Panasonic NN-E271, NN-E281M, NN-E281 Operating Instructions

Operating Instructions and Cookery Book

Microwave Oven

Model No:

NN-E271 WM
NN-E281 BM
NN-E281 MM

For domestic use only

N.B. Model No.:NN-E281 MM shown above

Important safety instructions

Please read carefully and keep for future reference

Important Notice

800W

E

Microwave symbol

Your oven is rated 800 Watts (IEC 60705). When using other cookbooks
remember to adjust cooking times accordingly. The symbol above, which is
displayed on your oven door, indicates the heating category for your oven when
cooking or reheating convenience foods.
Your oven is rated ʻEʼ, which is very efficient. It is therefore very important that you
refer carefully to the packet instructions on convenience foods.
Some packet instructions only display information for B or D rated ovens. We
therefore provide additional guidelines for reheating and cooking on pages 23-28
of this book.
ALWAYS check the progress of the food as it cooks or reheats by simply opening
the door.

Failure to follow the instructions given in this Cookbook and Operating
Instructions, may affect the recipe result and in some instances may be
dangerous.

To re-start, close oven door and press start.

The IEC (60705) power
output (watts)

The heating category for
small packs of food

Customer Care Centre 0844 8443868



Selected Spares and Accessories:

Order direct on line at www.panasonic.co.uk or by
telephoning the Customer Care Centre number above.

For Cookery Advice call: 01344 862108
Alternatively visit our web site at www.theideaskitchen.co.uk

Contents

1

Important Safety Instructions 2

Unpacking your oven 3

Care & cleaning 4

Maintenance of your oven 5

Parts of your oven 6

Important Information 7-8

Microwaving Principles 9

Control Panels 10

General Guidelines 11-12

Containers to use 13-14

Setting the clock/Timer/Child safety lock 16

Auto Weight Defrost

Defrosting Guidelines 18

Defrosting Charts 19

Auto Weight Reheat / Cook Programs

Cooking and reheating Guidelines 22

Reheating Charts 23-24

Cooking Charts 25-27

Recipes 28-35

Technical Specifications 36

17

20-21

Important safety instructions

2

Please read carefully and keep for future reference

This appliance is supplied with a moulded three
pin mains plug for your safety and convenience.
A 13 amp fuse is fitted in this plug. Should the
fuse need to be replaced, please ensure that
the replacement fuse has a rating of 13 amps
and that it is approved by ASTA or BSI to
BS1362. Check for the ASTA mark or the
BSI mark on the body of the fuse.

If the fuse cover is detachable, never use
the plug with the cover omitted. If a
replacement fuse cover is required, ensure it
is the same colour as that visible on the pin
face of the plug. A replacement fuse cover
can be purchased from your local Panasonic
Dealer.

HOW TO REPLACE THE FUSE

Open the fuse
compartment with a
screwdriver and
replace the fuse.

IF THE FITTED MOULDED PLUG IS
UNSUITABLE FOR THE SOCKET OUTLET IN
YOUR HOME THEN THE FUSE SHOULD BE
REMOVED AND THE PLUG CUT OFF AND
DISPOSED OF SAFELY AND AN
APPROPRIATE ONE FITTED. THERE IS A
DANGER OF SEVERE ELECTRICAL SHOCK
IF THE CUT OFF PLUG IS INSERTED INTO
ANY 13 AMP SOCKET.

If a new plug is to be fitted, please observe the
wiring code as shown opposite. If in any doubt,
please consult a qualified electrician (For U.K.
Models only).

WARNING: THIS APPLIANCE MUST BE
EARTHED.

IMPORTANT: The wires in this mains lead are

coloured in accordance with the following code:
Green-and-yellow: Earth. Blue: Neutral. Brown:
Live.

As the colours of the wire in the mains lead of
this appliance may not correspond with the
coloured markings identifying the terminals in
your plug, proceed as follows:

The wire which is coloured GREEN-AND­YELLOW must be connected to the terminal in
the plug which is marked with the letter E or by
the Earth symbol or coloured GREEN or
GREEN-AND-YELLOW.

The wire which is coloured BLUE must be
connected to the terminal in the plug which is
marked with the letter N or coloured BLUE.

The wire which is coloured BROWN must be
connected to the terminal in the plug which is
marked with the letter L or coloured BROWN.

