GE JES738BK Owners Manual - Page 14

Operating Instructions Changing Power Levels POWER LEVEL 123 456 789 0 START How to Change the Power Level The power level may be entered or changed immediately after entering the feature time for TIME COOK. 1 Press TIME COOK. 2 Enter cooking time. 3 Press POWER LEVEL. 4 Select desired power level 1-9. 5 Press START. 14 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. Power level Hi or full power is the fastest way to cook and gives you 100% power. 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. A high setting will cook faster but food may need more frequent stirring, rotating or turning over. Most cooking will be done on power level Hi. 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: Power Level Best Uses Hi Fish, bacon, vegetables, boiling liquids. Med-High 7 Gentle cooking of meat and poultry; baking casseroles and reheating. Medium 5 Slow cooking and tenderizing such as stews and less tender cuts of meat. Low 2 or 3 Defrosting without cooking; simmering; delicate sauces. Warm 1 Keeping food warm without overcooking; softening butter.