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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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