GE JE41A Use and care manual

Sub-CompatiMicmwe Oven
Contents
Adapter Plugs 22 Precautions 2
Aluminum Foil 4Problem Solver 23
Appliance Registration
2 Repair Service 23
Care and Cleaning
21 Safety Instructions 2-4
Convenience Food Guide
12
Warranty Back Cover
Cooking 6
Cooking Guide 13-19
Defrosting
7
Defrosting Guide 8-10
Extension Cords 22
Features 5
Grounding Instructions 22
Heating or Reheating Guide 11
Microwave Cookware Guide 20
Microwaving Tips
3
GEABWM CenteP
Model and Serial Numbers
2
80~626.2000
Models JE41A
JE45A
GEAppiances
The electric output
of this microwave oven
is 500 watts.

Help us help you...
Before usiW your oven,
mad this book carefully.
It is intended to help you operate
and maintain your new microwave
oven properly.
Keep it handy for answers to your
questions.
If you don’t understand something
or need more help, write (include
your phone number):
Consumer Affairs
GE Appliances
Appliance Park
Louisville,
KY40225
Write down the model
and serial numbers.
You’ll find them on a label inside
the oven.
These numbers are also on the
Consumer Product Ownership
Registration Card that came with
your microwave oven. Before
sending in this card, please write
these numbers here:
Model Number
Serial Number
Use these numbers in any
correspondence or service calls
concerning your microwave oven.
Be sure your microwave
oven is ~istered.
It is important that we know the
location of your microwave oven
shodd a need occur for adjustments.
Your supplier is responsible for
registering you as the owner.
Please check with your supplier to
be sure he has done so; also send in
your Consumer Product Ownership
Registration Card. If you move, or
if you are not the original purchaser,
please write to us, stating model
and serial numbers.
This appliance
must be *tered. Please he certain
that it is.
Write to:
GE Appliances
Range Product Service
Appliance Park
Louisville, KY40225
If you received a
dam~ed oven...
Immediately contact the dealer (or
builder) that sold you the oven.
Save time and money.
Before you request service . . .
check the Problem Solver on page 23.
It lists causes of minor operating
problems that you can correct yourself.
Optional Accessory
available at extra cost from your
GE supplier.
4-AOW Installation Kit allows
this oven to be mounted under a
cabinet.
All these things are normal with your microwave oven:
● Steam or vapor escaping from
● Some TV-Radio interference
around the door. might be noticed while using your
● Light reflection around door or
microwave oven. It’s similar to the
outer case. interference caused by other small
● Dull thumping sound while appliances and does not indicate a
oven is operating. problem with your oven.
2
PRECAUTIONS
TO AVOID
POSSIBLE
EXPOS~ ~
Excwsm
MCROWAW
ENERGY
(a) h Not Attempt to operate
this oven with the door open since
open-door operation can result in
harmful exposure to microwave
energy, It is important not to
defeat or tamper with the safety
interlocks.
~) h Not Place any object
between the oven front face and
the door or allow soil or cleaner
residue to accumulate on sealing
surfaces.
(c)
W Not Operate the oven
if it is damaged. It is particularly
important that the oven door close
properly and that there is no
damage to the:
(1) door (bent)
(2) hinges and latches (broken or
loosened)
(3) door seals and sealing surfaces.
(d) The Oven Should Not be
adjusted or repaired by anyone
except properly qualified service
personnel.

