7
●
Stir foods from outside to center of dish once or twice
during cooking, if possible.
●
Turn foods over once during microwaving to speed
cooking of such foods as chicken and hamburgers. Large
items like roasts must be turned over at least once.
●
Rearrange foods such as meatballs halfway through
cooking both from top to bottom and from the center of
the dish to the outside.
●
Add standing time. Remove food from oven and stir, if
possible. Cover for standing time that allows the food to
finish cooking without overcooking.
●
Check for doneness. Look for signs indicating that
cooking temperatures have been reached.
●
Doneness signs include:
−
Food steams throughout, not just at edge.
−
Center bottom of dish is very hot to the touch.
−
Poultry thigh joints move easily.
−
Meat and poultry show no pinkness.
−
Fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
About Safety
Check foods to see that they are cooked to the following
recommended temperatures.
TEMP
FOOD
160
o
F
...For fresh pork, ground meat, boneless white poultry, fish,
seafood, egg dishes and frozen prepared food.
165
o
F
…For leftover, ready-to-reheat refrigerated, and deli and carry-
out “fresh” food.
170
o
F
…White meat of poultry.
180
o
F
…Dark meat of poultry.
●
To test for doneness, insert a meat thermometer in a
thick or dense area away from fat or bone. NEVER leave
the thermometer in the food during cooking, unless it is
approved for microwave oven use.
●
ALWAYS use potholders to prevent burns when handling
utensils that are in contact with hot food. Enough heat
from the food can transfer through utensils to cause skin
burns.
●
Avoid steam burns by directing steam away from the
face and hands. Slowly lift the farthest edge of a dish’s
covering and carefully open popcorn and oven cooking
bags away from the face.
●
Stay near the oven while it’s in use and check cooking
progress frequently so that there is no chance of
overcooking food.
●
NEVER use the cavity for storing cookbooks or other
items.
●
Select store and handle food carefully to preserve its high
quality and minimize the spread of food borne bacteria.
●
Keep waveguide cover clean. Food residue can cause
arcing and/or fires.
●
Use care when removing items from the oven so that
utensil, your clothes or accessories do not touch the
safety door latches.
About Utensils and
Coverings
It is not necessary to buy all new cookware. Many pieces
already in your kitchen can be used successfully in your new
microwave oven. Make sure the utensil does not touch the
interior walls during cooking.
Use these utensils for safe microwave cooking and reheating
●
Glass ceramic
●
Heat-resistant glass
●
Microwave-safe plastics
●
Paper plates
●
Microwave-safe pottery, stoneware and porcelain
●
Browning dish
DO NOT USE
●
Metal pans and bake ware
●
Dishes with metallic trim
●
Non-heat-resistant glass
●
Non-microwave-safe plastic
●
Recycled paper bags
●
Food storage bags
●
Metal twist-ties
●
Wood
●
Straw
●
Wicker
Should you wish to check if a dish is safe for microwaving,
place the empty dish in the oven and microwave on HIGH for
30 seconds. A dish which becomes very hot should not be
used.
The following coverings are ideal:
●
Paper towels are good for covering foods for reheating
and absorbing fat while cooking bacon.
●
Wax paper can be used for cooking and reheating.
●
Plastic wrap that is specially marked for microwave use
can be used for cooking and reheating. DO NOT allow
plastic wrap to touch food. Vent so steam can escape.
●
Lids that are microwave-safe are a good choice because
heat is kept near the food to hasten cooking.
●
Oven cooking bags are good for large meats or foods
that need tenderizing. DO NOT use metal twist ties.
Remember to slit bag so steam can escape.
How to use aluminum foil in your microwave oven:
●
Small flat pieces of aluminum foil placed smoothly on the
food can be used to shield areas that are either defrosting
or cooking too quickly.
●
Foil should not come closer than one inch to any surface
of the oven.
ACCESSORIES: There are many microwave accessories
available for purchase. Evaluate carefully before you
purchase so that they meet your needs. A microwave-safe
thermometer will assist you in determining correct doneness
and assure you that foods have been cooked to safe
temperatures. Furrion is not responsible for any damage to
the oven when accessories are used.
