GE PNM9196SFSS Use and Care Manual - Page 19

GEAppliances.com Cook Time Express Cook Start Pause Changing the Power Level The power level may be entered or changed after entering the time for CookTime. 1 Press Cook Time button once. 2 Enter cooking time. 3 Enter Power Level. 4 Press Start. Rest periods (when the microwave energy cycles off) give time for the food to "equalize" or transfer heat to the inside of the food. An example of this is shown with power level 3³ the defrost cycle. If microwave energy did not cycle off, the outside of the food would cook before the inside was defrosted. Here are some examples of uses for various power levels: Variable power levels add flexibility to microwave cooking. The power levels on the microwave oven can be compared to the surface units on a range. Each power level gives you microwave energy a certain percent of the time. Power level 7 is microwave energy 70% of the time. Power level 3 is energy 30% of the time. Most cooking will be done on High (power level 10) which gives you 100% power. Power level 10 will cook faster but food may need more frequent stirring, rotating or turning over. A lower setting will cook more evenly and need less stirring or rotating of the food. Some foods may have better flavor, texture or appearance if one of the lower settings is used. Use a lower power level when cooking foods that have a tendency to boil over, such as scalloped potatoes. High 10: Fish, bacon, vegetables, boiling liquids. Med-High 7: Gentle cooking of meat and poultry; baking casseroles and reheating. Medium 5: Slow cooking and tenderizing for stews and less tender cuts of meat. /RZRU Defrosting; simmering; delicate sauces. Warm 1: Keeping food warm; softening butter. NOTE: You can also change the power level during many cooking modes by pressing the power level button entering a valid power level. Microwave terms. Term Arcing Covering Shielding Standing Time Venting Definition Arcing is the microwave term of sparks in the oven. Arcing is cause by: ‡PHWDORUIRLOWRXFKLQJWKHVLGHRIKWHRYHQ ‡IRLOWKDWLVQRWPROGHGWRIRRGXSWXUQHGHGJHVDFWOLNHDQWHQQDV  ‡PHWDOVXFKDVWZLVWWLHVSRXOWU\SLQVJROGULPPHGGLVKHV ‡UHF\FOHGSDSHUWRZOVFRQWDLQLQJVPDOOPHWDOSLHFHV Covers hold in moisture, allow for more even heating and reduce cooking time. Venting plastic warp or covering with wax paper allows excess steam to escape. In a regular oven, you shield chicken breasts or baked foods to prevent over-browning. When microwaving, you use small strips of foil to shield thin parts, such as the tips of wings and legs on pountry, which would cook before larger parts. When you cook with regular ovens, foods such as roasts or cakes are allowed to stand to finish cooking or to set. Standing time is especially important in microwave cooking. Note that a microwaved cake is not placed on a cooling rack. After covering a dish with plastic wrap, you vent the plastic wrap by turning back one corner so excess steam can escape. 19