Amana AMC5143AAS Use and Care - Page 18

Operating Instructions AUTO DEFROST Defrost choices are preset in the oven. The defrost feature provides you with the best defrosting method for frozen foods, because the oven automatically sets the defrosting times according to the weight you enter. For added convenience, the AUTO DEFROST includes beeps to remind you to check or turn over the food during the defrost cycle. After touching the AUTO DEFROST pad once, select the food weight. Available weight ranges are 0.1 to 6.0 lbs. Example : To defrost 1.2 lbs of meat. 1. Touch AUTO DEFROST pad. 2. Enter the weight. 3. Touch ENTER/ START pad. NOTES: • After you touch ENTER/ START pad, the display counts down the defrost time. The oven will beep twice during the Defrost cycle. At this time, open the door and turn the food as needed. Remove any portions that have thawed then return frozen portions to the oven and touch ENTER/START pad to resume the defrost cycle. • The oven will beep to signal you to check or turn over the food. DEFROSTING GUIDE • Follow the instructions below when defrosting different types of food. Food Standard Amount Procedure Roast Beef, Pork 2.5-6.0 lbs. Start with the food placed fat side down. After each stage, turn the food over and shield any warm portions with narrow strips of aluminum foil. Let stand, covered, for 15 to 30 minutes. Steaks, Chops, Fish 0.5-3.0 lbs. After each stage, rearrange the food. If there are any warm or thawed portions of food, shield them with narrow flat pieces of aluminum foil. Remove any pieces of food that are nearly defrosted. Let stand, covered, for 5-10 minutes Ground Meat 0.5-3.0 lbs. After each stage, remove any pieces of food that are nearly defrosted. Let stand, covered with foil, for 510 minutes. Whole Chicken 2.5-6.0 lbs. Remove giblets before freezing poulty. Start defrosting with the breast side down. After the first stage, turn the chicken over and shield any warm portions with narrow strips of aluminum foil. After the second stage, again shield any warm portions with narrow strips of aluminum foil. Let stand, covered for 30-60 minutes in the refrigerator. Chicken Pieces 0.5-3.0 lbs. After each stage, rearrange or remove any pieces of food that are nearly defrosted. Let stand for 10-20 minutes. DEFROST TIPS • When using AUTO DEFROST, the weight to be entered is the net weight in pounds and tenths of pounds (the weight of the food minus the container). • Use AUTO DEFROST only for raw food. AUTO DEFROST gives best results when food to be thawed is a minimum of 0°F (taken directly from a true freezer). If food has been stored in a refrigerator-freezer that does not maintain a temperature of 5°F or below, always program a lower food weight (for a shorter defrosting time) to prevent cooking the food. • If the food is stored outside the freezer for up to 20 minutes, enter a lower food weight. • The shape of the package alters the defrosting time. Shallow rectangular packets defrost more quickly than a deep block. • Separate pieces as they begin to defrost. Separated pieces defrost more easily. • Shield areas of food with small pieces of foil if they start to become warm. • You can use small pieces of aluminum foil to shield foods like chicken wings, leg tips, and fish tails, but the foil must not touch the side of the oven. Foil causes arcing, which can damage the oven lining. • Let food stand covered for 15 to 30 minutes. • Let Roasts or Whole poultry stand for 30 to 60 minutes. 18