GE JEM31BF Owners Manual - Page 14

Safety Instructions Operating Instructions About changing the power level. The power level may be entered or changed immediately after entering the feature time for TIME COOK, TIME DEFROST or EXPRESS COOK. The power level may also be changed during time countdown. 1 Press TIME COOK or select Time Defrost. 2 Enter cooking or defrosting time. 3 Press POWER LEVEL. 4 Select desired power level 1-10. 5 Press START. 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. 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 3-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: 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. Low 2 or 3: Defrosting; simmering; delicate sauces. Warm 1: Keeping food warm; softening butter. 14 Troubleshooting Tips Consumer Support