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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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