Amana ACO1860AB-PACO1860AB0 Owner’s Manual

BUmLTBETTER THAN iT HAS TO B_TM

Owner's Manual

Coveting model A C01850A

Electric Microwave

Keep instructions for future reference.
Be sure manua! stays with microwave.

Important Safety Information .............. 3

Installation .......................................... 6

Features ........................................... 22

Operation .......................................... 25

Using the Metal Rack ....................... 36

Cooking ............................................ 37

Maintenance ..................................... 42

Recommended Utensil ...................... 44

Troubleshooting ................................ 45

Amana Warranty .............................. 47

Part No.3828W5A1885

Thank you for buying an Amana Microwave!

Please take the time to complete the registration card and return promptly.
If the registration card is missing, call Amana Consumer Affairs Department.

When contacting Amana, provide product information from serial plate:

Model Number
Manufacturing (P) Number

Serial Number (S/N)
Purchase Date

Dealer Name
Dealer Address
Dealer Phone

Keep this manual and your sales receipt together in a safe place for

future reference or if warranty service is required.

For answers to questions or to locate an authorized servicer, call
1-800=NAT=LSVC (1=800=628-5782) inside USA or 319-622-5511 outside
USA. Warranty service must be performed by an authorized servicer.

Amana Appliances also recommends contacting an authorized servicer if

service is required after warranty expires.

Questiovs

on

cookivg,cleavivgorusage?

Refer to

Product Assistance at www, amana,com

or

call Consumer Affairs at 1-800-843-0304

Asure _" Extended

Service Plan

Amana Appliances offers long-term
service protection for this new range.
AsureTM Extended Service Plan,
covering functional parts, labor, and
travel charges, is specially designed to
supplement a strong warranty.

Call 1-800-528-2682 for information.

Parts and Accessories

Purchase replacement parts and
additional accessories by phone.
To order accessories for your Amana
product, call

1-800-843-0304 inside USA or

319-622-5511 outside USA.

Save Time and Money

If something seems unusual, please
check "Troubleshooting" section,
which is designed to help you solve
problems before calling service. If you
have a question, call us at

[phone] or write us at:

Consumer Affairs Department
Amana Appliances

2800 - 220th Trail
Amana, Iowa 52204

What You Need to Know

About Safety Instructions

Warning and Important Safety
Instructions appearing in this manual are
not meant to cover all possible

conditions and situations that may

occur. Conmmn sense, caution, and care
must be exercised when installing,

maintaining, or operating microwave.
Always contact your dealer, distributor,

service agent, or manufacturer about

problems or conditions you do not
understand.

Remember to include model number
of your appliance and your phone

number.

Recognize Safety Symbols, Words, Labels

l _ DANGER

DANGER--Immediate hazards which WILL result in severe personal

injury or death.

WARNING

WARNING--Hazards or unsafe practices which COULD result in severe

personal injury or death.

_, CAUTION

CAUTION--Hazards or unsafe practices which COULD result in minor

personal injury or product or property damage.

-2-

iMPORTANT SAFETY INFOMATION

PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID POSSIBLE EXPOSURE

TO EXCESSIVE MICROWAVE ENERGY

a,

DO NOT attempt to operate this oven with the
door open since open-door operation can result
in harmful exposure to microwave energy. It is
important not to defeat or tamper with safety

interlocks.

b,

DO NOT place any object between the oven
front face and the door or allow soil or cleaner

residue to accumulate on sealing surfaces.

CAUTION

C,

DO NOT operate oven if it is damaged. It is
particularly important that oven door close
properly and that there is no damage to the:
(1) door (bent), (2) hinges and latches (broken
or loosened), (3) door seals and sealing

surfaces.

d,

Oven should NOT be adjusted or repaired by
anyone except properly qualified service
personnel.

To avoid personal injury or property damage, observe the following:

,

Briskly stir or pour liquids before heating with
microwave energy to prevent spontaneous boiling
or eruption. Do not overheat. If air is not mixed
into a liquid, liquid can erupt in oven or after

removal from oven.

