How to use a microwave

How to use a microwave

Whether you need to reheat leftovers or defrost your meal, our microwaves are packed with helpful features that help save time in the kitchen. To help you understand how to use these features effectively, we’ve pulled together a series of step-by-step guides that will show you how to get the best results from your Beko appliance.

Using a Microwave

Operating your microwave:

At Beko, we have a range of different microwaves available. Whether you have purchased a freestanding model or a built-in appliance, our microwaves are designed to save you time and effort in the kitchen.

The specific operating instructions for your microwave will depend on the model you have purchased. To understand how to use your appliance, please refer to your product manual. Your manual can be downloaded by clicking here. To help you get the best results from your microwave, we pulled together our top microwaving tips below:

  • When cooking food with different shapes and thicknesses, place the smallest, thinnest part into the middle of your cookware. This will ensure that this piece is cooked last.
  • If the item you are cooking is covered in cling film, a cooking bag or grease-proof paper, make a hole or leave a small opening to allow steam to escape.
  • Smaller pieces of food will cook faster than large pieces. Equally, regular-shaped food will cook faster than irregularly shaped food. To ensure food is cooked evenly, cut it into small, regular pieces.
  • For best results, always rest food after defrosting, cooking, or reheating.
  • To ensure food is cooked/heated evenly, remove your food, and stir at different intervals during the cooking process.

Defrosting:

Defrosting food in a short time is one of the biggest advantages of a microwave oven. To understand how to operate the defrost function on your microwave, please refer to your appliance manual. Your manual can be downloaded by clicking here. To help you understand the defrost function on your appliance, please read our top tips below.

  • Before placing frozen food into your appliance, remove any metal from the item and pierce the packaging.
  • When defrosting large pieces of meat, cover any thin parts to slow down heating and prevent drying.
  • It is important to set a short defrost time at first. If the inside of the food is still frozen, place it back in the microwave and run another defrost programme.
  • Defrosting times will depend on the weight and type of the food. To help you understand different defrosting times, the below table contains approximate values:
Food Recommended Time Weight
Sausage 5-6 minutes 500g
Minced meat 8-10 minutes 500g
Lamb chops 15-20 minutes 1.5-2kg
Top round 20-25 minutes 1.5-2kg
Fillet of beef 10-12 minutes 1kg
Lamb roast leg/shoulder 28-30 minutes 2-2.3kg
Whole chicken 26-30 minutes 1.2-1.5kg
Chicken breast (with bones) 10-14 minutes 1-1.5kg
Turkey breast (with bones) 18-22 minutes 2-2.5kg

Auto-Cook Menu

Selected microwaves in the Beko range feature our auto-cook menu. Featuring eight functions, this helpful feature automatically sets the time and power level of your microwave to the most suitable setting. To use this programme, please read the instructions below.

  • Turn the dial clockwise to view the auto-programme menu.
  • When the dial is turned, menus between A-1 and A-8 will be displayed.
  • Select your desired programme. To understand each programme, please refer to the table below.
  • Press ‘Start/+30Sec/Confirm’ to confirm your selection.
  • Turn the dial to input the weight of your food.
  • Press ‘Start/+30Sec/Confirm’ to start cooking.

As an example, please see below instructions for using the Auto Menu to cook 350g of fish:

  • Turn the dial clockwise until A-3 is displayed.
  • Press ‘Start/+30Sec/Confirm’ to confirm your selection.
  • Turn the dial until 350 is displayed to input the weight of the fish.
  • Press ‘Start/+30Sec/Confirm’ to start cooking.
Menu Weight Display
A-1

Auto Reheat

200g

200

400g

400

600g

600

A-2

Vegetable

200g

200

300g

300

400g

400

A-3

Fish

250g

250

350g

350

450g

450

A-4

Meat

250g

250

350g

350

450g

450

A-5

Pasta

50g (with 450ml of cold water)

50

100g (with 800ml of cold water)

100

A-6

Potato

200g

200

400g

400

600g

600

A-7

Pizza

200g

200

400g

400

A-8

Soup

200ml

200

400ml

400

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