Whirlpool GM8131XEQ1, GM8131XEQ0, GM8131XEB1, GM8131XEB0 Owner’s Manual

Making Your World

A Lit_ Easier:

UseAndCare

MICROWAVE-CONVECTION OVEN

PART NO. 3828W5A0072/4359327 MODEL MC8131XE

Table of Contents

A Note to You ............................................ 3

Microwave Oven Safety ......................... 4-8

Important safety instructions................. 4

Precautionsto avoid possible exposure

toexcessive microwaveenergy ............ 6

Operating safety precautions ................ 7

Installation Instructions ............................ 9

Getting to Know Your Microwave-

Convection Oven .................................... 12

How microwave cookingworks ........... 12

Microwave oven features .................... 14

Control panel features ......................... 15

Built-in kits .......................................... 17

Setting the clock ................................. 18

Using the minute timer ........................ 19

Microwave Cooking ................................ 21

Getting the best cookingresults.......... 21

Microwave cookingat high cook

power ................................................. 21

Microwave cooking atdifferent

cook powers ....................................... 23

Microwave cooking with more than

one cook cycle .................................... 25

Using POPCORN ............................... 28

Using WARM HOLD ........................... 30

One-touch reheating ........................... 31

One-touch reheating chart .................. 32

One-touch microwave cooking ............ 32

One-touch microwave cooking chart ... 33

Using PLUS TIME ............................... 34

Defrosting with microwave energy ....... 35

Defrost chart ...................................... 37

Defrosting tips ..................................... 39

Convection Cooking ............................... 40

How convection cooking works ........... 40

Cooking with CONVECTION ............... 41

Convenience foods cooking chart ....... 43

Combination Cooking ................... ,......... 44

How combination cooking works ......... 44

Combination high and low cooking ...... 45

Meat combination cooking chart .......... 46

Auto cook combination cooking ........... 49

Auto cook combination setting chart .._ 50

Caring for Your Microwave-

Convection Oven .................................... 51

Cooking Guide ........................................ 52

Reheating chart ................................. 52

Microwave cooking chart..................... 53

Microwave cooking tips....................... 54

Oven utensilsguide ............................ 56

Questions and Answers .......................... 57

If You Need Assistance or Service ......... 58

Warranty .................................................. 64

A Note to You

Thank you for buying a WHIRLPOOL s appliance.

Because your life is getting busier and more complicated, WHIRLPOOL microwave ovens are

easy to use, save time, and help you manage your home better. To ensure that you enjoy years of trouble-free operation, we developed this Use and Care Guide. It is full of valuable

information about how to operate and maintain your appliance properly and safely. Please read it carefully.

Also, please complete and mail in the Ownership Registration Card provided with your

appliance. The card helps us notify you about any new information on your appliance.

Please record your model's information.

Whenever you call to request service for Model Number your appliance, you need to know your Serial Number

complete model number and serial number. You can find this information on the model PurchaseDate

and serial number plate (see diagram on DealerName

page 14 for location of plate).

Please also record the purchase date of DealerAddress

your appliance and your dealer's name, DealerPhone address, and telephone number.

Keep this book and the sales slip together in a safe place for future reference.

Center number is toll-free.

I Our Consumer Assistance

1-800-253-1301

Microwave Oven Safety

Your safety is important to us.

This guide contains safety statements under warning symbols. Please pay special attention to these symbols and follow any instructions given. Here is a brief explana-

tion of the use of the symbol.

This symbol alerts you to

hazards such as fire, electrical shock, or other injuries.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Microwave ovens have been thoroughly tested for safe and efficient operation. However, as with any appliance, there are special installation and safety precautions which must be followed to ensure safe and satisfactory operation and prevent damage to the unit.

• Read all instructions before using the microwave oven.

• Read and follow the specific "PRE- CAUTIONS TO AVOID POSSIBLE

EXPOSURE TO EXCESSIVE MICRO-

WAVE ENERGY" found on page 6.

