38
COOKING GUIDE
M
ICROWAVE
COOKING
TIPS
(
CONT
.
)
If you use aluminum containers without package
instructions, follow these guidelines:
•
Place the container in a glass bowl and add some
water so that it covers the bottom of the container,
not more than
1
⁄
4
inch high. This ensures even
heating of the container bottom.
•
Always remove the lid to avoid damage to
the oven.
•
Use only undamaged containers.
•
Do not use containers taller than
3
⁄
4
inch.
•
Container must be half filled.
•
To avoid arcing, there must be a minimum
1
⁄
4
inch
between the aluminum container and the walls of
the oven and also between two aluminum
containers.
•
Always place the container on the turntable.
•
Reheating food in aluminum foil containers usually
takes up to double the time compared to reheating
in plastic, glass, china, or paper containers. The
time when food is ready will vary depending upon
the type of container you use.
•
Let food stand for 2 to 3 minutes after heating so
that heat is spread evenly throughout container.
Cooking you should not do in your
microwave oven
•
Do not do canning of foods in the oven. Closed
glass jars may explode, resulting in damage to
the oven or possible personal injury.
•
Do not use the microwave oven to sterilize objects
(baby bottles, etc.). It is difficult to keep the oven at
the high temperature needed for safe sterilization.
Arranging food
For best results, place food evenly on the plate.
You can do this in several ways:
•
If you are cooking several items of the same
food, such as baked potatoes, place them in a
ring pattern for uniform cooking.
•
When cooking foods of uneven shapes or
thickness, such as chicken breasts, place the
smaller or thinner area of the food towards the
center of the dish where it will be heated last.
•
Layer thin slices of meat on top of each other.
•
When you cook or reheat whole fish, score the
skin – this prevents cracking.
•
Do not let food or a container touch the top or
sides of the oven. This will prevent possible
arcing.
Using aluminum foil
Metal containers should not be used in a microwave
oven. There are, however, some exceptions. If you
have purchased food which is prepackaged in an
aluminum foil container, refer to the instructions on
the package. When using aluminum foil containers,
cooking times may be longer because microwaves
will only penetrate the top of the food.