Microwaving ~ps
● Make sure all cookware used in
your microwave oven is suitable for
microwaving. Most glass casseroles,
cooking dishes, measuring cups,
custard cups, pottery or china
dinnerware which does not have
metilic trim or glme with a metilic
sheen can be used. Some cookware
is labeled “suitable for microwaving?’
If you are unsure, use this dish test:
Measure 1 cup water in a glass cup.
Place in oven on or beside dish.
Microwave 1 minute at High (10).
If water becomes hot, dish is
microwave safe. If dish heats, it
should not be used for microwaving.
● Paper towels, wax paper, and
plastic wrap can be used to cover
dishes in order to retain moisture
and prevent spattering.
c Some microwaved foods require
stirring, rotating or rearranging.
Check the cooking guide for
specific instructions.
● Steam builds up pressure in foods
which are tightly covered by a skin
or membrane. Pierce pomtoes, egg
yolks and chicken livers to prevent
bursting.
E
safe for use m m]crowave ovens.
~PO~~T
S-TY INSTRUCTIONS
Read all instructions before using this appliance.
When using electrical appliances,
basic safety precautions should be
followed, including the following:
WA~ING–To reduce
the risk of burns, electric shock,
fire, injury to persons or exposure
to excessive microwave energy:
c Use this appliance only for its
intended use as described in this
manual.
● Read and follow the specific
“PRECAUTIONS
~ AVOID
POSSIBLE EXPOSURE
~
EXCESSIVE MICROWAVE
ENERGY” on page 2.
● This appliance must be grounded.
Connect ody topropcrly grounded
outlet. See “GROUNDING
INSTRU~IONS” on page 22.
● This microwave oven is
specifically designed to
heat or
cook food, and is not intended
for laboratory or industrid use.
● For best operation, plug this
appliance into its own electrical
outlet, to prevent flickering of
lights, blowing of fuse or tripping
of circuit breaker.
Q Install or locate this appliance
only in accordance with the
provided installation instructions.
● Be certain to place the front
surface of the door
h inch~ or
more back from the countertop
edge to avoid accidental tipping
of the appiiance in normai usage.
● Do not cover or block any
openings on the appliance.
● Do not use outdoors.
● DO not immerse power cord
or plug in water.
● Keep power cord away from
heated surfaces.
● Do not let power cord hang
over edge of table or counter.
3
● D O not operate this app]ianee
if it has a damaged power cord
or plug, if it is not working
properly, or if it has been
damaged or dropped.
● See door surface cleaning
instructions on page 21.
● This appliance should be
serviced oniy by quWled serviee
personnel. Contact nearest
authorized service facility for
examination, repair or adjustment.
● As with any appliance, close
supervision is necessary when
used by children.
● To reduce the risk of fire in
the oven cavity:
–Donot ovemkfd. &fuiiy
attend appliance if paper,
plastic, or other combustible
materiais are placed inside the
oven to facilitate cooking.
–Remove wire twist-tire from
paper or plastic bags before
placing
bag in oven.
–Do
not use your microwave
oven to dry newspapers.
–Do not use reeycled paper
products.
Recycled paper towels,
napkins and wax paper can
contain metal flecks which
may
cause arcing or ignite. Paper
products containing nylon or
nylon filaments should be
avoided, as they may
also ignite.
–Do
not operate the oven while
empty to avoid damage to the
oven and the danger of fire.
If
by accident the oven should
run
empty a minute or two, no harm
is done. However,
~ to avoid
operating the oven empty at all
times—it saves energy and
prolongs the life of the oven.
m
,
I
1