• This appliance must be grounded. Connect only to properly grounded

outlet. See "GROUNDING INSTRUC- TIONS" found on page 10,

• Install or locate this appliance only in accordance with the provided Installa- tion Instructions found on page 9.

• Some products such as whole eggs in the shell and sealed containers -for

example, closed glass jars - could explode and should not be heated in this oven.

• Do not heat, store, or use flammable materials in or near the oven. Fumes

could create a fire hazard or explosion.

• Do not store this appliance outside.

• Use this appliance only for its intended use as described in this manual. Do

not use corrosive chemicals or vapors in this appliance. This type of oven is

specifically designed to heat or cook

food. It is not designed for industrial or

laboratory use.

•As with any appliance, close supervision is necessary when used by children.

• Do not operate this appliance if it has a damaged cord or plug, if it is not working properly, or if it has been damaged or dropped. Electrical shock, fire, or other hazards could result.

• This appliance should be serviced only

by qualified service personnel. Call an authorized Whirlpool service company

for examination, repair, or adjustment.

• Do not cover or block any opening on the appliance, Fire could result.

• Do not store or use this appliance 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.

• Do not immerse cord or plug in water.

• Keep cord away from heated surfaces.

• Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter.

• See door surface and interior cleaning

instructions on page 51.

-Toreducetheriskoffireintheovencavity:

- Donotovercookfood.Carefullyattend applianceifpaper,plastic,orother

combustiblematerialsareplaced

insidetheoventofacilitatecooking. Papercouldcharorburn,andsome

plasticscouldmeltifusedwhen heatingfoods.

- Donotusepaper,plastics,orother combustiblematerialswhenoperating

themicrowaveovenasaconvection

oven.

- Do not deep fry in oven. Microwavable utensils are not suitable and it is

difficult to maintain appropriate deep frying temperatures.

- Test dinnerware or cookware

before using, To test a dish for safe use, put it into the oven with a cup

ofwater beside it. Cook at 100% cook power for one minute. If the

dish gets hot and water stays cool, do not use it. Some dishes (melamine, some ceramic dinner-

ware, etc.) absorb microwave energy, becoming too hot tO handle

and slowing cooking times. Cooking in metal containers not designed for

microwave use could damage the oven, as could containers with

hidden metal (twist-ties, foil lining, staples, metallic glaze or trim).

- Remove wire twist-ties from paper or plastic bags before placing bag

in oven.

- If materials inside the oven should ignite, keep oven door closed, turn

oven off, and disconnect the power cord or shut off power at the fuse or

circuit breaker panel.

- Do not use the cavity for storage pur-

poses. Do not leave paper products, cooking utensils, or food in the cavity

when not in use.

- Do not mount over a sink.

- Do not store anything directly on top

of the appliance when appliance is in operation.

• Read and follow "Operating safety

precautions"starling on page 7.

1. A short power-supply cord is provided to reduce the risks resulting from

becoming entangled in or tripping over a longercord.

2. Longer cord sets or extension cords are available and may be used if care

isexercised in their use.

continued on next page

3. If a long cord or extension cord is used temporarily, (a) the marked

electrical rating of the cord set or extension cord should be at least as

great as the electrical rating of the appliance, (b) the extension cord must be a grounding-type, 3-wire cord that

has a 3-blade grounding plug and a 3-slot receptacle that will accept the

plug on the appliance, and (c) the longer cord should be arranged so that it will

not drape over the countertop or table- top where it can be pulled on by children or tripped over accidentally.

4. A qualified electrician must install a properly grounded and polarized 3-prong receptacle near the appliance.

- SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS -

PRECAUTIONSTOAVOID POSSIBLEEXPOSURETO EXCESSIVEMICROWAVE ENERGY...

Do not attempt to operate this oven with

the door open since open-door operation can result in harmful exposure to micro- wave energy. It is important not to defeat or tamper with the safety interlocks.

