8
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 redistribute 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, flat pieces of aluminum foil to cover the thin pieces
of irregularly shaped foods, bones, and foods such as chicken
wings, leg tips, and fish tail. See “Aluminum Foil and Metal”
first.
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.
Turntable On/Off
For best performance, the turntable should be on during
microwave cooking.
If using oversized cookware that does not turn freely on the
turntable, turn the turntable off. See the “Turntable” section
for additional information.
When microwave cooking with the turntable off, food should
be turned halfway through the cooking process.
Cookware and Dinnerware
Cookware and dinnerware must fit 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 “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 nonrecycled 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.
