Whirlpool MH61lqXB User manual

UseAndCare
A Note to You .................2
Microwave Oven
Safety ..............................3
Getting to Know
Your Microwave
Hood Combination ........8
Using Your Micro-
wave Oven ....................20
Caring for Your
Microwave Hood
Combination .................36
Cooking Guide .............40
Questions and
Answers .......................44
If You Need
Assistance
or Service .....................45
Warranty .......................48
1-800-253-I 301
Call us with qusrtiono or comments.
MICROWAVE HOOD COMBINATION
MODEL MH61lqXB
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A Note to You
Thank you for buying a Whirlpools 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 contains valuable
information about how to operate and maintain your microwave oven 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.
Your safety is important to us.
This guide contains warning symbols and statements. Please pay special attention to this
symbol and follow any instructions given. Here is a brief explanation of the use of the
warning symbol.
I
This symbol will help alert you to such
dangers as personal injury, burns, fire,
and electrical shock. I
Our Consumer Assistance Center number, l-800-253-1301,
is toll-free 24 hours a day.
If you ever have a question concerning your appliance’s operation, or if you need service,
first see ‘If You Need Assistance or Service” on page 45. lf you need further help, feel free to
call our Consumer Assistance Center. When calling, you will need to know your appliance’s
complete model number and serial number. You can find this information on the model and
serial number plate (see diagram on page 10). For your convenience, we have included a
handy place below for you to record these numbers, the purchase date from the sales slip,
and your dealer’s name and telephone number. Keep this book and the sales slip together in
a safe place for future reference.
Model Number Dealer Name
Serial Number
Dealer Phone
Purchwe Dete

Microwave Oven Safety
IMPORTANT SAFEl-Y INSTRUCTIONS
Microwave ovens have been thoroughly tested for safe and efficient operation. However, as
with any appliance, there are special installation and safety precautions whiih must be
followed to ensure safe and satisfactory operation and prevent damage to the unit.
To reduce the risk of burns, fire, electrical shock, injury to
persons, exposure to excessive microwave energy, or dam-
age when using the microwave oven, follow basic precau-
tions, Including the following:
l Read all instructions before using the
l This appliance shouM be serviced only by
microwave oven. qualified service personnel. Call an
l Read and follow the specific “PRECAU- authorized Whirlpool service company for
TIONS TO AVOID POSSIBLE EXPO- examination, repair, or adjustment.
SURE TO EXCESSIVE MICROWAVE
ENERGY” found on page 5.
l Do not cover or block any opening on the
appliance. Fire could result.
l This appliance must be grounded.
Connect only to properly grounded outlet.
l Do not store this appliance outdoors. Do
See “GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS” not use this product near water - for
example, near a kitchen sink, in a wet
found in the Installation Instructions. basement, or near a swimming pool, and
l Install or locate this appliance only in the like.
accordance with the provided Installation
Instructions.
l Do not immerse cord or plug in water.
l Some products such as whole eggs in
l Keep cord away from heated surfaces.
the shell and sealed containers - for
l Do not let cord hang over edge of table or
counter.
example, closed glass jars - could
explode and should not be heated in
l This appliance is suitable for use above
this oven. both gas and electric cooking equipment
l Do not heat, store, or use flammable 36 inches or less wide.
materials in or near the oven. Fumes
l See door surface and interior cleaning
could create a fire hazard or explosion. instructions on page 36.
l Use this appliance only for its intended
l To reduce the risk of fire in the oven
use as described in this manual. Do not cavity:
use corrosive chemicals or vapors in this -Do not overcook food. Carefully attend
appliance. This type of oven is specifi- appliance if paper, plastic, or other
tally designed to heat or cook food. It is combustible materials are placed inside
not designed for industrial or laboratory the oven to facilitate cooking. Paper
use. could char or burn, and some plastics
l As with any appliance, close supervision could melt if used when heating foods.
is necessary when used by children. -Do not deep fry in oven. Microwavable
l Do not operate this appliance if it is not utensils are not suitable and it is difficult
working properly, or if it has been dam- to maintain appropriate deep frying
aged. Electrical shock, fire, or other temperatures.
hazards could resutt.
continued on next page
3

