Panasonic NN-A514 Product guide

Cookery Book
Cookery Book
& Operating Instructions
& Operating Instructions
Microwave
Microwave
CHAOS
CHAOS
DEFROST
NN-A554 NN-A524 NN-A574 NN-A514

Standard Conversion Chart
Weight
1/2oz – 15g
1oz – 25g
2oz – 50g
3oz – 75g
4oz – 100g
5oz – 150g
6oz – 175g
7oz – 200g
8oz – 225g
9oz – 250g
10oz – 275g
11oz – 300g
12oz – 350g
13oz – 375g
14oz – 400g
15oz – 425g
1lb/16oz – 450g
Capacity
1/2tsp – 3ml
1tsp – 5ml
1tbsp – 15ml
1/4pt – 150ml
1/2pt – 300ml
3/4pt – 450ml
1pt – 600ml
13/4pt – 1 litre
When using recipes in this book always follow metric or
imperial measurements. Do not combine the two. In
some recipes the conversions are not a direct equivalent
due to recipe result.
Important Notice
Your oven is rated 1000 Watts (IEC). When using other
cookbooks remember to adjust cooking times accordingly.
The symbol above, which is displayed on your oven door,
indicates the heating category for your oven when
cooking or reheating convenience foods. Your oven is
rated ‘E’, which is very efficient. It is therefore very
important that you refer carefully to the packet instructions
on convenience foods. Some packet instructions only
display information for B or D rated ovens. We therefore
provide additional guidelines for reheating on pages 49-
55 of this book. ALWAYS check the progress of the food
as it cooks or reheats by simply opening the door and
after checking the progress of the foods press START to
continue the cooking time.
Failure to follow the instructions given in this
Cookbook and Operating Instructions, may affect the
recipe result and in some instances may be
dangerous.
E
1000W
The IEC (60705) power
output (watts)
The heating category for
small packs of food
Microwave symbol
☎COOKERY ADVICE LINE 01344 862108
Customer Care Centre 08705 357357
Selected Spares and Accessories:
Order direct on line at www.panasonic.co.uk or by
telephoning the Customer Care Centre number above.

1
Welcome to Panasonic Microwave Cooking
Thank you for purchasing a Panasonic Microwave Oven.
Even if this is not your first microwave oven, do please read the opening chapters of
this cookbook to achieve perfect results every time.
This microwave oven has the benefit of the Inverter System inside. The new unique
technology has been in use with microwave ovens in Japan for many years,
improving the cooking performance of the oven. It also means that you benefit from
having more space inside your oven, without taking up more room on your work
surface.
Microwaves leave most foods tastier and leave you with less washing up, but don’t
expect to become a perfect microwave cook overnight – some of the methods are
very different to those used in conventional cooking.
We hope you enjoy using your new oven but should you require any further help or
explanation, phone our
☎COOKERY ADVICE LINE 01344 862108
or write to the address below.
The Microwave Test & Development Kitchen
Panasonic Consumer Electronics U.K.
Willoughby Road
Bracknell
Berks
RG12 8FP
or e-mail [email protected]
When writing, be sure to state your model number and daytime telephone number.
CONTENTS
Safety Information 2
Unpacking your oven 3
Placement of oven 3
Caution 4
Before Using your oven 4
Care and Cleaning 5
Maintanance 6
Parts of your oven 7-8
Important Information 9-11
Microwaving Principles 12-13
General Guidelines 14-16
Containers to use 17-19
Control Panels 20
Operating Instructions 21-46
• Microwaving/defrosting 22-29
• Grilling 30-31
• Convection cooking 32-33
• Combination Cooking 34-41
Auto Weight Programs - 42-46
Cooking
and Reheating Guidelines 47-48
Reheating Charts 49-55
Cooking Charts 56-67
Adapting Recipes 68
RECIPES
Soups and Starters 69-71
Fish 72-75
Meat and Poultry 76-85
Pasta, Rice & Beans 86-88
Cheese and Egg Dishes 89-91
Vegetables/Vegetarian 92-97
Sauces 98-99
Pastry 100-102
Desserts 103-105
Baking 106-108
Preserves 109-110
Questions and answers 111
Technical specification 112