,

Do not deep fat fry in oven. Fat could overheat

7. Do not use regular cooking thermometers in
oven. Most cooking thermometers contain
mercury and may cause an electrical arc,
malfunction, or damage to oven.

8. Do not heat baby bottles in oven.

9. Do not use metal utensils in oven.

and be hazardous to handle.

3.

Do not cook or reheat eggs in shell or with an

10. Never use paper, plastic, or other combustible
materials that are not intended for cooking.

unbroken yolk using microwave energy. Pressure
may build up and erupt. Pierce yolk with fork or
knife before cooking.

,

Pierce skin of potatoes, tomatoes, and similar
foods before cooking with microwave energy.
When skin is pierced, steam escapes evenly.

,

Do not operate equipment without load or food in
oven cavity.

6.

Use only popcorn in packages designed and
labeled for microwave use. Popping time varies
depending on oven wattage. Do not continue to
heat after popping has stopped. Popcorn will

scorch or burn. Do not leave oven unattended.

11. When cooking with paper, plastic, or other
combustible materials, follow manufacturer's

recommendations on product use.

12. Do not use paper towels which contain nylon
or other synthetic fibers. Heated synthetics could
melt and cause paper to ignite.

13. Do not heat sealed containers or plastic bags
in oven. Food or liquid could expand quickly and
cause container or bag to break. Pierce or open
container or bag before heating.

14. To avoid pacemaker malfunction, consult
physician or pacemaker manufacture about

effects of microwave energy on pacemaker.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

-3-

iMPORTANT SAFETY INFOMATION

WARNING

When using electrical equipment, basic safety precautions should be followed to reduce the risk of burns, electrical
shock, fire, or injury to persons.

1. READ all instructions before using equipment.

2. READ AND FOLLOW the specific
"PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID POSSIBLE

EXPOSURE TO EXCESSIVE MICROWAVE
ENERGY" on page 3.

3. This equipment MUST BE GROUNDED. Connect
only to properly GROUNDED outlet. See
"GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS" on page 6.

4. Install or locate this equipment ONLY in
accordance with the installation instructions in

this manual.

.

Some products such as whole eggs and sealed
containers--for example, closed glass jars--may
explode and SHOULD NOT be HEATED in this

oven.

6. Use this equipment ONLY for its intended use as
described in this manual. Do not use corrosive

chemicals or vapors in this equipment. This type
of oven is specifically designed to heat or cook. It
is not designed for industrial or laboratory use.

7. As with any equipment, CLOSE SUPERVISION
is necessary when used by CHILDREN.

8. DO NOT operate this equipment if it has a
damaged cord or plug, if it is not working
properly, or if it has been damaged or dropped.

9. This equipment, including power cord, must be
serviced ONLY by qualified service personnel.
Special tools are required to service equipment.
Contact nearest authorized service facility for
examination, repair, or adjustment.

10. DO NOT cover or block filter or other openings on
equipment.

11. DO NOT store this equipment outdoors. DO NOT

use this product near water--for example, near a
kitchen sink, in a wet basement, or near a

swimming pool, and the like.

12. DO NOT immerse cord or plug in water.

13. Keep cord AWAY from HEATED surfaces.

14. DO NOT let cord hang over edge of table or counter.

15. See door cleaning instructions in "Care and
Cleaning" section of manual on page 42.

16. Do not use this oven for commercial purposes. It is

made for household use only.

17. Clean the ventilating hood frequently.

18. Do not allow grease to accumulate on the hood or
filters.

19. Use care when cleaning the venttilating hood filters.
Corrosive cleaning agents such as lye-based oven

cleaners may damage the filters.

