7
Cooking Guidelines
Covering
Covering food helps retain moisture, shorten cook time, and
reduce spattering. Use the lid supplied with cookware. If a lid is
not available, wax paper, paper towels, or plastic wrap approved
for microwave ovens may be used. Plastic wrap should be
turned back at one corner to provide an opening to vent steam.
Condensation on the door and cavity surfaces is normal during
heavy cooking.
Stirring and Turning
Stirring and turning redistributes heat evenly to avoid
overcooking the outer edges of food. Stir from outside to center.
If possible, turn food over from bottom to top.
Arranging
If heating irregularly shaped or different sized foods, arrange
the thinner parts and smaller sized items toward the center. If
cooking several items of the same size and shape, place them in
a ring pattern, leaving the center of the ring empty.
Piercing
Before heating, use a fork or small knife to pierce or prick foods
that have a skin or membrane, such as potatoes, egg yolks,
chicken livers, hot dogs, and sausage. Prick in several places to
allow steam to vent.
Shielding
Use small, flat pieces of aluminum foil to shield the thin pieces
of irregularly shaped foods, bones, and foods such as chicken
wings, leg tips, and fish tails. See the “Aluminum Foil and Metal”
section first.
Standing Time
Food will continue to cook by the natural conduction of heat
even after the microwave cooking cycle ends. The length of
standing time depends on the volume and density of the food.
Cookware and Dinnerware
Cookware and dinnerware must fit on the turntable. Always
use oven mitts or pot holders when handling because any dish
may become hot from heat transferred from the food. Do not
use cookware and dinnerware with gold or silver trim. Use the
following chart as a guide, then test before using.
Material
Recommendations
Aluminum Foil,
Metal
See the “Aluminum Foil and Metal”
section.
Browning Dish
Bottom must be at least 3/16"
(5 mm) above the turntable. Follow
manufacturer’s recommendations.
Ceramic Glass,
Glass
Acceptable for use.
China,
Earthenware
Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.
Melamine
Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.
Paper: Towels,
Dinnerware,
Napkins
Use nonrecycled and those approved by
the manufacturer for microwave oven use.
Plastic: Wraps,
Bags, Covers,
Dinnerware,
Containers
Use those approved by the manufacturer
for microwave oven use.
Pottery and Clay
Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.
Silicone
Bakeware
Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.
Straw, Wicker,
Wooden
Containers
Do not use in microwave oven.
Material
Recommendations
Wax Paper
Acceptable for use.
To Test Cookware or Dinnerware for Microwave Use:
1.
Place cookware or dinnerware in microwave oven with
1 cup (250 mL) of water beside it.
2.
Cook at 100% cooking power for 1 minute.
Do not use cookware or dinnerware if it becomes hot and the
water stays cool.
Aluminum Foil and Metal
Always use oven mitts or pot holders when removing dishes
from the microwave oven.
Aluminum foil and some metal can be used in the microwave
oven. If not used properly, arcing (a blue flash of light) can occur
and cause damage to the microwave oven.
OK for Use
Racks and bakeware supplied with the microwave oven (on
some models), aluminum foil for shielding, and approved meat
thermometers may be used with the following guidelines:
■
To avoid damage to the microwave oven, do not allow
aluminum foil or metal to touch the inside cavity walls,
ceiling, or floor.
■
Always use the turntable.
■
To avoid damage to the microwave oven, do not allow
contact with another metal object during microwave cooking.
Do Not Use
Metal cookware and bakeware, gold, silver, pewter, nonapproved
meat thermometers, skewers, twist ties, foil liners such as
sandwich wrappers, staples, and objects with gold or silver trim
or a metallic glaze should not be used in the microwave oven.
