Magic Chef Built-in Convection Microwave Oven

Your safety and the safety of others are very important.

We have provided many important safety messages in this manual and on your appliance. Always read and obey all safety messages.

Safety Alert Symbol: This symbol alerts you to potential hazards that can kill or hurt you and others. All safety messages will follow the safety alert symbol and either the word "DANGER" or "WARNING." These words mean:

• DANGER: You can be killed or seriously injured if you don't immediately follow instructions.
• WARNING: You can be killed or seriously injured if you don't follow instructions.

All safety messages will tell you what the potential hazard is, tell you how to reduce the chance of injury, and tell you what can happen if the instructions are not followed.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should be followed, including the following:

WARNING: To reduce the risk of burns, electric shock, fire, injury to persons, or exposure to excessive microwave energy:

• Read all instructions before using the microwave oven.
• Read and follow the specific "PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO EXCESSIVE MICROWAVE ENERGY" found in this section.
• The microwave oven must be grounded. Connect only to a properly grounded outlet. See "GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS" found in this section and in the provided Installation Instructions.
• Install or locate the microwave oven only in accordance with the provided Installation Instructions.
• Some products such as whole eggs in the shell and sealed containers – for example, closed glass jars – are able to explode and should not be heated in the microwave oven.
• Use the microwave oven only for its intended use as described in this manual. Do not use corrosive chemicals or vapors in the microwave oven. This type of oven is specifically designed to heat, cook, or dry food. It is not designed for industrial or laboratory use.
• HOT CONTENTS CAN CAUSE SEVERE BURNS. DO NOT ALLOW CHILDREN TO USE THE MICROWAVE. Use caution when removing hot items.
• Do not operate the microwave oven if it has a damaged cord or plug, if it is not working properly, or if it has been damaged or dropped.
• The microwave oven should be serviced only by qualified service personnel. Call an authorized service company for examination, repair, or adjustment.
• See door surface cleaning instructions in the "Microwave Oven Care" section.
• To reduce the risk of fire in the oven cavity:
  • Do not overcook food. Carefully attend the microwave oven when paper, plastic, or other combustible materials are placed inside the oven to facilitate cooking.
  • Remove wire twist-ties from paper or plastic bags before placing bags in oven.
  • If materials inside the oven 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 purposes. Do not leave paper products, cooking utensils, or food in the cavity when not in use.
• Liquids, such as water, coffee, or tea are able to be overheated beyond the boiling point without appearing to be boiling. Visible bubbling or boiling when the container is removed from the microwave oven is not always present. THIS COULD RESULT IN VERY HOT LIQUIDS SUDDENLY BOILING OVER WHEN THE CONTAINER IS DISTURBED OR A SPOON OR OTHER UTENSIL IS INSERTED INTO THE LIQUID. To reduce the risk of injury to persons:
  • Do not overheat the liquid.
  • Stir the liquid both before and halfway through heating it.
  • Do not use straight-sided containers with narrow necks.
  • After heating, allow the container to stand in the microwave oven for a short time before removing the container.
  • Use extreme care when inserting a spoon or other utensil into the container.
• Oversized foods or oversized metal utensils should not be inserted in the microwave oven as they may create a fire or risk of electric shock.
• Do not clean with metal scouring pads. Pieces can burn off the pad and touch electrical parts involving a risk of electric shock.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

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 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. Wipe the sealing area frequently with a mild detergent, rinse and dry. Never use abrasive powders or pads.

(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.

This device complies with Part 18 of the FCC Rules.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Electrical Requirements

WARNING Electrical Shock Hazard

Plug into a grounded 3 prong outlet.

• Do not remove ground prong.
• Do not use an adapter.
• Do not use an extension cord.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in death, fire, or electrical shock.

Observe all governing codes and ordinances.

Required:

• A 120 Volt, 60 Hz, AC only, 15-amp electrical supply with a fuse or circuit breaker.

Recommended:

• A time-delay fuse or time-delay circuit breaker.
• A separate circuit serving only this microwave oven.

Grounding Instructions

For all cord connected appliances:

The microwave oven 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. The microwave oven 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.

WARNING: Improper use of the grounding plug can result in a risk of electric shock. Consult a qualified electrician or serviceman if the grounding instructions are not completely understood, or if doubt exists as to whether the microwave oven is properly grounded.

