IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
ABOUT UTENSILS AND COVERINGS
It is not necessary to buy all new cookware. Many pieces already in your kitchen can be used successfully in your new microwave oven. Make sure the utensil does not touch the interior walls during cooking.
Use these utensils for safe microwave cooking and reheating:
•glass ceramic (Pyroceram®), such as Corningware®.
•
•
•paper plates
•
•browning dish (Do not exceed recommended preheating time. Follow manufacturer’s directions.)
ABOUT CHILDREN AND THE MICROWAVE
Children below the age of 7 should use the microwave oven with a supervising person very near to them. Between the ages of 7 and 12, the supervising person should be in the same room.
As with any appliance, close supervision by an adult is necessary when used by children.
At no time should anyone be allowed to lean or swing on the microwave oven door.
Children should be taught all safety precautions: use potholders, remove coverings carefully, pay special attention to packages that crisp food because they may be extra hot.
Don’t assume that because a child has mastered one cooking skill he/she can cook everything.
Children need to learn that the microwave oven is not a toy. See page 23 for Child Lock feature.
These items can be used for short time reheating of foods that have little fat or sugar in them:
• wood, straw, wicker
DO NOT USE
•metal pans and bakeware
•dishes with metallic trim
•
•
•recycled paper products
•brown paper bags
•food storage bags
•metal
Should you wish to check if a dish is safe for microwaving, place the empty dish in the microwave oven and microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds. A dish which becomes very hot should not be used.
The following coverings are ideal:
•Paper towels are good for covering foods for reheating and absorbing fat while cooking bacon.
•Wax paper can be used for cooking and reheating.
•Plastic wrap that is specially marked for microwave use can be used for cooking and reheating. DO NOT allow plastic wrap to touch food. Vent so steam can escape.
•Lids that are
•Microwave oven cooking bags are good for large meats or foods that need tenderizing. DO NOT use metal twist ties. Remember to slit bag so steam can escape.
How to use aluminum foil in your microwave oven:
•Small flat pieces of aluminum foil placed smoothly on the food can be used to shield areas that are either defrosting or cooking too quickly.
•Foil should not come closer than one inch to any surface of the microwave oven.
Should you have questions about utensils or coverings, check a good microwave cookbook or follow recipe suggestions.
ACCESSORIES There are many microwave accessories available for purchase. Evaluate carefully before you purchase so that they meet your needs. A
ABOUT SAFETY
•Check foods to see that they are cooked to the United States Department of Agriculture’s recommended temperatures.
TEMP | FOOD |
|
|
145°F | - For beef, lamb or veal cut into steaks, chops or |
(63°C) | roasts, fish |
|
|
160°F | - For fresh pork, ground meat, seafood, egg dishes, |
(71°C) frozen prepared food and beef, lamb or veal cut into steaks, chops or roasts
165°F - For leftover,
chicken or turkey breasts and ground poultry used in chicken or turkey burgers
NOTE
Do not cook whole, stuffed poultry. Cook stuffing separately to 165°F.
To test for doneness, insert a meat thermometer in a thick or dense area away from fat or bone. NEVER leave the thermometer in the food during cooking, unless it is approved for microwave oven use.
• ALWAYS use potholders to prevent burns when handling utensils that are in contact with hot food. Enough heat from the food can transfer through utensils to cause skin burns.
• Avoid steam burns by directing steam away from the face and hands. Slowly lift the farthest edge of a dish’s covering and carefully open popcorn and oven cooking bags away from the face.
• Stay near the microwave oven while it’s in use and check cooking progress frequently so that there is no chance of overcooking food.
• NEVER use the cavity for storing cookbooks or other items.
• Select, store and handle food carefully to preserve its high quality and minimize the spread of foodborne bacteria.
• Keep waveguide cover clean. Food residue can cause arcing and/or fires.
• Use care when removing items from the microwave oven so that the utensil, your clothes or accessories do not touch the safety door latches.
• Keep aluminum foil used for shielding at least 1 inch away from walls, ceiling and door.
7