KitchenAid 1200-Watt Countertop Microwave Oven Use & Care Manual

1. Place cookware or dinnerware in microwave oven with 

1 cup (250 mL) of water beside it.

2. Cook at 100% cooking power for 1 minute.

Do not use cookware or dinnerware if it becomes hot and the 
water stays cool.

Aluminum Foil and Metal

Always use oven mitts or pot holders when removing dishes from 
the microwave oven.

Aluminum foil and some metal can be used in the microwave 
oven. If not used properly, arcing (a blue flash of light) can occur 
and cause damage to the microwave oven.

Racks and bakeware supplied with the microwave oven (on some 
models), aluminum foil for shielding, and approved meat 
thermometers may be used with the following guidelines:

■

To avoid damage to the microwave oven, do not allow 
aluminum foil or metal to touch the inside cavity walls, 
ceiling or floor.

■

Always use the turntable. 

■

To avoid damage to the microwave oven, do not allow 
contact with another metal object during microwave cooking.

Metal cookware and bakeware, gold, silver, pewter, non-
approved meat thermometers, skewers, twist ties, foil liners 
such as sandwich wrappers, staples and objects with gold or 
silver trim or a metallic glaze should not be used in the 
microwave oven.

Microwave Cooking Power

Many recipes for microwave cooking specify which cooking 
power to use by percent or name. For example, PL7=70%= 
Medium-High.

To see the exact power level during a cooking cycle, touch 
POWER LEVEL. The display will briefly show the current power 
level, then will return to the cooking countdown.

Use the following chart as a general guide for the suggested 
cooking power of specific foods.

China, 
Earthenware

Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.

Melamine

Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.

Paper: Towels, 
Dinnerware, 
Napkins

Use nonrecycled and those approved by 
the manufacturer for microwave oven use.

Plastic: Wraps, 
Bags, Covers, 
Dinnerware, 
Containers

Use those approved by the manufacturer 
for microwave oven use.

Pottery and Clay

Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.

Silicone Bakeware Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.

Straw, Wicker, 
Wooden 
Containers

Do not use in microwave oven.

Wax Paper

Acceptable for use.

100%, High, PL10
(default setting)

Quick heating convenience foods and 
foods with high water content, such as 
soups, beverages and most vegetables.

90%, PL9

Cooking small, tender pieces of meat, 
ground meat, poultry pieces and fish fillets.

Heating cream soups.

80%, PL8

Heating rice, pasta or stirrable casseroles.

Cooking and heating foods that need a 
cook power lower than high. For example, 
whole fish and meat loaf.

70%, Medium-
High, PL7

Reheating a single serving of food.

60%, PL6

Cooking sensitive foods such as cheese 
and egg dishes, pudding and custards.

Cooking non-stirrable casseroles, such as 
lasagna.

50%, Medium, 
PL5

Cooking ham, whole poultry and pot 
roasts.

Simmering stews.

40%, PL4

Melting chocolate.

Heating bread, rolls and pastries.

30%, Medium-
Low, Defrost, PL3

Defrosting bread, fish, meats, poultry and 
precooked foods.

20%, PL2

Softening butter, cheese, and ice cream.

10%, Low, PL1

Taking chill out of fruit.