GE JES834 Owner’s Manual

JES834

Owner’s Manual

Microwave Oven

164D3370P183 49-40207-2 06-01 JR

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Write the model and serial
numbers here:

Model # ________________

Serial # ________________

You can find them on a label
on the back of the oven.

Safety Instructions . . . . . . . .2–7

Operating Instructions

Auto Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Cooking Controls . . . . . . . . . . .9

Changing the Power Level . . .10

Features of the Oven . . . . . . . . .8

Microwave Terms . . . . . . . . . . .18

Other Features . . . . . . . . . 17, 18

Time Features . . . . . . . . . .11–15

Cooking Guide . . . . . . . .12, 13

Conversion Guide . . . . . . . .16

Defrosting Guide . . . . . . . . .15

Care and Cleaning . . . . . . . .19

Troubleshooting Tips . . . . . .20

Things That Are Normal
With Your Microwave Oven . . .20

Consumer Support

Consumer Support . . .Back Cover

Product Registration . . . . .21, 22

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.

For your safety, the information in this manual must be followed to minimize the risk of fire or
explosion, electric shock, or to prevent property damage, personal injury, or loss of life.

WARNING!

(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 the 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.

(c) Do Not Operate

the oven if it is damaged.
It is particularly important that the 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) The Oven Should Not

be adjusted or
repaired by anyone except properly
qualified service personnel.

PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID POSSIBLE EXPOSURE

TO EXCESSIVE MICROWAVE ENERGY

2

This microwave oven is not approved or tested for marine use.

Use this appliance only for its intended purpose as described in this Owner’s Manual.

■ Read and follow the specific precautions in

the

Precautions to Avoid Possible Exposure to

Excessive Microwave Energy

section above.

■ This appliance must be grounded. Connect

only to a properly grounded outlet. See the

Grounding Instructions

section on page 6.

■ Install or locate this appliance only in

accordance with the provided Installation
Instructions.

■ Be certain to place the front surface of the

door three inches or more back from the
countertop edge to avoid accidental tipping
of the appliance in normal usage.

■ Do not mount this appliance over a sink.

■ Do not mount the microwave oven over or

near any portion of a heating or cooking
appliance.

■ Do not store anything directly on top of the

microwave oven surface when the microwave
oven is in operation.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

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3

■ Do not operate this appliance if it has

a damaged power cord or plug, if it is not
working properly, or if it has been damaged
or dropped. If the power cord is damaged, it
must be replaced by General Electric Service
or an authorized service agent using a power
cord available from General Electric.

■ Do not cover or block any openings on the

appliance.

■ Use this appliance only for its intended use

as described in this manual. Do not use
corrosive chemicals or vapors in this
appliance. This microwave oven is specifically
designed to heat, dry or cook food, and is
not intended for laboratory or industrial use.

■ Do not store this appliance outdoors. Do not

use this product near water—for example,
in a wet basement, near a swimming pool or
near a sink.

■ Keep power cord away from heated surfaces.

■ Do not immerse power cord or plug in water.

■ Do not let power cord hang over edge of

table or counter.

■ To reduce the risk of fire in the oven cavity:

— Do not overcook food. Carefully attend

appliance if paper, plastic or other
combustible materials are placed inside
the oven while cooking.

— Remove wire twist-ties and metal handles

from paper or plastic containers before
placing them in the oven.

— Do not use the oven for storage purposes.

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

— If materials inside the oven should ignite,

keep the oven door closed, turn the oven off
and disconnect the power cord, or shut off
power at the fuse or circuit breaker panel.
If the door is opened, the fire may spread.

■ See door surface cleaning instructions

in the

Care and Cleaning of the Microwave

Oven

section of this manual.

■ This appliance should be serviced only by

qualified service personnel. Contact nearest
authorized service facility for examination,
repair or adjustment.

■ As with any appliance, close supervision is

necessary when used by children.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

If you see arcing, press the CLEAR/OFF pad and correct the problem.

Arcing is the microwave term for sparks in
the oven. Arcing is caused by:

■ Metal or foil touching the side of the oven.

■ Foil not molded to food (upturned edges

act like antennas).

■ Metal, such as twist-ties, poultry pins, or

gold-rimmed dishes, in the microwave.

■ Recycled paper towels containing small

metal pieces being used in the microwave.

ARCING

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Safety Instructions Care and Cleaning

FOODS

■ Do not pop popcorn in your microwave oven

unless in a special microwave popcorn
accessory or unless you use popcorn labeled
for use in microwave ovens.

■ Some products such as whole eggs and

sealed containers—for example, closed jars—
will explode and should not be heated in this
microwave oven. Such use of the microwave
oven could result in injury.

