Cook
Time
Express Cook
Start
Pause
Microwave terms.
Term
Definition
Arcing
Arcing is the microwave term of sparks in the oven. Arcing is cause by:
• metal or foil touching the side of hte oven.
• foil that is not molded to food (upturned edges act like antennas).
• metal such as twist-ties, poultry pins, gold-rimmed dishes.
• recycled paper towls containing small metal pieces.
Covering
Covers hold in moisture, allow for more even heating and reduce cooking time. Venting plastic warp or covering with wax paper allows
excess steam to escape.
Shielding
In a regular oven, you shield chicken breasts or baked foods to prevent over-browning. When microwaving, you use small strips of foil
to shield thin parts, such as the tips of wings and legs on pountry, which would cook before larger parts.
Standing Time
When you cook with regular ovens, foods such as roasts or cakes are allowed to stand to finish cooking or to set. Standing time is
especially important in microwave cooking. Note that a microwaved cake is not placed on a cooling rack.
Venting
After covering a dish with plastic wrap, you vent the plastic wrap by turning back one corner so excess steam can escape.
Changing the Power Level
The power level may be entered or changed
after entering the time for CookTime.
Press Cook Time button once.
1
2
Enter cooking time.
3
Enter Power Level.
4
Press Start.
Variable power levels add flexibility to
microwave cooking. The power levels on the
microwave oven can be compared to the
surface units on a range. Each power level
gives you microwave energy a certain percent
of the time. Power level 7 is microwave
energy 70% of the time. Power level 3 is
energy 30% of the time. Most cooking will be
done on High (power level 10) which gives you
100% power. Power level 10 will cook faster
but food may need more frequent stirring,
rotating or turning over. A lower setting will
cook more evenly and need less stirring or
rotating of the food. Some foods may have
better flavor, texture or appearance if one
of the lower settings is used. Use a lower
power level when cooking foods that have
a tendency to boil over, such as scalloped
potatoes.
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Rest periods (when the microwave energy
cycles off) give time for the food to "equalize"
or transfer heat to the inside of the food. An
example of this is shown with power level 3
the defrost cycle. If microwave energy did not
cycle off, the outside of the food would cook
before the inside was defrosted.
Here are some examples of uses for various
power levels:
High 10: Fish, bacon, vegetables, boiling
liquids.
Med-High 7: Gentle cooking of meat and
poultry; baking casseroles and reheating.
Medium 5: Slow cooking and tenderizing for
stews and less tender cuts of meat.
Defrosting; simmering; delicate
sauces.
Warm 1: Keeping food warm; softening
butter.
NOTE: You can also change the power level
during many cooking modes by pressing the
power level button entering a valid power
level.
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