20. When flaming foods under the hood, turn the fan on.

21. Suitable for use above both gas and electric cooking
equipment 36 inches or less wide.

To reduce the risk of fire in the oven cavity:
a. DO NOT overcook food. Carefully attend

equipment if paper, plastic, or other combustible
materials are placed inside the oven to facilitate

cooking.

b. Remove wire twist-ties from paper or plastic

bags before placing bag in oven.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

CAUTION

c. KEEP oven DOOR CLOSED, turn oven off, and

disconnect the power cord, or shut off power at
the fuse or circuit breaker panel, if materials

inside the oven should ignite. Fire may spread if

door is opened.

d. DO NOT use the cavity for storage. DO NOT

leave paper products, cooking utensils, or food
in the cavity when not in use.

-4-

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE
STATEMENT ( U.S.A. ONLY)

This equipment generates and uses ISM frequency

energy and if not installed and used properly, that is
in strict accordance with the manufacturer's

instructions, may cause interference to radio and
television reception. It has been type tested and
found to comply with limits for ISM Equipment

pursuant to part 18 of FCC Rules, which are

designed to provide reasonable protection against

such interference in a residential installation.

However, there is no guarantee that interference will

not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment

does cause interference to radio or television

reception, which can be determined by turning the

equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try
to correct the interference by one or more of the
following:

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

• Reorient the receiving antenna of the radio or
television.

• Relocate the Microwave Oven with respect to the

receiver.

• Move the microwave oven away from the receiver.

• Plug the microwave oven into a different outlet so
that the microwave oven and the receiver are on

different branch circuits.

The manufacturer is not responsible for any radio or
TV interference caused by unauthorized

modification to this microwave oven. It is the
responsibility of the user to correct such interference.

-5-

INSTALLATION

A. GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS

This appliance must be grounded. In the event of an

electrical short circuit, grounding reduces the risk of
electric shock by providing an escape wire for the

electric current. This appliance is equipped with a
cord having a grounding wire with a grounding plug.

The plug must be plugged into an outlet that is

properly installed and grounded.

Ensure proper ground

exists before use

WARNING

To avoid risk of personal injury,electrical shock or

death, this oven must be grounded.

C. RADIO INTERFERENCE

1. Microwave oven operation may interfere with TV or
radio reception.

2. When there is interference, it may be reduced or
eliminated by taking the following measures:

a. Clean the door and the sealing surfaces of the oven.
b. Reorient the receiving antenna of radio or television.

c. Relocatethe microwaveoven inrelationto theTV or radio.
d. Move the microwave oven away from the receiver.

e. Plugthemicrowaveovenintoadifferentoutletsothat

microwaveovenand receiverareon differentbranchcircuits.

WARNING

To avoid risk of personal injury, electrical shock or

death, do not alter the plug.

B. UNPACKING OVEN

• Inspect oven for damage such as dents in door or
inside oven cavity.

• Report any dents or breakage to source of purchase
immediately.

Do not attempt to use oven if damaged.

• Remove all materials from oven interior.

• If oven has been stored in extremely cold area, wait a

few hours before connecting power.

-6-

INSTALLATION

YOUR SAFETY FIRST

Read this entire manual before you begin.

BEFORE YOU START

• Proper installation is the installer's responsibility!

- Write the model & serial numbers on the owner's manual. The model number label is located on the oven

front. The mounting plate is located on the back side of the microwave oven. See Figure 1.

BE SURE TO READ THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS:

Mounting

plate

( Remove from

oven to install. )

Back of oven

Figure 1

WARNING

To avoid risk of personal injury, electrical shock or death:

• Note where electrical outlets and electrical wires are before you drill into the wall.

• Locate and disconnect power to any electrical circuits that could be affected by installing this oven.

• Microwave must have a dedicated 120V, 60 Hz, AC, 15 or 20A fused electrical supply located in the cabinet
above the microwave, as close as possible to the microwave.

CAUTION

To avoid risk of personal injury or property damage, you will need two people to install this microwave oven.

-7-

INSTALLATION

YOUR SAFETY FIRST

CAUTION

To avoid risk of personal injury, install microwave oven only as instructed.