2
This appliance is supplied with a moulded
three pin mains plug for your safety and
convenience. A 13 amp fuse is fitted in this
plug. Should the fuse need to be replaced,
please ensure that the replacement fuse has
a rating of 13 amps and that it is approved by
ASTA or BSI to BS1362. Check for the ASTA
mark or the BSI mark on the body of
the fuse.
IF THE FITTED MOULDED PLUG IS
UNSUITABLE FOR THE SOCKET OUTLET
IN YOUR HOME THEN THE FUSE SHOULD
BE REMOVED AND THE PLUG CUT OFF
AND DISPOSED OF SAFELY AND AN
APPROPRIATE ONE FITTED. THERE IS A
DANGER OF SEVERE ELECTRICAL
SHOCK IF THE CUT OFF PLUG IS
INSERTED INTO ANY 13 AMP SOCKET.
If a new plug is to be fitted, please observe
the wiring code as shown opposite. If in any
doubt, please consult a qualified electrician
(For U.K. Models only).
WARNING: THIS APPLIANCE MUST BE
EARTHED.
IMPORTANT: The wires in this mains lead
are coloured in accordance with the following
code: Green-and-yellow: Earth, Blue: Neutral,
Brown: Live.
As the colours of the wire in the mains lead of
this appliance may not correspond with the
coloured markings identifying the terminals in
your plug, proceed as follows:
The wire which is coloured GREEN-AND-
YELLOW must be connected to the terminal
in the plug which is marked with the letter E
or by the Earth symbol or coloured
GREEN or GREEN-AND-YELLOW.
The wire which is coloured BLUE must be
connected to the terminal in the plug which is
marked with the letter N or coloured BLACK.
The wire which is coloured BROWN must be
connected to the terminal in the plug which is
marked with the letter L or coloured RED.
When this oven is installed it should be easy
to isolate the appliance from the electricity
supply by pulling out the plug or operating a
circuit breaker.
Do not immerse cord, plug or oven in water.
Keep cord away from heated surfaces. Do
not let cord hang over the edge of table or
work top. Do not plug your oven in via an
extension cable as this can be dangerous. It
is important to plug the oven directly into a
wall socket.
The back of the appliance heats up during
use. Do not allow the cord to be in contact
with the back of the appliance or cabinet
surface.
Important safety instructions
please read carefully and keep for future reference
If the fuse cover is detachable, never use
the plug with the cover omitted. If a
replacement fuse cover is required,
ensure it is the same
colour as that visible on
the pin face of the plug.
A replacement fuse
cover can be purchased
from your local Panasonic Dealer.
HOW TO REPLACE THE FUSE
Open the fuse compartment with a
screwdriver and replace the fuse.
Voltage & Power
The voltage used must be the same as
specified on this microwave oven. Using a
higher voltage than that which is specified
is dangerous and may result in a fire or
other type of accident causing damage.

3
1. Examine Your Oven
Unpack oven, remove all packing material, and examine the oven for any damage such as
dents, broken door latches or cracks in the door. Notify dealer immediately if unit is
damaged. Do NOT install if unit is damaged.
2. Guarantee
Your receipt is your guarantee, please keep safely.
3. Cord
If the supply cord of this appliance is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer or
it’s service agent or a similarly qualified person in order to avoid a hazard.
N.B. The appliance should be inspected for damage to the door seals and door seal areas. If
these areas are damaged the appliance should not be operated until it has been repaired by a
service technician trained by the manufacturer.
Unpacking your oven
1. This oven is intended for counter-top use only. It is not intended for
built-in use or for use inside a cupboard.
2. Oven must be placed on a flat, stable surface 850mm above floor
level. For proper operation, the oven must have sufficient air flow,
i.e. 5cm/2" at one side, the other being open; 15cm/6" clear over
the top; 10cm/4" at the rear.
3. Do not place the microwave oven on a shelf directly above a gas or electric hob. This may
be a safety hazard and the oven may be damaged.
4. Do not block air vents on the rear and bottom or top of the cabinet. Do not place any articles
on the top of the oven over the vents. If air vents are blocked during operation, the oven
may overheat. If the oven overheats, a thermal safety device will turn the oven off. The oven
will remain inoperable with blank display until it has cooled.
5. Do not use outdoors.
Placement of your oven
✗
2" open
6"
4"

