Food Characteristics; Cooking Guidelines; Cookware And Dinnerware; Aluminum Foil And Metal - KitchenAid KBHS109B Guide D'utilisation

Food Characteristics

When microwave cooking, the amount, size and shape,
starting temperature, composition and density of the food
affect cooking results.
Amount of Food
The more food heated at once, the longer the cook time
needed. Check for doneness and add small increments of
time if necessary.
Size and Shape
Smaller pieces of food will cook more quickly than larger pieces,
and uniformly shaped foods cook more evenly than irregularly
shaped food.
Starting Temperature
Room temperature foods will heat faster than refrigerated foods,
and refrigerated foods will heat faster than frozen foods.
Composition and Density
Foods high in fat and sugar will reach a higher temperature, and
will heat faster than other foods. Heavy, dense foods, such as
meat and potatoes, require a longer cook time than the same size
of a light, porous food, such as cake.

Cooking Guidelines

Covering
Covering food helps retain moisture, shorten cook time and
reduce spattering. Use the lid supplied with cookware. If a lid is
not available, wax paper, paper towels or plastic wrap approved
for microwave ovens may be used. Plastic wrap should be turned
back at one corner to provide an opening to vent steam.
Condensation on the door and cavity surfaces is normal during
heavy cooking.
Stirring and Turning
Stirring and turning redistribute heat evenly to avoid overcooking
the outer edges of food. Stir from outside to center. If possible,
turn food over from bottom to top.
Arranging
If heating irregularly shaped or different sized foods, arrange the
thinner parts and smaller sized items toward the center. If
cooking several items of the same size and shape, place them in
a ring pattern, leaving the center of the ring empty.
Piercing
Before heating, use a fork or small knife to pierce or prick foods
that have a skin or membrane, such as potatoes, egg yolks,
chicken livers, hot dogs, and sausage. Prick in several places to
allow steam to vent.
Shielding
Use small, flat pieces of aluminum foil to shield the thin pieces of
irregularly shaped foods, bones and foods such as chicken
wings, leg tips and fish tails. See "Aluminum Foil and Metal" first.
Standing Time
Food will continue to cook by the natural conduction of heat even
after the microwave cooking cycle ends. The length of standing
time depends on the volume and density of the food.
10
Turntable On/Off
For best performance, the turntable should be on during
microwave cooking.
If using oversized cookware that does not turn freely on the
microwave turntable, turn the turntable Off. To turn off the
turntable, touch TURNTABLE ON/OFF. When cooking with
the turntable off, food should be turned halfway through the
cooking process.
NOTE: The turntable cannot be turned off during any auto
cooking cycle.

Cookware and Dinnerware

Cookware and dinnerware must fit on the turntable. Always use
oven mitts or pot holders when handling because any dish may
become hot from heat transferred from the food. Do not use
cookware and dinnerware with gold or silver trim. Use the
following chart as a guide, then test before using.
MATERIAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Aluminum Foil, See "Aluminum Foil and Metal" section.
Metal
Bottom must be at least ³⁄₁₆" (5 mm)
Browning Dish
above the turntable. Follow
manufacturer's recommendations.
Ceramic Glass, Acceptable for use.
Glass
China, Follow manufacturer's recommendations.
Earthenware
Melamine Follow manufacturer's recommendations.
Paper: Towels, Use nonrecycled and those approved by
Dinnerware, the manufacturer for microwave oven
Napkins use.
Plastic: Wraps, Use those approved by the manufacturer
Bags, Covers, for microwave oven use.
Dinnerware,
Containers
Pottery and Clay Follow manufacturer's recommendations.
Silicone Bakeware Follow manufacturer's recommendations.
Straw, Wicker, Do not use in microwave oven.
Wooden Containers
Styrofoam ®† Do not use in microwave oven.
Wax Paper Acceptable for use.
To Test Cookware or Dinnerware for Microwave Use:
1. Place cookware or dinnerware in microwave oven with
1 cup (250 mL) of water beside it.
2. Cook at 100% cooking power for 1 minute.
Do not use cookware or dinnerware if it becomes hot and the
water stays cool.

Aluminum Foil and Metal

Always use oven mitts or pot holders when removing dishes from
the microwave oven.
Aluminum foil and some metal can be used in the microwave
oven. If not used properly, arcing (a blue flash of light) can occur
and cause damage to the microwave oven.
†®STYROFOAM is a Registered Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company.