mOm~T SMTY ~STRUCTIONS (continuti)
Mcmw oven udess in a special
microwave popcorn accessory or
u~ess you use popcorn hbeled for
use in microwave ovens,
-Do not ovemookpotatoes.
They could dehydrate and catch
fire, causing
tige to your oven.
● ~~~~~~ ~id~ oven ~h~~d
~te, keep oven door closed, turn
oven off, and disconnect power
wrd, or shut off power at &se or
circuit breaker panel.
* %rne produm such as whole
* S and sealed containers-for
example, closed glass jars-may
explode and should not be heated
in this oven.
. Avoid heating. baby food in
glass jars, even without their lids;
especially meat and egg mixtures.
● hn% debt fromn beverages
in narrownw~botdes (especiMy
carbonated beverages). Even if the
&ontainer is opened, pressure
can build up. This can cause the
container to burst, resulting in
injury.
*use rneti only as directed in
coo~g guide.
W dinners maybe microwaved
in foil trays less than 3/4” high;
remove top fbil cover and return
tray to box. When using meti in
the microwave oven, keep meti
at lmt 1 inch away from sides
of oven,
s c~k~m may become hot
becawe of heat transferred from
the heated food. ht holders may
be n~ed to handle the cookware.
. fi~etim~, the cooking tray
cm beeome too hot to touch.
k Careti handing the cooking
~during and after cooking.
● FOO@ cooked in liquids (such
as pasta) may tend to boil over
more rapidy than fbods containing
less moisture. Should this occur,
refer to page 21 for instructions on
how to clean the inside of the oven.
. ~ermome~r—Do not
use a thermometer in food you
are microwaving unless the
thermometer is designed or
recommended for use in the
microwave oven.
. Plastic cook~re—plastic
cookware designed for microwave
cooking is very usefil, but should
be used carefu~y. Even microwave-
safe plastic may not be as tolerant
of overcooking conditions as are
glass or ceramic materials and
may soften or char if subjected to
short periods of overcooking. In
longer exposures to overcooking,
the food and cookware could
ignite. For these reasons: 1) Use
microwave-safe plastics only and
use them in strict compliance
with the cookware manufacturer’s
recommendations. 2) Do not
subject empty cookware to
microwaving. 3) Do not permit
children to use plastic cookware
without complete supervision.
. When cooking pork, follow
the directions exactly and always
cook the meat to an internal
temperature of at least l~°F.
This assures that, in the remote
possibility that trichina may be
present in the meat, it will be
tiled and meat wi~ be safe to eat.
o Boning eggs is not
recommended in a microwave
oven.
Pressure can build up
inside the egg yolk and may cause
it
to burst, resulting in injury,
● Foods with unbroken outer
“skin” such as potatoes, sausages,
tomatoes, apples, chicken livers
and other giblets, and egg yolks
(see previous caution) should be
pierced to allow steam to escape
during cooking.
o ~~Boilable” cooking pouches
and tightly closed plastic bags
should be slit, pierced or vented
as directed in cooking guide, If they
are not, plastic could burst during
or immediately after cooking,
possibly resulting in injury. Also,
plastic storage containers should be
at least partidy uncovered because
they form a tight seal. When
cooking with containers tightly
covered with plastic wrap, remove
covering care~y and direct steam
away from hands and face.
● Spontaneous boiling—Under
certain special circumstances,
liquids may start to boil during or
shortly after removal from the
microwave oven, To prevent burns
from splashing liquid, stir the
liquid briefly before removing the
container from the microwave oven,
SAW T~E
INSTRUCTIONS
4

Features of Your Oven
II
mm
~5A
.4 Cubic Foot
Oven Interior
I I
\
1. Door Latches.
2. Door Screen. Metal screen
permis viewing of foods and keeps
microwaves confined inside oven.
3.
Oven Vent.
4. Mode Stirrer Cover.
Protects
the microwave energy distributing
system. Do not remove this cover.
You will damage the oven.
—
N
Q
r
m
I
-.—
--, ,- ::
--. !
-
-----
— -..
5. Glass Cooking fray. Tray must
be in place when using the oven.
Cooking performance will be
unsatisfactory without the tray
in place. The tray maybe removed
for cleaning.
6 Oven Interior Light. ~rns on
when timer is on.
7.
35-Minute Timer. Set timer to
desired cooking or defrosting time.
Setting the timer starts the oven
(when the door is closed).
& Door Open Bar. Press to open
door. Door must be securely
latched for oven to operate.
9. Power Level Knob. This knob
can be set at LOW/DEF or HIGH.
10. Model and Serial Numbers.
5

CooMng
The timer allows you to preset
the cooking time.
The oven shuts off automatically.
Power Level HIGH is recommended
for all cooking and heating.
To become better acquainted with
time cooking, make a cup of coffee
by following the steps below.
Step 1: Fill a cup 2/3 full of water
and add 1 teaspoon of instant coffee
and stir to
diss-olve. Use a cup that
has no metal decoration and is
microwave safe (refer to Microwaving
Tips on page 3). Place cup in oven
and close door.
Step 2: Turn Power Level knob to
HIGH.
Step 3: Set Timer Control. For
coffee, set at
llA minutes. Timer
may be reset during cooking
if needed.
Note: To settimerless than2 minutes,
turn the Timer Control past 2 and
then back to the desired time.
Step 4: When time is up, the oven
sounds, oven light and fan shut off.
Questions and Answers
Q. I set my oven for the time
called for in the recipe, but at the
end of the time allowed, my food
wasn’t done. What happened?
A. Since house power varies due
to time or location most recipes
give you a time range to prevent
overcooking. Set the oven for
minimum time, test the food for
doneness, and cook your food a
little longer, if necessary.
Q.
What happens if I accidentally
operate the microwave oven
without food in it?
A. Accidental use for short
periods of time does not damage
the magnetron but it is not
recommended.
Q. Can I interrupt the cooking
function to check the food?
A. Yes.
To resume cooking, simply
close the door. The timer must be
reset for cooking to resume unless
time is remaining on timer.
6

