MICROWAVE OVEN USE
A magnetron in the microwave oven produces micro
waves which reflect off the metal floor, walls and
ceiling and pass through the turntable and appropriate
cookware to the food. Microwaves are attracted to
and absorbed by fat, sugar and water molecules in
the food, causing them to move, producing friction
and heat which cooks the food.
To avoid damage to the microwave oven, do not
lean on or allow children to swing on the microwave
oven door.
To avoid damage to the microwave oven, do not
operate when it is empty.
Baby bottles and baby food jars should not be
heated in microwave oven.
Clothes, flowers, fruit, herbs, wood, gourds, paper,
including brown paper bags and newspaper, should
not be dried in microwave oven.
Paraffin wax will not melt in the microwave oven
because it does not absorb microwaves.
Use oven mitts or pot holders when removing con
tainers from microwave oven.
Do not overcook potatoes. At the end of the reco
mmended cook time, potatoes should be slightly
firm. Let potatoes stand for 5 minutes. They will
finish cooking while standing.
Do not cook or reheat whole eggs inside the shell.
Steam buildup in whole eggs may cause them to
burst, requiring significant cleanup of microwave
oven cavity. Cover poached eggs and allow a
standing time.
Food Characteristics
When microwave cooking, the amount, size and shape,
starting temperature, composition and density of the
food affect cooking results.
Amount of Food
The more food heated at once, the longer the cook time
needed. Check for doneness and add small increments
of time if necessary.
Size and Shape
Smaller pieces of food will cook more quickly than larger
pieces, and uniformly shaped foods cook more evenly
than irregularly shaped food.
Starting Temperature
Room temperature foods will heat faster than refrigerated
foods, and refrigerated foods will heat faster than frozen
foods.
Composition and Density
Foods high in fat and sugar will reach a higher temper
ature, and will heat faster than other foods. Heavy,
dense foods, such as meat and potatoes, require a
longer cook time than the same size of a light, porous
food, such as cake.
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 over
cooking 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 shield 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.
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 transf
erred 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 .
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