USING YOUR MICROWAVE OVEN

COOKING AT DIFFERENT COOK POWERS

For best results, some recipes call for different cook powers. The lower the cook power, the slower the cooking. Each Number pad also stands for a different percentage of cook power. Many microwave cookbook recipes tell you by number, percent, or name which cook power to use.

The following chart gives the percentage of cook power each Number pad stands for, and the cook power name usually used. It also tells you when to use each cook power. Follow recipe or food package instructions if available.

NOTE: Refer to a reliable cookbook for cooking times.

COOK POWER

NAME

WHEN TO USE IT

 

 

 

100% of full power

High

Quick heating many convenience foods and foods

(automatic)

 

with high water content, such as soups, beverages

 

 

and most vegetables

 

 

 

9 = 90% of full power

 

Cooking small tender pieces of meat, ground meat,

 

 

poultry pieces, and fish fillets

 

 

Heating cream soups

 

 

 

8 = 80% of full power

Medium-High, Reheat

Heating rice, pasta, or stirrable casseroles

 

 

Cooking and heating foods that need a cook power

 

 

lower than high (for example, whole fish and meat loaf)

7 = 70% of full power

 

Reheating a single serving of food

6 = 60% of full power

 

Cooking sensitive foods such as cheese and egg

 

 

dishes, pudding, and custards

 

 

Cooking non-stirrable casseroles, such as lasagna

 

 

 

5 = 50% of full power

Medium

Cooking ham, whole poultry, and pot roasts

 

 

Simmering stews

4 = 40% of full power

 

Melting chocolate

 

 

Heating bread, rolls and pastries

3 = 30% of full power

Medium-Low,

Defrosting foods, such as bread, fish, meats,

 

Defrost

poultry, and precooked foods

 

 

 

2 = 20% of full power

 

Softening butter, cheese, and ice cream

1 = 10% of full power

Low

Keeping food warm

 

 

Taking chill out of fruit

 

 

 

NOTE: Once cook time has been entered you can also use the COOK POWER pad as a second Minute Timer by entering “0” for the cook power. The oven will count down the cooking time you set without cooking.

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Whirlpool MT0130SJ, MT0150SJ installation instructions Cooking AT Different Cook Powers, Cook Power Name When to USE IT