Countertop Microwave User Manual

IMPORTANT: The control side of the microwave oven is the heavy side. Handle the microwave oven gently. The weight of the microwave oven is over 35 lbs (15.9 kg).
NOTE: Some models can be built into a wall or cabinet by using one of the trim kits listed in the “Assistance or Service” section.

Observe all governing codes and ordinances.
Required:
Recommended:
For all cord connected appliances: The microwave oven must be grounded. In the event of an electrical short circuit, grounding reduces the risk of electric shock by providing an escape wire for the electric current. The microwave oven is equipped with a cord having a grounding wire with a grounding plug. The plug must be plugged into an outlet that is properly installed and grounded.
WARNING: Improper use of the grounding plug can result in a risk of electric shock. Consult a qualified electrician or serviceman if the grounding instructions are not completely understood, or if doubt exists as to whether the microwave oven is properly grounded. Do not use an extension cord. If the power supply cord is too short, have a qualified electrician or serviceman install an outlet near the microwave oven. A short power supply cord is provided to reduce the risks resulting from becoming entangled in or tripping over a longer cord.

A. Door handle (on models without push button open)
B. Window
C. Cooking guide label
D. Microwave oven light
E. Display
F. Control panel
G. Microwave inlet cover
H. Removable turntable support
I. Glass turntable
J. Model and serial number plate
K. Door lock system

A. Turntable
B. Hub
C. Support
D. Shaft
To Install:
Fit the raised, curved wedges in the center of the turntable bottom between the three spokes of the hub. The rollers on the support should fit inside the turntable bottom ridge.

When power is first supplied to the microwave oven, “0:00” will appear in the display. If the “0:00” appears in the display at any other time, a power failure has occurred. Reset the clock if needed. See the “Clock” section.
NOTE: The display language may be set to French, and the weight entry mode may be set to metric within the first 5 minutes of power-up. See the “Language” and “Weight Entry Mode” sections.
The Start keypad begins any function. If non-sensor cooking is interrupted by opening the door, touching the Start keypad will resume the cycle.
NOTE: To avoid unintentional operation of the microwave oven, a cooking function cannot be started if the microwave oven door has been closed for about 5 minutes. The word “door” will appear in the display until the door is opened and closed.
The Start Add 30 Sec keypad automatically starts the microwave oven at 100% power for 30 seconds and it adds 30 seconds of cook time with each additional touch of the keypad.
Time may be added to any manual cooking cycle in 30-second increments, at the current power level, by touching the Start Add 30 Sec keypad during cooking.
NOTE: To avoid unintentional operation of the microwave oven, a cooking function cannot be started if the microwave oven door has been closed for about 5 minutes. The word “door” will appear in the display until the door is opened and closed.
Cancel clears any incorrect command and cancels any program during cooking. It will not erase the time of day.
Tones are audible signals that cannot be turned off. These tones indicate the following:
One tone
Three tones
Five tones
This is a standard 12-hour clock (1:00-12:59). The Clock cannot be erased. If the Clock is not set, “0:00” will remain in the display when the microwave oven is not in use.
To Set: The microwave oven and Timer must be off.
The Timer can be set in minutes and seconds, up to 99 minutes seconds, and counts down the set time.
NOTE:
To Set:
The default display language is English, but it may be set toFrench. Two display messages are affected: “End” (English) or Fin” (French) and “door” (English) or “PrtE” (“porte” – French).
To Set Language to French: Within 5 minutes of power-up, touch and hold POWER LEVEL for about 5 seconds, until a tone sounds. To set back to English, disconnect power, then reconnect power to microwave oven.
The default weight entry mode for Defrost is imperial (pounds) but may be set to metric (grams). This setting does not affect any other program besides Defrost. See the “Defrost” section.
To Set Weight Entry to Metric: Within 5 minutes of power-up, touch and hold number keypad “0” for about 5 seconds, until a tone sounds. To set back to imperial, disconnect power, then reconnect power to microwave oven.
The Control Lock disables the control panel keypads to avoid unintended use of the microwave oven.
To Lock/Unlock Control: The microwave oven must be off.
A magnetron in the microwave oven produces microwaves which reflect off the metal floor, walls, and ceiling and pass through the turntable and appropriate cookware to the food. Microwaves are attracted to and absorbed by fat, sugar, and water molecules in the food, causing them to move, producing friction and heat which cooks the food.
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.
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 the “Aluminum Foil and Metal” section 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.
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.

To Test Cookware or Dinnerware for Microwave Use:
Do not use cookware or dinnerware if it becomes hot and the water stays cool.
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.
OK for Use
Racks and bakeware supplied with the microwave oven (on some models), aluminum foil for shielding, and approved meat thermometers may be used with the following guidelines:
Do Not Use
Metal cookware and bakeware, gold, silver, pewter, non-approved meat thermometers, skewers, twist ties, foil liners such as sandwich wrappers, staples, and objects with gold or silver trim or a metallic glaze, should not be used in the microwave oven.
NOTE: To cook at 100% power, begin by touching the number keypads to enter cook time, then touch START.
To Use:
Use the following chart as a general guide for the suggested cooking power of specific foods.


