Zanussi MGE1255B Operating and safety instructions

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE USE & CARE
OF YOUR ZANUSSI MICROWAVE
MGE1255B
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE USE & CARE
OF YOUR ZANUSSI MICROWAVE
MGE1255W

It is most important that this instruction book should be retained
with the appliance for future reference. Should the appliance be
sold or transferred to another owner, or should you move house
and leave the appliance, always ensure that book is supplied with
the appliance so that the new owner can be acquainted with the
functioning of the appliance and the relevant warnings.
Warnings
THESE WARNINGS ARE PROVIDED IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY. YOU MUST
READ THEM CAREFULLY BEFORE INSTALLING OR USING THE APPLIANCE
• Do not use this appliance for any other purpose than the
preparation of normal domestic food. Take care to read the
instructions regarding loads and timings. Also the
recommendations/advice on suitable containers and
utensils (see cookery book).
• The oven must not be operated when empty as this could
damage the oven.
Do not operate the oven if it is damaged until it has been
repaired by a service technician trained by the
manufacturer. It is particularly important that the oven
door closes properly and that there is no damage to:
(1) Door (warped), (2) Hinges and Latches (broken or
loosened), (3) Door Seals and Sealing Surfaces (broken or
cracked).
• Always keep the door seal and door surfaces clean by
wiping regularly with a damp cloth, so that any grease, soil
or spatters are not allowed to build up. Such build up could
result in leakage of microwave energy from the oven.
• This appliance is designed to be operated by adults.
Children should not be allowed to tamper with the controls
or play with the product.
• Any electrical work required to install this appliance
should be carried out by a qualified person.
• This product should be serviced by an authorised
Zanussi Network Service Centre, and only genuine Zanussi
spare parts should be used.
• It is dangerous to alter the specifications or modify the
product in any way.
• DO NOT overcook foods. Overcooking certain foods can
result in dehydration and subsequently fire. Jacket
potatoes and foods with a high sugar content - such as
those containing dried fruits - are particularly vulnerable.
In case of fire unplug the oven and do not open the door.
• Care and cleaning of the appliance are important. Food
deposits should not be left on the interior cabinet. Do not
place any object between the oven front face and the door,
or allow the door seals to accumulate dirt.
• Always be careful when removing protective film from
food after cooking as the steam when released can cause
burns.
• Any foodstuffs with a ‘skin’, e.g. potatoes, sausages etc,
must be pierced in order to allow for the release of steam.
• Under no circumstances should live animals be placed in
a microwave.
• Unplug the appliance if it is to be left for a period of time,
e.g. during holidays or long weekends.
• Bases of cooking vessels get very hot. Care should be
taken that the dish does not come into contact with any
plastic surface. Wear protective gloves.
• Care should be taken when using microwave browning
dishes on the glass tray as the bases become exceedingly
hot and may cause the tray to shatter (See browning dish
manufacturers’ instructions on timings and use).
• Be cautious when eating food direct from the microwave
as items with a high sugar or fat content can be very hot
inside.
• Airflow above, below and at the sides of a microwave
should not be restricted. See installation instructions.
• Only use cooking containers recommended for use in a
microwave.
• Do not use metal containers, metal glazed china,
melamine or cut glass as cooking containers, or bags with
metal ties.
• Do not use more than the recommended quantities of
aluminium foil in the oven.
• Do not use capped bottles, jars or tins.
• Do not use the oven for drying any items.
• Leave the oven empty at all times when not in use and do
not operate the oven when empty.
• Do not let the timer continue to operate after removing
the food.
• Do not attempt to cook or reheat eggs in their shells,
they may explode. Pierce the yolks of eggs.
• Do not attempt to deep fat fry in a microwave.
• Do not use this appliance if it is in contact with water.
• Do not reheat drinks in plastic cups, they could melt.
• Do not use a conventional meat thermometer. They may
be used outside the cooker to check temperatures but not
during cooking.
• Always remove the metal shelf when it is not in use.
• The stirrer glass shield must be in position at all times.
• Under no circumstances should you attempt to repair
the appliance yourself. Repairs carried out by
inexperienced persons may cause serious injury. Consult
your local Zanussi Network Service Centre. Always insist
on genuine Zanussi spare parts.
WARNING: it is dangerous for any person other
than a service technician trained by the
manufacturer to perform service repairs.

