Getting To Know Your Microwave Oven - KitchenAid KEMI301G Use And Care Manual

G
etting to Know Your
Microwave Oven
This section discusses the concepts behind microwave cooking. It also shows you the
basics you need to know to operate your microwave oven. Please read this information
before you use your oven.
How your microwave
oven works
Microwave ovens are safe. Microwave
energy is not hot. It causes food to make
its own heat, and it's this heat that cooks
the food.
Microwaves are like TV waves, radio
waves or light waves. You cannot see them,
but you can see what they do.
A magnetron in the microwave oven
produces microwaves. The microwaves
move into the oven where they contact
food as it turns on the turntable.
The glass turntable of your microwave
oven lets microwaves pass through. Then
they bounce off a metal floor, back through
the glass turntable, and are absorbed by
the food.
Metal floor
Microwaves pass through most glass,
paper, and plastics without heating them so
food absorbs the energy. Microwaves
bounce off metal containers so food does
not absorb the energy.
The microwaves disturb water molecules
in the food. As the molecules bounce
around bumping into each other, heat is
made, like rubbing your hands together.
This is the heat that does the cooking.
8
Magnetron
Oven cavity
Glass turntable
Radio interference
Using your microwave oven may cause
interference to your radio, TV, or similar
equipment. When there is interference,
you can reduce it or remove it by:
• Cleaning the door and sealing surfaces
of the oven.
• Adjusting the receiving antenna of the
radio or television.
• Moving the receiver away from the
microwave oven.
For the best
cooking results
• Always cook food for the shortest
cooking time recommended. Check to see
how the food is cooking. If needed, touch
EASY MINUTE while the oven is operating
or after the cooking cycle is over (see the
"Using EASY MINUTE" section).
• Stir, turn over, or rearrange the food
being cooked about halfway through the
cooking time for all recipes. This will help
make sure the food is evenly cooked.
NOTE: Some cycles may have to be reset
if you have interrupted the cycle.
• If you do not have a cover for a dish,
use wax paper, or microwave-approved
paper towels or plastic wrap. Turn back a
corner of the plastic wrap to vent steam
during cooking.
Testing your
microwave oven
To test the oven put about 1 cup of cold
water in a glass container in the oven.
Close the door. Make sure it latches. Cook
at 100% power for 2 minutes. When the
time is up, the water should be heated.