GE JES1142WPC Owner's Manual page 14

About changing the power level.
14
Press POWER LEVEL 1 to 10 times to select the level
1
at which the Microwave is to cook. This must be
done after to setting the cooking time in time
cooking..
5 beeps will sound at the end of each cooking
2
program .
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. 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. Most cooking will be done on High (power level 10)
which gives you 100% power. Power level 10 will cook
faster but food may need more frequent stirring,
rotating or turning over. 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:
High 10: Fish, bacon, vegetables, boiling liquids.
Med-High 7: Gentle cooking of meat and poultry; baking
casseroles and reheating.
Medium 5: Slow cooking and tenderizing for stews and
less tender cuts of meat.
Low 2 or 3: Defrosting; simmering; delicate sauces.
Warm 1: Keeping food warm; softening butter.