Panasonic NN-ST641W manual Microwaves and How They Work, Cookware and Utensils Guide

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Microwaves and How They Work

Microwaves are a form of high frequency radio waves similar to those used by a radio, including AM, FM and CB. They are similar to a television where the radio waves are converted to a picture on the screen. However, microwaves are much shorter than radio waves; approximately twelve centimetres wave length. Electricity is converted into microwave energy by the magnetron tube (which is the heart of the microwave oven).

From the magnetron tube, microwave energy is transmitted to the oven cavity through a small plastic covered piece. The microwaves are converted to heat in the food. The microwaves enter from the outside of the food and travel through the food losing half of their power every two to three centimetres. Continued cooking to the centre occurs by conduction.

Although pacemakers used to be affected by microwaves (as well as by other radio waves), they are now shielded and are not bothered by these interferences. This allows people with pacemakers to sit calmly by their radio or television and cook with microwave ovens.

When microwaves come in contact with a substance, any one or combination of three things may occur. They can be:

1.REFLECTED

2.TRANSMITTED

3.ABSORBED

Reflection:

Metal substances REFLECT microwave energy and because there is no absorption, there is no heating. This is why the oven interior is either stainless steel or epoxy-coated steel. This ensures that the microwaves are kept inside the cavity and evenly distributed throughout the food with the help of the turntable.

Transmission:

Such substances as paper, glass and plastic TRANSMIT microwave energy and do not become hot except from food. Because these substances do not reflect or absorb microwave energy, they are ideal materials for microwave cooking containers.

Absorption:

Food contains moisture and will ABSORB microwave energy, which causes the moisture molecules within the food to vibrate at an incredible rate (2,450,000,000 times per second). Friction, created by the vibration, produces heat energy which is conducted throughout the food.

Cookware and Utensils Guide

It is important to use the correct container when cooking in a microwave oven. The following will help you make the right selection.

How to Test a Container for Safe Microwave Oven Use

TO TEST A CONTAINER FOR SAFE MICROWAVE OVEN USE: Fill a 1-cup glass measure with cool water and place it in the microwave oven alongside the empty container to be tested; heat one (1) minute at High. If the container is microwave ovensafe (transparent to microwave energy), the container should remain comfortably cool, the water in glass measure should be hot. If the container is hot, it has absorbed some microwave energy and should NOT be used. This test cannot be used for plastic containers.

Paper Products and Freezer Wrap

Waxed paper, paper plates, cups and napkins should not be used for heating or cooking food. Freezer wrap should not be used as it is not heat resistant and may melt. Paper towel, greaseproof paper and bake paper may be safely used for short periods of time for covering or lining.

Glass, Ceramic and China

Heat-Resistant glass cookware is invaluable in microwave cooking. Many of these items are readily available in most homes: glass jugs, mixing bowls, loaf dishes, covered casseroles, oblong baking dishes, pie plates and round or square cake dishes. Examples of this type of cookware are Pyrex® and Corningware®.

Dinnerware can be used for microwave heating. Many brands of dinnerware are microwave safe. Check the care information for reference to microwave use for dinnerware and serving pieces. If dinnerware is marked ovenproof, it frequently is safe to use in the microwave oven. However, to be sure, check by conducting microwave dish test previously mentioned.

Several types of glassware and dinnerware are not recommended for use in the microwave oven. Do not use dishes with metallic trim or containers with metal parts. Do not use cups or mugs with glued on handles, as they may fall off with continued heating. Do not use delicate glassware. Although the glassware may be transparent to microwave energy the heat from the food may cause the glassware to crack.

