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How your microwave
oven works
Microwave ovens are safe. 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.
The microwaves disturb water molecules
in the food. As the molecules bounce
around bumping into each other, heat is
made, like rubbing your hands together.
This is the heat that does the cooking.
Microwaves do heat the CRISPWARE™
Crisper Pan, however. The rubberized pad
on the bottom of the Crisper Pan is made of a
special material which absorbs microwaves.
This heats the pan very rapidly, browning and
crisping the bottom of the food.
The Crisper Pan reaches 436°F (210°C) in
about 2 minutes (faster than a browning dish)
and stays at that temperature. The bottom
coating of the Crisper Pan is designed to stop
absorbing microwaves at 436°F (210°C),
which is the best temperature for frying.
Radio interference
Using your microwave oven may cause
interference 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.
• Adjusting the receiving antenna of the
radio or television.
• Moving the receiver away from the
microwave oven.
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
the EASY MINUTE while the oven is
operating or after the cooking cycle is over
(see the “Using EASY MINUTE” section).
• Stir, turn over, or rearrange the food
being cooked about halfway through the
cooking time for all recipes. This will help
make sure the food is evenly cooked.
NOTE: Some cycles may have to be reset
if you have interrupted the cycle.
• If you do not have a cover for a dish,
use wax paper, or microwave-approved
paper towels or plastic wrap. Turn back a
corner of the plastic wrap to vent steam
during cooking.
Testing your
microwave oven
To test the oven put about 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 2 minutes. When the time
is up, the water should be heated.
Magnetron
Metal floor Glass turntable
Oven cavity
Getting to Know Your
Microwave Oven
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.
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