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7
HOW YOUR MICROWAVE
OVEN WORKS
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.
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.
•
Plugging the microwave oven into a different outlet
so that the microwave oven and receiver are on
different branch circuits.
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 ADD MINUTE while the
oven is operating or after the cooking cycle is over
(see the “Using ADD 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.
•
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 to vent steam during cooking.
TESTING YOUR MICROWAVE OVEN
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 2 minutes.
When the time is up, the water should be heated.
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.
Magnetron
Metal floor Glass turntable
Oven cavity