CAUTION

To avoid risk of personal injury, place a piece of the carton or other heavy material, such as a blanket, over
the countertop or cooktop to protect it. DO NOT use a plastic cover.

• MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH SPACE AND SUPPORT.

- Mount the oven against a flat, vertical wall, so it is supported by the wall. The wall should be constructed of

minimum 2" x 4" wood studding and 3/8" thick drywall or plaster/lath.

- ATTACH AT LEAST ONE of the two lag screws supporting the oven to a vertical, 2" x 4" wall stud.

- DO NOT mount the microwave oven to an island or peninsula cabinet.

- BE SURE the upper cabinet and rear wall structures are able to support 150 Ibs., plus the weight of any

items you place inside the oven or upper cabinet.

- Locate the oven away from strong draft areas, such as windows, doors, and strong heating vents.

- BE SURE you have enough space. See Figure 3 below for minimum vertical and horizontal clearance.

- This microwave oven can be installed over gas or electric cooking products no more than 36 inches wide.

_p Grounded Outlet

30" min. cabinetopening width_'[

30" min.clearance from bottom [
of cabinet tocooking surface

or countertop

(Use templates included

with installation instructions)

]J 1

Figure 3

(insideuppercabinet)

ply Cord Hole

|

-8-

INSTALLATION

PARTS, TOOLS, MATERIALS

THE FOLLOWING PARTS ARE SUPPLIED WITH THE OVEN:

NOTE: Depending on your ventilation requirements, you may not use all of these parts.

Backdraft damper / duct connector

(for roof-venting or wall-venting installation)

Not Actual Size ( 2 pieces must be
assembled as shown )

Two self - tapping screws - Actual Size
(for attaching the damper duct connector)

One power cord clamp bushing - Actual Size

(for the cord hole in a metal upper cabinet)

One power cord clamp and
One dark-colored mounting screw

(to hold the power cord)

Actual Size

One lock pin and one washer-Not Actual size

Four 1/4" x 2" lag screws - Actual Size

(for wall stud holes)

Two 1/4" x 2" or 3" bolts - Actual Size

(for securing to the upper cabinet)

Two washers - Actual Size

(for the two upper cabinet bolts)

NOTE: You need to install at least 2 lag screws into one 2" x 4" stud and four anchor bolts into the wall.

The mounting area must meet the 150 Ibs. weight requirement.

-9-

Four 1/4" x 3" toggle bolts - Actual Size

(for drywall holes)

Four spring toggle heads - Actual Size

(for the toggle bolts)

INSTALLATION

PARTS, TOOLS, MATERIALS

YOU WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR THE INSTALLATION:

Carton or other heavy material for covering the counter top.

Clear tape

(for taping the templates to the wall)

Saber saw (for cutting vent
holes for roof or wall venting)

Phillips screwdriver (for the screws)

Pencil ..c _-,

Flat blade screwdriver (for the toggle bolts)

Stud finder or thin nail.

Keyhole saw (for the power cord hole)

3/8" and 3/4" wood drill bits -_

1/2" and 3/16"

drill bits

Plumb line

Measuring tape (metal preferred) Duct Tape

Small side cutters or tin snips Caulking gun

• If you have brick or masonry walls, you will need special hardware and tools.

• The ductwork you need for the installation is not included. All wall and roof caps must have a back-draft

damper.

-10-

INSTALLATION

STEP 1" PREPARE THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS

_, WARNING

To avoid risk of personal injury, electrical shock or death, this oven must be grounded.

• DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, REMOVE THE POWER SUPPLY CORD GROUNDING
PRONG!

This appliance MUST be grounded!

1. Locate the grounded electric outlet for this oven in the cabinet
above the oven, as shown in Figure 4.

NOTE: The outlet should be on a circuit dedicated to the

microwave oven (120V, 60Hz., AC only) with a
15 or 20A fused electrical supply.

IMPORTANT: If you do not have the proper wall outlet, you MUST

have one installed by a qualified electrician.

2. You will cut the power-supply-cord hole (shown in
Figure 4) later when you prepare the wall and upper cabinet in
Step 4.

