Microwave Ovens - Top Tips

To help you get the most from your Microwave oven, we've put together this collection of our top hints and tips.

Tips to make sure you select the correct MICROWAVE OVEN

Firstly decide what the microwave oven is being used for. If it is only to reheat ‘sweets’ or ambient small items one at a time, then a 1000 watt output would be fine – do not try using this type of oven in a heavy duty environment.

A 1400 – 1500 watt output oven is ideal for fast reheat from ambient or cooking small items from frozen.

The 1800 – 1900 watt output oven is ideal for extra fast reheat and cooking most items from frozen, however, it is always best to defrost large joints prior to cooking.

Placement of your MICROWAVE OVEN

The microwave oven should be placed on a flat, stable surface. For proper operation, the oven must have sufficient airflow to the air vents. Allow 5cm (2 inches) at the sides, rear and top. Do not place the oven on a shelf directly above or alongside a gas or electric hob or cooker and do not place items on the top of the microwave oven which may block the rear air vents.

Installation Instructions

‘Plug-in’ microwave ovens come supplied with a 13 amp moulded three pin mains plug and should be connected to an outlet having a related current greater than 13 amps. If the microwave does not have a plug fitted, then it is more than likely that it exceeds 13 amps DO NOT use extension leads. NEVER place more than two microwave ovens on the same ‘ring main’ or have other electrical equipment (ie refrigerators, freezers and minor electrical appliances) if you have two 1800/1900 watt output ovens on the same ring main. Always consult an authorised electrician if in any doubt.

Using your MICROWAVE OVEN

REGALE recommend that if you are purchasing a PANASONIC or SHARP medium/heavy duty compact microwave oven that you make sure that it came with a CAVITY PROTECTION SYSTEM inside (this will protect the ceiling plate, base plate and lamp lens and help to keep your oven cavity easy to clean, hygienic, help aviod cavity damage and extend the life of your microwave).

Never operate the oven empty or use it as a ‘plate warmer’. This will damage the oven and possibly the Cavity Liner. Should you have a spillage when using the oven, take the Liner out, clean and dry it, and immediately replace it back in the cavity.

At the end of each cooking session, remove the Cavity Liner, clean and dry it. Clean the inside of the door with a damp cloth and dry, replace the Cavity Liner back into the cavity.

At least once a week, remove the air intake filters located at the bottom front of the oven, clean with warm water, dry and replace. ALWAYS REPLACE THE FILTERS, if the oven is used with blocked filters then damage can occur, always make sure the filters are replaced into position.

Maintenance Tips

Most commercial microwave ovens are self diagnostic (ie in the screen you may see things like EE3 EE2) you will need to consult a manufactuer’s authorised service agent, or, if the microwave is still under guarantee you will need to consult the dealer from whom it was purchased. If the oven is completely ‘dead’ then check your fuse box, the fuse in the plug and if possible try another appliance in the same wall socked in case the actual socket on the wall is faulty as these will not count as an under guantee call.

Should the lamp fail to light, in most cases this can be changed by the operator. Unplug the oven, remove the outer side plate covering the lamp, unscrew the old lamp and replace with a lamp of a similar type. The manufacturer does not guarantee the lamp nor do they guarantee the ceiling or base plates, that is wy it is important to buy an oven with the CAVITY PROTECTION SYSTEM inside.