Defrosti~
The Defrost setting is designed
for speedy thawing of frozen food
and is one of the great advantages
of a microwave oven.
● Power Level LOW/DEF should
be used for defrosting.
● See your Defrosting Guide for
defrosting help.
To become better acquainted with
the defrost function, defrost frozen
pork chops by following the steps
below.
Step 1: Place l-lb. package of
frozen chops in the oven and
close door.
Step 4: When oven turns off, turn
package over, close door, and set
timer for remaining defrosting time.
Ufrosting Mps
● Foods frozen in paper or plastic
can be defrosted in the package.
● For even defrosting, many foods
need to be broken up or separated
part of the way through the
defrosting time.
● Pre-packaged frozen dinners
can be defrosted and microwaved.
Be sure to remove any foil covers.
Keep metal trays at least 1“ away
from cavity walls.
● Check the following guide for
other defrosting tips.
Step 2: ~rn Power Level knob
to LOW/DEF.
Step 3: ~rn Timer Control to one
half of the total defrosting time
recommended in the defrosting
guide. Turning the Timer Control
starts the oven when the door is
closed.
7
Questions andhwers
Q. When I turn the Timer
Control and start the oven, I hear
a dull thumping noise. What is it?
A.
This sound is normal. It is letting
you know the oven is using a Power
Level lower than HIGH.
Q. Why don’t the defrosting
times in the Defrosting Guide
seem right for my food?
A. These times are averages.
Defrosting time can vary according
to the temperature in your freezer.
Set your oven for the time indicated
in your Defrosting Guide. If your
food is still not completely thawed
at the end of that time, reset your
oven and adjust the tie accordingly.
Q. Should all foods be completely
thawed before cooking?
A.
Some foods should not be
completely thawed before cooking.
For example, fish cooks so
quic~y
it is better to begin cooking while it
is still slightly frozen.
Q. Can I open the door during
defrosting to check on the
progress of my food?
A. Yes.
You may open the door at
any time during microwaving. To
resume defrosting, close the door.
The oven begins operating if time is
left on timer. If not, reset timer.
I
1

Defrosti~ Guide
Rwer hvel: bw/Def
Hmt Half Second Half
Food
We, Minutes
me, Minutes
Cements
Meat
Bacon (1 pkg.) 3
3-4 Place unopened package in microwave oven. ~rn over
per pound per pound after first half of time and unwrap. Let stand 5 minutes.
Microwave just until strips can be separated.
Franks (1 lb.)
4 3
Place unopened package in microwave oven. ~rn over
after first half of time. Microwave just until franks can
be separated.
Ground beef & pork (1 lb.) 4 3-4 ~rn package over after first half of time. After second
half of time, breakup and let stand 5 minutes.
Ground beef & pork (2 lbs.) 8-10
7-9 ~rn package over after first half of time. Scrape off
softened meat after second half of time. Set aside. Break
up remaining block and continue microwaving 3-5 minutes
if necessary.
Spareribs,
2-4
2-3
Place wrapped package in microwave oven. ~rn over
Wrk (2 lbs.) per pound per pound
after first half of time. After second half of time separate
pieces with table knife. Let stand to complete defrosting.
steaks,
4-6 4-5 Place
unwrappd meat in single layer in cooking dish
Chops & per pound per pound
Cuflets in oven.
~rn over after first half of time and separate
defrosted pieces with table knife. Let stand to complete
@ef, lamb,
defrosting.
ved & pork)
Sausage, 3-4 2-4 Scrape off softened meat after second half of time.
Bulk (1 lb. tray) Set aside. Break up remaining block, microwave 2 to
4 minutes more.
Sausage
34
3-4 ~rn over after first half of time. Let stand 5 minutes.
Bulk (1 lb. roll)
Sausage,
2-3 2-3
Wrn over and rotite 1/4 turn after first half of time.
Link (1 lb.) Let stand 5 minutes.
Sausage,
3
2-3 ~rn over after first half of time and rotate patties. Let
Patties (U oz. pkg.)
stand 5 minutes.
8