■ Do not boil eggs in a microwave oven.

Pressure will build up inside egg yolk and will
cause it to burst, possibly resulting in injury.

■ Operating the microwave with no food inside

for more than a minute or two may cause
damage to the oven and could start a fire.
It increases the heat around the magnetron
and can shorten the life of the oven.

■ Foods with unbroken outer “skin” such as

potatoes, hot dogs, sausages, tomatoes,
apples, chicken livers and other giblets,
and egg yolks should be pierced to allow
steam to escape during cooking.

■

SUPERHEATED WATER

■

Microwaved water and other liquids do not
always bubble when they reach the boiling
point. They can actually get superheated and
not bubble at all.

■

Superheated liquid will bubble up out of
the cup when it is moved or when something
like a spoon or tea bag is put into it.

■

To prevent this from happening and causing
injury, do not heat any liquid for more than
2 minutes per cup. After heating, let the cup
stand in the microwave for 30 seconds before
moving it or putting anything into it.

■ Avoid heating baby food in glass jars, even

with the lid off. Make sure all infant food is
thoroughly cooked. Stir food to distribute
the heat evenly. Be careful to prevent
scalding when warming formula. The
container may feel cooler than the formula
really is. Always test the formula before
feeding the baby.

■ Don’t defrost frozen beverages in narrow-

necked bottles (especially carbonated
beverages). Even if the container is opened,
pressure can build up. This can cause the
container to burst, possibly resulting in injury.

■ Spontaneous boiling—Under certain special

circumstances, liquids may start to boil
during or shortly after removal from the
microwave oven. To prevent burns from
splashing liquid, we recommend the
following: before removing the container
from the oven, allow the container to stand
in the oven for 30 to 40 seconds after the
oven has shut off. Do not boil liquids in
narrow-necked containers such as soft drink
bottles, wine flasks and especially narrow­necked coffee cups. Even if the container is
opened, excessive steam can build up and
cause it to burst or overflow.

■ Hot foods and steam can cause burns. Be

careful when opening any containers of hot
food, including popcorn bags, cooking
pouches and boxes. To prevent possible
injury, direct steam away from hands and face.

■ Do not overcook potatoes. They could

dehydrate and catch fire, causing damage
to your oven.

■ Cook meat and poultry thoroughly—meat to

at least an INTERNAL temperature of 160°F.
and poultry to at least an INTERNAL
temperature of 180°F. Cooking to these
temperatures usually protects against
foodborne illness.

4

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.

WARNING!

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Operating Instructions

Safety InstructionsCare and Cleaning

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5

MICROWAVE-SAFE COOKWARE

Make sure all cookware used in your microwave
oven is suitable for microwaving. Most glass
casseroles, cooking dishes, measuring cups,
custard cups, pottery or china dinnerware
which does not have metallic trim or glaze with
a metallic sheen can be used. Some cookware
is labeled “suitable for microwaving.”

■ If you are not sure if a dish is microwave-safe,

use this test: Place in the oven both the dish
you are testing and a glass measuring cup
filled with 1 cup of water—set the measuring
cup either in or next to the dish. Microwave
1 minute at high. If the dish heats, it should
not be used for microwaving.

■ If the dish remains cool and only the

water in the cup heats, then the dish is
microwave-safe.

■ If you use a meat thermometer while

cooking, make sure it is safe for use in
microwave ovens.

■ Do not use recycled paper products.

Recycled paper towels, napkins and waxed
paper can contain metal flecks which may
cause arcing or ignite. Paper products
containing nylon or nylon filaments should
be avoided, as they may also ignite.

■ Some styrofoam trays (like those that meat

is packaged on) have a thin strip of metal
embedded in the bottom. When microwaved,
the metal can burn the floor of the oven or
ignite a paper towel.

■ Do not use the microwave to dry newspapers.

■ Not all plastic wrap is suitable for use in

microwave ovens. Check the package for
proper use.

■ Paper towels, waxed paper and plastic wrap

can be used to cover dishes in order to retain
moisture and prevent spattering. Be sure to
vent plastic wrap so steam can escape.

■ Cookware may become hot because of heat

transferred from the heated food. Pot holders
may be needed to handle the cookware.

■ “Boilable” cooking pouches and tightly

closed plastic bags should be slit, pierced or
vented as directed by package. If they are
not, plastic could burst during or
immediately after cooking, possibly resulting
in injury. Also, plastic storage containers
should be at least partially uncovered
because they form
a tight seal. When cooking with containers
tightly covered with plastic wrap, remove
covering carefully and direct steam away
from hands and face.