When this oven is installed it should be easy to
isolate the appliance from the electricity supply
by pulling out the plug or operating a circuit
breaker.

Voltage & Power

The voltage used must be the same as
specified on this microwave oven. Using a
higher voltage than that which is specified
is dangerous and may result in a fire or
other type of accident causing damage.

Do not immerse cord, plug or oven in water.
Keep cord away from heated surfaces. Do not
let cord hang over the edge of table or work top.
Do not plug your oven in via an extension cable
as this can be dangerous. It is important to plug
the oven directly into a wall socket.

The back of the appliance heats up during use.
Do not allow the cord to be in contact with the
back of the appliance or cabinet surface.

Unpacking your oven

3

1. Examine Your Oven

Unpack oven, remove all packing material,
and examine the oven for any damage such
as dents, broken door latches or cracks in
the door. Notify dealer immediately if unit is
damaged. Do NOT install if unit is damaged.

2. Guarantee

Your receipt is your guarantee, please keep
safely.

3. Cord

If the supply cord is damaged, it must be
replaced by the manufacturer or its service
agent or a similarly qualified person in order
to avoid a hazard.

Note: The appliance should be inspected for

damage to the door seals and door seal areas.
If these areas are damaged the appliance
should not be operated until it has been
repaired by a service technician trained by the
manufacturer.

Placement of your oven

This oven is intended for household countertop use only. It is not intended for built-in use or for use
inside a cupboard.

1. Oven must be placed on a flat, stable
surface 850mm above floor level. For proper
operation, the oven must have sufficient air
flow. ie 5cm at one side, the other being
open; 15cm clear over the top; 10cm at the
rear.

5cm

15cm

10cm

open

3. Do not block air vents on the rear and
bottom or top of the cabinet. Do not place
any articles on the top of the oven over the
vents. If air vents are blocked during
operation, the oven may overheat. If the
oven overheats, a thermal safety device will
turn the oven off. The oven will remain
inoperable until it has cooled.

4. Do not use outdoors.

2. Do not place the microwave oven on a shelf

directly above a gas or electric hob. This
may be a safety hazard and the oven may
be damaged.

5. This appliance is not intended to be
operated by means of an external timer or
separate remote control system.



Using your oven

1. Only allow children to use the oven without

supervision when adequate instructions
have been given so that the child is able to
use the oven in a safe way and understands
the hazards of improper use.

Ensure that children do not touch the hot
outer casing after operation of the oven.

2. Storage of Accessories

Do not store any objects other than oven
accessories inside the oven in case it is
accidentally turned on. In case of electronic

DO NOT OPERATE THE OVEN EMPTY. The appliance must not be operated WITHOUT
FOOD IN THE OVEN. Operation when empty will damage the appliance.

failure, oven can only be turned off at wall
socket.

3. This appliance is not intended for use by

persons (including children) with reduced
physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or
lack of experience and knowledge unless
they have been given supervision or
instruction concearning the use of the
appliance by a person responsible for their
safety. Children should be supervised to
ensure that they do not play with the
appliance.

Care & Cleaning of your Microwave Oven

4

IMPORTANT - It is essential for the safe operation of the oven that it is kept clean,
and wiped out after each use. Failure to maintain the oven in a clean condition
could lead to deterioration of a surface that could adversely affect the life of the
appliance and possibly result in a hazardous situation.

1. Switch the oven off before cleaning and unplug at socket if possible.

2. Keep the inside of the oven, door seals and door seal areas clean. When food splatters

or spilled liquids adhere to oven walls, door seals and door seal areas wipe off with a damp
cloth. Mild detergent may be used if they get very dirty. The use of harsh detergent or
abrasives is not recommended. Take care when cleaning around the microwave feed guide.

3. Your oven cavity is constructed of zinc coated steel, painted with an extremely durable

coating. After use, the oven interior should be wiped out to remove any remaining water in
order to reduce the risk of corrosion to the cavity and door.
The cavity and door can be damaged by abrasive cleaners and sharp objects so care must
be taken to avoid damage caused in this way. If the cavity or door become damaged the
lining may begin to corrode. Providing the above precautions are taken regarding the
cleaning and care of your oven the life of the cavity and door may be extended.

4. The outside oven surface should be cleaned with a damp cloth. To prevent damage to the

operating parts inside the oven, water should not be allowed to seep into the ventilation
openings.

