Hotpoint MWH 121 User Manual

Instructions for use

MWH 121

Microwave

Contents

Installation, 2

Installation
Specifications

Description of the appliance, 3

Microwave oven function

Beginning and use, 5

Setting the clock
Safety Block
Operating mode
Special Function: DRINK
Special Function: POPCORN
Special Function: FRESH VEGETABLES
Microwave Function
Defrost by weight (Automatic)
Defrost by tome (Manual)
Important notes
During operation
Interrupting the operation
Working with microwaves

Precautions and Advices, 9

General security
Eliminating
Practical advices

Microwave Oven Maintenance, 11

Remove the plug from de socket
Cleaning
Light replacement
Solving problems
Cord replacement

Installation

! It is important conserve this book to consult at any
moment. Keep the operating instructions in a safe
place ready to pass on in the event of change of
ownership.

! Read the instructions in this book carefully: the
instructions contain important information regarding
appliance and care.

Installation

Remove the microwave oven from packing.

Remove all packing materials and accessories from
the microwave oven cavity.

• Check whether the following parts are in good

condition:

- Door and hinges;

- Front of the microwave oven;

- Inside and outside of microwave oven.

! Do not use the appliance if you find any faults do not
use the microwave oven, and contact your dealer.

• Place the appliance on a stable, flat surface.

- To allow efficient cooling of the microwave oven its
installation is recommended in a unit with an opening
in the upper part (refer to the installation instructions
leaflet enclosed).

! The microwave oven plug shall be accessible after
installation.

The microwave oven has been supplied with a mono­phase power supply cord. The appliance must be
earthed.

! This appliance must be earthed.

! The manufacturers and dealers are not liable for any

breakdowns or personal accidents should these
installation instructions not be observed by the
purchaser.

Specifications

AC voltage ............................................. 230 V / 50 Hz

Fuse ......................................................... 12 A / 250 V

Power required.................................................1200 W

Microwave output power....................................800 W

Microwave frequency.................................. 2450 MHz

Outer dimensions

(W×A×D)......................................595 × 390 × 320 mm

Cavity dimensions

(W×A×D)......................................305 × 210 × 280 mm

Oven capacity......................................................18 ltr

Weight ..............................................................18,6 kg

- When installing the microwave oven great care
should be taken to ensure that the mains power cable
cannot come into contact with the rear since the high
temperatures involved could cause damage.

- When the microwave oven is installed in a column
with a conventional oven, the microwave oven must not
be located underneath the conventional oven because
of the possibility of condensation forming inside the
latter.

2

Description of the appliance

1 – Glass window on the door
2 - Catch
3 – Mica covers
4 – Screen
5 – Faction Selector

6 – Timer Selector
7 – Open button
8 – Slot for rotating base
9 – Rotating base

10 – Rotating plate

3

Microwave oven function:

In a conventional oven the heat radiated by the
resistances or gas burners, slowly penetrates the food
from the outside to the inside. There is, therefore, a
great loss of energy in the heating of the air, oven
components and recipients.

On the other hand, in microwave ovens the heat is
generated in the interior of the food itself, heating it
from the inside outwards. There is therefore no loss of
energy as the air, interior walls of the oven and
recipients (when adequate) do not heat up with
microwaves.

Microwave ovens have the following advantages:

1. Save on cooking time: in general there is a 3/4
reduction of the cooking time than with conventional
methods.

2. Ultra-quick defrosting that prevents bacteria
development.

3. Electricity saving.

4. Maintaining the nutritive value of the food due to the
cooking time reduction.

5. Easy cleaning.

Most food contains water, whose molecules vibrate
with Microwaves.

The friction between the molecules generates heat,
which causes a temperature rise in the food, defrosting
it, cooking it or keeping it warm.