NOTE: Do not use an extension cord.

Keep the power cord dry and do not pinch or crush it.

Upper I

Cabinet 7,

............................................

Power-Supply-Cord Hole

Figure 4

Q

-Grounded Outlet
( Inside Cabinet )

-11 -

INSTALLATION

STEP 2: PREPARE THE VENTING SYSTEM

WARNING

To avoid risk of personal injury, property damage, or fire this microwave oven must be properly vented.

NOTE: The ductwork you need for outside ventilation is not included with your oven. The standard ductwork

fittings and length are shown in Figure 9.

You may vent your oven in one of three ways. However, do NOT vent into a wall cavity, an attic, or an unused area.

Roof-venting If your oven is located on an outside wall near the roof, as in Figures 6 (31/4" X 10" duct) and

Figure 8 (6" round duct.)

Wall-venting If your oven is located on an outside wall of your house, as in Figure 5 (31/4" X 10" duct) and

Figure 8 (6" round duct.)

Room-venting If your oven is located on an inside wall of your house, as in Figure 7.

NOTE: If you choose the rear exhaust method (roof-or wall-venting), be sure there is enough clearance within

the wall for the exhaust duct.

Wall Venting

cabinet

/

oven 3 1/4"x10"

Wall venting

-" duct

Figure 5

REMEMBER AS YOU INSTALL THE

VENTING:

• Keep the length of the ductwork and the
number of elbows to a minimum to

ventilate your oven efficiently.
See examples on next page.

• Keep the size of the ductwork the same.

• Do not install two elbows together.

• Use duct tape to seal all joints in the duct
system.

• Use caulking gun to seal the exterior wall
or roof opening around the cap.

through-the-wall

-,_-wallcap

cabinet

ove

cab_ i roof cap

oven :lllll through-the-roof

Room Venting

Figure 7

Roof venting

Roof Venting

3u4"xl0" I I I

duct _

Figure 6

roof cap

6" min.

diameter

round duct

elbow

3 1/4"to round

duct transition

3 1/4"to round

ductworktransition

Figure 8

wall cap

-12-

INSTALLATION

STEP 2: PREPARE THE VENTING SYSTEM

STANDARD FITTINGS

NOTE: If the existing duct is round, you must use a rectangular-to-round adapter, with a rectangular 3"

extension duct installed between the damper assembly and the adapter to prevent the exhaust
damper's sticking.

DUCT LENGTH

The total length of the duct system, including straight duct, elbows, transitions, and wall or roof caps must not
exceed the equivalent of 140 feet.

For best performance, do not use more than three 90 degree elbows, and keep length as short as possible.
Below are the standard fittings and their equivalent length in feet.

3

3 1/4"x10"

to 6"=5ft.

5

90° elbow

=1Oft.

3 1/4"x10"

wall cap

=40ft.

3 1/4"x10" roof

cap=24ft.

6

45 °elbow

=5ft.

3 1/4"x10" 90 °

elbow=25ft.

7

3 1/4"x10"

flat elbow

=10ft.

Figure 9

To calculate the equivalent length of each ductpiece used, see the examples below.

I

Examples

For 3 1/4"x10" SYSTEMS

3 1/4"x10" _ 6ft. _ wall cap

90 ° elbow \_[_-_ 2ft. I

For 6" ROUND SYSTEMS

90° elbows _--_ 6ft. ---_S wall cap

transi_

1-3 1/4" x 10" 90 ° elbow = 25 ft.
1-Wall Cap = 40 ft.
8 feet straight duct = 8 ft.

TOTAL LENGTH = 73 ft.

1-transition = 5ft.

2-90 °elbows = 20 ft.

1-Wall Cap = 40 ft.

8 feet straight = 8ft.

TOTAL LENGTH = 73 ft.

-13-

INSTALLATION

STEP 3: PREPARE THE VENTING BLOWER

CAUTION

To avoid risk of property damage, unplug the microwave oven or disconnect power at source by removing
fuse or throwing circuit breaker.

