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5.2 Microwave cooking advice
Microwave cooking advice
Composition Foods high in fat or sugar (e.g. Christmas pudding, mince pies) require less
Size
Temperature
of food
Arrange
Cover
Pierce
Stir, turn and
rearrange
Stand
Shield
5.3 Microwave cooking
Your oven has 6 power levels.
Power
setting
800 W/
HIGH
560 W
400 W
240 W/
DEFROST
80 W
0 W
W = WATT
heating time. Care should be taken as overheating can lead to fire.
For even cooking make all the pieces the same size.
The initial temperature of food affects the amount of cooking time needed.
Cut into foods with fillings (e.g. jam doughnuts) to release heat or steam.
Place the thickest parts of food towards the outside of the dish (e.g. chicken
drumsticks).
Use vented microwave cling film or a suitable lid.
Foods with a shell, skin or membrane must be pierced in several places
before cooking or reheating as steam will build up and may cause food to
explode (e.g. potatoes, fish, chicken, sausages).
IMPORTANT!
Eggs should not be heated using microwave power as they may
explode, even after cooking has ended (e.g. poached, hard boiled).
For even cooking it is essential to stir, turn and rearrange food during
cooking. Always stir and rearrange from the outside towards the centre.
Standing time is necessary after cooking to enable the heat to disperse
equally throughout the food.
Warm areas can be shielded with small pieces of foil, which reflect
microwaves (e.g. legs and wings on a chicken).
Suggested use
Used for fast cooking or reheating (e.g. soup, casseroles, canned food, hot
beverages, vegetables, fish).
Used for longer cooking of dense foods such as roast joints, meat loaf and
plated meals, also for sensitive dishes such as cheese sauce and sponge
cakes. At this reduced setting, the sauce will not boil over and food will
cook evenly without over cooking at the sides.
For dense foods which require a long cooking time when cooked
conventionally (e.g. beef dishes) it is advisable to use this power setting to
ensure the meat will be tender.
To defrost, select this power setting, to ensure that the dish defrosts
evenly. This setting is also ideal for simmering rice, pasta, dumplings and
cooking egg custard.
For gentle defrosting (e.g. cream gateaux or pastry).
For standing/kitchen timer.