6
MICROWAVING - INTRODUCTION
Water, sugar and fat in food absorbs the microwaves
and causes them to vibrate. This creates heat by friction,
in the same way your hands get warm when you rub
them together.
The outer areas of food are heated by microwave
energy and the remaining portions by conduction. It is
important to
turn
,
rearrange
or
stir
food to ensure
even heating. Where recommended, allow food to
stand, this is not optional but is
necessary
to ensure
thorough cooking. It is particularly important for dense
food, such as joints of meat.
NOTES:
• Microwaves pass through non-metallic dishes and
utensils and heat the food inside the dishes.
• Microwaves are reflected by metal.
• The oven is lined with metal and has a fine metallic
mesh in the door to prevent microwave leakage.
• Metallic dishes are not suitable for microwaving.
• Never use the square shelves for microwave
cooking and dual cooking as this may cause
arcing.
• See SUITABLE COOKWARE, page 28-29.
MICROWAVE POWER LEVELS
To change the power level for cooking:
Enter the required time and then press the
MICROWAVE POWER LEVEL
key.
For example:
IMPORTANT:
The microwave power level will default to 100% (HIGH)
unless you press the
MICROWAVE POWER LEVEL
key
to the desired setting.
TO CHECK THE POWER LEVEL:
To check the microwave power level during
cooking/defrosting, press the
MICROWAVE
POWER LEVEL
key. The power level will be
displayed as long as the key is pressed. This does
not affect the programme or cooking time.
100%
(HIGH)
70%
(MEDIUM
HIGH)
50%
(MEDIUM)
30%
(MEDIUM
LOW)
10%
(LOW)
x1
x2
x3
x4
x5
Your oven has 5 power levels. To choose the power
level for cooking, follow the advice given in the
cookbook. Generally the following recommendations
apply:
HIGH
- (100% output = 900W) used for fast
cooking or reheating e.g. for casseroles, hot
beverages, vegetables etc.
MEDIUM HIGH
- (70% output = 630W) used for
longer cooking of dense foods such as roast joints,
meat loaf and plated meals, also for sensitive dishes
such as cheese sauce and sponge cakes.
MEDIUM
- (50% output = 450W) for dense foods
which require a long cooking time when cooked
conventionally, eg. beef dishes, it is advisable to use
this power setting to ensure the meat will be tender.
MEDIUM LOW
- (30% output = 270W Defrost
setting) to defrost, select this power setting, to ensure
that the dish defrosts evenly. This setting is also ideal
for simmering rice, pasta, dumplings and cooking
egg custard.
LOW
- (10% output = 90W) For gentle defrosting,
eg. cream gateaux or pastry.
Power level:
The microwave power level is varied
by the microwave energy switching on
and off. When using the power levels other than
100% (HIGH) you will be able to hear the
microwave energy pulsing on and off as the food
cooks or defrosts.
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