GE HVM1540 - Manual (Page 13)

13
Operating Instructions
Variable power levels add
flexibility to microwave
cooking. The power levels
on the microwave oven
can be compared to the
surface units on a range.
High (power level 10) or
full power is the fastest way
to cook and gives you
100% power. Each power
level gives you microwave
energy a certain percent of
the time. Power level 7 is
microwave energy 70% of
the time. Power level 3 is
energy 30% of the time.
A high setting (10) will
cook faster but food may
need more frequent
stirring, rotating or turning
over. Most cooking will be
done on High (power level
10). A lower setting will
cook more evenly and need
less stirring or rotating of
the food.
Some foods may have
better flavor, texture or
appearance if one of the
lower settings is used. Use
a lower power level when
cooking foods that have a
tendency to boil over, such
as scalloped potatoes.
Rest periods (when the
microwave energy cycles
off) give time for the food
to “equalize” or transfer
heat to the inside of the
food. An example of this
is shown with power level
3—the defrost cycle. If
microwave energy did not
cycle off, the outside of the
food would cook before
the inside was defrosted.
Here are some examples
of uses for various power
levels:
Power Level Best Uses
High 10 Fish, bacon,
vegetables,
boiling liquids.
Med-High 7 Gentle
cooking of
meat and
poultry;
baking
casseroles
and reheating.
Medium 5 Slow cooking
and tenderizing
such as stews
and less tender
cuts of meat.
Low 2 or 3 Defrosting
without
cooking;
simmering;
delicate sauces.
Warm 1 Keeping food
warm without
overcooking;
softening
butter.
How to Change the
Power Level
The power level may be
entered or changed
immediately after
entering the feature
time for TIME COOK,
TIME DEFROST or
EXPRESS COOK. The
power level may also be
changed during time
countdown.
1 Press TIME COOK or
select Time Defrost.
2 Enter cooking or
defrosting time.
3 Press POWER LEVEL.
4 Select desired power
level 1–10.
5 Press START.
Changing Power
Levels