-Test dinnerware or cookware
-Do not us
ie
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. Come dishes (melamine,
some ceramic dinnerware, etc.)
absorb microwave energy, becoming
too hot to handle and slowing cook-
ing times. Cooking in metal contain-
ers 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.
-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.
!the cavity for storage .
purposes. Do not leave paper products,
cooking utensils, or food in the cavity
when not in use.
l Because of the automatic exhaust fan
feature, the following cautions must be
observed:
- Do not leave the area when using your
cooktop at a high setting. Accidental
fires from boilovers or spattering on the
surface unit could spread, especially if
the exhaust fan is operating.
- Do not allow grease and soil to build up
in the grease filter. Exhaust fan effi-
ciency will decrease and fire could
result. Clean often following the filter
cleaning instructions on page 37.
- Do not change the cooktop or oven
lights without turning the power off at
the main power supply (see page 38).
Electrical shock could resuft.
- Do not flame foods on a cooktop
surface below this unit. The fan, if
operating, could spread the flame and
cause personal injury or property
damage.
l Use care when cleaning the vent hood
filter. Corrosive cleaning agents, such as
lye-based oven cleaners, could damage
filter.
l Read and follow “Operating safety
precautions” starting on page 6.
4

1. A short power-supply cord is provided
to reduce the risks resutting 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.
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 elec-
trical 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-&t receptacle
that will accept the plug on the appli-
ance, and (c) the longer cord should be
arranged so that it will not drape over
the countertop or tabletop where it
could be pulled on by children or
tripped over accidentally.
4. A qualified electrician must install a
properly grounded and polarized
3-prong receptacle near the appliance.
- SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS -
PRECAUTIONSTOAVOIDPOSSIBLE
EXPOSURETOEXCESSIVE
MICROWAVEENERGY...
Do not attempt to operate this oven with
the door open since open-door operation
can resutt in harmful exposure to micro-
wave energy. It is important not to defeat
or tamper with the safety interlocks.
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
damage to the:
(1) Door (bent),
(2) Hinges and latches (broken or
loosened),
(3) Door seals and sealing surfaces.
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 property
qualified service personnel.
Do not operate the microwave oven with
the outer cabinet removed.

Operating safety precautions
To reduce the risk of bums, fire,
electrical shock, injury to persons, or
damage when using the microwave oven,
follow the precautions on pages 6-7.
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, 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 mkrowaving,
wrap potatoes in foil and set aside for
5 minutes. They will finish cooking while
standing.
6

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.
It is normal for the inside of the oven door
to look wavy after the oven has been
running for a while.
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.
General information
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.
If your electrical power line or outlet
voltage is less than 110 volts, cooking times
may be longer. Have a qualified electrician
check your electrical system.

Getting to Know Your
Microwave Hood
Combination
This section discusses the concepts behind microwave cooking and introduces you to the
basics you need to know to operate your microwave oven. Please read this information
before use.
In This Section
Page Page
How microwave cooking works.. .......8 Using the cook-top/countertop
Mlcrowave oven features light .....................................................
15
................. 10
Control panel features 11 Using the bi-level cooking rack ........ 17
......................
Using the exhaust fan 14 Setting the clock ................................ 18
....................... Using the Minute Timer.. ................... 19
How microwave cooking works
Microwave ovens are safe. Microwave
energy is not hot. It causes food to make
its own heat, and it’s this heat that cooks
the food.
Microwaves are like TV waves or light
waves. You cannot see them, but you can
see what they do.
Magnetron
Mlxing antenna Oven cavity
A magnetron in the microwave oven
produces microwaves. The microwaves
move into the area under the oven floor.
There they bounce off the mixing antenna
into the oven where they contact the food.

