3
3
• Soften cream cheese in microwave.
Remove from original wrapper and
microwave on Medium-Low (PL-3)
for about 40 to 60 seconds.
• To soften butter for baking, unwrap
and place on small microwavable
dish. Microwave on Low (PL-1 or
PL-2) for 20 to 30 seconds for each
2 tablespoons.
• To melt butter, unwrap, cut into ta
-
blespoons and place in glass mea-
suring cup. Cover loosely with wax
paper to prevent spattering. Micro-
wave on High (PL-10) in 30-second
increments until three-quarters melt-
ed, then stir to complete melting.
• To heat syrup for pancakes or waf
-
fles, place in a microwave-safe con-
tainer with a handle (sugar syrups
get extremely hot), and microwave
on High (PL-10) for 30-second inter-
vals until warm.
• An instant-read thermometer is a
great tool to have – it will allow you
to check temperatures as needed
and will give you a reading within
seconds. Do not cook with the in-
stant-read thermometer in foods – it
is only for checking finished cooking
temperatures.
• Use microwave-safe containers for
cooking. Check manufacturer’s in-
structions as to microwavability. Chi-
na or porcelain with gold or silver in
the pattern cannot be microwaved.
Do not reuse deli containers, plastic
containers from frozen food items, or
other “single use containers” such
as margarine tubs or whipped top-
ping containers in the microwave, as
they may change chemically/physi-
cally when microwaved a second
time and impart or leach harmful
chemicals into microwaved foods.
Some plastics are not designed to
withstand high heat or to be reused,
and will change form or warp – it is
not recommended to eat foods from
containers that have changed shape.
• When microwaving in glass, be sure
it is tempered glass or it will shatter.
•
If using paper goods in the microwave,
use only white,
undecorated materi-
als, not made of recycled papers
(these may contain chemicals or bits
of metal which can ignite). For paper
towels it is suggested that the pack-
age have a microwave-safe claim for
the product.
• If the start/30-second button is
pressed while the microwave is in
use, this will default set the power to
level 10 as well as adding an extra
30-seconds of cooking time.
OTHER USES FOR
YOUR MICROWAVE
• To proof yeast doughs, place pre-
pared dough in a large bowl and
cover with plastic wrap. Place a 2-
cup measure filled with 1 cup water
in the microwave and bring to the
boil. Move it immediately to back
corner of microwave and place cov-
ered bowl of dough in the micro-
wave. Close door and let rise in the
warm, steamy microwave for 20 to
30 minutes until doubled in volume.
Remove from microwave and pro-
ceed according to recipe instruc-
tions.
• Decrystallize honey by uncovering
the jar and placing in the microwave
for 30 to 60 seconds on Medium
High (PL-7).
• Get more juice from citrus. Place
lemons and limes in microwave on
High (PL-10) for 20 to 30 seconds
and your juice yield will be greatly
improved and less difficult.
• Soften freezer-hard ice cream by
microwaving on Medium (PL-5) for
30 to 60 seconds.