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Contents Operating Instruction and Cook Book Space provided and retain this book as a permanent Table of Contents Safety Instructions Important InstructionsEarthing Instructions General Use Installation and General InstructionsPlacement of Oven CircuitsMicrowaves and How They Work Cookware and Utensils GuideJars and Bottles PlasticsMetal Straw, Wicker and WoodFeature Diagram Beep Sound Turbo Defrost Pad Timer Pad Clock Pad Stop/Reset PadControl Panel Auto Cook Pads pg Start PadLet’s Start To Use Your Oven Press once To Use Child Safety LockTo Set Clock Enter Time of DaySet Cooking Time Micro PowerPower Level Wattage Example of USE For more than one stage cookingSet Weight To DefrostPreparation for Freezing Defrosting Chart by setting Micro Power at DeforstDefrosting Tips and Techniques Minutes perRecommended Food Weight To Cook Using Auto Reheat / Auto CookSelect desired Serving/Weight Select desired menu numberStages Setting Ingredient Conversion ChartTo Set Delay Start To Use TimerTo Use as a Kitchen Timer To Set Standing TimeBefore Requesting Service These Things are NormalCare of your Microwave Oven Before CleaningAfter Cleaning Technical SpecificationsPanasonic Warranty Quick Guide to Operation Starting Temperature Food Characteristics Size and QuantityLiquid Content Techniques for Preparation TimingBrowning Microwave Recipe TechniquesTechniques for Preparation Covering Standing TimeCooking for One Menu Planning for Microwave CookingIncreasing & Decreasing Recipes Converting Recipes from Other SourcesReheat General rules for reheating foods by Micro PowerMinimun weight 250 g / Maximun weight 850 g Reheating by Auto CookReheating by Micro Power Frozen Pre-cooked Foods Starting Temperature VolumeLarge Volume Soups and Snacks Nachos Supreme Chicken and Prawn LaksaZucchini Slice Nuts and BoltsDirections for Cooking Fish and Shellfish by Micro Power Cooking Fish and Shellfish by Micro PowerFish and Shellfish Garlic Prawns Spiced Whole BreamSalmon Mornay Salmon Steaks with Lime ButterCooking Poultry by Micro Power Cooking Whole Poultry by Micro PowerCooking Poultry Pieces by Micro Power EggsPoultry and Eggs Chicken Cacciatore Green Peppercorn ChickenBacon and EGG in a CUP Roast ChickenChicken Rolls with Honey Mustard Apricot Nectar ChickenChicken SAN Choy BAU Chicken and Asparagus RisottoMeat Power APPROX. Cooking Time Cooking Tender Cuts of Meat using Micro PowerMeat Chart for Microwave Cooking MeatThai Beef Curry General Guide to Curries for Auto CookCooking Curries by Auto Cook Lamb KormaFrench Onion Beef Casserole Beef BourguignonneItalian Beef Casserole with Polenta Dumplings GoulashChinese Beef and Vegetables Spaghetti Meat SauceBeef Stroganoff Chilli BeefCooking Fresh Vegetables By Micro Power Vegetable Quantity Cooking ProcedureApprox Vegetables Cooking Frozen Vegetables By Micro PowerVegetable Quantity Cooking Procedure Cooking Time LegumesCooking Vegetables And Root Vegetables By Auto Cook Dried Beans or Peas by Micro PowerCooking Dried Beans and Peas by Micro Power VegetablesVegetables and Legumes Tomato Vegetable Casserole Thai Vegetable CurryCheesy Mashed Potatoes Savoury Brussels SproutsHummus Cooking Legumes by Auto CookRED Coconut Dhal Chickpea Salad with Coriander DressingCooking Rice by Micro power NoodlesRice, Pasta Rice, Pasta and Noodles Cooking Pasta by Micro Power Fresh PastaDried Pasta Spaghetti with Chilli Tomato Sauce Penne PuttanescaCreamy SUN-DRIED Tomato Penne Creamy Bacon SauceTeriyaki Tofu Vegetable Noodles Cooking Dried Noodles by Micro powerCooking Fresh Noodles by Auto Cook Szechuan Salad NoodlesSultana Cake Cooking Cakes by Micro PowerCakes, Desserts and Slices Packet CakePeach and Muesli Crumble Chocolate Self Saucing PuddingApple Crumble Apricot CobblerCinnamon Poached Pears Cooking Fruit by Micro PowerSweet Berry Sauce Stirred CustardPreserving Precautions Sauces and ExtrasCheese Sauce Basic White SauceGravy Lemon Lime CordialF00039Y10QP PA0811-0
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