Microwaves pass through most glass,
paper, and plastics without heating them so
food absorbs the energy. Microwaves
bounce off metal pans so food does not
absorb the energy.
Microwaves may not reach the center of a
roast. The heat spreads to the center from
the outer, cooked areas just as in regular
oven cooking. This is one of the reasons for
letting some foods (for example, roasts or
baked potatoes) stand for a while after
cooking, or for stirring some foods during the
cooking time.
The microwaves disturb water molecules
in the food. As the molecules bounce around
bumping into each other, heat is made, like
rubbing your hands together. This is the
heat that does the cookina.
Radio intetierence
Operation of the microwave oven may
cause interference to your radio, TV, or
similar equipment. When there is interfer-
ence, it may be reduced or eliminated by
taking the following measures:
l Clean door and sealing surfaces of the
oven.
l Adjust the receiving antenna of radio or
television.
l Move the receiver away from the micro-
wave oven.
l Plug the microwave oven into a different
outlet so that the microwave oven and
receiver are on different branch circuits.

Microwave oven features
Your microwave oven is designed to make
your cooking experience as enjoyable and
productive as possible. To get you up and
running quickly, the following is a list of the
oven’s basic features:
1. Door Handle. Pull to open door.
2. Door Safety Lock System. The oven
will not operate unless the door is
securely closed.
3. Window with Metal Shield. Shield
prevents microwaves from escaping. It is
designed as a screen to allow you to
view food as it cooks.
4. TwePosition Bi-Level Cooking Rack
Accessory Kit (optional). Use for extra
space when cooking in more than one
container at the same time. See page 17
for more information.
5. Filter. See page 37 for cleaning informa-
tion.
6. CooktopZountertop Light. Turn on to
light your cooktop or countertop or turn
on as a night light, See page 15 for more
information.
b
6
7. Exhaust Fan and Cooktop Light
Switches. See pages 14-l 7 for more
information.
8. Control Panel. Touch the pads on this
panel to perform all functions. See
pages 1l-1 3 for more information.
9. Vent Grille.
IO. Cooking Guide. Use as a quick
reference for Auto Cook and Auto
Defrost settings.
11. Model and Serial Number Plate.
Smoke deflector accessory kit
A smoke deflector kii for your model is
available from your Whirlpool parts dealer to
use when installing this microwave oven
over cooking products with a grill or griile.
Ask your Whirlpool dealer for details on
Kit No. 4353523 - Smoke Deflector Kii.
10

Control panel features
Your microwave oven control panel lets you select the desired cooking function quickly and
easily. All you have to do is touch the necessary Commend Pad. The following is a list of all
the Command and Number Pads located on the control panel. For more information, see
oacles 14-35.
o-
5
o-
6
o-
6
o-
10
G
13
1. Display. The Display includes a clock
and indicators to tell you time of day,
cooking time settings, and cooking
functions selected.
2. COOK TIME. Touch thii pad followed by
Number Pads to set a cooking time. See
pages 21,23, and 24 for more informa-
tion.
3. COOK POWER. Touch this pad followed
by a Number Pad to set the amount of
microwave energy released to cook the
food. The higher the number, the higher the
microwave power or “cooking speed.” See
page 22 for more information. See the
“Microwave cooking chart” on page 41 for
specifii Cook Powers to use for the foods
you are cooking.
continued on next page 1,

4. ADD MINUTE. Touch this pad to cook
for one minute, at 100% Cook Power,
or to add an extra minute, at the set
Cook Power, to your cooking cycle.
See page 34 for more information.
5. AUTO COOK. Touch this pad to cook
common microwave-prepared foods
without needing to program times and
Cook Powers. See page 25 for more
information.
6. WARM HOLD. Touch this pad to keep
hot, cooked foods safely warm in your
microwave oven for up to 99 minutes,
99 seconds. WARM HOLD can be
used by itself, or it can automatically
follow a cooking cycle. See page 32 for
more information.
7. AUTO DEFROST. Touch this pad
followed by Number Pads to thaw
frozen meat by weight. See page 27 for
more information.
8. POPCORN. Touch this pad when
popping popcorn in your microwave
oven. The oven will automatically heat
for a preset time at a preset Cook
Power. See page 33 for more informa-
tion.
9. Number Pads. Touch Number Pads to
enter cooking times, Cook Powers,
quantities, weights, or food categories.
10. CLOCK. Touch this pad to enter the
correct time of day. See page 18 for
more information.
11. TIMER SET. Touch this pad to set the
Minute Timer. See page 19 for more
information.
12. TIMER OFF. Touch this pad to cancel
the Minute Timer. See page 19 for
more information.
13. START/ENTER. Touch this pad to start
a function. If you open the door after
the oven begins to cook, retouch
START/ENTER. See page 13 for more
information.
14.
15.
OFF/CANCEL. Touch this pad to erase
an incorrect command, cancel a pro-
gram during cooking, or to clear the
Display. See page 13 for more informa-
tion.
FAN HIGH. Touch this pad to turn on
the fan at high speed. See page 14 for
more information.
16. FAN LOW. Touch this pad to turn on the
fan at low speed. See page 14 for more
information.
17. OFF. Touch this pad to turn off the fan.
See page 14 for more information.
18. LIGHT. Touch this pad to turn on the
cooktop/countertop light. See page 15
for more information.
19. NIGHT LIGHT. Touch this pad to turn on
the cooktop/countertop night light. See
page 15 for more information.
20. OFF. Touch this pad to turn off the
cooktop/countertop light. See page 16
for more information.
12

