Whirlpool RM973BXV User manual

UPPER
MICROWAVE
OVEN
Eye-Level Models
RM978BXV
RM973BXV
SM988PEV
SM958PEV
Built-h Model
RM278BXV
shen, Clolhes Dryers Freezen. Relr~geralot.Freezen. Ice Makers. Dishwashers Built-In Ovens and Surlace Unils. Ranges, Microwave Ovens. Trash Cornpall

Contents
Parts and Features.
Before You Use Your Microwave Oven : :
Precautions to Avoid Possible Exposure to
Excessive Microwave Energy
Important Safety Instructions
Using Your Microwave Oven
Microwave Oven Controls
Programming Tone : : : : : : : :
Setting the Clock
Using the Minute Timer. : : : : : : : : :
Cooking in Your Microwave Oven
Cooking at High Cook Power
Cooking at Lower Cook Powers
Cooking in More Than One Cycle
Using AUTO SET
Auto Set TIME
Auto Set TEMP
Defrosting
Cooking Automatically After Defrosting
Cooking with the Temperature Probe
Using STARTTIME
Using KEEPWARM ..., .,.
Other Operating Hints
Bi-Level Cooking Rack..
Optional Bi-Level Cooking Rack Kit
Caring for Your Microwave Oven
Cleaning the Microwave Oven
Replacing the Light Bulb
How Your Microwave Oven Works
Operating Safety Precautions
If You Need Service or Assistance
Microwave Oven Warranty
Page
3
4
01988 Whirlpool Corporation
FIN out and return the Microwave Reglstratfon Card Included with
your microwave oven. If the card is missing, please send the model and
serial number of your microwave oven, with your name and address to...
Whirlpool Corporation
Microwave Registration Department
Administrative Center
2000 M-63
Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022
This information will help us reach you if there is ever a need to pass along
information about your microwave oven.
Remove the Consumer Buy Guide label before urlng your microwave
oven.
2

Parts and features
UPPERMICROWAVE OVEN
DEFROSTGUIDE
(not shown) \
MODEL AND SERIAL
NUMBER PLATE
(not shown)
AUTO SET&DE
/
CONTROL PANEL
TEMPERATURE
x PROBE SOCKET
\ 2-POSITION
.
1 El-LEVEL
DOOR LATCH COOKING RACK
(not shown) (SM988PEV only)
Thank you for buying a Whirlpool appliance. Please complete and
mail the Owner Registration Card provided with this product. Then
complete the form below. Have this information ready if you need
service or call with a question.
l Copy model and serial numbers
Model Number
from plate (behind the micro-
wave oven door on the oven
frame) and the purchase date
Serial Number
from the sales slip.
l Keep this book and your sales
slip together in a handy place.
Purchase Date
Service Company Phone Number

I
I’
Before you useyour microwave oven
Read and carefully follow the Installation
Instructions packed with your microwave oven.
Read this Use & Care Guide and your Cooking Guide carefully for
important use and safety information. Store these with Range or Lower Oven
literature for future use.
It is your personal responsibility and obligation to be sure your
microwave oven:
l Has been installed where it is protected from the elements. The microwave
oven should be at a temperature above 50°F (10%) for proper operation.
l Has been installed and levelled on a floor strong enough to support its
weight. (Eye-level model only)
l Has been properly connected to electrical supply and grounded. (See
Installation Instructions.)
l Is not used by anyone unable to operate it properly.
l Is properly maintained.
l Is used only for jobs expected of a microwave oven.
See your Range or lower Oven Use 81Care Guide for additional safety
and operating instructions.
PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID
POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO
EXCESSIVE MICROWAW
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 im-
portant 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 seal-
ing surfaces.
DO NOT operate the
oven if it is damaged
It is particularly impor-
tant 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 leak-
age by qualified serv-
ice personnel after a
repair is made.
The oven should not
be adjusted or
repaired by anyone
except properly
qualified service
personnel.

