Troubleshooting; Questions And Answers - Westinghouse WST3504 User Instructions

Question
Why is the Microwave Oven light
not on during cooking?
Why does steam come out of the
air exhaust vent?
Will the microwave be damaged if it
operates empty?
Does Microwave energy pass
through the viewing screen in
the door?
Why does a tone sound when a pad
on the control panel is pressed?
Can my Microwave Oven be
damaged if food is cooked for
too long?
When the Microwave Oven is
plugged into wall outlet for the first
time0 it might not work properly.
What is wrong?
Why do I see reflection around the
outlet case?
What are the various sounds I hear
when the Microwave Oven is
operating?
Question
What is wrong when baked foods
have a hard, dry brown spot?
Why do eggs
sometimes pop?
17

TROUBLESHOOTING

Questions and Answers

Answer
• There may be several reasons why the Microwave Oven light is not on.
• Have you: Set a cooking time? Pressed "START"?
• Steam is normally produced during cooking. The Microwave Oven has been designed to vent
this steam.
• Yes. Never operate the Microwave Oven empty or without the glass turntable.
• No. The metal screen bounces the energy back to the Microwave Oven cavity. The holes (or
ports) allow only light to pass though. They do not let microwave energy pass though.
• The tone tells you that the setting has been entered.
• Like any other cooking appliance, it is possible to overcook food to the point that the food
creates smoke and even possibly fire, resulting in damage to the inside of the Microwave
Oven. It is always best to be near the Microwave Oven while you are cooking.
• The microcomputer controlling your Microwave Oven may temporarily become scrambled and
fail to function as programmed when you plug in for the first time or when power resumes
after a power interruption. Unplug the Microwave Oven from the 120 volt household outlet
and then plug it back in to reset the microcomputer.
• The light is from the Microwave Oven light which is located between the Microwave Oven
cavity and the outer wall of the Microwave Oven.
• The clicking sound is caused by a mechanical switch turning the Microwave Oven' s
magnetron "ON" and "OFF."
• The heavy hum and clunk is from the change in power the magnetron draws as it is turned
"ON" and "OFF" by a mechanical switch. The change in blower speed is from the change in
line voltage caused by the magnetron being turned "ON" and "OFF."
Food
Answer
A hard, dry brown spot indicates overcooking. Shorten the cooking or reheating time.
When baking, frying or poaching eggs, the yolk may pop due to steam build-up inside the
yolk membrane. To prevent this, simply pierce the yolk with a wooden toothpick before cooking.
CAUTION: Never Microwave eggs in the shell.