AEG MCD3880E-M/UK User Manual

MCD3880EM

User manual

Microwave Oven

2 Contents

Thank you for choosing one of our high-quality products.

To ensure optimal and regular performance of your appliance please read this instruction manual carefully. It will enable you to navigate all processes perfectly and most efficiently. To refer to this manual any time you need to, we recommend you to keep it in a safe place. And please pass it to any future owner of the appliance.

We wish you much joy with your new appliance.

Contents

Safety information	2
General safety	2
Child safety	4
Utensil safety	4
Food safety	6
Safety instructions when cooking with grill
and combination modes	7
Before first use	7
How a microwave oven works	8
Description of functions	9
Altering parameters	10
Product description	11
Operation	12
Setting the clock	12
Child lock	13
Cooking with microwave	13
Quick start	13
Cooking with grill	14
Cooking with microwave + grill	14
Automatic defrost	14
Manual defrost	15

Automatic function F1 (heating food)	15
Automatic function F2 (cooking)	16
Automatic function F3 (defrosting and
toasting)	17
Hints and tips	18
Something not working	21
Replace the light bulb	22
Maintenance and cleaning	22
Oven ceiling	23
Environmental information	24
Installation	24
Before installation	24
After installation	25
Installation diagrams	26
Technical data	26
Guarantee/Customer Service	27
GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND	27
European Guarantee	28
www.electrolux.com	29

Subject to change without notice

Safety information

General safety

READ CAREFULLY AND KEEP FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

•The built-in safety interlock switches prevent the microwave oven from operating when the door is open.

•Do not tamper with them, or attempt to operate the oven with the door open as open door operation can result in exposure to microwave energy.

•Do not allow food spills or cleaner residue to accumulate on door sealing surfaces. See the Cleaning and Care section for cleaning instructions.

Safety information	3

•It is particularly important that the oven door closes properly and that there is no damage to the: (1) door (warped), (2) hinges and latches (broken or insecure), (3) door seals and sealing surface.

WARNING!

If the door, hinges/latches or door seals are damaged, the microwave must not be operated until it has been repaired by a authorized service person.

WARNING!

It is hazardous for anyone except factory trained service personnel to service or make adjustments to this oven. Contact your nearest authorised service agent if service should be required.

•Do not remove the outer case, door or control panel at any time. Doing so may cause exposure to extremely high voltage.

•Install or locate this oven only in accordance with 'installation instructions' found in this manual.

•Use the appliance for its intended use as described in this manual. Do not use corrosive chemicals in this appliance. This type of oven is specifically designed to heat, cook, or defrost food. It is not designed for industrial or laboratory use neither for commercial use as this will invalidate the guarantee.

•Do not operate the oven empty. If food or water is not present to absorb the microwave energy, the magnetron tube can be damaged.

•Do not store this appliance outdoors. Do not use this product near water.

•Do not attempt to dry clothing or newspapers in the microwave oven. These items can ignite.

•Do not use the cavity for storage purposes. Do not leave paper products, cooking utensils, or food in the cavity when not in use.

•The temperature of accessible surfaces may be high when the appliance is operating.

WARNING!

If smoke is observed, switch off or unplug the appliance and keep the door closed in order to stifle any flames. Never use water.

WARNING!

The appliance is not intended for use by children or persons with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction.

•Do not force the turntable to rotate by hand. This may cause malfunctioning.

•The appliance is not intended to be operated by means of an external timer or separate remote-control system.

•Care should be taken not to obstruct any air vents located on the top, rear, side and bottom of the oven.

WARNING!

Do not use this oven for commercial purposes. This oven is made for domestic use only.

4 Safety information

Child safety

•This appliance is designed to be operated by adults. Children should be supervised to ensure they do not tamper with the controls or play with the product.

•Keep all packaging materials away from children.

Utensil safety

Microwave function

For the microwave function, keep in mind that microwaves are reflected by metal surfaces. Glass, china, clay, plastic, and paper let microwaves pass.

For this reason, metal pans and dishes or containers with metal parts or decorations cannot be used in the microwave. Glass ware and clay with metallic decoration or content (e.g. lead crystal) cannot be used in microwave ovens.

The ideal materials for use in microwave ovens are glass, refractory china or clay, or heat resistant plastic. Very thin, fragile glass or china should only be used for short period of times (e.g. heating).

Hot food transmits heat to the dishes which can become very hot. You should, therefore, always use an oven glove!

How to test ovenware you want to use

Put the item you want to use in the oven for 20 seconds at maximum microwave power. After that time, if it is cold and just slightly warm, it is suitable to use. However, if it heats up a lot or causes electric arcing it is not suitable for microwave use.

Grill and Hot air function

In the case of the grill function, the ovenware must be resistant to temperature of at least 300°C.