Do not use an extension cord. If the power supply cord is too short, have a qualified electrician or serviceman install an outlet near the microwave oven.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Unpacking

1. Empty the microwave oven of any packing materials.
2. Clean the inside with a soft, damp cloth.
3. Check for damage, such as:
   • a door that is not lined up correctly
   • damage around the door, or
   • dents on the interior or exterior of the microwave oven.
   If there is any damage, do not operate the microwave oven until a designated service technician has checked it and made any needed repairs.

Location Requirements

WARNING Excessive Weight Hazard

Use two or more people to move and install microwave oven.

Failure to do so can result in back or other injury.

IMPORTANT: The control side of the microwave oven is the heavy side. Handle the microwave oven gently. The weight of the microwave oven is over 41.4 lbs (18.78kg).

• Place the microwave oven on a cart, counter, table or shelf that is strong enough to hold the microwave oven and the food and utensils you place inside it. The minimum installation height is 36 in (914mm) above the floor level.
• The microwave oven should be at a temperature above 50°F (10°C) for proper operation.
• Do not block the exhaust vents or air intake openings. Allow a few inches of space at the back and side of the microwave oven where the exhaust vents are located. Blocking the exhaust vents could cause damage to the microwave oven, as well as poor cooking results.
• Make sure the microwave oven legs are in place to ensure proper airflow. If vents are blocked, a sensitive thermal device may automatically turn the microwave oven off. The microwave oven should work properly once it has cooled.

SPECIFICATIONS

* Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Diagram Description: The front view shows a width of 25.69 inches and a height of 17 inches. The side view shows a depth of 18.95 inches.

PARTS AND FEATURES

This manual may cover several different models. The model you have purchased may have some or all of the features shown here. The appearance of your particular model may differ slightly from the illustrations in this manual.

• A. Door lock system
• B. Metal shielded window
• C. Glass turntable
• D. Microwave inlet cover
• E. Microwave oven light
• F. Display
• G. Control panel
• H. Grill Heater

Turntable Assembly

The turntable can rotate in either direction to help cook food more evenly. For best cooking results, do not operate the microwave oven without having the turntable in place. See “Assistance or Service" to reorder any of the parts.

To Install:

1. Install the hub into the hole in the center of the microwave oven cavity bottom.
2. Place the support on the microwave oven cavity bottom.
3. Place the turntable on the support.

Fit the raised, curved mounds in the center of the turntable bottom between the three spokes of the hub.

Display

When power is first supplied to the microwave oven, ":" will appear in the display. Reset the clock if needed. See "Clock" section.

When the microwave oven is in use, the display shows cook time remaining. When the microwave oven is not in use, the display shows the time of day (if the clock is set) or Timer countdown.

MICROWAVE OVEN CONTROL

The control panel features various buttons for different cooking functions and settings. These include preset food programs like Potato, Popcorn, Beverage, Pizza, Spaghetti, Chicken, Cake, and Reheat, as well as combination cooking modes (Micro.+Grill, Micro.+Convection) and specific functions like Convection, Grill, Weight Defrost, Timer, and Power Level.

Operating Your Microwave Oven

Setting The Clock

When the oven is first plugged in, you can set the clock time. To set the clock time:

1. Press CLOCK once to set 24 hour clock, or press CLOCK pad again to set 12 hour clock.
2. Use the numeric pads to enter clock time.
3. Press CLOCK to confirm.

NOTE: This is a 12 and 24 hour clock.

Timer

1. Press TIMER.
2. Press the number keys and enter the amount of time for the Timer to count down (the maximum count down time is 99 minutes and 99 seconds).
3. Press START to confirm the setting and start the timer.
4. When the timer is finished, the buzzer will ring. The LED display will then return to the current time.

Microwave Cooking

The longest cooking time is 99 minutes and 99 seconds. Microwave cooking allows you to customize cooking power and time.

1. Select a power level by pressing the POWER LEVEL pad (see the table below).
2. Set the cooking time using the numeric pad.
3. Press the START pad to start cooking.

Suppose you want to cook for 5 minutes at 60% power level:

1. Press POWER LEVEL button 5 times to set 60% power.
2. Press number pads to enter cooking time until the correct cooking time (5:00) is displayed.
3. Press START pad.

NOTE:

• If you want to temporarily stop a cooking session, press the STOP pad once, then you can continue the cooking by pressing START; or press the RESET to cancel the cooking program altogether.
• After cooking, the system will beep and "End" is displayed. Before starting another cooking session, press any pad to clear the display and reset the system.