As the heat is formed inside the food:

- It may be cooked with little or no liquid or fat;

- Defrosting, heating or cooking in the microwave oven

is quicker than in a conventional oven;

- Vitamins, minerals and nutritive substances are

preserved;

The Microwaves pass through porcelain, glass,
cardboard and plastic but not through metal.
Therefore, recipients made of or containing metal
should not be used in the microwave oven.

The Microwaves are reflected by the metal…

In the microwave oven there is a high voltage valve
called "Magnetron" that converts electric energy to
Microwave energy. These electromagnetic waves are
conducted to the inside of the oven cavity by means of
wave-guide and spread by a mode stirrer or by a
turntable.

Inside the oven, the Microwaves spread out in all
directions and are reflected by the metallic walls,
penetrating the food evenly.

…they pass through Glass and Porcelain…

…and they are absorbed by the food.

4

Beginning and use

Setting the clock

Operating mode

1. Press the CLOCK key until the digits start
blinking.

2. Enter the hour by turning the ROTATING KNOB in
both directions.

3. Press the CLOCK key again to change the
minutes.

4. Enter the minutes by turning the ROTATING KNOB in
both directions.

5. Press the CLOCK key to stop.

Safety Block

1. The microwave oven operation can be blocked (for
example: to prevent it from being used by children) by

pressing the STOP key for 3 seconds. The
microwave beep and the appliance will be blocked. It
continues to display the time and the Safety Block

function indicator will light up.

2. To unblock it, press the STOP key for 3 seconds.
At the end of this time there is an alarm sound and the
Display show the clock once again.

1. Connect the oven to a suitable power source (see
the Installation Instructions).

2. Open the door by pressing the “Open” button.

3. Place the container with the food on the tray or grille.

4. Select the desired function and cooking time in
accordance with, the description provided following
chapters.

5. Close the door and press the START key.

6. The microwave oven starts working. The Display
shows the functioning time decreasing.

5

Special Function: DRINK

1. Place the drink (approx. 150 to 300 ml of coffee, tea,
milk, water, etc.) in a heat resistant recipient on the
turntable.

2. Press the Special Function DRINK key: the
Special Function Drink indicator light up.

3. Press the START key. The oven starts working.

Special Function: POPCORN

1. Place the corn (100-150 g) in a heat resistant
recipient with a lid. Add a little butter or cooking oil and
sprinkle with salt or sugar as desired.

2. Press the Special Function POPCORN key: the
Special Function Popcorn indicator light up.

3. Press the START key. The oven starts working.

Special Function: RICE

1. Place a cup of rice (approx. 200 g) and 1-½ cups of
water into a glass bowl with lid. Add salt, oil etc. as
desired and mix everything.

2. Place the glass bowl with the lid on the oven
turntable.

Special Function: FRESH VEGETABLES

1. Place 300-400 g of fresh vegetables (broccoli,
cabbage, carrot, etc.) and 45-60 ml of water in a heat
resistant recipient with a lid. Add salt as desired.

2. Press the Special Function FRESH VEGETABLES
key: the Special Function Fresh Vegetables indicator
light up.

3. Press the START key. The oven starts working.

4. At the end, there is a standing time during which the
oven continues working and the Special Function fresh
vegetables indicator blink.

Microwave Function

1. Press the MICROWAVE key: the Microwave
Function indicator light up.

2. Enter the operating time (for example: 10 minutes),
by turning the ROTATING KNOB in both directions.

3. To change the Microwave power, press the and
keys. If these keys are not pressed, the microwave

oven work as default at maximum power.

4. Press the START key. The oven starts working.

3. Press the Special Function RICE
Special Function Rice indicator light up.

4. Press the START key. The oven starts working.

5. At the end, there is a standing time during which the
oven continues working and the Special Function RICE
indicator blink.

key: the

6

Defrost by Weight (Automatic)

1. Press the DEFROST BY WEIGHT key: the
Defrost by Weight Function indicator light up.

2. Enter the type of food, by pressing the and
keys. If these keys are not pressed, it select type 1
food as default.

3. Enter the food weight (for example: 1,2 kg), by
turning the ROTATING KNOB in both directions.

4. Press the START Key. The oven starts working.

5. When the oven stops and the alarm sounds, open
the door and turn the food over. Close the door and

press the START key.