Do not place any object between the

oven front face and the door or allow soil or cleaner residue to accumulate on

sealing surfaces.

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. Do not operate the microwave oven if the

door window is broken.

The microwave oven should be checked

for microwave leakage by qualified service personnel after a repair is made.

The oven should not be adjusted or repaired by anyone except properly qualified service personnel.

Do not operate the microwave oven with the outer cabinet removed.

Operating safety precautions

Never lean on the door or allow a child to

swing on itwhen the door is open. Injury could result,

Never cook or reheat awhole egg inside the shell. Steam buildup in whole eggs may cause them to burstand burn you, and possibly damage the oven. Slice hard-boiled

eggs before heating. In rare instances, poached eggs have been known to explode. Cover poached eggs and allow a standing time of one minute before cutting into them.

Stir before heating

For best results, stir any liquid several times before heating or reheating. Liquids

heated in certain containers (especially

cylindrical containers) may become over- heated. The liquid may splash out with a

loud noise during or after heating or when adding ingredients (coffee granules, tea

bags, etc.) resulting in harm to the oven and possible personal injury.

Use hot pads. Microwave energy does not heat containers, but the hot food does.

Do not overcook potatoes. Fire could result. At the end of the recommended

cooking time, potatoes should be slightly firm because they will continue cooking

during standing time. After mlcrowaving, wrap potatoes in foil and set aside for

5 minutes, They will finish cooking while standing.

Donot start a microwave oven when it is

empty, Product life may be shortened.

If you practice programming the oven,

put a container of water in the oven.

Do not use newspaper or other printed paper in the oven. Fire could result.

Do not dry flowers, fruit, herbs, wood,

paper, gourds, or clothes in the oven. Fire could result.

Ceramic glass turntable

Do not operate in the microwave mode

unless the ceramic glass turntable is securely in place and can rotate freely.

The turntable can rotate in either direction.

Make sure the turntable is correct-side

up in oven. Carefully place cookware on

turntableto avoid possible breakage.

Handle turntable with care when remov-

ing from oven to avoid possible breakage.

Ifturntable cracks or breaks, contact your

Whirlpool dealer for a replacement.

When you use a browning dish, the

browning dish bottom must be at least 3Aeinchabove the turntable. Follow direc-

tions suppliedwith browning dish. General information

Circuit

breakeror

I fuse box

Do not try to melt paraffin wax in the oven.

Paraffin wax will not melt in a microwave

oven because it allows microwaves to pass through it.

If your electric power line or outlet voltage is less than 110 volts, cooking times may be longer. Have a qualified electriciancheck

yourelectrical system.

Installation Instructions

Before you begin operating the oven, carefully read the following instructions.

NOTES:

• Do not block the exhaust vents or rear air intake openings. Allow a few inches o|

space at back of oven where intake openings are located. Blocking the air intake openings and exhaust vents could cause damage to the oven and poor

1. Empty the microwave oven and clean inside it with a soft, damp cloth. Check for damage such as misaligned door, damage

around the door, or dents inside the oven or on the exterior, if there is any damage,

do not operate the unit until it has been checked by an authorized Whirlpool

service technician and any repairs made.

cooking results. Make sure the microwave oven legs are in place to ensure proper

airflow.

• Do not install the oven next to or over a heat source (for example, acooktop or

range) without a UL approved trim kit or without being in a UL approved built-in configuration. Also, do not install oven in any area where excessive heat and steam are generated. This could cause a fire, electrical shock, excessive exposure to

microwave energy, other personal injury, or damage to the outside of the cabinet.

_f m

2. Put the oven on a cart, counter, table, or she?fthat is strong enough to hold the

oven and the food and utensils you put in it. (The control side of the unit is the heavy side. Use care when handling.) The weight of the oven is approximately

58 Ibs. The microwave oven should be at a temperature above 50°F (10°C) for proper operation.

Exhaust vents

Power supply

Air Intake openings

(on bottom)

Fire Hazard

Do not install the oven next to or over a heat source.