Audible signals
Audible signals are available to guide you
when setting and using your oven:
l A programming tone will sound each
time you touch a pad.
l One long tone signals the end of a
Minute Timer countdown.
l Four tones signal the end of a cooking
cycle.
l Two tones sound once every minute
after an End-of-Cooking signal as a
reminder if food has not been removed
Interrupting cooking
You can stop the oven during a cycle by
opening the door. The oven stops heating
and the fan stops, but the light stays on. To
restart cooking, close the door and
TOUCH L l
.
m
If you do not want to continue cooking:
l Close the door and the light goes off.
from oven. OR
l Three tones sound if you have made an
incorrect entry.
To disable audible signals:
l Touch and hold Number Pad 1 for 4
seconds to disable programming tone
and End-of-Cooking and End-of-Cycle
signals.
OR
l Touch and hold Number Pad 2 for four
seconds to disable all signals.
To turn signals back on:
Repeat steps under ‘To disable audible
signals” above.
NOTE: Three tones, followed by two tones,
will sound when audible signals are turned
on or off.
13

Using the exhaust fan
The three pads on the bottom left of the
control panel control the 2-speed Exhaust
Fan.
1. Choose fan speed. TOUCH
NOTE: If the temperature gets too hot
around the microwave oven, the exhaust
fan in the vent hood will automatically turn
on at the LOW setting to protect the oven. OR
It may stay on up to an hour to cool the
oven. When this occurs, the Fan OFF
Pad will not turn the fan off.
2. Turn off fan when desired.
TOUCH
El
OFF
To set fan to run for a specific time:
1. Start fan.
2. Choose timer.
NOTE: If both the fan and light are
operating and the TIMER SET Pad is
touched twice, both the fan and light will
be controlled by the timer. The Display
will alternate between “FAN” and “LIGHT
one time before ‘TIMF is displayed.
twice within
3 seconds
14

3. Set time.
Example for 5 minutes: TOUCH YOU SEE
4. Start timer.
At end of time:
To cancel timer:
NOTE: Canceling the timer will cause the
fan to shut off; however, canceling the fan
will not cancel the timer.
TOUCH
Using the cooktop/countertop light
The three pads on the bottom right of the
control panel control the cooktop/wunter-
top light.
1. Choose light.
TOUCH
15

2. Turn off light when desired.
TOUCH
To set light to be on for a specific time:
1. Turn on light.
TOUCH
2. Choose timer.
NOTE: If both the fan and light are
operating and the TIMER SET Pad is
touched twice, both the fan and light will
be controlled by the timer. The Display
will alternate between “FAN” and
‘LIGHT” one time before TIME” is
displayed. twice within
3 seconds
YOU SEE
3. Set time.
Example for 20 minutes:
TOUCH YOU SEE
El
lol
El
lol
16

