Microwave cooking principles

1. Arrange load carefully. Place thickest areas towards outside of dish.

2. Watch cooking time. Cook for the shortest amount of time instead and add more as needed. Food severely overcooked can smoke or ignite.

3. Cover foods while cooking. Covers prevent spattering and help food to cook evenly.

4. Turn foods once during microwaving to speed cooking of such foods as chicken and hamburgers, large items like roasts must be turned over at least once.

5. Rearrange foods such as meatballs halfway through cooking both from top to bottom and from centre of the dish to the outside.