Doing so can result In death, fire, or electrical shock.

Built-in kits

You can build your microwave-convection

oven into a wall or cabinet by using one of the trim kits listed on page 17.

These kits are available from your

Whirlpool Dealer. If your dealer does not

stock the kit you can order it, by kit part number, by calling 1-800-253-1301 and

following the instructions and telephone prompts you hear.

continued on next page

3. Electrical requirements

Observe all governing codes and ordi- nances. A 120 Volt, 60 Hz, AC only, 15

or 20 amp fused electrical supply is required.

(Time-delay fuse is recommended.) It is recommended that a separate circuit

serving only this appliance be provided.

,.GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS

5. For your personal safety, this appliance must be grounded. In the event of an electrical short circuit, grounding

reduces the risk of electrical shock by providing an escape wire for the electric current. This appliance is equipped with a polarized 3-prong grounding plug.

It must be plugged into a correctly polarized mating 3-prong grounding

type wall receptacle, properly installed

and grounded in accordance with the National Electrical Code and local

codes and ordinances. If a mating wall

receptacle is not available or if you are not sure if the wall receptacle is properly grounded and polarized, have

it checked by a qualified electrician.

3-pronggrounding typewall receptacle--_,..._

3-pronggroundlng

plug_ _

Power I! /( \

supply cora__ _;_ 'Grounding

II prong

It is the personal responsibility and obliga- tion of the customer to have a properly grounded and correctly polarized 3-prong wall receptac]e installed by a qualified

electrician.

Consult a qualified electrician if the grounding instructions are not completely understood, or if doubt exists as to whether

the appliance is properly grounded.

It is not recommended to use an

extension cord with your microwave oven, but if you find it necessary to do so temporarily (until a properly grounded and polarized, 3-prong

receptacle is installed), use only a heavy duty, UL listed, 3-wire grounding

type extension cord containing three 16-

gauge (minimum) copper wires. It must not be longer than 10 feet (cords longer

than 10 feet may affect the cooking perfor-

mance of your microwave oven). The plug on the extension cord must fit into a 3-prong

grounding type wall receptacle (as shown on this page) and the receptacle end of the

extension cord must accept the 3-prong grounding plug of the microwave oven.

6. k-_ To test the oven, plug it into the proper electrical outlet.

Put about 1 cup (250 mL) of

cold water in a glass container

in the oven, Close the door. Make sure it latches. Follow the directions on page 21 to

set the oven to cook for 2 minutes. When the time is up, the water should be heated.

7. This microwave oven Is designed for use in the household only and must not be used for commercial purposes.

Do not remove the door, control panel,

or cabinet at any time. The unit is equipped with high voltage and should be serviced by an authorized Whirlpool

service technician.

- SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS -

Getting to Know Your

Microwave-Convection

Oven

This section discusses the concepts behind microwave cooking and introduces you to the basics you need to know to operate your microwave oven. Please read this information

before use.

How microwave cooking works

Magnetron

Microwave ovens are safe. Microwave

energy is not hot. Itcauses food to make its own heat, and it's this heat that cooks

the food.

Microwaves are like TV waves or light

waves. You cannot see them, but you can see what they do.

Oven cavity

A magnetron in the microwave oven

produces microwaves. The microwaves

move into the oven where they contact

food as it turns on the turntable.

Ceramic glassturntable

eli

Metal floor

The ceramic glass turntable of your

microwave over} lets microwaves pass through. Then they bounce off a metal floor, back through the ceramic glass turntable, and are absorbed by the food.

Microwaves pass through most glass,

paper, and plastics without heating them

so food absorbs the energy. Microwaves

bounce off metal containers so food does

not absorb the energy.

