Whirlpool WOC54EC7HW Owners Manual 1 - Page 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, See the "Aluminum Foil and Metal" Metal section. Browning Dish Bottom must be at least 3/16" (5 mm) above the turntable. Follow manufacturer's recommendations. Ceramic Glass, Acceptable for use. Glass 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 Straw, Wicker, Wooden Containers Follow manufacturer's recommendations. 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. 7