Microwave Heating Categories - Kenwood K20MSS10 Instruction Manual

microwave heating categories

Your oven has been tested and labelled to meet the UK government's voluntary agreement on the
reheating of pre-cooked food.
The heating characteristics and output power levels of microwave ovens are usually calculated
using a relatively large portion of food (1000 gram load, IEC 60705) but many packs of precooked
food are sold in smaller packs, often about 350 grams.
The UK government, in partnership with food companies and microwave manufacturers, have set up
a system of heating categories to help you choose the reheating time for pre-cooked food.
The category, (a letter from A to E) is designed to help you reheat small quantities of food such as
microwave ready meals.
The label given above and also on the oven door gives the heating category and output power of
the oven.
Microwave ready meals weighing up to 500g (1lb 2oz) should have cooking instructions for heating
categories A to E. Follow the instructions for the letter that corresponds to the heating category of
the oven.
The higher the output power and heating category of the oven the less heating time is required. This
is shown in the diagrams below:
Oven Output Power
Oven Output Category
Power input varies according to local voltage supply. The density, thickness and moisture
content of food can affect its cooking time. Ensure all food is piping hot and cooked
thoroughly before serving. It is essential that food is checked during and after the
recommended cooking time, even if the auto menu was used.
(IEC 60705) 800W is the output power of the
800W
microwave.
E
E is the heating category for your microwave.
Check the cooking times for category E on the
food's packaging to see how long it should be
cooked.
600 700 800 900 1000 Watts
A
Less heating time required
More heating time required
Less heating time required
B C D
More heating time required
E
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