6
Microwaves pass through most glass, paper, and
plastics without heating them so food absorbs the
energy. Microwaves bounce off metal containers so
food does not absorb the energy.
For the best cooking results
•
Always cook food for the shortest cooking time
recommended. Check to see how the food is
cooking. If needed, touch ADD 1 MINUTE while the
oven is operating or after the cooking cycle is over
(see the “ADD 1 MINUTE” section).
•
To help make sure the food is evenly cooked, stir,
turn over, or rearrange the food about halfway
through the cooking time.
•
If you do not have a cover for a dish, use wax
paper, or microwave-approved paper towels or
plastic wrap. Remember to turn back a corner of the
plastic wrap
1
⁄
4
to
1
⁄
2
in. (6.35 to 12.7 mm) to vent
steam during heating or cooking.
H
OW YOUR MICROWAVE OVEN
WORKS
Microwave energy is not hot. It causes food to make its
own heat, and it’s this heat that cooks the food.
Microwaves are like TV waves, radio waves, or light
waves. You cannot see them, but you can see what
they do.
A magnetron in the microwave oven produces
microwaves. The microwaves move into the oven
where they contact food as it turns on the turntable.
The glass turntable of your microwave oven lets
microwaves pass through. Then they bounce off a
metal floor, back through the glass turntable, and
are absorbed by the food.
G
ETTING TO
K
NOW
Y
OUR
M
ICROWAVE
O
VEN
This section discusses the concepts behind microwave cooking. It also shows you the basics you need to
know to operate your microwave oven. Please read this information before you use your oven.
R
ADIO INTERFERENCE
Using your microwave oven may cause interference to
your radio, TV, or similar equipment. When there is
interference, you can reduce it or remove it by:
•
Cleaning the door and sealing surfaces of the oven.
•
Adjusting the receiving antenna of the radio or
television.
•
Moving the receiver away from the microwave oven.
•
Plugging the microwave oven into a different outlet
so that the microwave oven and receiver are on
different branch circuits.
T
ESTING YOUR MICROWAVE OVEN
To test the oven, put 1 cup (250 mL) of cold water in
a glass container in the oven. Close the door. Make
sure it latches. Cook at 100% power for 2 minutes.
When the time is up, the water should be heated.
T
ESTING YOUR DINNERWARE OR
COOKWARE
Test dinnerware or cookware before using. To test
a dish, put it into the oven with 1 cup (250 mL) of
water beside it. Cook at 100% cook power for one
minute. If the dish gets hot and water stays cool,
do not use it. Some dishes (melamine, some ceramic
dinnerware, etc.) absorb microwave energy, and may
become too hot to handle or may slow cooking times.
Cooking in metal containers not designed for micro-
wave use could damage the oven, as could contain-
ers with hidden metal (twist-ties, foil lining, staples,
metallic glaze or trim).
Oven cavity
Magnetron
