Maff Heating Category; How Your Oven Works - Sharp R-27STM-A Operation Manual With Cookbook

MAFF HEATING CATEGORY

Microwave Symbol.
Less heating time required
OVEN
600 700 800 900 1000 Watts
OUTPUT
POWER
More heating time required
Less heating time required
OVEN
A
OUTPUT
CATEGORY
More heating time required
Microwaves are energy waves, similar to those
used for TV and radio signals.
Electrical energy is converted into microwave
energy, which is directed into the oven cavity via
a waveguide. To prevent food and grease entering
the wave guide it is protected by the waveguide
cover.
Microwaves cannot pass through metal, because
of this the oven cavity is made of metal and there
is a fine metal mesh on the door.
During cooking the microwaves bounce off the
sides of the oven cavity at random.
R-27STM-A.indd 6 R-27STM-A.indd 6
Microwave output
power in Watts (based
on international (IEC
60705) standard).
Letter representing the
oven heating category.
B C D E

HOW YOUR OVEN WORKS

The heating category (a letter A to E) developed
by MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and
Food) with microwave oven and food manufacturers
indicates the ability of the oven to heat small
quantities of food (up to 500g [1lb 2oz]). It does
not represent the general performance of the oven.
Food packs carry cooking instructions for heating
categories A to E. Follow instructions for the letter
corresponding to the oven's heating category. The
higher the output power and heating category of
the oven the less heating time is required as shown
opposite.
Microwaves will pass through certain materials,
such as glass and plastic, to heat the food.
(See "Suitable Cookware" on page 19).
Water, sugar and fat in food absorb microwaves
which cause them to vibrate. This creates heat
by friction, in the same way your hands get warm
when you rub them together.
The outer areas of the food are heated by the
microwave energy, then the heat moves to the
centre by conduction, as it does in conventional
cooking. It is important to turn, rearrange or stir
food to ensure even heating.
Once cooking is complete, the oven automatically
stops producing microwaves.
Standing time is necessary after cooking, as it
enables the heat to disperse equally throughout
the food.
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