Grill

The longest cooking time is 99 minutes and 99 seconds.

Suppose you want to program grill cooking for 12 minutes:

1. Press GRILL button.
2. Use the number pads "1" "2" "0" "0" to enter cooking time.
3. Press START button.

Convection

The longest cooking time is 99 minutes and 99 seconds.

During convection cooking, hot air is circulated throughout the oven cavity to make crisp foods quickly and evenly. This oven can be programmed for ten different cooking temperatures. You can press CONVECTION to check cooking temperature during cooking.

To Cook with Convection

Press CONVECTION pad once and then press the number pads to enter the desired convection temperature.

Suppose you want to cook at 320°F for 40 minutes:

1. Press CONVECTION pad.
2. Press number pad 6.
3. Press number pads "4" "0" "0" "0" to enter cooking time.
4. Press START pad.

To Preheat and Cook with Convection

Your oven can be programmed to combine preheating with convection cooking operations. Suppose you want to preheat to 340°F and then cook 30 minutes:

1. Press CONVECTION.
2. Press number pad 7 to indicate convection temperature 340°F.
3. Press START button. "PREH" will flicker in the display until it reaches the designated temperature.
4. Open the door and place container of food at the center of the turntable.
5. Use the number pads to enter cooking time.
6. Press START button.

Microwave + Grill

The longest cooking time is 99 minutes and 99 seconds. This feature allows you to combine grill and microwave cooking on two different settings. First, press "Microwave+Grill" button once or twice to choose combination setting 1 or 2, then, enter the desired cooking time. Cook begins after pressing the START button.

• COMBINATION 1: 30% of time for microwave cooking, 70% for grill cooking. Suppose you want to set combination 1 cooking for 25 minutes:
  • Press MICRO.+GRILL button once.
  • Use the number pads to enter 25:00.
  • Press START button.
• COMBINATION 2: 55% of time for microwave cooking, 45% for grill cooking. Suppose you want to set combination 2 cooking for 12 minutes:
  • Press MICRO.+GRILL button twice.
  • Use the number pads to enter 12:00.
  • Press START button.

Microwave + Convection

This oven has four pre-programmed settings that make it easy to cook with both convection heat and microwave automatically.

1. In standby mode, press MICRO.+CONECTION button repeatedly to select cooking temperature (230°F, 285°F, 340°F, 390°F).
2. Use number buttons to set cooking time. The longest time is 99 minutes and 99 seconds.
3. Press START button to start.

NOTE: During cooking, you can check the combination power level by pressing MICRO.+ CONECTION button.

Weight Defrost

The oven can defrost food based on the weight you entered. You can set the weight from 4 oz to 64 oz.

Suppose you want to defrost 10oz frozen meat:

1. Press WEIGHT DEFROST button.
2. Press number pad "1" "0" choose food weight.
3. Press START button.

NOTE: Defrost power divides into three stages, each stage needs 1/3 time. After defrosting 2/3 time the system will sound to remind you to turn over the food and pause until you press the button START to enter into the next defrosting stage, and the system resumes.

Multi-Stage Cooking

Your oven can be programmed for up to 3 automatic cooking sequences.

Suppose you want to set the following cooking program:

1. Microwave cooking
2. Convection cooking

1. Press POWER LEVEL button to set power level.
2. Use the number pads to enter cooking time.
3. Press CONVECTION pad once.
4. Use the number pads to enter convection temperature.
5. Use the number pads to enter convection cooking time.
6. Press START button.

NOTE: WEIGHT DEFROST and MENU COOK cannot be set in a multi-stage cooking program.

Preset Food Programs

Popcorn

For a 3.5 oz. bag of microwave popcorn:

1. Touch POPCORN once.
2. Touch START.

Potato

For potatoes (8 oz. per entries):

1. Touch POTATO once for 1 potato.
2. Touch POTATO twice for 2 potatos.
3. Touch START.

Beverage

For cups (200 ml one cup)

1. Touch BEVERAGE once for 1 cups beverage.
2. Touch BEVERAGE twice for 2 cups beverage.
3. Touch BEVERAGE 3 times for 3 cups beverage.
4. Touch START.

Pizza

Cook below weight of pizza:

1. Touch PIZZA once for 6 oz pizza.
2. Touch PIZZA twice for 11 oz pizza.
3. Touch PIZZA 3 times for 16 oz pizza.
4. Touch START.

