7
G
ETTING TO
K
NOW
Y
OUR
M
ICROWAVE
O
VEN
This section discusses the concepts behind microwave cooking. It also shows you the basics you need
to know to operate your microwave oven. Please read this information before you use your oven.
Microwave energy is not hot. It causes food to make
its own heat, and it’s this heat that cooks the food.
Microwaves are like TV waves, radio waves, or
light waves. You cannot see them, but you can see
what they do.
A magnetron in the microwave oven produces
microwaves. The microwaves move into the oven
where they contact food as it turns on the
turntable.
The glass turntable of your microwave oven lets
microwaves pass through. Then they bounce off a
metal floor, back through the glass turntable, and
are absorbed by the food.
Microwaves pass through most glass, paper, and
plastics without heating them so food absorbs the
energy. Microwaves bounce off metal containers so
food does not absorb the energy.
For the best cooking results
•
Always cook food for the shortest cooking time
recommended. Check to see how the food is
cooking. If needed, touch JET START™ feature
while the oven is operating or after the cooking
cycle is over (see the “Using JET START™ feature”
section).
•
To help make sure the food is evenly cooked,
stir, turn over, or rearrange the food about
halfway through the cooking time.
•
If you do not have a cover for a dish, use wax
paper, or microwave-approved paper towels or
plastic wrap. Remember to turn back a corner of
the plastic wrap
1
⁄
4
to
1
⁄
2
in. (6.35 to 12.7 mm) to
vent steam during heating or cooking.
Using your microwave oven may cause interfer-
ence to your radio, TV, or similar equipment. When
there is interference, you can reduce it or remove it
by:
•
Cleaning the door and sealing surfaces of the
oven.
H
OW YOUR MICROWAVE OVEN WORKS
•
Adjusting the receiving antenna of the radio or
television.
•
Moving the receiver away from the microwave oven.
•
Plugging the microwave oven into a different outlet
so that the microwave oven and receiver are on
different branch circuits.
R
ADIO INTERFERENCE
T
ESTING YOUR MICROWAVE OVEN
2 minutes. When the time is up, the water should be
heated.
To test the oven, put 1 cup (250 mL) of cold water
in a glass container in the oven. Close the door.
Make sure it latches. Cook at 100% power for
Magnetron
Metal floor
Glass turntable
Oven cavity
