Filter
Top Products
6
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.
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.
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.
How your microwave
oven works
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.
Magnetron
Metal floor Glass turntable
Oven cavity
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 about 1 cup 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.
Testing your dinnerware
or cookware
Test dinnerware or cookware before using. To test a
dish for safe use, put it into the oven with a cup of
water beside it. Cook at 100% cook power for one
minute. If the dish gets hot and water stays cool, do
not use it. Some dishes (melamine, some ceramic
dinnerware, etc.) absorb microwave energy, becoming
too hot to handle and slowing cooking times. Cooking
in metal containers not designed for microwave use
could damage the oven, as could containers with
hidden metal (twist-ties, foil lining, staples, metallic
glaze or trim).