2
 1. THE ARRANGEMENT
   Arrange foods carefully. Place thickest areas toward outside of dish.
 3. COVERING
   Cover foods in the microwave if you would normally cover the food in your ordinary 
oven, or to retain moisture. Cover foods such as Vegetables, Casseroles, or when 
Reheating.
   Use to cover foods:
 5. SHIELDING
   Shield using small pieces of aluminium foil to shield thin areas of meat, fish and 
poultry or edges of cakes to prevent overcooking.
 7. STIRRING
   Stir foods from the outside to the centre of the dish, once or twice during cooking if 
possible.
   Eg. Casseroles and Sauces.
 9. DENSITY
   The depth to which microwaves penetrate food varies depending on the food's 
density. Porous foods like minced beef or mashed potatoes microwave faster than 
dense ones like steak or whole potatoes.
 11. STARTING TEMPERATURE
   Frozen or refrigerated foods take longer to heat than food at room temperature. 
Cooking times in this book are based on normal storage temperatures. Since 
rooms, refrigerators and freezers differ in temperature, check cooking result at 
the minimum time.
 13.  CONDENSATION
   Condensation is a normal part of microwave cooking. The humidity and moisture 
in food will influence the amount of condensation in the oven. Generally, covered 
foods will not cause as much condensation as uncovered foods. Ensure that the 
ventilation openings are not blocked.
TOMATO
EGG
LID PAPER TOWELPLASTIC WRAP
FISH
CHICKEN
HELPFUL HINTS
 2. TURNING
 
Foods such as poultry and joints of meat should be turned over after half the cooking 
time.
 4. PIERCING
   Pierce potatoes, eggs, tomatoes or any foods with a skin or membrane to allow 
steam to escape.
 6. STANDING TIME
   Standing time is important. After cooking or defrosting ensure adequate standing 
time. This allows the food to continue cooking or heating. Refer to cooking guides 
for each menu or according to manufacturers instructions.
 8. SIZE
    Small pieces cook faster than large ones. To speed up cooking, cut pieces smaller 
than 5 cm so microwaves can penetrate to the centre from all sides. For even 
cooking, make all the pieces the same size.
 10. FAT AND BONE
   Marbling within meat, or a thin, even layer of fat on a roast, speeds cooking. 
Large fatty areas or excess drippings in dish attract energy away from meat, and 
slows cooking. Centre bones do not affect cooking, but bone on the side of meat 
conducts heat to the areas next to it.
 12.  QUANTITY
   Microwave cooking times are directly related to the amount of food in the oven. 
Because energy is absorbed by the food itself, one potato or a single piece of 
chicken cooks rapidly. When the energy is divided among several items, cooking 
takes more time.
 14.  GENERAL
   Your microwave oven is capable of heating food and beverages very quickly 
therefore, it is very important that you select the appropriate cooking time and 
power level for the type and quantity of food to be heated. If you are unsure of the 
cooking time and power level required, begin with low cooking times and power 
levels until the food is sufficiently heated evenly throughout.
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