Whirlpool MHE13XH warranty Works Cookware, Getting to Know Your Microwave Oven

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 OVEN TESTING YOUR DINNERWARE OR

WORKS	COOKWARE
Microwave ovens are safe. Microwave energy is not	Test dinnerware or cookware before using.
hot. It causes food to make its own heat, and it’s this	To test a dish for safe use, put it into the oven
heat that cooks the food.	with a cup (250 mL) of water beside it. Cook at 100%
Microwaves are like TV waves, radio waves, or light	cook power for one minute. If the dish gets hot and
waves. You cannot see them, but you can see what	water stays cool, do not use it. Some dishes
they do.	(melamine, some ceramic dinnerware, etc.) absorb
A magnetron in the microwave oven produces
	microwave energy, becoming too hot to handle and
microwaves. The microwaves move into the oven	slowing cooking times. Cooking in metal containers
where they contact food as it turns on the turntable.	not designed for microwave use could damage the
The glass turntable of your microwave oven lets	oven, as could containers with hidden metal
microwaves pass through. Then they bounce off a	(twist-ties, foil lining, staples, metallic glaze or trim).
metal floor, back through the glass turntable, and are
absorbed by the food.	OPERATING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Magnetron
	• Never lean on the door or allow a child to swing on
	it when the door is open.
	• Use hot pads. Microwave energy does not heat
	containers, but the heat from the food can make the
	container hot.
	• Do not use newspaper or other printed paper in the
	oven.
Oven cavity	• Do not dry flowers, fruit, herbs, wood, paper,
	gourds, or clothes in the oven.
Microwaves pass through most glass, paper, and	• Do not start a microwave oven when it is empty.
plastics without heating them so food absorbs the	Product life may be shortened. If you practice
energy. Microwaves bounce off metal containers so	programming the oven, put a container of water in
food does not absorb the energy.	the oven. It is normal for the oven door to look
	wavy after the oven has been running for a while.

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.

TESTING YOUR MICROWAVE OVEN

To test the oven put about 1 cup (250 mL) of cold water in a glass container in the oven. Close the door. Make sure it latches. Cook at 100% power for 2 min- utes. When the time is up, the water should be heated.

•Do not try to melt paraffin wax in the oven. Paraffin wax will not melt in a microwave oven because it allows microwaves to pass through it.

•Do not operate the microwave oven unless the glass turntable is securely in place and can rotate freely. The turntable can rotate in either direction.

•When you use a browning dish, the browning dish bottom must be at least 3⁄16 in (5 mm) above the turntable. Follow the directions supplied with the browning dish.

•Never cook or reheat a whole egg inside the shell. Steam buildup in whole eggs may cause them to burst, and possibly damage the oven. Slice hard-boiled eggs before heating. In rare cases, poached eggs have been known to explode. Cover poached eggs and allow a standing time of one minute before cutting into them.

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