IMPORTANT
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
For Use of Microwave Upper Oven
Microwave ovens have been used successfully in homes for
a number of years. They are 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 pre-
vent damage to the unit.
1. Read all instructions before
using appliance.
2. Read and follow the
specific “PRECAUTIONS TO
AVOID POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO
EXCESSIVE MICROWAVE EN-
ERGY” found on page 4.
3. This appliance must be
installed and properly
grounded in accordance with
the separately provided In-
stallation Instructions.
4. Some products such as
whole eggs and sealed con-
tainers - for example, closed
glass jars - may explode and
should not be heated in this
oven.
5. Use this appliance only for
its intended use as described
in this manual.
6. As with any appliance,
close supervision is necessary
when used by children.
7. Do not operate
appliance If It has damaiheids
cord or plug, if it is not working
properly, or if it has been
damaged or dropped. Elec-
tric shock, fire or other hazards
may result.
8. This appliance should be
serviced only by qualified
service personnel. Call a
Whirlpool authorized TECH-
CARE!’ Service Company for
examination, repair or
adjustment.
9. Do not cover or block any
opening in the appliance,
because fire may result.
10. Do not use outdoors
because damage to the oven
or electric shock may result.
11. Clean inner door surface
often. See “Cleaning the mi-
crowave oven:’ page 34.
continued on next page
E

12. To reduce the risk of fire in
the oven cavity: twist-ties from paper or plastic
bags before placing bag in
a. Do not overcook food.a. Do not overcot
Carefully attend apt
Carefully attend appliance if
paper, plastic, or ot
paper, plastic, or other com-
bustible materials arbustible materials are placed
inside the oven to
inside the oven to facilitate
oven. Cooking in metal con-
tainers can damage the oven.
Socan containers with hidden
metal (twist-ties, foil lining, sta-
ples, metallic glaze or trim.]
cooking. Paper can char or
burn, and some plastics can
melt if used when heating
foods.
b. Test dinnerware or cook-
ware before using. See page
37. Some dishes (melamine,
Centura,@ etc.] absorb micro-
wave energy, becoming too
hot to handle and slowing
cooking times. Remove wire
c. If materials inside the oven
should ignite, keep oven door
closed, turn oven off, and dis-
connect the power cord, or
shut off power at the fuse or cir-
cuit breaker panel.
13. Read and follow “OPERAT-
ING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS”
starting on page 36.
SAW THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Using your microwave oven
Microwave Oven Controls
There are three parts to the microwave oven control section.
-The Digital Display/Clock and Indicator Lights
-Command Pads
-Number Pads
Instructions for each are covered on the following pages. Read them
carefully.
When you first connect power to the oven, a tone will sound and the Display
will show 88:88. If after you set the Clock (page 91,the Display again shows all
8’s, it means your electricity was off for a while. Reset the Clock.
6

II
Digital Display/Clock and
Indicator lights
When you are not using the microwave
oven, this is an accurate Digital Clock.
When you are using the microwave oven, it
displays time settings, Indicator Lights and
shows what Number Pads you touched.
While the oven is running, an Indicator Light
(or lights) will be on to show what the oven is
doing.
continued on next page

Command Pads
Touch Command Pads to tell the microwave oven what to do and in
what order. A few examples:
-CLOCK SETtells the oven you are going to set the Clock.
- STARTtells the oven to start.
Each Command Pad (except START,CANCEL and CLOCK SET]lights
an Indicator Light on the Digital Display. The Indicator Light comes on
when you touch the Command Pad.
Number Pads
Once you’ve touched a Command Pad to tell the oven what
you want to do, you’ll touch Number Pads to tell it...
-a time,
- a Cook Power,
- a food temperature,
-a food setting.
Programming Tone
Each time you touch a pad you will hear a tone. If you don’t hear a tone,
it is because the instruction is not correct, or because the tones have been
removed.
EXAMPLE: If you touch a Number Pad before you touch a Command Pad, you
will not hear a tone. The instruction is not correct.
If you want to remove
the programming
tone:
l Open the door.
l Touch CANCEL twice,
then touch START.
l The tone will not
sound for any touch.
8
If you want to replace
the programming
tone:
l Open the door.
l Touch CANCEL twice,
then touch START.
l The tone will sound for
any correct touch.
If you want to remove
all tones, except the
Minute Timer signal:
l Open the door.
l Touch CANCEL twice,
touch 0, then touch
START.
l All audible tones will
be cancelled.
l To replace the tones,
repeat the above steps,

