Oven Works

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR MICROWAVE OVEN

This section discusses the concepts behind microwave cooking. It also shows you the basics you need to know to operate your microwave oven. Please read this information before you use your oven.

HOW YOUR MICROWAVE

Microwave ovens are safe. Microwave energy is not hot. It causes food to make its own heat, and it’s this heat that cooks the food.

Microwaves are like TV waves, radio waves, or light waves. You cannot see them, but you can see what they do.

A magnetron in the microwave oven produces microwaves. The microwaves move into the oven where they contact food as it turns on the turntable.

The glass turntable of your microwave oven lets microwaves pass through. Then they bounce off a metal floor, back through the glass turntable, and are absorbed by the food.

Magnetron

Oven cavity

Metal floor

Glass turntable

Microwaves pass through most glass, paper, and plastics without heating them so food absorbs the energy. Microwaves bounce off metal containers so food does not absorb the energy.

RADIO INTERFERENCE

Using your microwave oven may cause interference to your radio, TV, or similar equipment. When there is interference, you can reduce it or remove it by:

•Cleaning the door and sealing surfaces of the oven.

•Adjusting the receiving antenna of the radio or television.

•Moving the receiver away from the microwave oven.

•Plugging the microwave oven into a different outlet so that the microwave oven and receiver are on different branch circuits.

FOR THE BEST COOKING RESULTS

•Always cook food for the shortest cooking time recommended. Check to see how the food is cooking. If needed, touch ADD MINUTE while the oven is operating or after the cooking cycle is over (see the “Using add minute” section).

•Stir, turn over, or rearrange the food being cooked about halfway through the cooking time for all recipes. This will help make sure the food is evenly cooked.

•If you do not have a cover for a dish, use wax paper, or microwave-approved paper towels or plastic wrap. Remember to turn back a corner of the plastic wrap to vent steam during cooking.

TESTING YOUR MICROWAVE OVEN

To test the oven put about 1 cup of cold water in a glass container in the oven. Close the door. Make sure it latches. Cook at 100% power for 2 minutes. When the time is up, the water should be heated.