Throughout this manual, features and appearance may vary from your model.

Throughout this manual, features and appearance may vary from your model.


Cook Time

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 to resume cooking
Express Cook

This is a quick way to set cooking time for 1-6 minutes
The power level can be changed as time is counting down. Press POWER LEVEL and enter 1-10
NOTE: Express Cook function pertains to pads 1-6 only.
Add 30 Sec

This will add 30 seconds to the time counting down each time the pad is pressed. Each touch will add 30 seconds, up to 99 minutes and 99 seconds.
Add 30 Sec can also be used like an express 30 seconds button. The microwave oven will start immediately when pressed.

Weight Defrost
Use Weight Defrost for meat. Use Time Defrost for most other frozen foods.
Defrosting Tips
Conversion Guide

Allows you to defrost for a selected length of time. See the Defrosting Guide on page 14 for suggested times (Weight Defrost is explained on page 12).
At one half of selected defrosting time, 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.
Noises may be heard during defrosting. This is normal when oven is not operating at High power.
Defrosting Tips
Defrosting Guide

Popcorn
To use the Popcorn feature:
If food is undercooked after the countdown, use Cook Time for additional cooking time. We recommend 30 seconds and watch carefully.
Use only with prepackaged microwave popcorn weighing 2.0 to 3.0 ounces.
NOTE: Do not use this feature twice in succession on the same food portion—it may result in severely overcooked or burnt food.
Reheat
The Reheat feature reheats servings of previously cooked foods or a plate of leftovers. Place the cup of liquid or covered food in the oven.
After removing food from the oven, stir, if possible, to even out the temperature. Reheated foods may have wide variations in temperature. Some areas of food may be extremely hot.
If food is not hot enough after the countdown use Cook Time for additional reheating time.
Some Foods Not Recommended for Use With Reheat
It is best to use Cook Time for these foods:
NOTE: Do not use this feature twice in succession on the same food portion—it may result in severely overcooked or burnt food.
Beverage
Use the Beverage feature to heat various amounts of liquids measured in ounces: Place the liquid into the microwave oven

To use the Potato feature:
Place the potato(es) into the oven.
NOTE: Do not use this feature twice in succession on the same food portion—it may result in severely overcooked or burnt food.
Term | Definition |
| 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. |

Changing the Power Level
The power level may be entered or changed before or during cooking. Power Level is set for Level 10 (High) unless it is changed.
OR
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 your 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 High (Power Level 10) 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 and some casseroles.
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:
High 10 (100%): Fish, bacon, vegetables, boiling liquids.
Med-High 7 (70%): Gentle cooking of meat and poultry; baking casseroles and reheating.
Medium 5 (50%): Slow cooking and tenderizing for stews and less tender cuts of meat.
Low 2 or 3 (20 or 30%): Defrosting; simmering; delicate sauces.
Warm 1 (10%): Keeping food warm; softening butter.
NOTE: You can also change the power level during many cooking modes by pressing the power level button entering a valid power level.
Clock
To change the time of day:
Start/Pause
In addition to starting many functions, START/ PAUSE allows you to stop cooking without opening the door or clearing the display and resume cooking later.
Cancel/Off
Press CANCEL/OFF to stop and cancel cooking at any time.
Control Lock-Out
You may lock the control panel to prevent the oven from being accidentally started during cleaning or being used by children.
To lock or unlock the controls, press and hold the CANCEL/OFF button for three seconds. When the control panel is locked, /2&.('will be displayed briefly anytime a button or dial is pressed. “L” will show in the display
Surface Light 
Press SURFACE LIGHT once for bright light, twice for the night light or a third time to turn the light off.
Timer 
NOTE: The Timer indicator will be lit while the timer is operating.
The Timer operates as a minute timer and can be used at any time, even when the oven is operating
To cancel, press the Timer button or Cancel button.
NOTE: If you press the Cancel button to cancel the timer and you are cooking at the same time, it will cancel your cooking selection also
When time is up, the oven will signal. To turn off the timer signal, press Timer or Cancel
Display

If you have the Timer counting down and you are using the Cook Time at the same time, you can change the display to show either the timer or the cook time countdown.
If the display shows the time for the Timer and you would like to view the Cook Time, press the COOK TIME button.
If the display shows the time for the Cook Time and you would like to view the Timer, press the TIMER button
Turntable
For best cooking results, leave the turntable on. It can be turned off for large dishes.
Press Turntable once to turn the turntable off. Press again to turn the turntable back on.
Sometimes the turntable can become too hot to touch. Be careful touching the turntable during and after cooking.
Turntable can be turned off during Cook Time or Express Cook features by pressing Turntable. Note: At the conclusion of Cook Time and Express Cook features, the turntable will automatically return to ON.
Vent Fan
The vent fan removes steam and other vapors from surface cooking. Press Vent Fan once for high fan speed, twice for low fan speed or three times to turn the fan of.
Automatic Fan
An automatic fan feature protects the microwave from too much heat rising from the cooktop below it. It automatically turns on if it senses too much heat.
If you have turned the fan on you may find that you cannot turn it off. The fan will automatically turn off when the internal parts are cool. It may stay on for 30 minutes or more after the cooktop and microwave controls are turned off.
Insert Food Reminder
A reminder will show on the display if the user tries to start the cooking cycle without placing food inside the microwave oven within 5 minutes prior to starting the cooking cycle.
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 the CANCEL/OFF button.

