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 works
Microwave ovens are safe. Microwave energy is not hot. It
causes food to make its own heat, and it's this heat that cooks
the food.
Microwaves are like TV waves, radio waves, or light waves. You
cannot see them, but you can see what they do.
A magnetron in the microwave oven produces microwaves. The
microwaves move intothe oven where they contact food as it
turns on the turntable.
The glass turntable of your microwave oven lets microwaves
pass through. Then they bounce off a metal floor, back through
the glass turntable, and are absorbed by the food.
Microwaves pass through most glass, paper, and plastics
Magqetron
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u
Oven cavity
Metal floor
Glass turntable
without heating them so food absorbs the energy. Microwaves bounce off metal containers so food does not
absorb the energy.
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.
For the best cooking results
• Always cook food for the shortest cooking time recommended. Check to see how the food is cooking. If
needed, touch Add Minute while the oven is operating or after the cooking cycle is over (see the "Using
add minute" section).
• Stir, turn over, or rearrange the food being cooked about halfway through the cooking time for all recipes.
This will help make sure the food is evenly cooked.
• If you do not have a cover for a dish, use wax paper, or microwave-approved paper towels or plastic
wrap. Remember to turn back a corner of the plastic wrap to vent steam during cooking.
Testing your microwave oven
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o test the oven put about 1 cup of cold water in a glass container in the oven. Close the door. Make sure it
latches. Cook at 100% power for 1 minute. When the time is up, the water should be heated.
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