About changing the power level, Microwave terms

About changing the power level.

Care and Cleaning Operating Instructions Safety Instructions

The power level may be entered or changed immediately after entering the time for Time Cook, Time Defrost or Express Cook. The power level may also be changed during time countdown.

		First, follow directions for Time Cook,
	1	First, follow directions for Time Cook,
	1	Time Defrost or Express Cook.
		Time Defrost or Express Cook.
		Press the POWER button.
	2	Press the POWER button.
		Turn the dial clockwise to increase and
	3	Turn the dial clockwise to increase and
	3	counterclockwise to decrease the power
		counterclockwise to decrease the power
		level. Press the dial to enter.
		Press the START/PAUSE button to start
	4	Press the START/PAUSE button to start
	4	cooking.
		cooking.

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.

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, heating 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.

Low 2 or 3: Defrosting; simmering; delicate sauces.

Warm 1: Keeping food warm; softening butter.

Consumer Support Troubleshooting Tips

Microwave terms.

Term	Definition
Arcing	Arcing is the microwave term for sparks in the oven. Arcing is caused by:
	■ the metal shelf being installed incorrectly and touching the microwave walls.
	■ metal or foil touching the side of the 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 towels containing small metal pieces.
	■ the turntable ring support being installed incorrectly.

Covering	Covers hold in moisture, allow for more even heating and reduce cooking time. Venting plastic wrap 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 poultry, 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.