5. If the control panel becomes dirty, clean with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use harsh detergents

or abrasives on Control Panel. When cleaning the Control Panel, leave the oven door open
to prevent the oven from accidentally turning on. After cleaning touch STOP/CANCEL Pad to
clear display window or turn TIMER SELECT DIAL back to ZERO position.

6. Keep air vents clear at all times. Check that no dust or other material is blocking any of the

air vents on the top, bottom or rear of the oven. If air vents become blocked this could cause
overheating which would affect the operation of the oven and possibly result in a hazardous
situation.

7. If steam accumulates inside or around the outside of the oven door, wipe with a soft cloth.

This may occur when the microwave oven is operated under high humidity conditions and in
no way indicates a malfunction of the unit or microwave leakage.

8. It is occasionally necessary to remove the glass turntable for cleaning. Wash the tray in

warm soapy water. Do not place in the dishwasher.

9. The roller ring and oven cavity floor should be cleaned regularly to avoid excessive noise.

Simply wipe the bottom surface of the oven with mild detergent and hot water then dry with a
clean cloth. The roller ring may be washed in mild soapy water. After removing the roller ring
from cavity floor for cleaning, be sure to replace it in the proper position.

10. A steam cleaner is not to be used for cleaning.

Maintenance of your oven

5

1. Service

WHEN YOUR OVEN REQUIRES A SERVICE call your local Panasonic engineer (Customer
Care Centre on 0844 8443868 can recommend an engineer). It is hazardous for anyone other
than a competent person to carry out any service or repair operation which involves the removal
of a cover which gives protection against exposure to microwave energy.

2. Door Seals

Do not attempt to tamper with or make any adjustments or repairs to door, control panel
housing, safety interlock switches or any other part of the oven. Do not remove outer panel from
oven.
The door seals and door seal areas should always be kept clean – use a damp cloth.

N.B.: The appliance should be inspected for damage to the door seals and door seal areas. If

these areas are damaged the appliance should not be operated until it has been repaired by a
service technician trained by the manufacturer.

3. Oven Light

The oven lamp must be replaced by a service technician trained by the manufacturer. DO NOT
attempt to remove the outer casing from the oven.

4. Selected Spares and Accessories

These may be ordered direct; on line at www.panasonic.co.uk or by telephoning the Customer
Care Centre 0844 8443868. Most major credit and debit cards accepted. Ensure you quote the
correct model number.

Parts of Your Oven

6

1. Do not operate the oven without the Roller
Ring and Glass Turntable in place.

2. Only use the Glass Turntable specifically
designed for this oven. Do not substitute
with any other Glass Turntable.

3. If Glass Turntable is hot, allow to cool before
cleaning or placing in water.

4. Do not cook directly on Glass Turntable.
Always place food in a microwave safe dish.
The only exception to this is when cooking
Jacket Potatoes or Auto Program Jacket
Potatoes.

External Air Vents

See-through
Oven Window

5. If food or utensils on the glass turntable

touch the oven walls this will cause the
turntable to stop moving. It will then
automatically rotate in the opposite direction.
This is normal. Open oven door, reposition
the food and restart.

6. The Glass Turntable can rotate in either
direction. The maximum weight that can be
placed on the turntable is 3 Kg (6 lb 10 oz)
(this includes total weight of food and dish).

7. While cooking by MICROWAVE the turntable
may vibrate. This will not affect cooking
performance.

8. Arcing may occur if the incorrect weight of
food is used or a metal container has been
used accidentally. If this occurs, stop the
machine immediately.

Glass Turntable

The glass turntable and roller ring are the only
accessories used for Microwave Cooking.

Door Safety
Lock System

Power Cord

Door Safety
Lock System

Roller Ring

1. The Roller Ring and oven floor should be

cleaned frequently to prevent excessive
noise.

2. The Roller Ring must always be used
together with the Glass Turntable for
cooking.

Microwave
Feed Guide
(Do not remove)

Control Panel

Identification label

Door Release Pad

Push to open the door
Opening the door during cooking will stop the
cooking process without cancelling the
program.

Cooking resumes as soon as the door is
closed and Start is pressed.

Important Information – Read Carefully

7

Safety

If smoke or a fire occurs in the oven, press
Stop/Cancel pad or turn TIMER SELECT Dial
back to zero position and leave the door closed
in order to stifle any flames.
Disconnect the power cord, or shut off the power
at the fuse or the circuit breaker panel.