Helpful Hints
An occasional thorough wiping with a solution of baking soda and water keeps the inside fresh.
Be sure the power is off before cleaning any part of this microwave oven.
How to Clean the Inside

Walls, Floor, Inside Window, Metal and Plastic Parts on the Door
Some spatters can be removed with a paper towel; others 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.
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 in the microwave mode without the turntable and support seated and in place.
How to Clean the Outside

We recommend against using cleaners with ammonia or alcohol, as they can damage the appearance of the microwave oven. If you choose to use a common household cleaner, first apply the cleaner directly to a clean cloth, then wipe the soiled area.
Case
Control Panel
Door Panel
Stainless Steel (on some models)
Plastic Color Panels
Door Seal
Bottom

Cooktop Light/Nite Light
Replace with 120 volt, 40 watt (max) incandescent bulbs. Order WB25X10030 from your GE supplier.
Replacing the Oven Cavity Lamp

Vent Fan
The vent fan has two metal reusable vent filters. Models that recirculate air back into the room also use a charcoal filter.
Reusable Vent Filters
The metal filters trap grease released by foods on the cooktop. They also prevent flames from foods on the cooktop from damaging the inside of the oven.
For this reason, the filters must always be in place when the hood is used. The vent filters should be cleaned once a month, or as needed.
Removing and Cleaning the Filters

To remove, slide them to the rear using the tabs. Pull down and out.
To clean the vent filters, soak them and then swish around in hot water and detergent. Don’t use ammonia or ammonia products because they will darken the metal. Light brushing can be used to remove embedded dirt. Rinse, shake and let dry before replacing.
To replace, slide the filters into the frame slots on the back of each opening. Press up and to the front to lock into place.
Charcoal Filter
The charcoal filter cannot be cleaned. It must be replaced. Order Part No. WB02X11550 from your GE supplier
If the model is not vented to the outside, the air will be recirculated through a disposable charcoal filter that helps remove smoke and odors.
The charcoal filter should be replaced when it is noticeably dirty or discolored (usually after 6 to 12 months, depending on usage). See “Optional Kits,” page 8, for more information.
To Remove the Charcoal Filter


To remove the charcoal filter, first disconnect power at the main fuse or circuit breaker, or pull the plug. Remove the top grille by removing only the two screws that hold it in place, as shown.
You may need to open the cabinet doors to remove the screws. Press back on the top of the filter with both hands until the filter lays down almost horizontal. Lift the filter at the bottom until it comes free of the tabs. Slide the filter down and out.

To Install the Charcoal Filter
To install a new charcoal filter, remove plastic and other outer wrapping from the new filter
Insert the top of the filter up and into the grooves on both sides of the inside of the top opening. Once you have cleared the bottom tab, push the bottom of the filter in until it rests in place vertically behind the tab.

Problem | Possible Causes | What To Do |
| Oven will not start | A fuse in your home may be blown or the circuit breaker tripped. | Replace fuse or reset circuit breaker. |
| Power surge. | Unplug the microwave oven, then plug it back in. | |
| Plug not fully inserted into wall outlet. | Make sure the 3-prong plug on the oven is fully inserted outlet. | |
| Door not securely closed. | Open the door and close securely. | |
| Control panel lighted, yet oven will not start. | Door not securely closed. | Open the door and close securely. |
| START/PAUSE button not pressed after entering cooking selection. | Press START/PAUSE | |
| Another selection entered already in oven and CANCEL/ OFF button not pressed to cancel it. | Press CANCEL/OFF. | |
| Cooking time not entered after pressing COOK TIME | Make sure you have entered cooking time after pressing COOK TIME. | |
| CANCEL/OFF was pressed accidentally. | Reset cooking program and press START/PAUSE. | |
| CONTROL LOCKED appears on display | The control has been locked. | Press and hold CANCEL/OFF for about 3 seconds to unlock the control. |
| Floor of the oven is warm even when the oven has not been used. | The cooktop light is located below the oven floor. When light is on, the heat it produces may make the oven floor get warm. | This is normal. |
| You hear an unusual ow-tone beep. | You have tried to change the power level when it is not allowed. | Many of the oven’s features are preset and cannot be changed. |
| Vent fan comes on automatically | The vent fan automatically turns on to protect the microwave if it senses too much heat rising from the cooktop below. | This is normal. |
Reference file: Hotpoint RVM5160DHWW 30 Inch Over the Range 1.6 cu. ft. Capacity Microwave Oven
Additionally, the document applies to other Hotpoint models: AVM4160, JNM3161, JVM3160, RVM5160