Setting the Clock
When the oven is first plugged in, a tone sounds and the display shows 88:88.
Ifthe electric power ever goes off, the Display will again show all 8’s when the
power comes back on.
You can cook or use the Minute Timer without setting the Clock, but the Display
will be blank after cooking.
DO THIS...
.
I#
1. Touch CLOCK SET.
2. Touch Number
Pads for the right
time of day.
m ,.
3. Touch START.
THIS HAPPENS...
The Display will show a “0”
and the colon will start to
flash. The first Number Pad
must be touched within
5 seconds or the Display
will go blank. Touch
CLOCK SETagain and
continue.
The Display will show what
numbers you touched in
the order you touched
them. This example shows
3:25.
The colon will stop flashing.
The Clock is set.
If you have touched in an
incorrect time, such as
12:65, “Err” will show on the
Display. Touch CLOCK SET
and start over.
NOTE: To resetthe Clock, touch CLOCK SET.The current time will show on
the Display and the colon will flash. Set the Clock as shown above.

Using the Minute Timer
The Minute Timer does not start or stop cooking. It can be used alone or while
the oven is operating. It works like a kitchen timer.
DO THIS... THIS HAPPENS...
q
1. Touch MINUTE
TIMER.
2. Touch Number
Pads for minutes
and seconds.
3. Touch START.
Changing the
Minute Timer
-Touch MINUTE TIMER.
The MINUTE TIMER Indicator
Light will come on and the
Display will show a “0”. The
first Number Pad must be
touched within 5 seconds
or the Display will again
show the time of day.
Touch MINUTE TIMER again
and continue.
The Display will show what
numbers you touched in
the order you touched
them. This example shows
1minute, 45 seconds.
The MINUTE TIMER Indicator
Light will stay on to show
that the Minute Timer is
running.
The Display counts down
the seconds to show how
much time is left on the
Minute Timer.
When the set time is up, a
3 second signal will sound
and the Display will show
the time of day.
Cancelling the Minute Timer
-Touch MINUTE TIMER.
-Touch CANCEL. NOTE:Touch
-Touch numbers to set new time.
-Touch START.
New instructions cancel the old
ones.
MINUTE TIMER before touching
CANCEL to cancel just the Minute
Timer. If CANCEL is touched first,
all cooking instructions will be
cancelled and the Minute Timer
will continue to operate.
The Minute Timer can be set to time other activities while the oven is operating
in any other cycle. The Display will countdown the time of the cycle in opera-
tion. The Minute Timer will continue to countdown, but will not show on the
Display. When the time is up, a 3 second signal will sound.
IO

Opening the oven door does not stop the Minute Timer countdown; however,
it does stop any cooking or defrosting. Close the door and touch STARTto
continue cooking or defrosting.
Cooking in Your Microwave Oven
Be sure to read the MICRO MENUS”’ Cookbook packed with the microwave
oven. It contains information about:
l What microwave energy is.
l How food is cooked by microwave energy.
l What affects cooking speed and cooking evenness.
l Safety tips.
l Utensils to use when cooking in a microwave oven.
l Cooking times for different foods.
Important things to remember to get the best cooking results.
l ALWAYS cook food for the minimum recommended cooking time. If neces-
sary, add time in one or two minute periods, then check for doneness to
avoid overcooking the food.
l Stir,turn or rearrange the food being cooked about halfway through the
cooking time for most even doneness with all recipes.
l If a glass cover is not available, use waxpaper, paper towels or microwave
approved plastic wrap. Turn back a corner to vent steam during cooking.
Cooking at High Cook Power
Follow these steps to cook at high power.
DO THIS...
1. Put food in the oven
and close the door.
2. Touch COOK 1.
3. Touch Number
Pads for the cook-
ing time you want.
THIS HAPPENS...
The COOK 1indicator Light
will come on and the
Display will show four 0’s.
The Display will show the
numbers you touched in
the order you touched
them. The example shows
1minute, 30 seconds.
continued on next page
11