4
1. Exterior oven surfaces, including air vents on the cabinet and the oven door will get hot
during CONVECTION, COMBINATION and GRILLING, take care when opening or closing
the door and when inserting or removing food and accessories.
2. The oven has two heaters situated in the top of the oven. After using either the GRILL,
CONVECTION or COMBINATION functions, the inside surfaces of the oven will be very hot.
Care should be taken to avoid touching any of the inside surfaces near the heating elements
inside the oven. N.B. After cooking by these modes, the oven accessories will be very hot.
3. In the case of electronic failure, the oven can only be turned off at wall socket.
4. Only allow children to use the oven without supervision when adequate instructions have
been given so that the child is able to use the oven in a safe way and understands the
hazards of improper use. Ensure that children do not touch the hot outer casing after
operation of the oven.
5. Storage of Accessories
Do not store any objects other than oven accessories inside the oven in case it is
accidentally turned on.
6. Before Use
Before using CONVECTION, COMBINATION or GRILL function for the first time operate
the oven without food and accessories (including glass turntable and roller ring) on GRILL 1
for 5 mins. This will allow the oil that is used for rust protection to be burned off. This is the
only time that the oven is operated empty.
CAUTION: All inside surfaces of the
oven will be hot.
DO NOT OPERATE THE OVEN EMPTY.
(Apart from in point 6 above).
The appliance must not be operated by
MICROWAVE or COMBINATION
WITHOUT FOOD IN THE OVEN.
Operation when empty will damage the
appliance.
Before using your oven
1. Hot Surfaces
Exterior oven surfaces, including air
vents on the cabinet and the oven door,
will get hot during CONVECTION,
COMBINATION and GRILLING. Use
care when opening or closing door and
when inserting or removing food and
accessories. The oven has a heater
situated in the top of the oven.
After using the CONVECTION,
COMBINATION and GRILL
functions the roof and walls
will be very hot.
2. Children should be kept away from the
oven at all times and should only be
allowed to operate the oven under
supervision. Ensure that children do not
touch the hot outer casing after
operation of the oven.
Caution: Hot surfaces
✗

5
1. Switch the oven off before cleaning and unplug at socket if possible.
2. Keep the inside of the oven, door seals and door seal areas clean.When food
splatters or spilled liquids adhere to oven walls, door seals and door seal areas wipe off
with a damp cloth. Mild detergent may be used if they get very dirty. The use of harsh
detergent or abrasives is not recommended.
3. After using CONVECTION, GRILL or COMBINATION cooking the walls of the oven
should be cleaned with a soft cloth squeezed in soapy water. Particular care should be
taken to keep the window area clean particularly after cooking by CONVECTION, GRILL or
COMBINATION. Stubborn spots inside the oven can be removed by using a small amount
of branded conventional oven-cleaner sprayed onto a soft damp cloth. Wipe onto problem
spots, leave for recommended time and then wipe off. Avoid the microwave feed guide
area and the door. DO NOT SPRAY DIRECTLY INSIDE THE OVEN.
4. Do not use harsh abrasive cleaners or sharp metal scrapers to clean the oven door glass
since they may scratch the surface, which may result in shattering of the glass.
5. The outside oven surface should be cleaned with a damp cloth. To prevent damage to
the operating parts inside the oven, water should not be allowed to seep into the ventilation
openings.
6. If the control panel becomes dirty, clean with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use harsh
detergents or abrasives on the Control Panel. When cleaning the Control Panel, leave the
oven door open to prevent the oven from accidentally turning on. After cleaning touch
STOP/CANCEL Pad to clear display window.
7. Keep air vents clear at all times. Check that no dust or other material is blocking any of
the air vents on the top, bottom or rear of the oven. If air vents become blocked this could
cause overheating which would affect the operation of the oven.
8. If steam accumulates inside or around the outside of the oven door, wipe with a soft
cloth. This may occur when the microwave oven is operated under high humidity conditions
and in no way indicates a malfunction of the unit or microwave leakage.
9. It is occasionally necessary to remove the glass turntable for cleaning. Wash the turntable
in warm soapy water. Do not place in the dishwasher.
10. The roller ring and oven cavity floor should be cleaned regularly to avoid excessive
noise. Simply wipe the bottom surface of the oven, particularly the turntable spindle and
the area surrounding this, with mild detergent and hot water then dry with a clean cloth.
The roller ring may be washed in mild soapy water. Cooking vapours collect during
repeated use but in no way affect the bottom surface or the roller ring wheels.
After removing the roller ring from cavity floor for cleaning, be sure to replace it in the
proper position.
11. When GRILLING or cooking by COMBINATION or CONVECTION some foods may
splatter grease onto the oven walls. If the oven is not cleaned to eliminate this grease, it
can accumulate and cause the oven to ‘SMOKE’ during use. These marks will be more
difficult to clean later.
11. A steam cleaner is not to be used for cleaning.
Care & Cleaning of your Microwave Oven - IMPORTANT
It is essential for the safe operation of the oven that it is kept clean, and
wiped out after each use. Failure to maintain the oven in a clean
condition could lead to deterioration of a surface that could adversely
affect the life of the appliance and possibly result in a hazardous
situation.

6
1. Service
WHEN YOUR OVEN REQUIRES A SERVICE call your local
Panasonic engineer (Customer Care Centre on 08705 357357 can
recommend an engineer). It is hazardous for anyone other than a
competent person to carry out any service or repair operation
which involves the removal of a cover which gives protection
against exposure to microwave energy.
2. Door Seals
Do not attempt to tamper with or make any adjustments or repairs to door, control panel
housing, safety interlock switches or any other part of the oven. Do not remove outer panel
from oven.
The door seals and door seal areas should always be kept clean – use a damp cloth.
N.B. The appliance should be inspected for damage to the door seals and door seal areas. If
these areas are damaged the appliance should not be operated until it has been repaired by
a service technician trained by the manufacturer.
3. Oven Light
The oven lamp must be replaced by a service technician trained by the
manufacturer. DO NOT attempt to remove the outer casing from the
oven.
4. Selected Spares and Accessories
These may be ordered direct; on line at www.panasonic.co.uk or by
telephoning the Customer Care Centre 08705 357357. Most major credit and debit cards
accepted. Ensure you quote the correct model number.
Maintenance of your oven

7
1. Do not operate the oven without the Roller Ring and Glass Turntable in place.
2. Only use the Glass Turntable specifically designed for this oven. Do not substitute with any
other Glass Turntable.
3. If Glass Turntable is hot, allow to cool before cleaning or placing in water.
4. Do not cook directly on Glass Turntable. Always place food in a microwave safe dish. The
only exception to this is when cooking Jacket Potatoes on microwave only.
5. If food or utensil on Glass Turntable touches oven walls, causing the turntable to stop
moving, it will automatically rotate in the opposite direction. This is normal. Open oven door,
reposition the food and restart.
6. The Glass Turntable can rotate in either direction. The maximum weight that can be placed
on the turntable is 4kg (8lb 14oz) (this includes total weight of food and dish.)
7. While cooking by MICROWAVE or COMBINATION, turntable may vibrate. This will not affect
cooking performance.
8. The metal accessories provided must ONLY be used as directed for GRILLING,
CONVECTION and COMBINATION cooking. Never use them on MICROWAVE only. Do not
use if operating the oven with less than 200g (7oz) of food on a manual COMBINATION
program. FAILURE TO USE ACCESSORIES CORRECTLY COULD DAMAGE YOUR
OVEN.
9. Arcing may occur if the incorrect weight of food is used, a metal container has been used
incorrectly, or the accessories have been damaged. If this occurs, stop the machine
immediately. You can continue to cook by GRILL OR CONVECTION ONLY.
10. Always refer to instructions for correct accessories to use on all programs. The glass
turntable and roller ring are the only accessories used for MICROWAVE Cooking. For
CONVECTION and COMBINATION cooking the metal tray must ALWAYS be in place on the
glass turntable.
Parts of Your Oven

8
Glass Turntable
The glass turntable and roller ring are the only
accessories used for Microwave Cooking.
Door Safety
Lock System
Wire Rack Metal Tray
Control Panel
Identification
Plate
Roller Ring
1. The Roller Ring and
oven floor should be
cleaned frequently to
prevent excessive noise.
2. The Roller Ring must
always be used together
with the Glass Turntable
for cooking.
Door Release Pad
Push to open the door.
Opening the door during
cooking will stop the cooking
process without cancelling
the program. Cooking
resumes as soon as the door
is closed and Start is
pressed. The oven light will
turn on and stay on
whenever the door is
opened.
Door Safety
Lock System
Heating Elements
Microwave
Feed Guide
See-through Oven Window
External Air Vents
Parts of Your Oven

9
Safety
If smoke or a fire occurs in the oven, press Stop/Cancel pad and leave the door closed in order
to stifle any flames.
Disconnect the power cord, or shut off power at the fuse or the circuit breaker panel.
Short Cooking Times
As microwave cooking times are much shorter than other cooking methods it is essential that
recommended cooking times are not exceeded without first checking the food.
Cooking times given in the cookbook are approximate. Factors that may affect cooking times
are: preferred degree of cooking, starting temperature, altitude, volume, size and shape of foods
and utensils used. As you become familiar with the oven, you will be able to adjust these
factors.
It is better to undercook rather than overcook foods. If food is undercooked, it can always be
returned to the oven for further cooking. If food is overcooked, nothing can be done. Always
start with minimum cooking times.
Important.
If the recommended cooking times are exceeded the food will be spoiled and in extreme
circumstances could catch fire and possibly damage the interior of the oven.
1. Small Quantities of Food.
Take care when heating small quantities of food as these can easily burn, dry out or catch
fire if cooked too long. Always set short cooking times and check the food frequently.
NEVER OPERATE THE OVEN WITHOUT FOOD INSIDE ON MICROWAVE OR
COMBINATION.
2. Foods Low in Moisture.
Take care when heating foods low in moisture, e.g. bread items,
chocolate, popcorn, biscuits and pastries. These can easily burn,
dry out or catch on fire if cooked too long.
3. Christmas Pudding.
Christmas puddings and other foods high in fats or sugar, e.g. jam, mince pies, must not be
over heated. These foods must never be left unattended as with over cooking these foods
can ignite.
4. Boiled Eggs.
Eggs in their shell and whole hard-boiled eggs should not be
heated in microwave ovens since they may explode even after
microwave heating has ended.
5. Foods with Skins.
Potatoes, apples, egg yolk, whole vegetables and sausages are
examples of food with non porous skins. These must be pierced
using a fork before cooking to prevent bursting.
Important Information – Read Carefully

10
6. Liquids.
Liquids and other foods must not be heated in sealed
containers since they are liable to explode. When heating
liquids, eg soup, sauces and beverages in your microwave
oven, overheating the liquid beyond boiling point can occur
without evidence of bubbling. This could result in a sudden boil
over of the hot liquid. To prevent this possibility the following
steps should be taken:
a) Avoid using straight-sided containers with narrow necks.
b) Do not overheat.
c) Stir the liquid before placing the container in the oven and again halfway through the
heating time.
d) After heating, allow to stand in the oven for a short time, stirring again before carefully
removing the container.
e) Microwave heating of beverages can result in delayed eruptive boiling, therefore care
should be taken when handling the container.
7. Lids.
Always remove the lids of jars and containers and takeaway food containers before you
microwave them. If you don’t then steam and pressure might build up inside and cause an
explosion even after the microwave cooking has stopped.
8. Deep Fat Frying.
Do not attempt to deep fat fry in your oven.
9. Meat Thermometer.
Use a meat thermometer to check the degree of cooking of roasts and poultry only when
meat has been removed from the microwave. If undercooked, return to the oven and cook
for a few more minutes at the recommended power level. Do not leave a conventional meat
thermometer in the oven when microwaving.
10. Paper, Plastic.
When heating food in plastic or paper containers, keep an eye on
the oven due to the possibility of ignition. Do not use wire twist-ties
with roasting bags as arcing will occur.
Do not use re-cycled paper products, e.g. Kitchen roll unless they
say they are specifically designed for use in a microwave oven.
These products contain impurities which may cause sparks and/or
fires when used.
11. Reheating.
It is essential that reheated food is served “piping hot”.
Remove the food from the oven and check that it is “piping hot”, i.e. steam is being emitted
from all parts and any sauce is bubbling. (If you wish you may choose to check the food has
reached 72˚C with a food thermometer – but remember do not use this thermometer inside
the microwave.)
For foods that cannot be stirred, e.g. lasagne, shepherds pie, the centre should be cut with
a knife to test it is well heated through. Even if a manufacturer’s packet instructions have
been followed always check the food is piping hot before serving and if in doubt return your
food to the oven for further heating.
Important Information – Read Carefully

11
12. Standing Time.
Standing time refers to the period at the end of cooking or
reheating when food is left before being eaten, i.e. it is a rest
time which allows the heat in the food to continue to conduct to
the centre, thus eliminating cold spots.
13. Keeping Your Oven Clean.
It is essential for the safe operation of the oven that it is wiped out
regularly. Use warm soapy water, squeeze the cloth out well and
use to remove any grease or food from the interior. Pay particular
attention to the door seal area and also the areas around the
microwave feed guide situated on the right hand side of the cavity
wall. The oven should be unplugged when cleaning.
14. Grilling.
The oven will only operate on the GRILL function with the door closed.
15. Fan Motor Operation.
After using the microwave oven, the fan motor may operate to cool the electric components.
This is normal and you can take out food even though the fan motor operates. You can
continue using the oven during this time.
16. Containers.
Before use check that utensils/containers are suitable for use in microwave ovens.
17. Babies Bottles and Food Jars.
When reheating babies bottles always remove top and teat. Liquid at
the top of the bottle will be much hotter than that at the bottom and
must be shaken thoroughly before checking the temperature. The lid
must also be removed from babies food jars, the contents must also
be stirred or shaken before the temperature is checked. This should
be carried out before consumption in order to avoid burns.
18. Arcing
Arcing may occur if a metal container has been used incorrectly, if the incorrect weight of
food is used, or if the accessories have been damaged. Arcing is when blue flashes of light
are seen in the microwave oven. If this occurs, stop the machine immediately. If the oven is
left unattended and this continues it can damage the machine.
You can continue to cook by GRILL OR CONVECTION ONLY.
19. Maximum weight on turntable
The maximum weight that can be placed on the turntable is 4kg (8lb 14oz) (this includes
total weight of food and dish.)
Important Information – Read Carefully

12
Microwave energy has been used in this country to cook and reheat food since early
experiments with RADAR in World War II. Microwaves are present in the
atmosphere all the time, both naturally and from manmade sources.
Manmade sources include radar, radio, television, telecommunication links and car
phones.
Microwaving Principles
The microwaves cause the water molecules to vibrate which causes FRICTION, i.e.
HEAT. This heat then cooks the food. Microwaves are also attracted to fat and sugar
particles, and foods high in these will cook more quickly. Microwaves can only
penetrate to a depth of 11⁄2-2 inches (4-5 cm) and as heat spreads through the food
by conduction, just as in a traditional oven, the food cooks from the outside inwards.
In a microwave oven, electricity is converted
into microwaves by the MAGNETRON.
REFLECTION
The microwaves bounce off the metal walls
and the metal door screen.
TRANSMISSION
Then they pass through the cooking containers to
be absorbed by the water molecules in the food,
all foods contain water to a more or lesser extent.
HOW MICROWAVES COOK FOOD
13 Amp fused socket
Microwave Water Molecule Absorption Vibration

13
IMPORTANT NOTES
The dish used to cook or reheat the food will get warm during cooking, as the heat
conducts from the food. Even in microwaving, oven gloves are required!
MICROWAVES CANNOT PASS THROUGH METAL AND THEREFORE METAL
COOKING UTENSILS CAN NEVER BE USED IN A MICROWAVE, FOR COOKING
ON MICROWAVE ONLY
Foods Not Suitable for Cooking by Microwave Only
Yorkshire Puddings, Souffles, Double Crust Pastry Pies.
Because these foods rely on dry external heat to cook correctly, do not attempt to
cook by microwave.
Foods that require deep fat frying cannot be cooked either.
STANDING TIME
When a microwave oven is switched off, the food will continue to cook by conduction
– NOT BY MICROWAVE ENERGY. Hence STANDING TIME is very important in
microwaving, particularly for dense foods i.e. meat, cakes and reheated meals
(Refer to page 14).
Boiled Eggs
Do not boil eggs in your microwave. Raw eggs boiled in
their shells can explode and cause serious injury.

14
General Guidelines
STANDING TIME
Dense foods e.g. meat, jacket
potatoes and cakes, require a
STANDING TIME (inside or
outside of the oven) after cooking,
to allow heat to finish conducting
to cook the centre completely.
■MEAT JOINTS – Stand 15 mins. wrapped in aluminium foil.
■JACKET POTATOES – Stand 5 mins. wrapped in aluminium foil.
■FISH – Stand 2-5 mins.
■EGG DISHES – Stand 2-3 mins.
■PRECOOKED CONVENIENCE FOODS – Stand for 5 mins.
■PLATED MEALS – Stand for 2-5 mins.
■VEGETABLES – Boiled potatoes benefit from standing for 1-2 mins.,
however most other types of vegetables can be served immediately.
■DEFROSTING – It is essential to allow standing time to
complete the process. This can vary from 5 mins. e.g. raspberries, to up to 1
hour for a joint of meat.
If food is not cooked after STANDING TIME, return to oven and cook for
additional time.

15
DISH SIZE
Follow the dish sizes given
in the recipes, as these
affect the cooking and
reheating times. A quantity of
food spread in a bigger dish
cooks and reheats more
quickly.
QUANTITY
Small quantities cook faster
than large quantities, also
small meals will reheat more
quickly than large portions.
SPACING
Foods cook more quickly
and evenly if spaced apart.
NEVER pile foods on top of
each other.
PIERCING
The skin or membrane on
some foods will cause steam
to build up during cooking.
These foods must be pierced
or a strip of skin should be
peeled off before cooking to
allow the steam to escape.
Eggs, potatoes, apples,
sausages etc., will all need
to be pierced before cooking.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BOIL
EGGS IN THEIR SHELLS.
MOISTURE CONTENT
Many fresh foods e.g. veget-
ables and fruit, vary in their
moisture content throughout
the season. Jacket potatoes
are a particular example of
this. For this reason cooking
times may have to be
adjusted throughout the year.
Dry ingredients e.g. rice,
pasta, can dry out further
during storage and cooking
times may differ from
ingredients freshly
purchased.
CLING FILM
Cling film helps keep the
food moist and the trapped
steam assists in speeding up
cooking times. However it
should be pierced before
cooking, to allow excess
steam to escape. Always
take care when removing
cling film from a dish as the
build-up of steam will be very
hot. Always purchase cling
film that states on the packet
“suitable for microwave
cooking” and use as a
covering only. Do not line
dishes with cling film. Do not
cover foods when cooking by
COMBINATION,
CONVECTION or GRILL.
General Guidelines