Microwaves may not reach the center of a roast. The heat spreads to the center trom the outer, cooked areas just as in regular oven cooking. This is one of the reasons for

letting some foods (for example, roasts or baked potatoes) stand for a while after cooking, or for stirring some foods during the cooking time.

The microwaves disturb water molecules

in the food. As the molecules bounce around bumping into each other, heat is made, like

rubbing your hands together. This is the heat that does the cooking.

Radio interference Operation of the microwave oven may cause

interference to your radio, TV, or similar equipment. When there is interference, it

may be reduced or eliminated by taking the following measures:

• Clean door and sealing surfaces of the oven.

• Adjust the receiving antenna of radio or television.

• Move the receiver away from the micro-

wave oven.

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

receiver are on different branch circuits.

141itl [_lloi l_[_.l,l|*lll:i_',l[4:[,l,l:t'lll.i 1'J4_I1.1_'1.1_'14_'1

Microwave oven features

Yourmicrowave oven isdesigned tomake

your coding experience as en_y_ble and productive as possible.To get you up and

running quickly, the following is a list of the

oven's basic features:

1. One-Touch Door Open Button, Push to

open door.

2. Door Safety Lock System. The ovsn will not operate unless the door is securely closed,

% Window with Metal Shield. Shieldpre-

vents microwaves from escaping. It is designed as a screen to allow you to view food as it cooks,

4. Ceramic Glass Turntable. This turntable turns foodas it Cooksformore even cooking, it must be in the ovenduring operation for best cookingresults. See pages 8, 13, and 51 for more details,

5, Turntable Support (under turntable), 6, BI-Level Cooking Rack. Use to conveo*

tionor combination cook ontwo levels at the same time. Place one plateof food

on the turntable and anot_r a_vs it on the rack.

7. Control Panel. Touchpads on this panel to perform all functions. See pages 15-17 for more information,

8, Light. Automatically turnson when door

is openedor when oven is opera_mg.

9. Cooking Guide Label,

10, ConvecUon Air Openings, See page

41forinformationonconvection

cooking,

11, Model and Serial Number Plate,

Control panel features

Your microwave oven control panel lets you select the desired cooking function quickly

and easily. All you have to do is touch the necessary Command Pad. The following is a list of all the Command and Number Pads

located on the control panel. For more information, see pages 18-50.

1. Display. This display includes a clock and indicators to tell you time of day,

cooking time settings, and cooking functions.

2. CONVECTION. Touch this pad to con- vection cook. See pages 41-43 for more

information.

3. COMBI HIGH. Touch this pad to

combination cook with a convection temperature of 375°F and a percentage of microwave oven power. See page 45

for more information.

4. COMBI LOW. Touch this pad to combina-

tion cook with a convection temperature of 350°F and a percentage of microwave

oven power. See page 45 for more

information.

5. AUTO COOK. Touch this pad followed

by Number Pads to combination cook by weight. See page 49 for more

information.

6. REHEAT. Touch this pad to reheat foods

from one of three preset categories. You do not have to set a cook time or cook

power. See page 31 for more information.

7. POPCORN. Touch this pad when pop-

ping popcorn in your microwave oven.

The oven will automatically heat for a

preset time at a preset cook power. See page 28 for more information.

continued on next page

8.DEFROST.Touchthispadfollowedby NumberPadstothawfrozenmeat,

poultry,orfishbyweight.Youdonot havetosetacooktimeorcookpower.

Seepage35formoreinformation.

9.COOK.Touchthispadtocookfoods fromoneoffourpresetcategories.You

donothaveto setacooktimeorcook power.Seepage32formore

information.

10. PLUS TIME. Touch this pad to add 10 to 30 seconds to your cooking time

after cooking. See page 34 for more information.

11. WARM HOLD. Touch this pad to keep

hot, cooked food safely warm in your microwave oven for up to 60 minutes.

WARM HOLD can be used by itself, or it

can automatically follow a cooking cycle.

See page 30 for more information.