4. Touch START.
cl
count
own
The oven will automati-
cally cook at HIGH Cook
Power.
The COOK 1Indicator Light
will stay on to show that the
oven is cooking in the first
cycle.
The Display counts down
the time to show how much
time is left in the first cycle.
When the cooking time
ends, “End” will show on
the Display and 4 beeps
will sound. [You can stop
the beeping by opening
the door or by touching
CANCEL.] “End” will remain
on the Display and a beep
will sound every 30 sec-
onds until the door is
opened or CANCEL is
touched. The Display will
then show the time of day.
Changing the Cooking Time
Cooking time can be changed any time before touching STARTor during the
cycle:
1. Touch COOK 1.
2. Touch numbers for the new time.
3. Touch START.
Cook 1cycle will continue cooking for the new time.
Cooking at Lower Cook Powers
For best results, some recipes call for lower Cook Powers. The lower the Cook
Power, the slower the cooking. Each Number Pad also stands for a different
percentage of Cook Power. Many recipes in your MICRO MENUS@ Cookbook
tell you, by number, which Cook Power to use. Recipes in other books and
magazines may tell you by name (HI, MED, LO,etc.) or percentage (IO%, 50%,
80%, etc.).
The following chart gives the percentage of Cook Power each Number Pad
stands for, and Cook Power name usually used.
automatic 100% of full power HIGH
9 = 90% of full power
8 = 80% of full power
7 = 70% of full power MED-HIGH
6 = 60% of full power
5 = 50% of full power MED
4 = 40% of full power
3 = 30% of full power MED-LOW
2 = 20% of full power
1 = 10% of full power LOW
0 = no power (fan and light will be off]
12

DO THIS... THIS HAPPENS...
1. Put food in the oven
and close the door.
.L
q
2. Touch COOK 1.
3. Touch Number
Pads for the cook-
ing time you want.
4. Touch COOK
POWER.
5. Touch a Number
Pad for the Cook
Power you want.
6. Touch START.
d
count
own
The COOK 1Indicator Light
will come on and the
Display will show four 0’s.
The Display will show the
numbers you touched in
the order you touched
them. This example shows
7 minutes, 30 seconds.
The COOK POWER Indica-
tor Light will come on and
the Display will show “P-HI!’
This shows the oven is pre-
programmed to cook at
full (HIGH] power.
The Display will show what
you touched. This example
shows you touched
Number Pad 5 for 50% of
full power.
The COOK 1and COOK
POWER Indicator Lights will
stay on to show that the
oven is cooking in the first
cycle at a Cook Power
other than HIGH.
The Display counts down
the time to show how much
cooking time is left in the
first cycle.
For 2 of every 10 seconds,
the Display will show the
Cook Power you selected.
continued on next plage

When the cookina time
ends, “End” will show on
the Display and 4 beeps
will sound. (You can stop
the beeping by opening
the door or by touching
CANCEL.) “End” will remain
on the Display and a beep
will sound every 30 sec-
onds until the door is
opened or CANCEL is
touched. The Display will
then show the time of day.
Changing the Cook Power
The Cook Power can be changed any time before touching STARTor during
the cycle.
. Touch COOK POWER.
l Touch a number for the new Cook Power.
l Touch START.The cycle will cook at the new Cook Power forthe original time.
OR...
l Touch COOK POWER twice if you want to change a lower Cook Power to
HIGH.
. Touch START.
Cooking in More Than One Cook Cycle
For best results, some recipes call for one Cook Power for a certain length of
time, and another Cook Power for another length of time. Your oven can be set
to change from one to another automatically.
DO THIS...
1. Put food in the oven
and close the door.
I.
m
2. Touch COOK 1.
3. Touch Number
Pads for the cook-
ing time you want
in the first cycle.
THIS HAPPENS...
The COOK 1Indicator
Light will come on and the
Display will show four 0’s.
The Display will show the
numbers you touched in
the order you touched
them. This example shows
3 minutes, 25 seconds.
14