■ Use foil only as directed in this manual.

TV dinners may be microwaved in foil trays

less than 3/4″ high; remove the top foil

cover and return the tray to the box.
When using foil in the microwave oven,

keep the foil at least 1″ away from the sides

of the oven.

■ Plastic cookware—Plastic cookware designed

for microwave cooking is very useful, but
should be used carefully. Even microwave­safe plastic may not be as tolerant of
overcooking conditions as are glass or
ceramic materials and may soften or char if
subjected to short periods of overcooking.
In longer exposures to overcooking, the food
and cookware could ignite.

Follow these guidelines:

Use microwave-safe plastics only and
use

them in strict compliance

with
the cookware manufacturer’s
recommendations.

Do not microwave empty containers.

Do not permit children to use plastic
cookware without complete supervision.

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6

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.

A short power supply cord is provided to
reduce the risks resulting from becoming
entangled in or tripping over a longer cord.

Extension cords may be used if you are careful
in using them.

If an extension cord is used:

The marked electrical rating of the
extension cord should be at least as great
as the electrical rating of the appliance;

The extension cord must be a grounding­type 3-wire cord and it must be plugged
into a 3-slot outlet;

The extension cord should be arranged so
that it will not drape over the countertop
or tabletop where it can be pulled on by
children or tripped over unintentionally.

If you use an extension cord, the interior light
may flicker and the blower sound may vary
when the microwave oven is on. Cooking times
may be longer, too.

EXTENSION CORDS

WARNING!

Improper use of the grounding plug can result in a risk of electric shock.

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 power cord
having a grounding wire with a grounding
plug. The plug must be plugged into an outlet
that is properly installed and grounded.

Consult a qualified electrician or service
technician if the grounding instructions are not
completely understood, or if doubt exists as to
whether the appliance is properly grounded.

If the outlet is a standard 2-prong wall outlet,
it is your personal responsibility and obligation
to have it replaced with a properly grounded
3-prong wall outlet.

Do not under any circumstances cut or remove
the third (ground) prong from the power cord.

We do not recommend using an extension cord
with this appliance. If the power cord is too
short, have a qualified electrician or service
technician install an outlet near the appliance.
(See

Extension Cords

section.)

For best operation, plug this appliance into
its own electrical outlet to prevent flickering
of lights, blowing of fuse or tripping of
circuit breaker.

GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS

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Because of potential safety hazards under certain conditions,

we strongly recommend against the use of an adapter plug.

However, if you still elect to use an adapter, where local codes
permit, a

TEMPORARY CONNECTION

may be made to a properly
grounded two-prong wall receptacle by the use of a UL listed
adapter which is available at most local hardware stores.

The larger slot in the adapter must be aligned with the
larger slot in the wall receptacle to provide proper polarity
in the connection of the power cord.

CAUTION:

Attaching the adapter ground terminal to the wall receptacle cover screw does not
ground the appliance unless the cover screw is metal, and not insulated, and the wall receptacle is
grounded through the house wiring.

You should have the circuit checked by a qualified electrician to make sure the receptacle is
properly grounded.

When disconnecting the power cord from the adapter, always hold the adapter with one hand.
If this is not done, the adapter ground terminal is very likely to break with repeated use. Should
this happen,

DO NOT USE

the appliance until a proper ground has again been established.

Usage situations where appliance’s power cord will be disconnected frequently.

Do not use an adapter plug

in these situations because frequent disconnection of the power cord
places undue strain on the adapter and leads to eventual failure of the adapter ground terminal.
You should have the two-prong wall receptacle replaced with a three-prong (grounding)
receptacle by a qualified electrician before using the appliance.

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READ AND FOLLOW THIS SAFETY INFORMATION CAREFULLY.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

7

Usage situations where appliance’s power cord will be disconnected infrequently.

ADAPTER PLUGS

Ensure proper ground
and firm connection
before use.

TEMPORARY
METHOD

Align large
prongs/slots

(Adapter plugs not
permitted in Canada)

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Care and Cleaning

Throughout this manual, features and appearance may vary from your model.

800 Watts

Features of the Oven

Door Latches.

Window with Metal Shield.

Screen allows
cooking to be viewed while keeping
microwaves confined in the oven.

Touch Control Panel Display.

Removable Turntable.

Turntable and

support

must

be in place when using the
oven. The turntable may be removed for
cleaning.

NOTE: Rating plate is located on the back of the
microwave oven. Oven vent(s) and oven light are
located on the inside walls of the microwave oven.

8

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Safety InstructionsCare and Cleaning

About the features of your microwave oven.