Short Cooking Times

As microwave cooking times are much shorter
than other cooking methods it is essential that
recommended cooking times are not exceeded
without first checking the food.

Cooking times given in the cookbook are
approximate. Factors that may affect cooking
times are: preferred degree of cooking, starting
temperature, altitude, volume, size and shape of
foods and utensils used. As you become familiar
with the oven, you will be able to adjust these
factors.

It is better to undercook rather than overcook
foods. If food is undercooked, it can always be
returned to the oven for further cooking. If food is
overcooked, nothing can be done. Always start
with minimum cooking times.

Important.

If the recommended cooking times are exceeded
the food will be spoiled and in extreme
circumstances could catch fire and possibly
damage the interior of the oven.

1. Small quantities of food.

Take care when heating small quantities of
food as these can easily burn, dry out or
catch fire if cooked too long. Always set short
cooking times and check the food frequently.

NEVER OPERATE THE OVEN WITHOUT
FOOD INSIDE.

2. Foods low in moisture.

Take care when heating foods low in
moisture, eg bread items, chocolate, popcorn,
biscuits and pastries. These can easily burn,
dry out or catch on fire if cooked too long.
We do not recommend heating foods low in
moisture such as popcorn or poppadoms.
This oven has been developed for food use.
We do not recommend that it is used for
heating non food items such as wheat bags or
hot water bottles

3. Christmas Pudding.

Christmas puddings and other foods high in
fats or sugar, eg. jam, mince pies, must not
be over heated. These foods must never be
left unattended as with over cooking these
foods can ignite. See pages 23-27.

4. Boiled Eggs.

Eggs in their shell and whole hard-boiled
eggs should not be heated in microwave
ovens since they may explode even after
microwave heating has ended.

5. Foods with Skins.

Potatoes, apples, egg yolk, whole vegetables
and sausages are examples of food with non
porous skins. These must be pierced using a
fork before cooking to prevent bursting.

6. Liquids.

Liquids and other foods must not be heated in
sealed containers since they are liable to
explode. When heating liquids, eg soup,
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:

a) Avoid using straight-sided containers with

narrow necks.

b) Do not overheat.
c) Stir the liquid before placing the container

in the oven and again halfway through the
heating time.

d) After heating, allow to stand in the oven

for a short time, stirring again before
carefully removing the container.

e) Microwave heating of beverages can

result in delayed eruptive boiling,
therefore care should be taken when
handling the container.

7. Lids.

Always remove the lids of jars and containers
and takeaway food containers before you
microwave them. If you donʼt then steam and
pressure might build up inside and cause an
explosion even after the microwave cooking
has stopped.

8. Deep Fat Frying.

Do not attempt to deep fat fry in your oven.

Important Information – Read Carefully

8

9. Meat Thermometer.

Use a meat thermometer to check the
degree of cooking of joints and poultry only
when meat has been removed from the
microwave. If undercooked, return to the
oven and cook for a few more minutes at
the recommended power level. Do not
leave a conventional meat thermometer in
the oven when microwaving.

10. Paper, Plastic.

When heating food in plastic or paper
containers, keep an eye on the oven due to
the possibility of ignition. Do not use wire
twist-ties with roasting bags as arcing will
occur.

Do not use re-cycled paper products, eg
Kitchen roll unless they say they are
specifically designed for use in a microwave
oven. These products contain impurities
which may cause sparks and/or fires when
used.

11. Reheating.

It is essential that reheated food is served
“piping hot”.

Remove the food from the oven and check
that it is “piping hot”, ie steam is being
emitted from all parts and any sauce is
bubbling. (If you wish you may choose to
check the food has reached 72˚C with a
food thermometer – but remember do not
use this thermometer inside the
microwave.)

For foods that cannot be stirred, eg
lasagne, shepherds pie, the centre should
be cut with a knife to test it is well heated
through. Even if a manufacturerʼs packet
instructions have been followed always
check the food is piping hot before serving
and if in doubt return your food to the oven
for further heating.

12. Standing Time.

Standing time refers to the period at the end
of cooking or reheating when food is left
before being eaten, ie. it is a rest time which
allows the heat in the food to continue to
conduct to the centre, thus eliminating cold
spots. See page 11 and 18.