Defrost by Time (Manual)

1. Press the DEFROST BY TIME key: the Defrost by
Time Function indicator light up.

2. Enter the defrosting time (for example: 12 minutes),
by turning the ROTATING KNOB in both directions.

3. Press the START key. The oven starts working.

4. When the oven stops and the alarm sounds, open
the door and turn the food over. Close the door and

press the START key.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

- In the Defrost by Weight function, the introduced
weight is that of the food alone, not including the dish.

- Use the Defrost by Weight function only for raw food.

- This function has better results if the food is at a
temperature of -18ºC and if the food is taken directly
from the freezer to the oven.

- If the food is at a higher temperature (either because
it isn’t a 3 star freezer or because the food has been
out of the freezer for more than 20 minutes) the oven
calculated time will be more and there may be a risk of
fire. In these cases, select a weight, which is lower than
the real food weight.

- In the cases above and when the food is already
cooked and frozen, use the Defrost by Time function,
starting with short periods of time.

- When you use tin foil to protect the thinner parts of the
food, make sure that it doesn’t touch the oven walls,
otherwise there may be damages.

- Turn the foods around the moment the microwave
beeps and starts to flash on the screen: “Turn”.

the door and press the START button, to continue
the cooking process.

The following table describes the different Defrost by
Weight programmes; the respective weight ranges;
defrost time ranges; standing time ranges (to allow
temperature evenness) and recommendations.

. Close

. .

Code Food Weight Defrost Time

1

2

3

4

5

Meat

Poultry

Fish

Fruit

Bread

0,1 – 1,5 kg 4 – 61 min 20 – 30 min

0,1 – 1,5 kg 4 – 61 min 20- -30 min

0,1 – 1,5 kg 4 – 63 min 20 – 30 min

0,1 – 0,5 kg 2 – 13 min 5 – 10 min

0,1 – 0,8 kg 2 – 19 min 5 – 10 min

Standing

Time

Recommendation

Cover the thinner ends with tin foil. Turn
the meat when the oven whistles
sounds.

Cover the thinner ends with tin foil. Turn
the meat when the oven whistles
sounds.

Cover the tail of the fish with tin foil.
Turn the fish when the oven whistles
sounds.

Place the fruit in a glass dish and cover
it during defrosting and standing time.

Place the bread on the glass turntable
covered with kitchen paper towel.

7

During Operation…

The microwave oven door may be opened at any time
during the cooking operation, in which case:-

- The production of microwaves is immediately
interrupted;

- The Timer is automatically stopped, indicating the
remaining cooking time.

Then, if you wish you may:

- Stir or turn the food, to improve uniform cooking;

- Change the Microwave power level by pressing the
or keys;

- Select another function, by pressing the Function

keys;

- Change the operating time left by turning the

ROTATING KNOB.

- Close the door again and press the START key.

The oven restarts working.

Interrupting the Operation

To stop the microwave oven before completing its
programmed time, press the STOP key or open the

door.

If you don’t wish to continue cooking the food, close
the door and press the STOP key again. The oven

emits a sound and the Display show the Clock.
At the end of the functioning time, the microwave oven
stop, emit 3 signal sounds and the Display show the
word “End”. The sound signals are repeated every 30

seconds until the door is opened or the STOP key
pressed.

Working with Microwaves

Before using any dish, make sure that it is appropriate
for use in microwaves (SEE ADVICE ON THE USE OF
UTENSILS AND RECIPIENTS).

Always make a slit in the food's shell before cooking it.

Whenever heating liquids use a recipient with a large
opening to allow the vapour to escape.

