8
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 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 transferred 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.
To Test Cookware or Dinnerware for Microwave Use:
1. Put cookware or dinnerware in oven with 1 cup (250 mL) of
water beside it.
2. Cook at 100% cooking power for 1 minute.
Do not use cookware or dinnerware if it becomes hot and the
water stays cool.
Aluminum Foil and Metal
Always use oven mitts or pot holders when removing dishes from
the microwave oven.
Aluminum foil and some metal can be used in the oven. If not
used properly, arcing (a blue flash of light) can occur and cause
damage to the oven.
OK for Use
Racks and bakeware supplied with the oven (if supplied),
aluminum foil for shielding, and approved meat thermometers
may be used with the following guidelines:
■
Do not allow aluminum foil or metal to touch the inside cavity
walls, ceiling or floor.
■
Always use the turntable.
■
Do not allow contact with another metal object during
cooking.
Do Not Use
Metal cookware and bakeware, gold, silver, pewter, non-
approved meat thermometers, skewers, twist ties, foil liners such
as sandwich wrappers, staples and objects with gold or silver
trim or a metallic glaze should not be used in the oven.
Cooking Power
Many recipes for microwave cooking specify which cooking
power to use by percent, name or number. For example,
70%=7=Medium-High.
Use the following chart as a general guide for the suggested
cooking power of specific foods.
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.
China,
Earthenware
Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.
Melamine
Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.
Paper Towels,
Dinnerware,
Napkins
Use nonrecycled and those approved by
the manufacturer for microwave oven use.
Plastic Wraps,
Bags, Covers,
Dinnerware,
Containers
Use those approved by the manufacturer
for microwave oven use.
Pottery and Clay
Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.
Styrofoam*
Do not use in oven.
Straw, Wicker,
Wooden
Containers
Do not use in oven.
Wax Paper
Acceptable for use.
PERCENT/
NAME
NUMBER USE
100%, High
(default setting)
10
Quick heating convenience
foods and foods with high water
content, such as soups,
beverages and most
vegetables.
90%
9
Cooking small tender pieces of
meat, ground meat, poultry
pieces and fish fillets.
Heating cream soups.
80%
8
Heating rice, pasta or
casseroles.
Cooking and heating foods that
need a cook power lower than
high. For example, whole fish
and meat loaf.
70%,
Medium-High
7
Reheating a single serving of
food.
60%
6
Cooking sensitive foods such as
cheese and egg dishes,
pudding and custards.
Cooking non-stirrable
casseroles, such as lasagna.
