18
USE YOUR MICROWAVE
OVEN SAFELY
General Use
Food
ARCING
If you see arcing, touch the
STOP/CLEAR
pad and correct the problem.
Arcing is the microwave term for sparks in the oven.
Arcing is caused by:
• Metal or foil touching the side of the oven.
• Foil not molded to food (upturned edges act like antennas).
• Metal, such as twist-ties, poultry pins, or gold rimmed dishes, in the
microwave.
• Recycled paper towels containing small metal pieces being used in the
microwave.
• Dirt or grease on waveguide cover.
Do not attempt to defeat or tamper with safety interlocks.
Do not place any object between the oven front frame and the door or allow
residue to build up on sealing surfaces. Wipe with a mild detergent, rinse and
dry. Never use abrasive powders or pads.
Do not subject the oven door to strain or weight such as a child hanging on
an open door.
This could cause the oven to fall forward resulting in injury to you and
damage to the oven.
Do not operate the oven if door seals or sealing surfaces are damaged; or if
door is bent; or if hinges are loose or broken.
Do not operate the oven empty. This will damage the oven.
Do not attempt to dry clothes, newspapers or other materials in the oven.
They may catch on fire.
Do not use recycled paper products as they may contain impurities which
may cause sparks or fires.
Do not hit or strike the control panel with hard objects. This can damage the
oven.
Never use your microwave oven for home canning. The oven is not designed
for proper home canning. Improperly canned food may spoil and be
dangerous to consume.
Always use the minimum recipe cooking time. It is better to undercook rather
than overcook foods.
Undercooked foods can be returned to the oven for more cooking. If food is
overcooked, nothing can be done.
Heat small quantities of food or foods with low moisture carefully. These can
quickly dry out, burn or catch on fire.
Do not heat eggs in the shell. Pressure may build up and eggs can explode.
Potatoes, apples, egg yolks and sausages are examples of food with non-
porous skins.
These must be pierced before cooking to prevent bursting.
Do not attempt to deep fat fry in your microwave oven.
Always allow a standing time of at least 20 seconds after the oven has been
switched off to allow the temperature to even out, stir during heating, if
necessary, and ALWAYS stir after heating. To prevent eruptive boiling and
possible scalding, you should put a spoon or glass stick into the beverages
and stir before, during and after heating.
Do not leave the oven unattended while popping corn.
Do not pop corn in a paper bag unless it is the commercially prepared
Microwave Popcorn product. The kernels can overheat and ignite a brown
paper bag.
Do not put packaged Microwave Popcorn bags directly on the oven tray.
Place the package on a microwave safe glass or ceramic plate to avoid
overheating and cracking the oven tray.
Do not exceed the Microwave Popcorn manufacturers suggested popping
time.
Longer popping does not yield more popcorn but it can result in scorch, burn
of fire. Remember, the Popcorn bag and tray can be too hot to handle.
Remove with caution and use pot holders.