
Features of the Oven
NOTE: Rating plate, oven vent(s) and oven light are located on the inside walls of the microwave oven.

Check the Convenience Guide before you begin

Changing the Power Level

The power level may be entered or changed immediately after entering the feature time for Cook Time or Express Cook. the power level may also be changed during the cooking.
Variable power levels add flexibility to microwave cooking. The power levels on the microwave oven can be compared to the surface units on a range. Each power level gives you microwave energy a certain percent of the time. Power level 7 is microwave energy 70% of the time. Power level 3 is energy 30% of the time. Most cooking will be done on HI which gives you 100% power
Power Level 10 will cook faster but food may need more frequent stirring, rotating or turning over. A lower setting will cook more evenly and need less stirring or rotating of the food.
Some foods may have better flavor, texture or appearance if one of the lower settings is used. Use a lower power level when cooking foods that have a tendency to boil over, such as scalloped potatoes.
Rest periods (when the microwave energy cycles off) give time for the food to “equalize” or transfer heat to the inside of the food. An example of this is shown with power level 3—the defrost cycle. If microwave energy did not cycle off, the outside of the food would cook before the inside was defrosted.
Here are some examples of uses for various power levels:
Power Level 10: Fish, bacon, vegetables, boiling liquids.
Power Level 7: Gentle cooking of meat and poultry; baking casseroles and reheating.
Power Level 5: Slow cooking and tenderizing for stews and less tender cuts of meat.
Power Level 2 or 3: Defrosting; simmering; delicate sauces.
Power Level 1: Keeping food warm; softening butter.

Cook Time I
Allows you to microwave for any time up to 99 minutes and 99 seconds.
Power level 10 (high) is automatically set, but you may change it for more flexibility.
You may open the door during Cook Time to check the food. Close the door and press Start/Pause to resume cooking.
Cook Time II
Lets you change power levels automatically during cooking. Here’s how to do it:
At the end of Cook Time I, Cook Time II counts down

Time Defrost allows you to defrost for a selected length of time. See the Defrosting Guide for suggested times. (Weight Defrost is explained in the Auto Feature section.)
When the oven signals, turn food over and break apart or rearrange pieces for more even defrosting. Shield any warm areas with small pieces of foil. The oven will continue to defrost if you don’t open the door and turn the food.
Power level is automatically set at 3, but can be changed. You can defrost small items quickly by raising the power level after entering the time. Power level 7 cuts the total defrosting time in about half; power level 10 cuts the total time to approximately 1/3. However, foof will need more frequent attention than usual.
A dull thumping noise may be heard during defrosting. This is normal when oven is not operating at High power.
Defrosting Tips
Express Cook

This is a quick way to set cooking time for 1 –5 minutes.
Press one of the Express Cook pads (from 1 to 5) for 1 to 5 minutes of cooking at power level 10. For example, press the 2 pad for 2 minutes of cooking time.
The power level can be changed as time is counting down. Press POWER LEVEL and enter 1–10
Add 30 Sec
You can use this feature two ways:
Weight Defrost

Weight defrost automatically sets the defrosting times and power levels to give even defrosting results for meats, poultry and fish weighing up to six pounds.
(Time Defrost is explained in the Time Features section.)
Conversion Guide


The Sensor Features detect the increasing humidity released during cooking. The oven automatically adjusts the cooking time to various types and amounts of food.
Do not use the Sensor Features twice in succession on the same food portion-it may result in severely overcooked or burnt food. Be sure to let the oven cool down for 5-10 minutes before starting the next sensor cook.
If food is undercooked after the countdown, use Cook Time for additional cooking time.

To use the Popcorn feature:
If you open the door while “POPCORN” is displayed, “SENSOR ERROR” will appear. Close the door, press CancelOff and begin again.
If food is undercooked after the countdown use Cook Time for additional cooking time.
How to Adjust the Popcorn Program to Provide a Shorter or Longer Cook Time
If you find that the brand of popcorn you use underpops or overcooks consistently, you can add or subtract 10% to the automatic popping time.

To use the Beverage feature:
Press Beverage to heat a cup of coffee or other beverage.
Drinks heated with the Beverage feature may be very hot. Remove the container with care.
If food is undercooked after the countdown, use Cook Time for additional cooking time.

To use the Reheat feature:
The Reheat feature reheats 4–36 ounces of previously cooked foods or a plate of leftovers.
1. Place covered food in the oven. Press Reheat. The oven starts immediately.
2. The oven signals when steam is sensed and the time remaining begins counting down.
Do not open the door while “REHEAT” is displayed, “SENSOR ERROR” will appear. It will scroll until Cancel/Off is pressed.
After removing food from the oven, stir, if possible, to even out the temperature. If the food is not hot enough, use Cook Time to reheat for more time. Reheated foods may have wide variations in temperature. Some areas may be extremely hot. Some Foods Not Recommended for Use With Reheat
It is best to use Cook Time for these foods:

To use the MyPlate feature:
Use MYPLATE feature to cook healthy food choices by servings or with sensor.
If you open the door while the food name of MYPLATE feature is displayed, “SENSOR ERROR” will appear. It will scroll until Cancel/Off is pressed
Cooking Guide for MyPlate Feature
Note: Use power level 10 unless otherwise noted

Potato

To use the Potato feature:
The Potato feature cooks 1 to 2 (8 oz. each) potatoes
If you open the door while POTATO is displayed, SENSOR ERROR will appear. It will scroll until Cancel/Off is pressed. If food is undercooked after the countdown, use Cook Time for additional cooking time.

