Microwaving Tips, Variable Power Levels

MICROWAVING TIPS

•Make sure all cookware used in your microwave oven is suitable for microwaving. Most glass casseroles, cooking dishes, measuring cups, custard cups, pottery or china dinnerware which does not have metallic trim or glaze with a metallic sheen can be used. Some cookware is labeled ‘‘suitable for microwaving.’’

• If you are not sure if a dish is microwave-safe, use this test: Place in the oven both the dish you are testing and a glass measuring cup filled

with one cup water—set the

measuring cup either in or next to the dish. Microwave 1 minute at high. If the dish heats, it should not be used for microwaving. If the dish remains cool and only the water in the cup heats, then the dish is microwave-safe.

•Paper towels, waxed paper and plastic wrap can be used to cover dishes in order to retain moisture and prevent spattering. Be sure to vent plastic wrap so steam can escape.

•Some microwaved foods require stirring, rotating or rearranging. Check the Cooking Guide.

•Steam builds up pressure in foods which are tightly covered by a skin or membrane. Pierce potatoes, egg yolks and chicken livers to prevent bursting.

If you use a meat thermometer while cooking, make sure it is safe for use in microwave ovens.

VARIABLE POWER LEVELS (1–10)

How to Change Power Level

The power level may be entered or changed immediately after entering the feature time for TIME COOK I & II, DEFROST or INSTANT COOK. The power level may also be changed during their time countdown.

1.Press TIME COOK I & II or TIME DEFROST.

2.	Select cooking or defrosting time.	INSTANT COOK	INSTANT COOK	INSTANT COOK
		1	2	3
3.	Press POWER LEVEL.	4	5	6
3.	Press POWER LEVEL.	INSTANT COOK	INSTANT COOK	6
4.	Select desired power level 1–10.	7	8	9
5.	Press START.	POWER	0	ADD
5.	Press START.	LEVEL	0	30 SEC

Variable power levels add flexibility to your microwave cooking. The power levels on your microwave oven can be compared to the surface units on a range. HIGH (Power Level 10) or full power is the fastest way to cook and gives you 100% power. 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.

A high setting (10) will cook faster but may need additional attention such as frequent stirring, rotating or turning over. Most of your cooking will be done on HIGH (Power Level 10). A lower setting will cook more evenly and with less attention given to stirring or rotating the food.

Some foods may have better flavor, texture or appearance if one of the lower settings is used. You may wish to use a lower power level when cooking foods that have a tendency to boil over, such as scalloped potatoes.

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:

POWER LEVEL	BEST USES

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
	such as stews and less tender
	cuts of meat.
Low 2 or 3	Defrosting without cooking;
	simmering; delicate sauces.
Warm 1	Keeping food warm without
	overcooking; softening butter.