GE spacemaker xl1800 - Manual (Page 13)

Consumer Support
Tr
oubleshooting T
ips
Operating Instructions
Safety Instructions
About changing the
power level.
ge.com
13
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, EXPRESS
COOK or ADD 30 SEC.
The power level may
also be changed during
time countdown.
Press TIME COOK or
select Time Defrost.
Enter cooking or
defrosting time.
Press POWER LEVEL.
Select desired power
level 1–10.
Press START. 5
4
3
2
1