Plastic dishes are not suitable for use in the grill.

Microwave + grill function

In the microwave + grill function, the ovenware used must be suitable for use in both the microwave and the grill.

Aluminium containers and foil

Pre-cooked food in aluminium containers or in aluminium foil can be put in the microwave if the following aspects are respected:

Keep in mind the manufacturer’s recommendations written on the packaging.

•The aluminium containers cannot be more than 3 cm high or come in contact with the cavity walls (minimum distance 3 cm). Any aluminium lid or top must be removed.

•Put the aluminium container directly on top of the turntable plate. If you use the rectangular rack, put the container on a china plate. Never put the container directly on the rectangular rack!

•The cooking time is longer because the microwaves only enter the food from the top. If you have any doubts, it is best to use only dishes suitable for microwave use.

•Aluminium foil can be used to reflect microwaves during the defrosting process. Delicate food, such as poultry or minced meat, can be protected from excessive heat by covering the respective extremities/edges.

•Important: aluminium foil cannot come into contact with the cavity walls since this may cause electrical arcing.

Safety information	5

Lids

We recommend you use glass or plastic lids or cling film since:

1.This will stop excessive evaporation (mainly during very long cooking times);

2.The cooking times are shorter;

3.The food does not become dry;

4.The aroma is preserved.

The lid should have holes or openings so that no pressure develops. Plastic bags must also be opened. Baby feeding bottles or jars with baby food and similar containers can only be heated without their tops / lids otherwise they can burst.

Oven utensils and accessories guide

The list below is a general guide.

•: Utensils and accessories to use

•: Utensils and accessories to avoid

Type of ovenware		Operating mode
Microwave		Grill	Grill + Mi-
Defrosting	Cooking		crowave
Glass and china 1)Home use, not
flame resistant, can be used in dish
washer
Glazed china Flame resistant glass
and china
China, stone ware 2) Unglazed or
glazed without metallic decorations
Clay dishes Keep the manufacturer’s in-
structions in mind!)glazed
Clay dishes Keep the manufacturer’s in-
structions in mind!)unglazed
Plastic dishes Keep the manufacturer’s in-
structions in mind!)Heat resistant to
100°C
Plastic dishes Keep the manufacturer’s in-
structions in mind!)Heat resistant to
250°C
Plastic films 3)Plastic film for food
Plastic films 3)Cellophane
Paper, cardboard, parchment 4)
Aluminium foil
Aluminium wrappings 5)

6	Safety information
	Type of ovenware			Operating mode
		Microwave			Grill	Grill + Mi-
						crowave
		Defrosting	Cooking
	Accessories (rectangular rack)

1)Without any gold or silver leaf edging; no lead crystal.

2)Keep the manufacturer’s instructions in mind!

3)Do not use metal clips for closing bags. Make holes in the bags. Use the films only to cover the food.

4)Do not use paper plates.

5)Only shallow aluminium containers without lids/tops. The aluminium cannot come into contact with the cavity walls.

Food safety

•Do not heat food in a can in the microwave oven. Always remove the food to a suitable container.

•Deep fat frying should not be done in the microwave oven, because the fat temperature cannot be controlled, hazardous situations can result.

•Popcorn may be prepared in the microwave oven, but only in special packages or utensils designed specifically for this purpose. This cooking operation should never be unattended.

•Pierce foods with nonporous skins or membranes to prevent steam buildup and bursting. Apples, potatoes, chicken livers, and egg yolks are examples of items that should be pierced.

•The contents of feeding bottles and baby food jars are to be stirred or shaken and the temperature is to be checked before consumption, in order to avoid burns.

WARNING!

Liquids or other foods must not be heated in sealed containers since they are liable to explode.

WARNING!

Microwave heating of beverages can result in delayed eruptive boiling, therefore care must be taken when handling the container.

WARNING!

When heating liquids, e.g. soups, sauces and beverages in your microwave oven, overheating the liquid beyond boiling point can occur without evidence of bubbling. This could result in a sudden boil over of the hot liquid. To prevent this possibility the following steps should be taken:

1.Avoid using straight-sided containers with narrow necks.

2.Do not overheat.

3.Stir the liquid before placing the container in the oven and again halfway through the heating time.

4.After heating, allow to stand in the oven for a short time, stirring again before carefully removing the container.

Before first use	7

WARNING!

Some products such as whole eggs and sealed containers - for example, closed glass jars - may explode and should not be heated in this oven. Occasionally, poached eggs may explode during cooking. Always pierce the yolk, then cover and allow the standing time of one minute before removing cover.

It is quite normal for steam to be emitted around the door, or for misting to occur on the door, or even for water droplets to appear below the door during the cooking cycle. This is merely condensation from the heat of the food and does not affect the safety of your oven. The door is not intended to seal the oven cavity completely.