Contents
Specifications.
Installation.
Features Diagram.
Using your microwave oven . .
Operating instructions.
Planning & Cooking.
Cleaning and Maintenance ....
Practical Hints..
Microwave Cooking Terms and Techniques .
Questions and Answers.
If the oven does not work ....
Zanussi Guarantee Conditions
Zanussi 5 Year Cover.
page 3
page 4
page 6
page 7
page 8-15
page 16
page 17
page 18
page 19
page 20
page 21
page 22
page 23
Important: the installation of the oven and connection to the electricity supply must
always be done by competent installers and to standards and regulations currently in
force.
2

Specifications
MGE1255
AC Line Voltage
AC Power Required
Output Power
uW Frequency
Exterior Dimensions
Oven Cavity Dimensions
Cooking Uniformity
Weight
24GV/50Hz
1470W
650W (2 litre water load)
2450 MHz
560mm (W) x 395mm (H) x 439mm (D)
370mm (W) x 270mm (H) x 370mm (D)
Wave Stirrer (Motor driven)
Approx 28 kg

Installation
Please note: This microwave cooker has
been designed to be used in a domestic
household. Therefore the guarantee
supplied with this appliance may be
invalidated if it has been used for a
commercial or catering application.
After unpacking, ensure that all packing
materials have been removed from the
oven cavity.
Positioning
This oven is free-standing and can be
placed wherever you choose within reach
of a power outlet. Ensure that the surface
on which the oven is to stand is level and is
capable of withstanding the weight. To
ensure that the oven has adequate
ventilation, there must be at least 2.5cm/l
inch of clearance at the top, 4cm/lV2
inches at the back and a total of 15cm/6
inches side clearance.
The unit must not be installed in any area
where heat and steam are generated, for
example, next to a conventional oven.
NOTE* Do not store cookbooks or the
instruction book inside or underneath the
oven. Do not place tea towels or utensils
over the cooling vents.
Electrical Connection
*THIS APPLIANCE MUST BE
EARTHED
For your convenience and safety, your
new Zanussi microwave oven comes ready
fitted with a moulded flex and plug. All you
need to do is push the plug into a 13 amp
power socket and switch on. If for any
reason you need to replace this plug with
one of your own, you will find the wires
inside the flex are colour coded as follows:
GREEN AND YELLOW - EARTH
BLUE - NEUTRAL
BROWN - LIVE
If you fit your own plug, the colours of the
wires in the mains lead of your appliance
may not correspond with the markings
identifying the terminals in your plug. If
this is the case proceed as follows:
Connect the green and yellow (earth) wire
to the terminal in the plug which is marked
with the letter ‘E’ or the earth symbol JL
or coloured either green or green and
yellow.
Connect the blue (neutral) wire to the
terminal in the plug which is marked with
the letter ‘N’ or coloured black. Connect
the brown (live) wire to the terminal which
is marked with the letter ‘L’ or coloured
red.
The cut off plug should be disposed of to
avoid the risk of shock from the plug being
inserted into a 13 amp socket elsewhere in
the house.
Fuses
The appliance’s moulded-on plug is
supplied fitted with a 13 amp BS1362 fuse.
If this fuse blows you can replace it in the
following way:
Remove the plug from the power socket
and use a small screwdriver to lever out
the red plastic fuse carrier located
between the plug’s prongs, together with
the old fuse. Fit in a new 13 amp fuse and
clip it back into the plug. Make sure your
new fuse is ‘ASTA’ approved and
complies with BS1362. If the carrier is
damaged you can get a new one from your
local Zanussi Service Agent, the details of
which can be obtained by looking under ‘Z’
in your telephone directory.
Safety
★ Check that the supply flex and any
other wiring is positioned in such a way
that when the microwave oven is
operating its temperature at any point is
less than 50 degrees C above the ambient
temperature of the room.
4