Remember that…

1. Larger quantities of food require more cooking time.

2. The lower the food temperature the more cooking
time is needed.

3. Less dense foods cook faster.

4. An even distribution of the food in the oven
guarantees better results. The cooking of different
types of foods simultaneously is possible by placing
the dense food in an outside circle and the less dense
in the centre of the plate.

5. Better results are achieved by allowing the food to
stand before serving because it continues to cook for
some time after the oven is switched off.

6. The cooking time may be shortened and the liquids
preserved (the food doesn't dry out) by covering the
food. The lids should be transparent to allow the
microwaves through and they should have a small
opening for the vapour to escape.

8

Precautions and Advices

General security

! If the door or the door hinges are damaged, the oven
should not be switched on until repaired by a qualified
technician.

! It is dangerous for anyone, except a qualified
technician, to tamper with the apparatus or try to repair
it in any way by removing any lid or covering which
assures protection against the exposure to microwave
energy.

! Liquids and other food should not be heated in
airtight recipients as these can explode.

! Children should only be allowed to use the oven
without adult supervision if they have been given the
appropriate instructions so that they can use the oven
safely and understand the dangers of its incorrect use.

! When the microwave oven is operated in the
Combination mode (Microwaves + Grill), children
should only be allowed to use the unit under adult
supervision due to the high temperatures generated.

! The microwave oven should be cleaned regularly and
any food deposits removed (please see the chapter on
Oven Maintenance for details). Failure to maintain the
oven in a clean condition could lead to deterioration of
the surface that could adversely affect the life of the
appliance and possibly result in a hazardous situation.

• When heating food in plastic or paper recipients,

check the oven frequently in case they ignite.

• If any smoke is detected, then switch off the oven or

disconnect it and keep the door closed in order for any
flame to die out.

• After warming up baby bottles or baby food jars stir

or shake its contents and check the temperature
before feeding, to avoid burns.

• Warming up drinks in the microwave oven may result

in a delayed eruptive boiling; therefore one should be
careful when handling the recipient.

• Eggs with their shell and whole boiled eggs shouldn’t

be warmed up in microwave ovens as they may
explode, even after microwave heating has ended.

• Only use utensils that are suitable for use in

microwave ovens. Do not use any metal utensils inside
the oven unless they were supplied with the oven and
for that purpose.

• Do not warm up liquids or other food in closed

recipients as they may explode.

• Do not warm up pure alcohol or alcoholic drinks.

FIRE DANGER.

• When in doubt, choose short periods to cook heat or

defrost food with microwaves. With long cooking
periods the food may become dry and even begin to
burn.

• Do not use the microwave oven for anything other

than warming, cooking or defrosting food.

• Do not operate the microwave oven without its tray

nor when empty.

• Keep the microwave oven ventilation holes open.

Never cover any air vents or openings.

Eliminating

• Eliminating the packing materials: use the right bins
when discarding all of packing materials. This will
ensure that the packaging materials are recycled.

The European Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste
Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), requires
that old household electrical appliances must not be
disposed of in the normal unsorted municipal waste
stream. Old appliances must be collected separately in
order to optimize the recovery and recycling of the
materials they contain and reduce the impact on
human health and the environment.

The crossed out “wheeled bin” symbol on the product
reminds you of your obligation, that when you dispose
of the appliance it must be separately collected.

Consumers should contact their local authority or
retailer for information concerning the correct disposal
of their old appliance.

9

Practical advices

• Use heat resistant ovenware made of glass, glass,

ceramic, and porcelain, ceramic or heat-resistant
plastic. These materials do not block the microwaves.

• This is not the case with ovenware made of metal.

The microwaves are obstructed which means that the
food in closed containers remains cold. Ensure that
any metal objects – e.g. a spoon – are at least 2 cm
away from the oven walls and the inside of the door.
The glass on the inside of the door could be damaged
by sparks.

• To cook or defrost pieces of meat of irregular sizes,

you may cover the thinner parts with tin foil, which
should be kept at least 2 cm away from the oven walls,
otherwise these may cause an electric arc.