Spaghetti

Cook below weight of spaghetti:

1. Touch SPAGHETTI once for 4 oz spaghetti.
2. Touch SPAGHETTI twice for 7 oz spaghetti.
3. Touch SPAGHETTI 3 times for 11oz spaghetti.
4. Touch START.

Chicken

Cook below weight of chicken:

1. Touch CHICKEN once for 28 oz chicken.
2. Touch CHICKEN twice for 35 oz chicken.
3. Touch CHICKEN 3 times for 42 oz chicken.
4. Touch CHICKEN 4 times for 49 oz chicken.
5. Touch START.

Note: When hearing DE, turn the food and then press START to continue the cook.

Cake

1. Touch CAKE pad for 16 oz cake.
2. Touch START.

Reheat

1. Touch REHEAT pad for below weight of food.
2. Touch START.

Special Features and Protections

Child Lock Function

The child lock prevents unsupervised operation by children. Set the function in standby mode.

• To set: In standby mode, press and hold RESET for 3 seconds. LOCK is indicated on the display.
• To cancel: Press and hold RESET for 3 seconds. LOCK indication disappears.

To Stop the Oven While the Oven is Operating

1. Press STOP button. You can restart the oven by pressing START pad. Touch RESET button to erase all instructions.
2. Open the door. You can restart the oven by closing the door and pressing START pad.

NOTE: Oven stops operating when door is opened.

Overheating Protection

Digital tube shows E 03 and had been "DE-" alarm when the system enters the super high temperature protection status. The system enters normal standby mode when faults are removed and RESET button is pressed.

Microtherm Protection

Digital tube shows "E 04" when the system enters the super low temperature protection status. The system enters normal standby mode when faults are removed and RESET button is pressed.

Sensor Malfunction Protection

In case of short circuit, the system enters into malfunction protection. The display shows E05 or E06 with buzzer sounding. Press the RESET button; the oven will be back to normal.

Cooling Feature

The controlling system of the microwave oven has the feature of cooling. For any cooking mode with a cooking time above 2 minutes, after finishing cooking, the oven fan will work for about 3 minutes automatically to cool the oven for prolonging its life.

Button Adhesion Protection

In any state, if any button on the control panel is stuck for 1 minute, the program stops working immediately, the display shows "FAIL" and a "DE-" will sound. If the button is stuck all the time, a "DE-" will sound every one minute. Any button is invalid at this time. After troubleshooting, press RESET button to return to standby mode.

Care and Cleaning

The oven should be cleaned regularly and any food deposits removed. 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.

1. Unplug the power cord before cleaning any part of this oven.
2. Keep the inside of the oven clean. When food spatters or spilled liquids adhere to oven walls, wipe with a damp cloth. Mild detergent may be used if the oven gets very dirty. The use of harsh detergent or abrasives is not recommended.
3. The outside oven surface should be cleaned with soap and water, rinsed and dried with a soft cloth. To prevent damage to the operating parts inside the oven, water should not be allowed to seep into the ventilation openings.
4. If the Control Panel becomes wet, clean with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use harsh detergents or abrasives on the Control Panel.
5. 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 malfunction of the unit.
6. It is occasionally necessary to remove the glass tray for cleaning. Wash the tray in warm sudsy water or in a dishwasher.
7. The roller guide and oven cavity floor should be cleaned regularly to avoid excessive noise. Simply wipe the bottom surface of the oven with mild detergent water or window cleaner and dry.

Roller Guide

1. The ROLLER GUIDE and oven floor should be cleaned frequently to prevent excessive noise.
2. The ROLLER GUIDE MUST ALWAYS be used for cooking together with the Glass Tray.

Glass Tray

1. DO NOT operate the oven without the Glass Tray in place.
2. DO NOT use any other Glass Tray with this oven.
3. If Glass Tray is hot, ALLOW TO COOL before cleaning or placing it in water.
4. DO NOT cook directly on the Glass Tray.

Before You Call for Service

Refer to the following checklist; you may prevent an unnecessary service call.

The oven doesn't work:

1. Check that the power cord is securely plugged in.
2. Check that the door is firmly closed.
3. Check that the cooking time is set.
4. Check for a blown circuit fuse or tripped main circuit breaker in your house.