Power ~vel: bw/Def
Fimt Half Second Half
Food
~me, Minutes
~me, Minutes Comments
Poultry
Chicken, broiler-fryer, cut-up
8-11
(1%-2 Ibs.)
8-11
Place wrapped chicken in rnicrowve oven. After first hdf
of time, unwrap and separate pieces. Let stand 5 finutes.
Chicken, broiler-fryer, cut-up
11-13
(2%-3 Ibs.)
11-13
Place wrapped chicken in microwave oven. After first
half of time, unwrap and turn over. After second half of
time, separate pieces. Microwave 3 to 5 minutes more,
if necessary.
Whole 11
(2fi-3 Ibs.)
12-13
Place wrapped chicken in microwave oven. After hdf of
time, turn chicken
over and shield warm areas with foil.
fih & Seafood
Fillets (1 lb.) 6-7
6-7
Place unopened package in microwave oven. (If fish is
frozen in water, place in cooking dish.) firn over after
first half of time. After second half of time, hold under
cold water to separate. Let stand 5 minutes.
Shellfish, 6 6-8
Spread shellfish in single layer in baking dish. Rearrange
small pieces pieces after first half of time. Let stand 5 minutes.
(1 lb.)
Shellfish,
3-4 2-3
Place block in casserole. firn over and breakup with
blocks fork after first
half of time.
Crabmeat (6 oz.)
Shellfish,
3-4 3-4
Arrange in cooking dish with light underside up. firn
large (8-10 oz.) over after first
half of time.
Crab legs
Breads, Cakes
Bread or buns (1 lb.)
2-3 2-3
~rn over after first half of time.
Heat & serve rolls
lY2-2ti 1-2
Rotate package 1/4 turn after first half of time.
(7 OZ. pkg.)
Coffee cake (9-13 oz.)
3-4 2-3
Remove from foil pan if necessary. Rotate 1/2 turn after
first half of time.
Sweet rolls (8-12 oz.)
2-3 2
Rotate 1/4 turn after first half of time
Doughnuts, 1-3
~/2-2 None No turn needed
Doughnuts,
2-3 2-3
Rotate 1/4 turn after first hdf of time.
glazed, 1 dozen
French toast,
2-4 None No turn needed
2 slices
9

Defrosting Guide
(continued)
%wer Uvel: bw/Def
Fimt Half
Seeond Half
Food ~me, Minutes
~me, Minutes Commenk
Cake, frosted
1-2 1-2
Place cake in box in microwave oven. Rotate 1/4 turn
(17 oz.)
after first half of time. Let stand 10-20 minutes.
Pound cake
1%-2
(11 ‘h oz.)
1%-2
Remove from foil pan and place on microwave-safe plate
if necessa~. Rotate 1/4 turn after first half of time. Let
stand 10 minutes.
Cheesecake 6-9
None Remove from foil pan and place on microwave-safe plate if
(17-19 oz.)
necessa~. ht stand 20-30 minutes to complete defrosting.
~uit, Hes
Fruit (10-16 oz.) None Remove from foil and place in microwave-safe container
if
necessa~. Place package in microwave oven. After
minimum time, break up with fork. Repeat if necessa~
or let stand 5 minutes.
Fruit, in 4-5 None Place package in microwave oven.
Flex package once.
plastic pouch
(lo oz.)
Fruit pie,
10-16
None Let stand 20-30 minutes to complete defrosting.
or nut pie
(8-in.)
Cream pie
1-2 1-2
Rotate 1/2 turn after first half of time. Let stand 15-25
(14 oz.)
minutes to complete defrosting.
Cusmrd pie 11-13
None Let stand 25-35 minutes to complete defrosting.
(14 oz.)
10