Arranging
food
For best results, distribute food evenly on
the plate. You can do this in several ways:
l
If you are cooking
several items of the
same food, such as baked potatoes,
place them in a ring pattern for uniform
cooking.
l
When cooking
foods of uneven shapes
or thickness,
such as chicken
breasts,
place the smaller or thinner area of the
food towards the center of the dish where
it will be heated last.
l
Layer thin slices of meat on top of
each other.
l
When you cook or reheat whole fish,
score the skin -this
prevents cracking.
Shield the tail and head of whole fish with
small pieces of foil to prevent overcooking
but ensure the foil does not touch the sides
of the oven.
l
Do not let food or a container touch the
top or sides of the oven. This will prevent
possible arcing.
Using
aluminum
foil
Metal containers should not be used in a
microwave oven. There are, however, some
exceptions.
If you have purchased food
which is prepackaged
in an aluminum foil
container, then refer to the instructions
on
the package. When using aluminum foil
containers,
cooking times may be longer
because microwaves will only penetrate
the top of the food.
If you use aluminum containers without
package instructions, follow these guidelines:
l
Place container in a glass bowl and add
some water so that it covers the bottom
of the container, not more than l/4 inch
(6mm) high. This ensures even heating
of the container bottom.
l
Always
remove the lid to avoid damage
to the oven.
l
Use only undamaged containers.
l
Do not use containers taller than 3/ inch
(19mm).
l
Container
must be half filled.
l
To avoid arcing, there must be a mini-
mum l/4 inch (6mm) between the aluminum
container and the walls of the oven and
also between two aluminum containers.
l
Always
place container on turntable.
l
Reheating
food in aluminum foil contain-
ers usually takes up to double the time
compared to reheating in plastic, glass,
china, or paper containers. The time when
food is ready will vary depending upon the
type of container you use.
l
Let food stand for 2-3 minutes after
heating so that heat is spread evenly
throughout container.
Cooking
you should
not do in
your
microwave
oven
l
Do not do canning of foods in the oven.
Closed glass jars may explode, resulting
in damage to the oven or possible per-
sonal injury.
l
Do not use the microwave oven to sterilize
objects (baby bottles, etc.). It is difficult to
maintain the high temperature
required for
safe sterilization.
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