13. Keeping Your Oven Clean.

It is essential for the safe operation of the
oven that it is wiped out regularly. Use
warm soapy water, squeeze the cloth out
well and use to remove any grease or food
from the interior. Pay particular attention to
the door seal area and also the areas
around the microwave feed guide situated
on the right hand side of the cavity wall. The
oven should be unplugged when cleaning.

14. Utensils.

Before use check that utensils/containers
are suitable for use in microwave ovens.
See pages 13-14.

15. Babies Bottles and Food Jars.

When reheating babies bottles always
remove top and teat. Liquid at the top of the
bottle will be much hotter than that at the
bottom and must be shaken thoroughly
before checking the temperature. The lid
must also be removed from babies food
jars, the contents must also be stirred or
shaken before the temperature is checked.
This should be carried out before
consumption to avoid burns. See page 22.

16. Arcing.

Arcing may occur if a metal container has
been used accidentally or if the incorrect
weight of food is used. Arcing is when blue
flashes of light are seen in the microwave
oven. If this occurs, stop the machine
immediately. If the oven is left unattended
and this continues it can damage the
machine.

17. Maximum Weight on Turntable

The maximum weight that can be placed on
the turntable is 3 Kg (6 lb 10 oz) (this
includes total weight of food and dish).

Microwaving Principles

9

Microwave energy has been used in this country to cook and
reheat food since early experiments with radar in World War
II. Microwaves are present in the atmosphere all the time,
both naturally and from manmade sources.
Manmade sources include radar, radio, television,
telecommunication links and car phones.

How Microwaves cook food

Oven cavity

Turntable

The microwaves cause the water molecules to vibrate which
causes FRICTION, ie. HEAT. This heat then cooks the food.
Microwaves are also attracted to fat and sugar particles, and
foods high in these will cook more quickly. Microwaves can
only penetrate to a depth of 11⁄2 -2 inches (4-5 cm) and as heat
spreads through the food by conduction, just as in a traditional
oven, the food cooks from the outside inwards.

13 Amp fused socket

Wave Guide

Magnetron

In a microwave oven,
electricity is converted
into microwaves by the
MAGNETRON

REFLECTION

The microwaves bounce
off the metal walls
and the metal door
screen.

TRANSMISSION

Then they pass through
the cooking containers
to be absorbed by the
water molecules in the
food, all foods contain
water to a more or
lesser extent.

Important Notes

The dish used to cook or
reheat the food will get warm
during cooking, as the heat
conducts from the food. Even
in micro waving, oven gloves
are required!

MICROWAVES CANNOT
PASS THROUGH METAL
AND THERE FORE METAL
COOKING UTEN SILS CAN
NEVER BE USED IN A
MICROWAVE, FOR
COOKING ON MICROWAVE
ONLY

Foods Not Suitable for
Cooking by Microwave Only

Yorkshire Puddings, Souffles,
Double Crust Pastry Pies.

This is because these foods
rely on dry external heat to
cook correctly, do not attempt
to cook by micro wave.

Foods that require deep fat
frying cannot be cooked
either.

Boiled Eggs

Do not boil eggs in your
microwave. Raw eggs boiled
in their shells can explode
and cause serious injury.

STANDING TIME

When a microwave oven is
switched off, the food will
continue to cook by
conduction – NOT BY
MICROWAVE ENERGY.
Hence STANDING TIME is
very important in microwaving,
particularly for dense foods
i.e. meat, cakes and reheated
meals (Refer to page 11).

(1)

10

(2)

(4)
(5)

(8)

(9)

NN-E271WM
NN-E281BM
NN-E281MM

Control Panels

(1) Display Window
(2) Microwave Power Levels
(3) Time Pads
(4) Auto Weight Reheat Programs
(5) Auto Weight Cook Programs

(3)

(6)

(7)

(10)

(11)

(6) Auto Weight Defrost Pad
(7) Timer / Clock Pad
(8) Weight Selection Pads
(9) Stop/Cancel Pad:

Before Cooking:

one press clears your instructions.

During Cooking:

one press temporarily stops the cooking
program. Another press cancels all your
instructions and the time of day will

appear in the display.
(10) Start Pad
(11) Door Release Pad

*The Design of your control panel may vary

from the panel displayed (depending on
colour), but the function of the pads are the
same.