8
Cooking Guidelines
Covering
Covering food helps retain moisture, shorten cook time and
reduce spattering. Use the lid supplied with cookware. If a lid is
not available, wax paper, paper towels or plastic wrap approved
for microwave ovens may be used. Plastic wrap should be turned
back at one corner to provide an opening to vent steam.
Condensation on the door and cavity surfaces is normal during
heavy cooking.
Stirring and Turning
Stirring and turning redistribute heat evenly to avoid overcooking
the outer edges of food. Stir from outside to center. If possible,
turn food over from bottom to top.
Arranging
If heating irregularly shaped or different sized foods, arrange the
thinner parts and smaller sized items toward the center. If
cooking several items of the same size and shape, place them in
a ring pattern, leaving the center of the ring empty.
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 cooking 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. Place cookware or dinnerware in microwave 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 microwave
oven. If not used properly, arcing (a blue flash of light) can occur
and cause damage to the microwave oven.
OK for Use
Racks and bakeware supplied with the microwave oven (on some
models), 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
microwave 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
microwave oven.
Microwave Cooking Power
Many recipes for microwave cooking specify which cooking
power to use by percent or name. For example,
70%=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.
Silicone
Bakeware
Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.
Straw, Wicker,
Wooden
Containers
Do not use in microwave oven.
Styrofoam
®†
Do not use in microwave oven.
Wax Paper
Acceptable for use.
PERCENT/NAME
USE
100%, High
(default setting)
Quick heating convenience foods and
foods with high water content, such as
soups, beverages and most vegetables.
90%
Cooking small, tender pieces of meat,
ground meat, poultry pieces and fish fillets.
Heating cream soups.
MATERIAL
RECOMMENDATIONS
†®STYROFOAM is a Registered Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company.