★ Never remove the rear panel of the
oven to gain access to the terminal board.
If an extension is required it should be
made using the standardised plug and the
external cable, which should be capable of
carrying the expected load.
★ Check that the fuse and domestic
installation are suitable to carry the
electric load of this appliance (see rating
plate at the back of the oven).
★ Check that the appliance is properly
earthed according to existing rules and
regulations.
This appliance meets the requirements laid
down in the EEC Directive No 76/889 and
amendment 82/499 relating to the
suppression of radio and TV interference.
5

Features Diagram
Becoming familiar with the working parts of your microwave oven will help you
understand the important operating information on the following pages.
1. SEE THROUGH DOOR lets you
check the cooking without interrupting the
cooking cycle.
2. REMOVABLE TRAY makes cleaning
easy. The tray should always be kept in
place when using the oven.
3. VENTS should be kept unobstructed.
Leave at least 2 inches of clear space
above the oven for air circulation.
4. CONTROL PANEL.
5. OVEN LIGHT.
6. SHELF SUPPORTS.
7. RATING PLATE located on the face
of the oven front adjacent to the hinge.
8. AIR INTAKE AREA.
9. METAL SHELF.
10. GLASS SPLASH SHIELD. This can
be removed for cleaning, but must be
installed before operating the oven as it is
an integral part of the air flow system. To
replace, carefully slide the glass shield
through the guards all the way back. When
properly in place, the shield will drop
slightly to locate.
11. BROWNER ELEMENT.
12. POWER SWITCH.
6

Using your
microwave oven
Before using the microwave oven for the
first time, ensure that all packaging
materials have been removed from both
the outside and inside of the oven. Wipe
Out the inside of the oven with a damp
cloth. Check that the door seal and sealing
surfaces are not broken or cracked, that
the door is not warped and that the hinges
and latches are not broken or loosened. If
you do find any damage, contact your local
Zanussi Network Service Centre.
Microwave cooking is very versatile. It
enables you to cook, reheat, roast,
simmer, hold-warm and even defrost with
speed and convenience.
As microwaving is such a new and fast way
of cooking, you should be able to be more
adventurous as you become more familiar
with this method of cooking.
To begin with something easy, heat a cup
of coffee in a mug for two minutes, but
open the door at any time and check if the
coffee is as hot as you like it. Next try
heating leftovers on a plate. An average
serving takes about 2-3 minutes on power
level 8. Look for steam or test the food to
see if it is ready.
You can open the door at any stage. If
additional time is needed, add it gradually.
It is always better to under estimate the
cooking time than over estimate.
Every recipe in the cookbook gives the
approximate cooking time. Because of
factors such as food temperature, dish
shape, arrangement of food and density of
food it is difficult to give a precise time.
Always start with a shorter time and add
time if needed.
The microwave oven cooks much faster
than conventional ovens. It is wise to take
special care when you are cooking
something for which specific timings have
not been recommended. This applies
particularly when reheating foods. Always
watch the cooking or heating of the food
and give it a short cooking time, adding
more until you have the required results.
You will soon learn the correct timings for
cooking or heating your favourite foods. It
is important to remember that it is
possible to bum foods if they are cooked
for too long, but the burning will occur
inside the food first and will only become
apparent by smell.
The oven must not be used without the
glass tray in position.
The door seal is designed to prevent
leakage of microwave energy during
cooking. Occasionally moisture may
appear around the oven door. This is
normal and does not necessarily indicate
that the oven is leaking microwave
energy.
Please remember that the cookbook is
only a guide.
7