• CAUTION

To avoid risk of personal injury, wear protective gloves when handling mounting plate.

• DO NOT PULL OR STRETCH THE BLOWER WIRING!
Pulling and stretching the blower wiring could result in electrical shock.

Your microwave oven is shipped with the blower assembled for roof venting. If you want wall-venting or
room-vented (recirculating) installation, you must change the fan, as detailed below.

REMOVE THE MOUNTING PLATE:

1. Remove any shipping materials and parts from inside the
microwave oven.

2. Cover the counter top or cooktop with a thick, protective
covering to protect it from damage and dirt. See Figure 10.

NOTE: If you have a free-standing range, disconnect it,

move it onto a piece of cardboard or hardboard and
pull it away from the wall, so that you can get closer

to the upper cabinet and back wall for easier
measuring and drilling.

3. Remove mounting plate screw(s) (1 or 2 screws) from the
mounting plate as shown and discard. See Figure 11.

4. This plate will be used as the rear mounting plate.
(It will be used to locate and mark the mounting holes on

the rear wall.)

5. Locate exhaust adaptor, grease filters and hardware packet.

6. At this point, remove any adhesive tape (if there is any), on
the exhaust adaptor, the grease filters and the power supply
cord.

ROOF-VENTED INSTALLATION:

This oven is shipped assembled for roof-vented. You will need
to install the exhaust adaptor regardless of cabinet.

1.Attach the exhaust adaptor to the blower plate by sliding it
into the guides. See Figure 12.

WALL-VENTED INSTALLATION:

1. Remove one blower unit mounting screw and one blower
plate screw. Remove the blower plate from cabinet. See

Figure 13.

thick, protective

covering

Figure 10

l_Mount,o0

i ll / plate

11Mounting plate

I! /I screw(s>

i

-- Control

I I

I I

"'___; _S of oven

.... back plate

_r_ -- _t- blower plate

_'-__mountingscrews......i

Parts "_

_,_,,J (1 or 2 screws)

i

.... I side Figure 11

_ Exhaust

__..__ adaptor

Back

Figure 12

mounting screw Figure 13

2. Carefully lift the blower unit out of the microwave oven.

3. Use side cutters or tin snips to cut and remove knockouts
"B" from Back plate. Discard knockouts. Be careful not to

distort the plate. See Figure 14.

-14-

Knockouts Parts"B"

Parts"B"

Figure 14

INSTALLATION

STEP 3: PREPARE THE VENTING BLOWER

4. Reassemble the blower wire. See Figure 15.

5. Rotate the unit so that the exhaust ports face the rear of the cabinet. See Figure 16. When you insert blower
unit, blower wire must be like figure 16.

6. Place blower unit back into cabinet. Check that the exhaust ports face towards the rear of the cabinet. See
Figure 17.

7. Reattach the blower plate to cabinet so the exhaust ports and blower plate opening are aligned. Attach with

one blower unit mounting screw and then one blower plate mounting screw. See Figure 18.

unit

1

exhaust
ports

Figure 15

Figure 16

plate

mounting screws

exhaust

ports

Figure 17

ROOM-VENTED (Recirculating) INSTALLATION:

1. Remove one blower unit mounting screw and one blower
plate screw. Remove the blower plate from cabinet.
See Figure 19.

2. Carefully lift the blower unit out of the microwave oven.

3. Rotate blower unit 90° so the exhaust ports face the

front of the cabinet. See Figure 20.

4. Place blower unit back into microwave oven.

5. Reattach blower plate to microwave oven. Attach with the one blower
unit mounting screw and then the one blower plate mounting screw.
See Figure 21.

\

blower unit
exhaust ports

Figure 18

___ bml°uWetrinla_erews

_ blower plate

"'_ blower unit

mounting screws

blower unit

mountingscrews

Figure 19

mounting screws

Figure 20

unit

"'_ blower unit

mounting screws

Figure 21

-15-