4. Touch COOK POWER.
(If you want the HIGH
Cook Power, skip to
Step 6.)
5. Touch a Number
Pad for the Cook
Power you want in
the first cycle.
6. Touch COOK 2.
7. Touch Number
Pads for the cook-
ing time you want
in the second cycle.
8. Touch COOK POWER.
The COOK POWER Indica-
tor Light will come on and
the Display will show “P-HI:
This shows the oven is pre-
programmed to cook at
full [HIGH) power.
The Display will show what
you touched. This example
shows you touched
Number Pad 6 for 60% of
full power.
The COOK 2 Indicator
Light will come on and the
Display will show four 0’s.
The Display will show the
numbers you touched in
the order you touched
them. This example shows
4 minutes. 30 seconds.
cook Power, skip to
Step 10).
m
1
9. Touch a Number
Pad for the Cook
Power you want in
the second cycle.
The COOK POWER Indica-
tor Light will come on and
the Display will show “P-HII’
This shows the oven is
preprogrammed to cook
at full (HIGH) power.
The Display will show what
you touched. This example
shows you touched
Number Pad 4 for 40% of
full power.
continued on next page

I
I’
10. Touch START.
When you touch START,the
COOK 1Indicator Light will
stay on while the oven is
cooking in the first cycle.
The COOK POWER Indica-
tor Light will be on if you
are using a Cook Power
other than HIGH. All other
Indicator Lights will go off.
The Display counts down
d
cnIJ& the cooking time to show
own how much time is left in the
first cycle.
if you are using a Cook
Power other than HIGH.
BEEP BEEP
You will hear 2 beeps at
the end of Cook 1.You can
either open the door to
check, stir or turn the food,
etc., or you can let the
oven start the next cycle. If
you do open the door,
touch STARTafter closing
the door to restart the
oven.
count
d own
The Display counts down
the time to show how much
time is left in the second
cycle.
if you are using a Cook
Power other than HIGH.
16

When Cook 2 ends, “End”
will show on the Display
and 4 beeps will sound.
(You can stop the beeping
by opening the door or by
touching CANCEL.) “End”
will remain on the Display
and a beep will sound
every 30 seconds until the
door is opened or CANCEL
is touched. The Display will
then show the time of day.
Hints for Cooking With More Than One Cycle.
You can program the cooking cycles in any order. However, when the
microwave oven is started, it will automatically go through the cycles
in order-AUTO SETTIME - COOK I- COOK 2 (or QUICK DEFROST-
STANDINGTIME-COOK I- COOK 2 or COOK I- COOK 2 -AUTO SETTEMP
or PROBETEMR)
Changing or Adding Instructions
You can change times, Cook Powers, or add cycles any time before touching
STARTor during oven operation.
l Touch the Cook cycle you wish to change or add (COOK 1or 2).
l Touch numbers for new time, if desired.
l Touch COOK POWER, if change is desired.
l Touch number for new Cook Power, or touch COOK POWER again if HIGH is
desired.
l Touch in new cycle and time, if desired.
. Touch START.
Using AUTO SET
Auto Set TIME and TEMP are preset cooking cycles which store commonly
used cooking times and probe temperature settings.
Auto Set TIME
Auto Set TIME provides ten preset times. One to nine minutes at HIGH Cook
Power can be set by touching TIME and the corresponding Number Pad 1-9.
This provides a short-cut method for setting commonly used cooking times.
The Auto Set Chart included with your microwave oven and the Auto Set
Guide on the inner door panel help you use Auto Set TIME to cook various
food items without having to look up the cooking times.
A preset time of 2 minutes, 30 seconds at HIGH Cook Power is available by
touching just the Auto Set TIME pad. The time may be changed to any time
from O-99 minutes, O-99 seconds allowing you to store your favorite cooking
time and Cook Power. See page 19 for instructions.
continued on next page

DO THIS...
1. Put food in the oven
and close the door.
2. Touch TIME (Option:
If you want to use
the preset cooking
time and Cook
Power, skip to Step
6-l
3. Touch a Number
Pad for the new
cooking time you
want from 1 to 9
minutes.
4. Touch COOK
POWER. (Option:
Skip to Step 6 it you
want to cook at
HIGH power.)
5. Touch a Number
Pad for the Cook
Power you want.
6. Touch START.
18
THIS HAPPENS...
also come on. This shows
you the oven is cooking at
a selected Cook Power.
d
count
The Display counts down
own
the time to show how much
cooking time is left.

