Microwaves And How They Work - Panasonic NN-DS59NB Manual

Installation and General Instructions
7. COOKING TIMES given in the Cooking Guide
section are APPROXIMATE. Factors that may
affect cooking time are preferred degree of
moisture content, starting temperature, altitude,
volume, size, shape of food and utensils used. As
you become familiar with the oven, you will be able
to adjust for these factors.
8. It is better to UNDERCOOK RATHER THAN
OVERCOOK foods. If food is undercooked, it can
always be returned to the oven for further cooking.
If food is overcooked, nothing can be done. Always
start with minimum cooking times recommended.

Microwaves and How They Work

MICROWAVE COOKING
Microwaves are a form of high frequency
electromagnetic waves (app. 12 cm wave length)
similar to those used by a radio.
Electricity is converted into microwave energy by
the magnetron tube. The microwaves travel from the
magnetron tube to the oven cavity where they are
reflected,transmitted or absorbed.
Reflection
Microwaves are reflected by metal just as a ball is
bounced off a wall. A combination of stationary (interior
walls) and rotating metal (turntable or stirrer fan) helps
assure that the microwaves are well distributed within
the oven cavity to produce even cooking.
Transmission
Microwaves pass through some materials such as
paper, glass and plastic much like sunlight shining
through a window. Because these substances do not
absorb or reflect the microwave energy, they are ideal
materials for microwave oven cooking containers.
Absorption
Microwaves are absorbed by food. They penetrate to a
depth of about 2 to 4 cm.
Microwave energy excites the molecules in the food
(especially water, fat and sugar molecules), and
causes them to vibrate very quickly.
The vibration causes friction and heat is produced. In
large foods, the heat which is produced by friction is
conducted to the center to finish cooking the food.
MICROWAVE COOKING UTENSILS
Microwave cooking opens new possibilities in
convenience and flexibility for cooking containers.
Although new microwave accessory are constantly
being introduced, many utensils readily available
in most kitchens may also be used for microwave
cooking and heating.
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9. Extreme care should be taken when cooking
popcorn in a microwave oven. Cook for minimum
time as recommended by manufacturer. Use
the directions suitable for the wattage of your
microwave oven. NEVER leave oven unattended
when popping popcorn.
10. When heating food in plastic or paper containers,
keep an eye on the oven due to the possibility of
ignition.
11. The contents of feeding bottles and baby food jars
are to be stirred or shaken and the temperature
is to be checked before consumption, in order to
avoid burns.
Glass, Ceramic and China
Heat-Resistant glass cookware is invaluable in
microwave cooking. Many of these items are readily
available in most homes: glass measures, custard
cups, mixing bowls, loaf dishes, covered casseroles,
oblong baking dishes, pie plate and round or square
cake dishes.
Dinnerware can be used for microwave heating. Many
brands of dinnerware are microwave safe. Check the
care information for reference to microwave use for
dinnerware and serving pieces.
If dinnerware is marked ovenproof, it frequently is safe
to use in the microwave oven. However, to be sure,
check by conducting microwave dish test.
Several types of glassware and dinnerware are not
recommended for use in the microwave oven.
Remember these basic rules when using dinnerware
and glassware. Do not use dishes with metallic trim or
containers with metal parts. Arcing may occur and/or
the dish may break.
Do not use ceramic mugs or cups with glued-on
handles. The handles may fall off with continued
heating.
Do not use delicate glassware.
Although the glassware may be transparent to
microwave energy, the heat from the food may cause
the glassware to crack.
HOW TO TEST A CONTAINER FOR SAFE
MICROWAVE OVEN USE:
Fill a 300 ml (¹⁄ pt.) glass measure with water
and place it in the microwave oven along with the
container to be tested; heat one minute at 1000 W,
if the container is microwave oven safe, it should
remain comfortable cool and the water should be
hot. If the container is warm, it has absorbed some
microwave energy and should not be used. This test
cannot be used for plastic containers which should
be dishwasher safe.
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