4. Start timer. TOUCH YOU SEE
At end of time:
To cancel timer:
TOUCH
NOTE: Canceling the timer will cause the
light to shut off; however, canceling the light
will not cancel the timer.
Using the bi-level cooking rack
You can order a Bi-Level Cooking Rack (Part
No. 4359524) from your Whirlpool dealer for
extra space when cooking in more than one
container at the same time. The metal rack
can be turned upsidedown to help fit taller
containers on the bottom of the oven.
lf your Whirlpool dealer does not stock the
rack, you can order it, by part number, by
writing to:
Whirlpool Corporation
Attention: Customer Service Dept.
1900 Whirlpool Drive
LaPorte, IN 46350
Inserting the rack
Burn Hazard
Use hot pads when removing rack from
oven after cooking to prevent burns.
Rack could be hot.
NOTES:
Firat position
First posftion: Insert the rack securely into the
rack supports on the side walls of the oven.
Second poakion
l Do not store the metal rack in the oven.
Arcing and damage to the oven could
result if someone accidentally starts the
oven.
l Do not operate the oven with the metal
rack stored on the floor of the oven.
Damage to the interior finish will result.
l Use rack only in the microwave oven.
l Do not use rack with browning dish.
l Do not let food container on rack touch
the top or sides of the oven.
l Do not cook foods directly on rack
without putting them in containers first.
l Do not place a metal cooking container
on rack. Place a microwave-safe plate
under container.
Second position: Turn rack upsidedown
when using a taller container on the bottom
of the oven.
17

Setting the clock
When your microwave oven is first plugged
in or after a power failure, the Display will
show ‘66&W. For the first 30 seconds
after the power is on, you can set the clock
time without touching CLOCK. After 30
seconds has gone by, you must follow the
directions below to set the time. If a time of
day is not set, ‘838:38” will show on the
Display until you touch CLOCK.
NOTES:
l You can only set the clock if the oven is
not cooking food.
l If you touch in an incorrect time and
touch CLOCK, three tones will sound.
Enter the correct time.
l If you touch OFF/CANCEL while setting
the clock, the Display will show the last
time of day set or Y if no time of day has
been set.
To set time:
1. Choose setting.
TOUCH YOU SEE
2. Enter time of day.
Example for 12:OO: TOUCH YOU SEE
3. Complete entry.
TOUCH YOU SEE
18

Using the Minute Timer
You can use your microwave oven as a
minute timer. Use the Minute Timer for
timing up to 99 minutes, 99 seconds.
NOTE: The oven can operate while the
Minute Timer is in use. To see the Minute
Timer while the oven is cooking, touch TIMER
SET. To return the Display to the cooking
time countdown, touch TIMER SET again.
1. Touch TlMER SET. TOUCH YOU SEE
2. Enter time to be counted down.
Example for 1 minute, 30 seconds: TOUCH
NOTE: If you enter more than 4 digits,
three tones will sound. Touch START/ III
ENTER to count down the 3digit time
you have entered or touch OFF/CAN-
CEL to clear the Display. To start over, El
touch TIMER SET and reenter desired
time. lol
3. Start countdown.
NOTE: If you do not do this step within
three seconds of doing Step 2, “START?
will be displayed. You then have one
minute to touch START/ENTER or
TIMER SET before the Display returns to
time of day.
At end of countdown:
TOUCH
OR
TOUCH
(one tone will round)
YOU SEE
19

Using Your Microwave
Oven
This section gives you instructions for operating each function. Please read these instructions
carefully.
In This Section
Page Page
Getting the best cooking results .....20 Using AUTO DEFROST .................... 27
Cooking at high cook power ............ 21 Auto defrost chart ............................ 29
Cooking at tower cook powers ........22 Defrosting tips .................................. 31
Cooking with more than one Using WARM HOLD .......................... 32
cook cycle .........................................24 Using POPCORN .............................. 33
Using AUTO COOK ........................... 25 Using ADD MINUTE .......................... 34
Auto cook chart ................................ 27 Adding or subtracting cook time .... 35
l Although a new rating method* rates this
oven at 850 watts, you may use a reliable
cookbook and recipes developed for
microwave ovens previously rated at
700-600 watts.
l ALWAYS cook food for the minimum
recommended cooking time. If necessary,
touch ADD MINUTE while the oven is
operating or after it has completed the
cooking cycle (see page 34 for more
information). Then check for doneness to
avoid overcooking the food.
Getting the best cooking results
l Stir, turn over, or rearrange food being
cooked about halfway through the cook
time for most even doneness with all
recipes.
l If a glass cover is not available, use wax
paper, paper towels, or microwave-
approved plastic wrap. Turn back a corner
to vent steam during cooking.
20