Operating
Instructions
The controls
1. POWER SWITCH. Push the button
located at the bottom of the control panel
to turn on the microwave oven. The light
inside the oven will come on and the
control panel will be ready for you to
programme. When you’ve finished
cooking, push the button again to turn the
oven off. This button does not start the
cooking process.
2. START. Press the START button
when you have programmed your oven,
unless you are using the delay start
function.
3. CANCEL. This button is used to
cancel any errors in programming.
Everything is cancelled except the clock.
4. COOK 1. This button allows you to
cook automatically at high (100%) power
or any of 9 other power levels available. It
is also used in conjunction with the number
buttons to set the cooking time.
5. COOK 2. This button is used when you
wish to cook the food firstly at one power
level and then at another. Two sets of
cooking times and power levels can be
programmed at once without any
interruption to the cooking process or
without stopping the microwave oven.
6. POWER LEVEL. The oven will
automatically cook at High power (100%).
If you wish to opt for any of the other 9
power levels, touch the POWER LEVEL
button then the number button for the
level you wish to select. For example, if
you wish to cook at Medium (50%), touch
POWER LEVEL then ‘5’. For Low
(30%), touch POWER LEVEL and then
‘3’. There is no need to press the 0
button.
7. DEFROST. This button is used for
either defrosting or cooking at Low (30%)
power. It is used in conjunction with the
number pads as you programme the
recommended time for thawing frozen
foods.
The DEFROST HOLD feature
automatically assures you of more
complete defrosting when you are planning
to cook immediately after defrosting and
have programmed the cooking time. After
the defrosting time is completed, the
Defrost Hold indicator light will begin
flashing if the COOK 1 button and a time is
set to automatically take place. There will
be a holding time equal to the defrosting
time before the cooking actually begins.
8. CLOCK. Use the CLOCK button when
setting the time of day or when you want
to check the time while you’re cooking.
9. TIME/START. You can use the
TIME/START button as a reminder for
many kitchen chores. The TIME/START
lets you set the controls to turn the oven
on automatically at any time of the day,
whether you are at home or not.
10. NUMBER BUTTONS. These
numbers are used for different functions:
a) To set power levels (see POWER
LEVEL button).
b) To set cooking times when using the
various function buttons.
c) To set CLOCK, Start Time and Timer
functions.
The maximum length of time you can set
for any function is 99 minutes and 99
seconds. (99:99).
11. THE DISPLAY WINDOW. Individual
light indicators flash to show when the
oven is in any of the functions: Defrost,
Hold, Programme 1, Programme 2,
Timer, or Start Time.
The digital numbers will show what power
level you have set, the time you have set,
as well as the cooking time remaining after
the oven starts. It will show the counting
of any holding time.
8

12. BROWNER. With the built in
Browner, you can put that perfect finishing
touch to meat joints, desserts and other
food. Touch the BROWNER button and
number buttons for the length of time you
want to brown the food. Browning can be
programmed to automatically follow the
last cooking function.
Operating the controls
These controls are easy to operate. Just
practice by following the step by step
instructions below and you’ll soon become
familiar with the operation.
Don’t be afraid to experiment. Each time
you give the oven an instruction by
touching a button, it will ‘bleep’ in
response.
PLEASE REMEMBER NEVER TO
PRESS THE ‘START’ BUTTON WHEN
THERE IS NO FOOD IN THE OVEN,
SO PLACE A CUP OF WATER IN THE
OVEN WHILST YOU’RE PRACTICING.
Any mistakes in programming can be
cancelled by pressing the CANCEL
button.
When you are practicing, you can use the
CANCEL button to clear the programmes
if you don’t want to wait for the time to
elapse. This CANCEL button can be used
whenever you wish to finish one cooking
task and move to another.
Oven shelf
Your new microwave oven includes a
removable metal shelf to increase the
capacity of the oven. The shelf is designed
specifically for use in your oven and will
not interfere with the correct distribution
of microwaves. No other shelf should be
used.
The shelf can be used in either of two
positions. You should choose the position
that suits the sizes of dishes being used.
The shelf must be removed when it is not
in use.
The shelf is used for
1. Cooking or reheating several items of
food at one time in the oven.
2. Increasing the oven capacity so that
complete oven meals can be cooked in a
simple one or two step operation. See
‘Planning and Cooking’ for hints on how to
benefit from your oven shelf.
3. The metal shelf should only be used
when employing both cooking levels, or
browning. On no account may it be used
when microwave cooking on one level
only.
4. The shelf will allow you to select the
proper distance between the foods and the
browner element.
NOTE: When browning and under some
circumstances the metal shelf will become
hot. Oven gloves should be used if the
shelf is to be handled during or just after
cooking.
SHELF IN LOWER POSITION
9