25
frequently asked questions
If a problem does occur, it may often be due to something very minor. The following Q & A may be
able to resolve the problem.
Questions
Answers
Why doesn’t the food seem to
cook?
Check that:
•
the cooking time has been set
•
the door is closed
•
the mains socket is not overloaded causing the fuse to blow.
Why does the food seem
undercooked or overcooked?
Check that:
•
the correct cooking time has been set
•
the correct power setting has been used.
How can I stop eggs from popping? When you bake or poach eggs in the microwave, the yolk can
sometimes pop as steam builds up inside it. You can stop the egg
from popping by piercing the yolk with a toothpick before cooking.
Never cook eggs that are still in their shells.
Why is it so important that I allow
standing time after cooking?
With microwave cooking, many foods build up enough heat inside
them to continue cooking even after they’ve been taken out of the
microwave. Because microwave cooking works from the outside
of food inwards, standing time lets you cook the centre of the
food without the outside being overcooked.
Why does my microwave
sometimes take longer to cook than
it says in the recipe?
First check that the microwave was set just as the recipe said.
Cooking times and heat settings are suggestions to help
prevent overcooking but differences in the weight, size, shape
and starting temperature of food will all affect how long it takes
to cook – just as it does with a conventional oven. Use your
judgement along with the recipe to check whether the food has
been cooked properly.
Why do I get condensation on the
inside of the door?
Condensation is perfectly normal, especially when you are
cooking food with a high moisture content such as potatoes.
Does the microwave energy get
through the window on the door?
No. The door has a special metal screen with holes in that lets
you see inside but stops microwave energy from getting out.
Steam comes out of the side of the
door and vents. Can microwave
energy get out too?
No. The door and vents are carefully designed to let steam out
during cooking but keep microwave energy in. The gaps are not
big enough for microwave energy to escape.
What happens if the microwave is
switched on while the microwave is
empty?
The microwave will be damaged. Do not switch the microwave
on when there’s nothing inside the microwave. It is a good idea
to keep a cup of water in the microwave just in case someone
accidentally starts the microwave.
Why doesn’t the microwave’s light
illuminate?
Open the door. If the light does not illuminate, the bulb has
probably blown. Call a qualified technician – do not try to change
the bulb yourself.
There are sparks inside the
microwave when I use the
microwave. Will this cause any
damage?
Yes. Make sure that you are not using any metal utensils and that
your containers don’t have a metal trim. You must not use metal
in your microwave when you cook (except aluminium foil).
Light is showing through the vents
and door. Does this mean the
microwave energy can escape?
No. It is normal for the light to be visible and is nothing to be
concerned about.
Why do I get interference on
my TV and radio when I use the
microwave?
Microwaves use radio waves similar to those received by TVs
and radios. You can lessen the interference by moving your
microwave further away from the TV or radio.
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