Safety instructions when cooking with grill and combination modes

•The glass viewing window may break if water is spilled on it during grill cooking.

•Be sure to use an oven glove when loading and unloading the oven. Containers get very hot in the oven, so be careful not to burn yourself. The turntable and metal rack also get very hot so be sure to use an oven glove when handling them.

•Do not touch the inner or outer viewing window with metal components when loading or unloading the oven. The inside of the door and oven get very hot so take care when attending food in the oven.

•Do not put the turntable or containers in cold water or try to cool them quickly after use.

•Do not place items on top of the cabinet. The top of the cabinet gets very hot, so anything placed on it may be damaged by the heat.

•Preheat your oven only when using the Grill, never when using microwave or combination modes (Microwave and Grill)

WARNING!

When the appliance is used in combination mode, Children should only use the oven under adult supervision due to the temperature generated.

WARNING!

The temperature of accessible surface may be high when the appliance is operating.

Before first use

In conventional ovens, heat radiated by electrical elements or gas burners slowly penetrates the food from outside to inside. On account of this there is a major amount of energy is wasted heating the air, the oven components and the food containers.

In a microwave oven, heat is generated by the food itself and the heat travels from inside to outside. No heat is lost to the air, the walls of the oven cavity or the dishes and containers (if these are suitable for use in microwave oven), in other words, only the food is heated.

Microwave ovens have the following advantages:

1.Shorter cooking times; in general these are up to 3/4 less than the time required for conventional cooking.

2.Ultra-fast food defrosting, thus reducing the danger of bacterial development.

3.Energy savings.

4.Conservation of the nutritional value of foods due to the shorter cooking times.

8 Before first use

5. Easy to clean.

How a microwave oven works

In a microwave oven there is a high tension valve called a magnetron which converts electrical energy into microwave energy. These electromagnetic waves are channelled to the interior of the oven through a wave guide and distributed by a metallic spreader or through a turntable.

Inside the oven the microwaves propagate in all directions and are reflected by the metal walls, uniformly penetrating the food.

Why food heats up

Most foods contain water and water molecules vibrate when subjected to microwaves. The friction between molecules produces heat which raises the temperature of the food, defrosting it, cooking it or keeping it hot.

Since the heat arises inside the food:

•This can be cooked with little or no liquid or fats/oils;

•Defrosting, heating or cooking in a microwave oven is quicker than in a conventional oven;

•The vitamins, minerals and nutritional substances in the food are conserved;

•The natural colour and aroma of the food are unchanged.

Microwaves pass through china, glass, cardboard or plastic but do not go through metal. For this reason, metal containers or ones with metal parts must not be used in a microwave oven.

Microwaves are reflected by metal ...

Before first use	9

... but go through glass and china ...

... and are absorbed by foods.

Description of functions

Symbol	Function	Microwave	Foods
		power
	Microwave	200W	Slow defrosting for delicate foods; keeping food
			warm
		400W	Cooking with little heat; boiling rice. Rapid de-
			frosting, heating baby food
		600W	Heating and cooking food
		800W	Cooking vegetables and food. Cooking and heat-
			ing carefully. Heating and cooking small portions
			of food
		1000W	Rapidly heating liquids

10	Before first use
	Symbol	Function	Microwave	Foods
			power
		Grill	---	Grilling food
		Microwave +	200W	Toasting food
		grill
			400W	Grilling poultry and meat
			600W	Cooking pies and cheese-topped dishes

Altering parameters

The operating parameters (time, power, temperature) can be altered when the oven is operating or when the cooking process has been interrupted by proceeding as follows:

1.Select the parameter to be change with the Parameter selection keys. The respective symbol and the display start blinking.

2.Set the desired value with the '+' and '–' keys.

3.Press the Confirmation key or wait 3 seconds to validate the new parameter value. The display and symbols stop blinking.

End of a cooking cycle

At the end of the process you will hear three beeps and the display will show the word “End”.

The beeps are repeated every 30 seconds until the door is opened or the Cancel key is pressed.

Cancelling a cooking cycle

If you wish to cancel the cooking process, press the Cancel key twice. You will then hear a beep and the time will appear on the display.

Interrupting a cooking cycle

You can stop the cooking process at any time by pressing the Cancel key once or by opening the oven door.

In both cases:

•Microwave emission is stopped immediately.

•The grill is de-activated but is still very hot. Danger of burning!

•The timer stops and the display shows the remaining amount of operating time.

If you wish, at this time you can:

1.Turn or stir the food to ensure it will be evenly cooked.

2.Change the process parameters.

3.Cancel the process by pressing the Cancel key.

To restart the process, close the door and press the Start key