33
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
* Q : I accidentally ran my microwave oven without any
food in it. Is it damaged?
* A : Running the oven empty for a short time will not damage
the oven. However, it is not recommended.
* Q : Can I open the door when the oven is operating?
* A : The door can be opened anytime during the cooking
operation. Then microwave energy will be instantly
switched off and the time setting will maintain until the
door is closed.
* Q : Why do I have moisture in my microwave oven after
cooking?
* A : The moisture on the side of your microwave oven is
normal. It is caused by steam from cooking food hitting
the cool oven surface.
* Q : Does microwave energy pass through the viewing
screen in the door?
* A : No. The metal screen bounces back the energy to the
oven cavity. The holes are made to allow light to pass
through. They do not let microwave energy pass
through.
* Q : Why do eggs sometimes pop?
* A : When baking or poaching eggs, the yolk may pop due to
steam build-up inside the yolk membrane. To prevent
this, simply pierce the yolk with a toothpick before
cooking. Never cook eggs without piercing their shells.
* Q : Why this standing time recommended after the
cooking operation has been completed?
* A : Standing time is very important.
With microwave cooking, the heat is in the food, not in
the oven. Many foods build up enough internal heat to
allow the cooking process to continue, even after the
food is removed from the oven. Standing time for joints
of meat, large vegetables and cakes is to allow the
inside to cook completely, without overcooking the
outside.
* Q : What does “standing time” mean?
* A : “Standing time” means that food should be removed
from the oven and covered for additional time to allow it
to finish cooking. This frees the oven for other cooking.
* Q : Why does my oven not always cook as fast as the
microwave cooking guide says?
* A : Check your cooking guide again, to make sure you’ve
followed directions exactly ; and to see what might
cause variations in cooking time. Cooking guide times
and heat settings are suggestions, to help prevent over-
cooking... the most common problem in getting used to
a microwave oven.
Variations in the size, shape and weights and
dimensions could require longer cooking time. Use your
own judgment along with the cooking guide suggestions
to check whether the food has been properly cooked just
as you would do with a conventional cooker.
* Q : Will the microwave oven be damaged if it operates
while empty?
* A : Yes. Never run it empty.