Cookware and Dinnerware, Cooking Power

Arranging

If heating irregularly shaped or different sized foods, arrange the thinner parts and smaller sized items toward the center. If cooking several items of the same size and shape, place them in a ring pattern, leaving the center of the ring empty.

Piercing

Before heating, use a fork or small knife to pierce or prick foods that have a skin or membrane, such as potatoes, egg yolks, chicken livers, hot dogs, and sausage. Prick in several places to allow steam to vent.

Shielding

Use small, flat pieces of aluminum foil to shield the thin pieces of irregularly shaped foods, bones and foods such as chicken wings, leg tips and fish tail. See “Aluminum Foil and Metal” first.

Standing Time

Food will continue to cook by the natural conduction of heat even after the microwave cooking cycle ends. The length of standing time depends on the volume and density of the food.

Cookware and Dinnerware

Cookware and dinnerware must fit on the turntable. Always use oven mitts or pot holders when handling because any dish may become hot from heat transferred from the food. Do not use cookware and dinnerware with gold or silver trim. Use the following chart as a guide, then test before using.

MATERIAL	RECOMMENDATIONS
Aluminum Foil,	See “Aluminum Foil and Metal” section.
Metal

Browning Dish	Bottom must be at least 3/16" (5 mm)
	above the turntable. Follow manufacturer’s
	recommendations.

Ceramic Glass,	Acceptable for use.
Glass

China,	Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.
Earthenware

Melamine	Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.

Paper: Towels,	Use nonrecycled and those approved by
Dinnerware,	the manufacturer for microwave oven use.
Napkins

Plastic: Wraps,	Use those approved by the manufacturer
Bags, Covers,	for microwave oven use.
Dinnerware,
Containers

Pottery and Clay	Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.

Styrofoam*	Do not use in microwave oven.

Straw, Wicker,	Do not use in microwave oven.
Wooden
Containers

Wax Paper	Acceptable for use.

To Test Cookware or Dinnerware for Microwave Use:

1.Put cookware or dinnerware in microwave oven with 1 cup (250 mL) of water beside it.

2.Cook at 100% cooking power for 1 minute.

Do not use cookware or dinnerware if it becomes hot and the water stays cool.

Aluminum Foil and Metal

Always use oven mitts or pot holders when removing dishes from the microwave oven.

Aluminum foil and some metal can be used in the microwave oven. If not used properly, arcing (a blue flash of light) can occur and cause damage to the microwave oven.

OK for Use

Racks and bakeware supplied with the microwave oven (on some models), aluminum foil for shielding, and approved meat thermometers may be used with the following guidelines:

■Do not allow aluminum foil or metal to touch the inside cavity walls, ceiling or floor.

■Always use the turntable.

■Do not allow contact with another metal object during cooking.

Do Not Use

Metal cookware and bakeware, gold, silver, pewter, non- approved meat thermometers, skewers, twist ties, foil liners such as sandwich wrappers, staples and objects with gold or silver trim or a metallic glaze should not be used in the microwave oven.

Cooking Power

Many recipes for microwave cooking specify which cooking power to use by percent, name or number. For example, 70%=7=Medium-High.

Use the following chart as a general guide for the suggested cooking power of specific foods.

PERCENT/NAME	NO.	USE
100%, High	10	Quick heating convenience foods
(default setting)		and foods with high water content,
		such as soups, beverages and most
		vegetables.

90%	9	Cooking small, tender pieces of
		meat, ground meat, poultry pieces
		and fish fillets.
		Heating cream soups.

80%	8	Heating rice, pasta or casseroles.
		Cooking and heating foods that
		need a cook power lower than high.
		For example, whole fish and meat
		loaf.

70%,	7	Reheating a single serving of food.
Medium-High

60%	6	Cooking sensitive foods such as
		cheese and egg dishes, pudding
		and custards.

Cooking non-stirrable casseroles, such as lasagna.