For 2 of every 10 seconds,
the Display will show the
Cook Power you selected,
if you are using a Cook
Power other than HIGH.
When Auto Set TIME ends,
“End” will show on the
Display and 4 beeps will
sound. (You can stop the
beeping by opening the
door or by touching CAN-
CEL.) “End” will remain on
the Display and a beep
will sound every 30 sec-
onds until the door is
opened or CANCEL is
touched. The Display will
then show the time of day.
NOTE: You can set COOK 1, COOK 1 and 2 and/or PROBE TEMP to follow Auto
Set TIME. (See pages 14-17 for instructions.)
Changing the Pre-programmed Setting
You can change the pre-programmed cooking time and Cook Power in
Auto Set TIME to the time and power you most often use. To change the Auto
Set TIME setting, follow these steps.
1. Open the door.
2. Touch TIME twice.
3. Touch the Number Pads for the new desired cooking time. If HIGH Cook
Power is desired, skip to Step 6.
4. Touch COOK POWER.
5. Touch the Number Pad for the desired Cook Power.
6. Touch START.Touch CANCEL. The oven will remember that cooking time
and Cook Power for future use. NOTE: If the electric power ever goes off,
the oven will go back to the pre-programmed 2 minutes, 30 seconds
at HIGH Cook Power.
Auto Set TEMP
Auto Set TEMP provides ten preset probe temperature settings. One hundred
ten (110)to one hundred ninety (190) degrees at 70% Cook Power can be set
by touching TEMP and the corresponding Number Pad 1-9.This provides a
short-cut method for setting commonly used probe temperatures. The Auto Set
Chart included with your microwave oven and the Auto Set Guide on the
inner door panel help you use Auto Set TEMP to cook various food items
without having to look up the temperature.
A preset temperature of 165°F at HIGH Cook Power is available after inserting
the probe, by touching just the TEMP Pad. This temperature may be changed
to any temperature from 90°F to 200°F allowing you to store your favorite
cooking temperature and Cook Power. See page 21for instructions.
continued on next page

DO THIS... THIS HAPPENS...
1. Put food in the oven, plug in the
temperature probe and close the door.
m
2. Touch TEMP.
(Option: If you want
to use the preset
temperature and
Cook Power, skip to
Step 6.)
01
3. Touch a Number
Pad for the new
temperature you
want from 110°F to
190°F.
II
El!
‘1
4. Touch COOK
POWER. (Option: If
you want to cook
at 70% power, skip
to Step 6.)
5. Touch a Number
Pad for the Cook
Power you want.
6. Touch START.
20
The AUTO SETIndicator
Light will come on and the
Display will show 165°F (or
the temperature you have
programmed as your fa-
vorite cycle). NOTE: HIGH
Cook Power is pre-set on
this setting only.
The Display will show what
you touched in degrees
Fahrenheit. This example
shows 140°F NOTE: Cook
Power of 70% is preset on
TEMP settings l-9.
The COOK POWER Indica-
tor Light will come on and
the Display will show “P-70:’
This shows the oven is pre-
programmed to cook at
70% (MED-HIGH) of full
power.
The Display will show what
you touched. This example
shows you touched
Number Pad 5 for 50% of
full power.
The AUTO SETand PROBE
TEMP Indicator Lights will
stay on. The Display will
show “COOL” to show the
food is less than 90°F As
the food cooks the Display
will show the internal
temperature of the food
for every 5°F increase.
For 2 of every 10 seconds,
the Display will show the
Cook Power you selected,
if you are using a Cook
Power other than high.