Whirlpool WOEC5030LZ Control Guide - Page 8

Composition and Density Foods high in fat and sugar will reach a higher temperature, and will heat faster than other foods. Heavy, dense foods, such as meat and potatoes, require a longer cook time than the same size of a light, porous food, such as cake. 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 redistribute 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 cover the thin pieces of irregularly shaped foods, bones, and foods such as chicken wings, leg tips, and fish tails. See "Aluminum Foil and Metal" section in the Quick Start Guide 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. Turntable On/Off (on some models) For best performance, the turntable should be on during microwave cooking. If using oversized cookware that does not turn freely on the microwave turntable, turn the turntable off. To turn off the turntable when setting a microwave function, touch TURNTABLE and then OFF. When cooking with the turntable off, food should be turned halfway through the cooking process. NOTE: The turntable cannot be turned off during any auto cooking cycle. 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, Metal See "Aluminum Foil and Metal" section in the Quick Start Guide. Browning Dish Ceramic Glass, Glass Bottom must be at least 3/16" (5 mm) above the turntable. Follow manufacturer's recommendations. Acceptable for use. China, Earthenware Follow manufacturer's recommendations. Material Melamine Paper: Towels, Dinnerware, Napkins Plastic: Wraps, Bags, Covers, Dinnerware, Containers Pottery and Clay Silicone Bakeware Straw, Wicker, Wooden Containers Wax Paper Recommendations Follow manufacturer's recommendations. Use non-recycled and those approved by the manufacturer for microwave oven use. Use those approved by the manufacturer for microwave oven use. Follow manufacturer's recommendations. Follow manufacturer's recommendations. Do not use in microwave oven. 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. Microwave Cooking Power Many recipes for microwave cooking specify which cooking power to use by percent, name or number. For example, 70% = 7 = Medium-High. Use the following chart as a general guide for the suggested cooking power of specific foods. Percent/Name Use 100%, High (default setting) Quick-heating convenience foods and foods with high water content, such as soups, beverages, and most vegetables. 90% Cooking small, tender pieces of meat, ground meat, poultry pieces, and fish fillets. Heating cream soups. 80% Heating rice, pasta, or casseroles. Cooking and heating foods that need a cook power lower than high. For example, whole fish and meat loaf. 70%, Medium-High Reheating a single serving of food. 60% Cooking sensitive foods such as cheese and egg dishes, pudding, and custards. Cooking non-stirrable casseroles, such as lasagna. 50%, Medium Cooking ham, whole poultry, and pot roasts. Simmering stews. 40% Melting chocolate. Heating bread, rolls, and pastries. 30%, MediumLow, Defrost Defrosting bread, fish, meats, poultry, and precooked foods. 8