Owner's Manual

9
E
• Check for doneness. Look for signs indicating that cooking
temperatures have been reached.
Doneness signs include:
- Food steams throughout, not just at edge.
- Center bottom of dish is very hot to the touch.
- Poultry thigh joints move easily.
- Meat and poultry show no pinkness.
- Fish is opaque and akes easily with a fork.
ABOUT UTENSILS AND COVERINGS
It is not necessary to buy all new cookware. Many pieces
already in your kitchen can be used successfully in your new
microwave oven. Make sure the utensil does not touch the
interior walls during cooking.
UTENSILS
Use these utensils for safe microwave cooking and reheating:
• glass ceramic (Pyroceram
®
or Corningware
®
)
• heat-resistant glass (Pyrex
®
)
• microwave safe plastics
• microwave safe paper plates
• microwave safe pottery, stoneware and porcelain
• browning dish (Do not exceed recommended preheating
time. Follow manufacturer’s directions.)
Wood, straw and wicker utensils can be used with short
cook times when reheating foods with little or no fat or
sugar content.
DO NOT USE
• metal pans and bakeware
• dishes with metallic trim
• non-heat-resistant glass
• non-microwave safe plastics (margarine tubs)
• recycled paper products
• brown paper bags
• food storage bags
• metal twist-ties
• aluminum foil
Should you wish to check if a dish is safe for microwaving,
place the empty dish in the oven and microwave on HIGH for
30 seconds. A dish that becomes very hot should not be used.
COVERINGS
The following coverings are ideal:
• Paper towels are good for covering foods for reheating
and absorbing fat while cooking bacon.
• Wax paper can be used for cooking and reheating.
• Plastic wrap that is specially marked for microwave use
can be used for cooking and reheating. DO NOT allow
plastic wrap to touch food. Vent so steam can escape.
• Microwave safe lids are a good choice because heat is kept
near the food to hasten cooking.
• Oven cooking bags are good for large meats or foods that
need tenderizing. DO NOT use metal t wist-ties. Remember
to slit bag so steam can escape.
ACCESSORIES
There are many microwave accessories available for purchase.
Evaluate carefully before you purchase so they meet your
needs. A microwave safe thermometer will assist you in
determining correct doneness and assure you foods have been
cooked to safe temperatures. Sharp is not responsible for any
damage to the microwave oven when accessories are used.
ABOUT CHILDREN AND THE
MICROWAVE
Children under the age of 7 should use the microwave oven
with a supervising person very near to them. Between the
ages of 7 and 12, the supervising person should be in the
same room. The child must be able to reach the microwave
oven comfortably.
Never allow anyone to lean or swing on microwave oven.
Children should be taught all safety precautions. Use pothold-
ers. Remove coverings carefully. Pay special attention to
packages that crisp food, as they may be extra hot.
Do not assume a child can cook everything in the microwave
oven just because they have mastered one skill.
The microwave oven is not a toy. See page 20 for CONTROL
LOCK feature.
ABOUT SAFETY
Cook foods to temperatures recommended by the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
145˚F -
Fish
160˚F -
Pork, ground beef/veal/lamb, egg dishes
165˚F -
Whole, pieces and ground turkey/chicken/duck
Leftover, ready-to-reheat refrigerated, deli and
carry-out fresh food.
To test for doneness, insert a meat thermometer in a thick
or dense area away from fat or bone. NEVER leave the
thermometer in the food during cooking, unless it is
approved for microwave use.
• ALWAYS use potholders to prevent burns when handling
utensils in contact with hot food. Enough heat from the food
can transfer through utensils to cause skin burns.
• Avoid steam burns by directing steam away from the face
and hands. Slowly lift the farthest edge of a dish’s covering
and carefully open popcorn and oven cooking bags away
from the face.
• Stay near the microwave oven while it’s in use and check
cooking progress frequently so there is no chance of
overcooking food.
INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW