Whirlpool MC8131XE User manual

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UseAndCare
A Note to You ................. 3
Microwave Oven
Safety ...........................4-8
Installation
Instructions .................... 9
Getting to Know
Your Microwave-
Convection Oven ......... 12
Microwave Cooking .....21
Convection Cooking ....40
Combination Cooking ...44
Caring for Your
Microwave-
Convection Oven .........51
Cooking Guide ............. 52
Questions and
Answers .........s..............57
If You Need
Assistance
or Service .....................58
Warranty ....................... 64
I-800-253-1301
Call us with questions or comments.
MICROWAVE-CONVECTION OVEN
PART NO. 3828W5A0072/4359327
MODEL MC8131XE
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Table of Contents
A Note to You ............................................ 3
Microwave Oven Safety ......................... 4-8
Important safety instructions ................. 4
Precautions to avoid possible exposure
to excessive microwave energy ............ 6
Operating safety precautions ................ 7
Installation Instructions ............................ 9
Getting to Know Your Microwave-
Convection Oven .................................... 12
How microwave cooking works ........... 12
Microwave oven features .................... 14
Control panel features.. ....................... 15
Built-in kits .......................................... 17
Setting the clock ................................. 18
Using the minute timer ........................ 19
Microwave Cooking ................................ 21
Getting the best cooking results .......... 21
Microwave cooking at high cook
power ................................................. 21
Microwave cooking at different
cook powers ....................................... 23
Microwave cooking with more than
one cook cycle .................................... 25
Using POPCORN ............................... 28
Using WARM HOLD ........................... 30
One-touch reheating ........................... 31
One-touch reheating chart .................. 32
One-touch microwave cooking ............ 32
One-touch microwave cooking chart ...33
Using PLUS TIME.. ............................. 34
Defrosting with microwave energy.. ..... 35
Defrost chart ...................................... 37
Defrosting tips.. ................................... 39
Convection Cooking ............................... 40
How convection cooking works ........... 40
Cooking with CONVECTION.. ............. 41
Convenience foods cooking chart ....... 43
Combination Cooking ................... .......... 44
How combination cooking works ......... 44
Combination high and low cooking ...... 45
Meat combination cooking chart .......... 46
Auto cook combination cooking.. ......... 49
Auto cook combination setting chart.. ..50
Caring for Your Microwave
Convection Oven .................................... 51
Cooking Guide ........................................ 52
Reheating chart ................................. 52
Microwave cooking chart.. ................... 53
Microwave cooking tips ....................... 54
Oven utensils guide ............................ 56
Questions and Answers.. ........................ 57
If You Need Assistance or Service ......... 58
Warranty .................................................. 64
2

A Note to You
Thank you for buying a WHIRLPOOL@ appliance.
Because your life is getting busier and more complicated, WHIRLPOOL microwave ovens are
easy to use, save time, and help you manage your home better. To ensure that you enjoy
years of trouble-free operation, we developed this Use and Care Guide. It is full of valuable
information about how to operate and maintain your appliance properly and safely. Please
read it carefully.
Also, please complete and mail in the Ownership Registration Card provided with your
appliance. The card helps us notify you about any new information on your appliance.
Please record your model’s
information.
Whenever you call to request service for
your appliance, you need to know your
complete model number and serial number.
You can find this information on the model
and serial number plate (see diagram on
page 14 for location of plate).
Please also record the purchase date of
your appliance and your dealer’s name,
address, and telephone number.
Model Number
Serial Number
Purchase Date
Dealer Name
Dealer Address
Dealer Phone
Keep this book and the sales slip together in a safe place for future reference.
I
Our Consumer Assistance
Center number is toll-free.
1-800-253-1301 1
3

Microwave Oven Safety
Your safety is important to us.
This guide contains safety statements under
warning symbols. Please pay special
attention to these symbols and follow any
instructions given. Here is a brief explana-
This symbol alerts you to
hazards such as fire, electrical
shock, or other injuries.
tion of the use of the symbol.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Microwave ovens have been thoroughly tested for safe and efficient operation. However,
as with any appliance, there are special installation and safety precautions which must be
followed to ensure safe and satisfactory operation and prevent damage to the unit.
To reduce the risk of fire, electrical shock,
burns, injury to persons, exposure to excessive
microwave energy, or damage when using the
microwave oven, follow basic precautions,
Including the following:
l Read all instructions before using the food. It is not designed for industrial or
microwave oven. laboratory use.
l Read and follow the specific “PRE- l As with any appliance, close supervision
CAUTIONS TO AVOID POSSIBLE is necessary when used by children.
EXPOSURE TO EXCESSIVE MICRO-
WAVE ENERGY” found on page 6. . Do not operate this appliance if it has
a damaged cord or plug, if it is not
*This appliance must be grounded. working properly, or if it has been
Connect only to properly grounded damaged or dropped. Electrical shock,
outlet. See “GROUNDING INSTRUC- fire, or other hazards could result.
TIONS” found on page 10. l This appliance should be serviced only
l Install or locate this appliance only in by qualified service personnel. Call an
accordance with the provided Installa- authorized Whirlpool service company
tion Instructions found on page 9. for examination, repair, or adjustment.
l Some products such as whole eggs in l Do not cover or block any opening on
the shell and sealed containers -for the appliance. Fire could result.
example, closed glass jars -could
explode and should not be heated in l Do not store or use this appliance
outdoors. Do not use this product near
this oven. water - for example, near a kitchen sink,
l Do not heat, store, or use flammable in a wet basement, or near a swimming
materials in or near the oven. Fumes pool, and the like.
could create a fire hazard or explosion. l Do not immerse cord or plug in water.
l Do not store this appliance outside. l Keep cord away from heated surfaces.
l Use this appliance only for its intended
use as described in this manual. Do l Do not let cord hang over edge of table
or counter.
not use corrosive chemicals or vapors
in this appliance. This type of oven is l See door surface and interior cleaning
specifically designed to heat or cook instructions on page 51.
4

.To reduce the risk of fire in the oven cavity:
- Do not overcook food. Carefully attend
appliance if paper, plastic, or other
combustible materials are placed
inside the oven to facilitate cooking.
Paper could char or burn, and some
plastics could melt if used when
heating foods.
- Do not use paper, plastics, or other
combustible materials when operating
the microwave oven as a convection
oven.
- Do not deep fry in oven. Microwavable
utensils are not suitable and it is
difficult to maintain appropriate deep
frying temperatures.
- If materials inside the oven should
ignite, keep oven door closed, turn
oven off, and disconnect the power
cord or shut off power at the fuse or
circuit breaker panel.
- Test dinnerware or cookware
before using. To test a dish for safe
use, put it into the oven with a cup
of water beside it. Cook at 100%
cook power for one minute. If the
dish gets hot and water stays
cool, do not use it. Some dishes
(melamine, some ceramic dinner-
ware, etc.) absorb microwave
energy, becoming too hot to handle
and slowing cooking times. Cooking
in metal containers not designed for
microwave use could damage the
oven, as could containers with
hidden metal (twist-ties, foil lining,
staples, metallic glaze or trim).
- Remove wire twist-ties from paper
or plastic bags before placing bag
in oven.
- Do not use the cavity for storage pur-
poses. Do not leave paper products,
cooking utensils, or food in the cavity
when not in use.
- Do not mount over a sink.
- Do not store anything directly on top
of the appliance when appliance is in
operation.
l Read and follow “Operating safety
precautions” starting on page 7.
1. A short power-supply cord is provided
to reduce the risks resulting from
becoming entangled in or tripping over
a longer cord.
2. Longer cord sets or extension cords
are available and may be used if care
is exercised in their use.
continued on next page
5

3. If a long cord or extension cord is
used temporarily, (a) the marked
electrical rating of the cord set or
extension cord should be at least as
great as the electrical rating of the
appliance, (b) the extension cord must
be a grounding-type, 3-wire cord that
has a 3-blade grounding plug and a
3-slot receptacle that will accept the
4.
plug on the appliance, and (c) the longer
cord should be arranged so that it will
not drape over the countertop or table-
top where it can be pulled on by children
or tripped over accidentally.
A qualified electrician must install a
properly grounded and polarized
3-prong receptacle near the appliance.
- SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS -
PRECAUTIONSTOAVOID
POSSIBLEEXPOSURETO
EXCESSIVEMICROWAVE
ENERGY...
Do not attempt to operate this oven with
the door open since open-door operation
can result in harmful exposure to micro-
wave energy. it is important not to defeat
or tamper with the safety interlocks.
(1) Door (bent),
(2) Hinges and latches (broken or
loosened),
(3) Door seals and sealing surfaces.
Do not place any object between the
oven front face and the door or allow soil
or cleaner residue to accumulate on
sealing surfaces.
Do not operate the oven if it is damaged.
it is particularly important that the oven
door close properly and that there is no
Do not operate the microwave oven if the
door window is broken.
The microwave oven should be checked
for microwave leakage by qualified service
personnel after a repair is made.
The oven should not be adjusted or
repaired by anyone except properly
qualified service personnel.
damage to the: Do not operate the microwave oven with
the outer cabinet removed.
6

Operating safety precautions
To reduce the risk of fire, electrical
shock, burns, injury to persons, or
damage when using the microwave
oven, follow the precautions on
pages 7-8.
Never cook or reheat a whole egg inside
the shell. Steam buildup in whole eggs may
cause them to burst and burn you, and
possibly damage the oven. Slice hard-boiled
eggs before heating. In rare instances,
poached eggs have been known to explode.
Cover poached eggs and allow a standing
time of one minute before cutting into them.
Stir before heating
For best results, stir any liquid several
times before heating or reheating. Liquids
heated in certain containers (especially
cylindrical containers) may become over-
heated. The liquid may splash out with a
loud noise during or after heating or when
adding ingredients (coffee granules, tea
bags, etc.) resulting in harm to the oven
and possible personal injury.
Never lean on the door or allow a child to
swing on it when the door is open. injury
could result.
Use hot pads. Microwave energy does not
heat containers, but the hot food does.
Do not overcook potatoes. Fire could
result. At the end of the recommended
cooking time, potatoes should be slightly
firm because they will continue cooking
during standing time. After microwaving,
wrap potatoes in foil and set aslde for
5 minutes. They will finish cooking while
standing.

Do not start a microwave oven when it is
empty. Product life may be shortened.
If you practice programming the oven,
put a container of water in the oven.
Do not use newspaper or other printed
paper in the oven. Fire could result.
Do not dry flowers, fruit, herbs, wood,
paper, gourds, or clothes in the oven. Fire
could result.
Do not try to melt paraffin wax in the oven.
Paraffin wax will not melt in a microwave
oven because it allows microwaves to
pass through it.
Ceramic glass turntable
Do not operate in the microwave mode
unless the ceramic glass turntable is
securely in place and can rotate freely.
The turntable can rotate in either direction.
Make sure the turntable is correct-side
up in oven. Carefully place cookware on
turntable to avoid possible breakage.
Handle turntable with care when remov-
ing from oven to avoid possible breakage.
If turntable cracks or breaks, contact your
Whirlpool dealer for a replacement.
When you use a browning dish, the
browning dish bottom must be at least
% inch above the turntable. Follow direc-
tions supplied with browning dish.
General information
Circuit
breaker or
fuse box
/
if your electric power line or outlet voltage
is less than 110 volts, cooking times may be
longer. Have a qualified electrician check
your electrical system.

Installation Instructions
Before you begin operating the oven, carefully read the following instructions.
1. Empty the microwave oven and clean
inside it with a soft, damp cloth. Check for
damage such as misaligned door, damage
around the door, or dents inside the oven
or on the exterior. If there is any damage,
do not operate the unit until it has been
checked by an authorized Whirlpool
service technician and any repairs made.
2. Put the oven on a cart, counter, table, or
shelf that is strong enough to hold the
oven and the food and utensils you put in
it. (The control side of the unit is the
heavy side. Use care when handling.)
The weight of the oven is approximately
58 Ibs. The microwave oven should be
at a temperature above 50°F (10%) for
proper operation.
Exhaust vents
Power
supply
cord -
Exhaust vents--l Air Intake openlngs
(on bottom)
NOTES:
l Do not block the exhaust vents or rear air
intake openings. Allow a few inches of
space at back of oven where intake
openings are located. Blocking the air
intake openings and exhaust vents could
cause damage to the oven and poor
cooking results. Make sure the microwave
oven legs are in place to ensure proper
airflow.
l Do not install the oven next to or over a
heat source (for example, a cooktop or
range) without a UL approved trim kit or
without being in a UL approved built-in
configuration. Also, do not install oven in
any area where excessive heat and steam
are generated. This could cause a fire,
electrical shock, excessive exposure to
microwave energy, other personal injury,
or damage to the outside of the cabinet.
Fire Hazard
Do not install the oven next to or
over a heat source.
Doing so can result in death, fire,
or electrical shock.
Built-in kits
You can build your microwave-convection
oven into a wall or cabinet by using one of
the trim kits listed on page 17.
These kits are available from your
Whirlpool Dealer. if your dealer does not
stock the kit you can order it, by kit part
number, by calling l-800-253-1301 and
following the instructions and telephone
prompts you hear.
continued on next page
9

3. Electrical requirements
Observe all governing codes and ordi-
nances. A 120 Volt, 60 Hz, AC only, 15
or 20 amp fused electrical supply is
required.
(Time-delay fuse is recommended.) It
is recommended that a separate circuit
serving only this appliance be provided.
a.GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS
Improper use of the grounding plug can result in
a risk of electrical shock. DO NOT, UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES, REMOVE THE POWER SUPPLY
CORD GROUNDING PRONG.
5. For your personal safety, this appliance It is the personal responsibility and obliga-
must be grounded. In the event of an tion of the customer to have a properly
electrical short circuit, grounding grounded and correctly polarized 3-prong
reduces the risk of electrical shock by wall receptacle installed by a qualified
providing an escape wire for the electric electrician.
current. This appliance is equipped with Consult a qualified electrician if the
a polarized 3-prong grounding plug. grounding instructions are not completely
It must be plugged into a correctly understood, or if doubt exists as to whether
polarized mating 3-prong grounding the appliance is properly grounded.
type wall receptacle, properly installed It is not recommended to use an
and grounded in accordance with the extension cord with your mlcrowave
National Electrical Code and local oven, but if you find It necessary to
codes and ordinances. If a mating wall do so temporarily (until a properly
receptacle is not available or if you grounded and polarized, 3-prong
are not sure if the wall receptacle is receptacle is installed), use only a
properly grounded and polarized, have heavy duty, UL listed, 3-wire grounding
it checked by a qualified electrician. type extension cord containing three 16-
3-prong grounding gauge (minimum) copper wires. It must
type wall receptacle not be longer than 10 feet (cords longer
3-prong grounding than 10 feet may affect the cooking perfor-
mance of your microwave oven). The plug
on the extension cord must fit into a 3-prone
grounding type wall receptacle (as shown
Power on this page) and the receptacle end of the
extension cord must accept the 3-prong
grounding plug of the microwave oven.
10