12. MICRO TIME. Touch this pad followed

by Number Pads to enter cooking times (see pages 21,24, or 25 for more

information) or to set the minute timer (see page 19 for more information).

13. MICRO POWER. Touch this pad after

the cooking time has been set, followed by a Number Pad, to set the amount of microwave energy released to cook the food. The higher the number, the higher the power or faster the "cooking speed."

See page 23 for more information. See the charts on pages 52 and 53 for specific cook powers to use for the food you are cooking.

14. Number Pads. Touch Number Pads to enter cooking times, temperatures, cook

powers, and food weights.

15. START/ENTER. Touch this pad to start a function that you have set. If you open the door after the oven begins to cook,

retouch START/ENTER,

16. CLOCK SET. Touch this pad to enter the correct time of day. See page 18 for

more information,

17. OFF/CANCEL Touch this pad once to erase an incorrect command or twice to

cancel a program during cooking. This pad will not erase time of day.

NOTES:

• If you touch two Command Pads for the same cycle (for example, POPCORN and WARM HOLD), the second command will

cancel the first.

• If you attempt to enter unacceptable instructions, "Error" will appear in the

Dispray and three tones will sound. Touch OFF/CANCEL and re-enter the

instructions.

Audible signals

Audible signals are available to guide you when setting and using your oven:

• A programming tone will sound each time you touch a pad.

• Three tones signal the end of a cooking cycle.

Interrupting cooking

You can stop the oven during a cycle by opening the door. The oven stops heating

and the fan stops, but the light stays on.

To restart cooking, close the door and TOUCH

If you do not want to continue cooking:

• Close the door and the light goes off.

then

•TOUCH

NOTE: Before setting a function, touch

OFF/CANCEL to make sure no other

function is on.

Changing a setting

To change a setting before you start the oven:

TOUCH

Using the child lock The child lock prevents unwanted use of the

microwave oven by locking the control panel.

To lock the control panel:

1. TOUCH

once and enter the setting you want.

To change a setting after you start

the oven: TOUCH

twice and enter the setting you want.

Built-in kits

You can build in r'our microwave oven by using one of the following trim kits:

UL APPROVED FOR INSTALLATION OVER

SIZE COLOR KIT MODEL NO. WHIRLPOOL/KITCHENAID OVEN MODEL

27" Black MK8137XEB RBS277PD KEBI171D KEBS177D 30" Black MK8130XEB KEBI101D KEBS107D 27" White MK8137XEQ RBS270PD RBS275PD 30" White MK8130XEQ RBS305PD RBS307PD

2. TOUCH and hold

until LOCK lights up on the Display and you

hear a tone.

To unlock the control panel: TOUCH and hold

until LOCK goes off. The time of day shows on the Display.

See page 9 for more information.

Setting the clock

When your microwave oven is first plugged in or after a power failure, the Display witl only show "0". If a time of day is not set, "0"

will stay on the Display until you set the cooking time.

NOTES:

• You can only set the clock if the oven is

not cooking food.

• If you touch in an incorrecttime, "Error"

will appear on the Display and three tones will sound. Touch OFF/CANCEL and

CLOCK SET and enter the correct time.

• If you touch OFF/CANCEL while setting

the clock, the clock will return to the last time of day set.

1. Touch CLOCK SET. TOUCH

2. Enter the time of day.

Examplefor 5:30:

3. Complete entry.

TOUCH YOU SEE

TOUCH

YOUSEE

YOU SEE

Using the minute timer

You can use the microwave oven controls

as a minute timer. Use MICRO TIME at "0"

cook power for timing up to 99 minutes, 99

seconds. NOTE: The oven will not operate while the

Minute Timer is in use.

1. Touch MICRO TIME. TOUCH YOU SEE

2. Enter the time to be counted

down.

Example for 1 minute, 30 seconds:

3. Enter "0" cook power so oven

does not start.

TOUCH YOU SEE

TOUCH YOUSEE

continued on next page

+ 42 hidden pages