Sharp KB-3411J KB-3411JS , KB-3411JK , KB-3411JW Operation Manual - Page 15

MICROWAVE DRAWER COOKING INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW ALWAYS have food in the Microwave Drawer when it is on to absorb the microwave energy. When using the Microwave Drawer at power levels below 100%, you may hear the magnetron cycling on and off. It is normal for the exterior of the Microwave Drawer to be warm to the touch when cooking or reheating. Condensation is a normal part of microwave cooking. Room humidity and the moisture in food will influence the amount of moisture that condenses in the Microwave Drawer. Generally, covered foods will not cause as much condensation as uncovered ones. Vents between Microwave Drawer and oven must not be blocked. The Microwave Drawer is for food preparation only. It should not be used to dry clothes or newspapers. Your Microwave Drawer is rated 1000 watts by using the IEC Test Procedure. In using recipes or package directions, check food a minute or two before the minimum time and add time accordingly. When opening or closing the Microwave Drawer quickly, food in the Microwave Drawer may be spilled. To clean, please refer to the Cleaning and Care section on page 32. RADIO OR TV INTERFERENCE Should there be any interference caused by the Microwave Drawer to your radio or TV, relocate the radio or TV as far away from the range as feasible or check position and signal of receiving antenna. ABOUT MICROWAVE COOKING • Arrange food carefully. Place thickest areas towards outside of dish. • Watch cooking time. Cook for the shortest amount of time indicated and add more as needed. Food severely overcooked can smoke or ignite. • Cover foods while cooking. Check recipe or cookbook for suggestions: paper towels, wax paper, microwave plastic wrap or a lid. Covers prevent spattering and help foods to cook evenly. • Shield with small flat pieces of aluminum foil any thin areas of meat or poultry to prevent overcooking before dense, thick areas are cooked thoroughly. • Stir foods from outside to center of dish once or twice during cooking, if possible. • Turn foods over once during microwaving to speed cooking of such foods as chicken and hamburgers. Large items like roasts must be turned over at least once. • Rearrange foods such as meatballs halfway through cooking both from top to bottom and from right to left. • Add standing time. Remove food from Microwave Drawer and stir, if possible. Cover for standing time which allows the food to finish cooking without overcooking. • Check for doneness. Look for signs indicating that cooking temperatures have been reached. Doneness signs include: - Food steams throughout, not just at edge. - Center bottom of dish is very hot to the touch. - Poultry thigh joints move easily. - Meat and poultry show no pinkness. - Fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. ABOUT UTENSILS AND COVERINGS It is not necessary to buy all new cookware. Many pieces already in your kitchen can be used successfully in your new Microwave Drawer. Make sure the utensil does not touch the interior walls during cooking. Use these utensils for safe microwave cooking and reheating: • glass ceramic (Pyroceram®), such as Corningware®. • heat-resistant glass (Pyrex®) • microwave-safe plastics • microwave-safe paper plates • microwave-safe pottery, stoneware and porcelain • browning dish (Do not exceed recommended preheating time. Follow manufacturer's directions.) These items can be used for short time reheating of foods that have little fat or sugar in them: • wood, straw, wicker DO NOT USE • metal pans and bakeware • dishes with metallic trim • non-heat-resistant glass • non-microwave-safe plastics (margarine tubs) • recycled paper products • brown paper bags • food storage bags • metal twist-ties Should you wish to check if a dish is safe for microwaving, place the empty dish in the oven and microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds. A dish which becomes very hot should not be used. The following coverings are ideal: • Paper towels are good for covering foods for reheating and absorbing fat while cooking bacon. • Wax paper can be used for cooking and reheating. • Plastic wrap that is specially marked for microwave use can be used for cooking and reheating. DO NOT allow plastic wrap to touch food. Vent so steam can escape. • Lids that are microwave-safe are a good choice because heat is kept near the food to hasten cooking. • Oven cooking bags are good for large meats or foods that 15