16
SHAPE
Even shapes cook evenly.
Food cooks better by
microwave when in a round
container rather than square.
DENSITY
Porous airy foods heat more
quickly than dense heavy
foods.
COVERING
Cover foods with microwave
cling film or a self-fitting lid.
Cover fish, vegetables, cas-
seroles, soups. Do not cover
sauces, jacket potatoes,
pastry items. Please refer to
cooking charts and recipes for
more information.
LIQUIDS
All liquids must be stirred
before and during heating.
Water especially must be
stirred before and during
heating, to avoid eruption.
Do not heat liquids that have
previously been boiled. DO
NOT OVERHEAT.
CHECKING FOOD
It is essential that food is
checked during and after a
recommended cooking time,
even if an AUTO PROGRAM
has been used (just as you
would check food cooked in a
conventional oven). Return
the food to the oven for
further cooking if necessary.
CLEANING
As microwaves work on food
particles, keep your oven
clean at all times. Stubborn
spots of food can be
removed by using a branded
oven cleaner, sprayed onto a
soft cloth, always wipe the
oven dry after cleaning. Avoid
any plastic parts and door
area.
ARRANGING
Individual foods e.g. chicken
portions or chops, should be
placed on a dish so that the
thicker parts are to the
outside.
STARTING
TEMPERATURE
The colder the food, the
longer it takes to heat up.
Food from a fridge takes
longer to reheat than food at
room temperature.
TURNING AND
STIRRING
Some foods require stirring
during cooking. Meat and
poultry should be turned
after half the cooking time.
General Guidelines

17
Containers to use
1. Fill a microwave safe measuring jug
with 300ml (1⁄2pt) cold water.
2. Place it on the turntable alongside
the dish to be tested. If the dish you
are testing is a large dish, then
stand the measuring jug on top of
the empty dish.
3. Heat on HIGH power for
1 minute.
Result
If the dish is suitable for microwaving, it
will remain cool, whilst the water in the
jug will begin to feel warm. If the testing
dish feels warm, do not use as it is
obviously absorbing microwave energy.
N.B. This test does not apply to plastic
or metal based containers e.g. Le
Creuset®style dishes, which should not
be used as they are cast iron covered
with enamel.
Choosing the correct container is a very important factor in deciding the
success or failure of your cooking.
Testing Dishes for Suitability - For Microwave Cooking Only.
OVEN GLASS
Everyday glass that is heat resistant e.g. Pyrex®, is
ideal for Microwave, Convection or Combination
cooking. DO NOT USE FOR GRILLING. Do not use
delicate glass or lead crystal which may crack or arc.
CHINA AND CERAMIC
Everyday glazed china, porcelain or ceramic plates,
bowls, mugs and cups can be used if they are heat
resistant. Fine bone china should only be used for
reheating for short periods. Do not use dishes with a
metal rim or pattern. Do not use jugs or mugs with
glued handles, since the glue can melt. If dishes are
heat resistant they may be used on Convection and
Combination but not directly under the Grill.
QUICK CHECK GUIDE TO COOKING UTENSILS
When unsure that a cooking container is suitable for
use in your microwave, check by the following test:

18
POTTERY, EARTHENWARE, STONEWARE
If completely glazed, these dishes are suitable. Do not
use if partially glazed or unglazed, since they are able
to absorb water which in turn absorbs microwave
energy, making the container very hot and slows down
the cooking of food.
FOIL/METAL CONTAINERS
NEVER ATTEMPT TO COOK IN FOIL OR METAL
containers on Microwave only as the microwaves
cannot pass through and the food will not heat evenly,
it may also damage your oven. You can only reheat in
shallow foil containers for short periods of time if the
food completely covers the base of the container. Also
take care that the containers do not touch the oven
walls or door. Foil and metal containers can be used
on Grill and Convection modes and may be used with
care during certain Combination cooking, as long as
they are not damaged or dented.
CLING FILM
Microwave cling film can only be used for covering
food that is reheated by microwave. It is also useful for
covering food to be cooked, but care should be taken
to avoid the film being in direct contact with the food.
DO NOT USE ON ANY OTHER COOKING MODE.
ROASTING BAGS
Roasting bags are useful when slit up one side to tent
a joint, for roasting by power and time. Do not use the
metal twists supplied, when using Microwave or
Combination.
ALUMINIUM FOIL
Small amounts of smooth aluminium foil can be used to
SHIELD joints of meat during defrosting and cooking by
Microwave, as the microwaves cannot pass through the
foil, this prevents the parts shielded from overcooking or
overdefrosting. Take care that the foil does not touch the
sides or roof of the oven, as this may cause arcing and
damage your oven. Aluminium foil can be used for
Convection cooking.