Basic Microwave Tips

Clean up spills and keep the glass tray clear of splatters and food residue. Left over food particles and grease will continue to cook whenever you use the microwave. This obviously creates heat and can cause the glass tray to break. Food spills will also cause popping noises. Clean up spills in the microwave as soon as they occur.

Make sure all vent holes and slots are free from obstructions and not covered up. Your microwave uses a fan motor to pull in air and cool the magnetron tube as well as the oven cavity.

Never turn on your microwave oven when it’s empty - do not turn on a microwave oven without food inside. When there is no load inside the cooking area for the microwaves to work on, they will reflect continuously and could damage the magnetron tube, causing an expensive problem.

Do not use materials such as aluminum foil, metal utensils, ironware, or wood in a microwave oven. Using metal or metal-trimmed cooking utensils in the microwave causes arcing. Watch out for gold rimmed plates and dishes! See your owners manual for more information. The manual will recommend the correct utensils to use.

Learn where the hot and cold spots are in your oven and position the food accordingly.

Food cooks faster when placed on the outer edges of a rotating tray rather than in the center this allows more microwaves to reach the food and lessens the effects of hot spots.

Cooking in a microwave oven won’t heat up your kitchen as your regular oven does. This will help you save on summer cooling requirements for your home.