
energy 70% of the time. Power Level 3 is energy
30% of the time.
A high setting (10) will cook faster but may need
additional attention such as frequent stirring, rotating
or turning over. Most of your cooking will be done on
High (Power Level 10). A lower setting will cook
more evenly and with less attention given to stirring
or rotating the food. Some foods may have better
flavor, texture or appearance if one of the lower
settings is used. You may wish to use a lower power
level when cooking foods that have a tendency to boil
over, such as scalloped potatoes.
Rest periods (when the microwave energy cycles off)
give time for the food to “equalize” or transfer heat
to the inside of the food. An example of this is shown
with Power Level 3—the defrost cycle. If microwave
energy did not cycle off, the outside of the food would
cook before the inside was defrosted.
Here are some examples of uses for various
power levels:
POWER LEVEL
BEST USES
High 10
Fish, bacon, vegetables,
boiling liquids.
Med-High 7
Gentle cooking of meat and
poultry; baking casseroles
and reheating.
Medium 5
Slow cooking and tenderizing
such as stews and less tender
cuts of meat.
Low 2 or 3
Defrosting without cooking;
simmering; delicate sauces.
Warm 1
Keeping food warm without
overcooking; softening butter.
How to Change Power Level
1. Press MICRO COOK or TIME DEFROST.
2. Select cooking or defrosting time.
3. Press POWER LEVEL.
4. Select desired power level 1–10.
5. Press START.
1
EXPRESS COOK
2
EXPRESS COOK
3
EXPRESS COOK
4
EXPRESS COOK
5
EXPRESS COOK
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