• Metal spits may be used as long as they are smaller

than the pieces of meat.

• Crystal contains a percentage of lead, which may

cause it to crack if used in the microwave oven. The
same may happen to glass dishes with jagged edges.

! Porcelain dishes may be used but they should not
have hollow handles. Humidity may be formed inside
the hollow handles, which will causes an increase in
pressure that may cause them to break.

! This type of dish may heat considerably.

Painted glazed ceramic dishes may be used if the
painting is done under the glaze.

Many glazes and colours contain metallic substances.
If this is the case they should not be used in the
microwave as they may be damaged.

Recipients with silver and gold glazes may go dark.

! Plastic dishes should be heat resistant (at least 180°
C) or they may be deformed when used in the
microwave. Melamine dishes are not suitable for use in
the microwave as they heat up too much

To cook or heat food in plastic bags, they should be
perforated to allow vapour to escape thus preventing
the bag from bursting.

! Wooden recipients should not be used in the
microwave. Wood contains water, which evaporates
and may cause the recipient to crack.

10

Microwave Oven Maintenance

• If in doubt about the use of glass, glazed ceramic or

porcelain dishes in the microwave oven, do the
following test:

- Place the empty dish and a glass of water inside the
microwave oven;

- Close the door;

- Set the Power Level Selector at maximum power;

- Adjust the timer to 1 minute;

! If during this test you hear any noise along with
sparks, turn off the oven immediately.

• Any kind of cookware that has this kind of behaviour

or is very hot when removed from the oven should not
be used in the microwave oven.

! Glazed ceramic dish recipients contain many
water molecules and heat a lot, but can be used in
the microwave oven.

If in doubt, contact the supplier of the cookware, and
make sure that they are appropriate for microwaves.

The use of glass lids, plastic lids or plastic film is
advisable because:

1. They prevent the release of excessive vapours
especially when cooking for longer periods.

2. They increase the speed of heating food.

3. They prevent the food from drying up.

4. They prevent the loss of the food aroma.

The lids should have holes to avoid pressure. Plastic
film should be perforated.

Baby bottles, baby food jars and other similar
recipients should be warmed up without lids as they
can burst.

11

Remove the plug from the socket

Make sure that the oven is unplugged before cleaning
the oven.

Don't use abrasive cleaning products.

Cleaning

Outside

1. Clean the outside surface with neutral detergent,

lukewarm water and dry it with a damp cloth.

2. Avoid water from entering the oven ventilation holes.

Inside

1. Clean the oven walls with a damp cloth after each

use.

2. Avoid water from entering the ventilation holes in the

oven's interior.

3. If some time has passed by since the last cleaning

and the oven's interior is dirty, place a glass of water
on the tray and switch on the oven for 4 minutes on the
highest setting. Moisture will form on the oven walls,
which will be easily cleaned.

Light Replacement

The light bulb may only be replaced by the Technical
Support Service.

4. The tray can be washed with regular dish washing

detergent or in the dishwasher.

Door, door seal, and oven front

1. These parts should always be clean, especially the

contact surface between the door and the oven front,
to prevent microwave leakage.

2. Use neutral detergent, lukewarm water and dry the

surface with a soft cloth.

12

Solving Problems

Repairs or interventions carried out by an unqualified
serviceman can cause dangerous situations.

Every and any kind of repair or intervention should
be done by the manufacturer, authorized agents or
qualified technicians.

If you detect any abnormalities in the oven, check the
following before you contact T.A.S:

1. Check if the outlet into which the oven is plugged
has power. To do so, plug another appliance into the
same outlet and check if it works.

2 If the oven lamp switches on, but the food does not
heat up, check if the door is well closed (if the door is
not properly closed, no microwaves will be produced).

Cord Replacement

If the cord is damaged, it should be replaced by the
manufacturer, authorized agents or qualified
technicians in order to avoid any dangerous situation
and also because special tools are required.

13