Programmed Cooking

ConvectionCooking

During convection cycles, the convection element heats the air in the microwave oven cavity, and the convection fan circulates the hot air. The constantly moving air surrounds the food to heat the outer portion quickly.

See “Food Type Chart” for automatic convection cycles (Bake or Roast).

Convection cooking may also be done manually. Use convection cooking for items such as pies, breads, cookies, cakes and pizza. See “Manual Cooking” section for instructions.

Manual convection cooking may be used to proof bread. See “Raising (Proofing) Bread” section for instructions.

NOTES:

■Use the provided convection rack.

■Do not cover the turntable or convection rack with foil, as it interferes with the circulation of hot air.

■Do not use light plastic containers, plastic wrap or paper products. All ovenproof cookware or metal utensils can be used in convection cooking. (Round pizza pans are excellent cooking utensils for many convection-only items.) Metal utensils cannot be used in microwave or combination cooking.

■No special techniques are needed to adapt standard oven recipes to convection cooking, although some cooking times might need to be shortened, and some temperatures adjusted.

■This microwave oven may be preheated in the same way that a standard oven is preheated. (Most recipes for baked goods call for preheating.)

CombinationCooking

Combination cooking uses microwaves in addition to the convection system to cook or roast foods more quickly than with convection alone.

Combination cooking may also be done manually. Use combination cooking for items such as roasts, meat loaf, lasagna, casseroles and whole chicken. See “Manual Method Cooking” or “Convect Time/Temp” sections for instructions.

NOTES:

■Do not use metal cookware or utensils during combination cooking.

■Meats may be roasted directly on the convection rack. Use the browning pan to catch drippings.

■Less tender cuts of beef can be roasted and tenderized using oven cooking bags.

■Check for doneness after the cycle has ended. If the food is not completely done, let it stand in the microwave oven for a few minutes to finish cooking.

■During any automatic or manual combination cycle, no more than 30% microwave power is used.

SensorCooking

Some automatic cycles are sensor cycles. See “Cook Method Chart.” No amounts need to be entered. A sensor in the microwave oven detects humidity released from the food as it heats, and adjusts the cook time accordingly. The progress bar appears during sensing (see “Progress Bar” section).

Many sensor cycles require the covering of foods. The provided steamer vessel has a loose-fitting lid, which allows enough steam to escape to be detected by the sensor. When covering foods with plastic wrap, be sure to leave a large enough vent opening to allow the steam to escape.

NOTES:

■The microwave oven should be plugged in for at least 2 minutes.

■The microwave oven cavity and the exterior of the cooking container should be dry.

■The room temperature should not exceed 95°F (35°C).

■If the door is opened during a sensor cycle, sensing will stop and the program will be canceled.

■For optimal performance, wait at least 30 minutes after convection cooking or grill cooking before sensor cooking.

Preheating

Preheating of the microwave oven is programmed in some automatic convection cycles. After the microwave oven is preheated, it will maintain the set preheat temperature until the door is opened to add food. Preheating may be skipped after it has started by touching “Skip Preheat” on the touch screen, adding food, and then touching “Continue.”

Preheating of the browning pan is programmed in many automatic cooking cycles. This preheating phase may also be skipped by touching “Skip Preheat.”

For optimal results, we recommend completing the preheating phase of each cycle in which preheating is programmed. However, preheating of the microwave oven would not be necessary when baking consecutive batches, such as cookies, as the microwave oven would already be hot.

Doneness

Doneness for food items may be adjusted for most automatic cycles. Before starting a cycle, touch “Doneness” on the touch screen, and adjust the doneness with “+” (more done) or “-” (less done) controls. The “+” control adds to, and the “-” control subtracts from the recommended default cook time.

The more done and less done settings in most foods for which doneness may be adjusted are equal. That is, the same amount of time may be added to or subtracted from the cycle. Some of the Meat and Poultry cycles have only the more done settings.