To use the Vegetable feature:
Use the Vegetable feature to cook 4-6 ounces of fresh, frozen or canned vegetables.
If you open the door while FRSH-VG, FRZ-VEG, or CAN-VEG is displayed, SENSOR ERROR will appear. It will scroll until Cancel/Off is pressed.
If food is undercooked after the countdown, use Cook Time for additional cooking time
Cooking Complete Reminder
To remind you that you have food in the oven, the oven will display “Food is Ready” and beep once a minute until you either open the oven door or press Cancel/Off
Help
The Help pad dispalys feature information and helpful hints. Press Help then select a feature pad.
COOKING COMPLETE reminder
To remind you that you have food in the oven, the oven will display FOOD IS READY and beep once a minute until you either open the oven door or press Cancel/Off.

You may lock the control panel to prevent the microwave from being accidentally started or used by children. To lock or unlock the controls, press and hold Cancel/Off for about three seconds. When the control panel is locked, LOCKED will appear in the display.

To turn the clock display on or off, press and hold 0 for about 3 seconds. The Display On/Off feature cannot be used while a cooking feature is in use.

Press to enter the time of day or to check the time of day while microwaving.

In addition to starting many functions, Start/Pause allows you to stop cooking without opening the door or clearing the display. Press Start/Pause again to restart the oven.
Timer On/Off
Timer On/Off operates as a minute timer and can be used at any time, even when the oven is operating.
When time is up, the oven will signal. To turn off the timer signal, press TIMER ON/OFF.
NOTE: The timer indicator will be lit while the timer is operating.

The beeper sound can be adjusted. Press Sound. Choose 0-1 for mute or normal
Arcing
Arcing is the microwave term for sparks in the oven. Arcing is caused by:
Covering
Covers hold in moisture, allow for more even heating and reduce cooking time.
Venting plastic wrap or covering with wax paper allows excess steam to escape.
Shielding
In a regular oven, you shield chicken breasts or baked foods to prevent over-browning.
When microwaving, you use small strips of foil to shield thin parts, such as the tips of wings and legs on poultry, which would cook before larger parts.
Standing Time
When you cook with regular ovens, foods such as roasts or cakes are allowed to stand to finish cooking or to set.
Standing time is especially important in microwave cooking. Note that a microwaved cake is not placed on a cooling rack.
Venting
After covering a dish with plastic wrap, you vent the plastic wrap by turning back one corner so excess steam can escape

An occasional thorough wiping with a solution of baking soda and water keeps the inside fresh.
Unplug the cord before cleaning any part of this oven.
Walls, Floor, Inside Window, Metal and Plastic Parts on the Door

Some spatters can be removed with a paper towel; other may require a damp cloth. Remove greasy spatters with a sudsy cloth, then rinse with a damp cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners or sharp utensils on oven walls.
To clean the surface of the door and the surface of the oven that come together upon closing, use only mild, nonabrasive soaps or detergents using a sponge or soft cloth. Rinse with a damp cloth and dry.
Never use a commercial oven cleaner on any part of your microwave.
Removable Turntable and Turntable Support

To prevent breakage, do not place the turntable into water just after cooking. Wash it carefully in warm, sudsy water or in the dishwasher. The turntable and support can be broken if dropped.
Remember, do not operate the oven without the turntable and support in place.

Do not use cleaners containing ammonia or alcohol on the microwave oven. Ammonia or alcohol can damage the appearance of the microwave.
Case
Clean the outside of the microwave with a sudsy cloth. Rinse with a damp cloth and then dry. Wipe the window clean with a damp cloth.
Control Panel and Door
Wipe with a damp cloth. Dry thoroughly. Do not use cleaning sprays, large amounts of soap and water, abrasivers or shrap objects on the panel-they can damage it. Some paper towels can also scratch the control panel.
Door Surface
It is important to keep the area clean where the door seals against the microwave. Use only mild, non-abrasive detergents applied with a clean sponge or soft cloth. Rinse well.
Power Cord
If the cord becomes soiled, unplug and wash with a damp cloth. For stubborn spots, sudsy water may be used, but be certain to rinse with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly before plugging cord into outlet.
Stainless Steel (on some models)
Do not use a steel-wood pad; it will scratch the surface.
To clean the stainless steel surface, use a hot, damp cloth with a mild detergent suitable for stainless steel surfaces. Use a clean, hot, damp cloth to remove soap. Dry with a dry, clean cloth.
Always scrub lightly in the direction of the grain.
OVEN WILL NOT COME ON
CONTROL PANEL LIGHTED, YET OVEN WILL NOT START
“SENSOR ERROR” APPEARS ON DISPLAY
“LOCKED” APPEARS ON DISPLAY
FOOD AMOUNT TOOLARGE FOR SENSOR REHEAT
Things That Are Normal With Your Microwave Oven