NOTE: To cook at 100% power, begin by touching the number keypads to enter cook time, then touch START.
To Use:
The microwave oven can be set to cook at different cooking powers for various lengths of time, up to two stages which may include a defrosting stage. See the “Weight Defrost/Timed Defrost” section to set the defrosting stage.
NOTE: If a defrosting stage is programmed, it will cycle first.
To Cook in Stages:
Cook time may be added in 30-second increments during the cycling stage by touching Start Add 30 Sec.
Use Favorite to program, store, and recall the top three most frequently used manual cook programs. Each Favorite may have 1 or 2 stages (see the “Cooking in Stages” section). In the event of a power failure, the saved Favorites will have to be reprogrammed.
To Set Favorite:
To Use Favorite:
A sensor in the microwave oven detects humidity released from the food as it heats and adjusts the cook time accordingly.
Many sensor cycles require the covering of foods. Microwavesafe containers or steamers with loose-fitting lids are recommended. The loose-fitting lid allows enough steam to escape to be detected by the sensor. When covering foods with plastic wrap, be sure to leave a large enough vent opening to allow the steam to escape.
“SC” (sensor cook) will appear in the display during sensor cooking.
NOTES:
The Weight Defrost feature’s preset programs can be used, the Timed Defrost feature can be used, or the microwave oven can be manually set to defrost.
Weight Defrost
The Weight Defrost feature has preset times and cook powers for 3 categories: Meat, Poultry, and Fish. It should not be used for food that has been left outside the freezer for more than minutes or for frozen ready-made food.

To Use Weight Defrost:
Timed Defrost
Timed Defrost does not have a preset program but uses only PL3) cooking power.
To Defrost Manually: Follow directions in the “Manual Cooking” section and use 30% cooking power. See the “Microwave Cooking Power” chart.
IMPORTANT: Before cleaning, make sure all controls are off and the microwave oven is cool. Always follow label instructions on cleaning products. Soap, water, and a soft cloth or sponge are suggested unless otherwise noted.
MICROWAVE OVEN CAVITY
To avoid damage to the microwave oven cavity, do not use soap-filled scouring keypads, abrasive cleaners, steel-wool pads, gritty washcloths, or some recycled paper towels.
To avoid damage to stainless steel models, rub in direction of grain.
The area where the microwave oven door and frame touch when closed should be kept clean.
Average soil
Heavy soil
Odors
Microwave Inlet Cover
MICROWAVE OVEN DOOR AND EXTERIOR
The area where the microwave oven door and frame touch when closed should be kept clean.
Stainless Steel (on some models)
To avoid damage to microwave oven door and exterior, do not use soap-filled scouring pads, abrasive cleaners, steel-wool pads, gritty washcloths, or some paper towels. Rub in direction of grain.
CONTROL PANEL
To avoid damage to the control panel, do not use chemical or abrasive cleansers.
TURNTABLE
Replace turntable immediately after cleaning. Do not operate the microwave oven without the turntable in place.
| If you experience | Recommended Solutions |
|---|---|
Nothing will operate | Check the following: ■ Household fuse or circuit breaker: If a household fuse has blown or a circuit breaker has tripped, replace the fuse or reset the circuit breaker. If the problem continues, call an electrician. ■Microwave wiring: See Installation Instructions provided with your microwave oven. |
Microwave oven will not operate | Check the following: ■ Magnetron: Try to heat 1 cup (250 mL) of cold water for 2 minutes at 100% cooking power. If water does not heat, try the steps in the bullets below. If microwave oven still does not operate, call for service. ■ Door: Firmly close door. On some models, if a packaging spacer is attached to the inside of the door, remove it, then firmly close door. If a message about the door appears in the display, the door has been closed for 5 minutes or more without the microwave oven being started. This occurs to avoid unintended starting of the microwave oven. Open and close the door, then start the cycle. ■ Control: Make sure control is set properly. Make sure Control Lock is off. Make sure Demo mode (on some models) is off. |
Microwave oven makes humming noise | ■This is normal and occurs when the power supply in the magnetron cycles on. |
Microwave oven door looks wavy | ■ This is normal and will not affect performance. |
Turntable will not operate | Check the following: ■Turntable: Make sure turntable is correct-side up and is sitting securely on the turntable support. See the “Turntable” section. ■ Turntable support: Remove turntable. Remove and clean turntable hub, support, and rollers. Replace hub, support, and turntable. Place 1 cup (250 mL) of water on the turntable, then restart microwave oven. If it still is not working, call for service. See the “Warranty” section. Do not operate the microwave oven without turntable and turntable support working properly. |
Turntable alternates rotation directions | ■This is normal and depends on motor rotation at the beginning of the cycle. |
Display shows messages | ■ A flashing “0:00” means there has been a power failure. Reset the clock. |
Display shows time countdown, but the microwave oven is not operating | Check the following: ■ Timer: See the “Timer” section. |
Tones are not sounding | Check the following: ■ Tones: See the “Tones” section. |
Cooking times seem too long | Check the following: ■ Cooking power: See the “Microwave Cooking Power” section. ■ Amount of food: Larger amounts of food need longer cooking times. ■ Voltage: Have a qualified electrician check the electrical system in the home. |
| Radio, TV, or cordless phone interference | Check the following: ■ Proximity: Move the receiver away from the microwave oven or adjust the radio or TV antenna. If the microwave oven is plugged into the same outlet, try a different outlet for the electronic device. ■ Soil: Make sure the microwave oven door and sealing surfaces are clean. ■ Frequency: Some 2.4 GHz-based cordless phones and home wireless networks may experience static or noise while microwave oven is on. Use a corded phone, a different frequency cordless phone, or avoid using these items during microwave oven operation. |
Reference file: Whirlpool WMC50522HV 2.2 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave
Additionally, the document applies to other Whirlpool models: WMC50522