Sparking in the cavity:

1. Check utensils. Metal containers or dishes with metal trim should not be used.
2. Check that metal skewers or foil does not touch the interior walls.

If there is still a problem, call our customer support department at 888 775-0202 or visit our website at www.mcappliance.com.

Care and Cleaning

Although your oven is provided with safety features, it is important to observe the following:

1. It is important not to defeat or tamper with safety interlocks.
2. Do not place any object between the oven front face and the door or allow residue to accumulate on sealing surfaces. Wipe the sealing area frequently with a mild detergent, rinse and dry. Never use abrasive powders or pads.
3. When opened, the door must not be subjected to strain, for example, a child hanging on an opened door or any load could cause the oven to fall forward to cause injury and also damage to the door. Do not operate the oven if it is damaged, until it has been repaired by a competent service technician. It is particularly important that the oven closes properly and that there is no damage to the:
   • Door (bent)
   • Hinges and Hooks (broken or loosened).
   • Door seals and sealing surfaces.
4. The oven should not be adjusted or repaired by anyone except a properly trained service technician.
5. The oven should be cleaned regularly and any food deposits removed.
6. 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.

Questions and Answers

• Q: Can the oven be used with the glass tray or roller guide removed?
  A: No. Both the glass tray and roller guide must always be used in the oven before cooking.
• Q: Can I open the door when the oven is operating?
  A: The door can be opened anytime during the cooking operation. Then microwave energy will be instantly switched off and the time setting will maintain until the door is closed.
• Q: Why do I have moisture in my microwave oven after cooking?
  A: The moisture on the side of your microwave oven is normal. It is caused by steam from cooking food hitting the cool oven surface.
• Q: Does microwave energy pass through the viewing screen in the door?
  A: No. The metal screen bounces back the energy to the oven cavity. The holes are made to allow light to pass through. They do not let microwave energy pass through.
• Q: Why do eggs sometimes pop?
  A: When baking or poaching eggs, the yolk may pop due to steam build-up inside the yolk membrane. To prevent this, simply pierce the yolk with a toothpick before cooking. Never cook eggs without piercing their shells.
• Q: Why is standing time recommended after the cooking operation has been completed?
  A: Standing time is very important. With microwave cooking, the heat is in the food, not in the oven. Many foods build up enough internal heat to allow the cooking process to continue, even after the food is removed from the oven. Standing time for joints of meat, large vegetables and cakes is to allow the inside to cook completely, without overcooking the outside.
• Q: What does “standing time" mean?
  A: "Standing time" means that food should be removed from the oven and covered for additional time to allow it to finish cooking. This frees the oven for other cooking.
• Q: Why does my oven not always cook as fast as the microwave cooking guide says?
  A: Check your cooking guide again, to make sure you've followed directions exactly; and to see what might cause variations in cooking time. Cooking guide times and heat settings are suggestions, to help prevent over-cooking... the most common problem in getting used to a microwave oven. Variations in the size, shape and weights and dimensions could require longer cooking time. Use your own judgement along with the cooking guide suggestions to check whether the food has been properly cooked just as you would do with a conventional cooker.
• Q: Will the microwave oven be damaged if it operates while empty?
  A: Yes. Never run it empty.
• Q: Can I operate my microwave oven without the turntable or turn the turntable over to hold a large dish?
  A: No. If you remove or turn over the turntable, you will get poor cooking results. Dishes used in your oven must fit on the turntable.
• Q: Is it normal for the turntable to turn in either direction?
  A: Yes. The turntable rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on the rotation of the motor when the cooking cycle begins.
• Q: Can I pop popcorn in my microwave oven? How do I get the best results?
  A: Yes. Pop packaged microwave popcorn following manufacturer's guidelines. Do not use regular paper bags. Use the "listening test" by stopping the oven as soon as the popping slows to a "pop" every 1 or 2 seconds. Do not repop unpopped kernels. Do not pop popcorn in glass cookware.

USE YOUR MICROWAVE OVEN SAFELY

General Use

• Do not attempt to defeat or tamper with safety interlocks.
• Do not place any object between the oven front frame and the door or allow residue to build up on sealing surfaces. Wipe with a mild detergent, rinse and dry. Never use abrasive powders or pads.
• Do not subject the oven door to strain or weight such as a child hanging on an open door. This could cause the oven to fall forward resulting in injury to you and damage to the oven.
• Do not operate the oven if door seals or sealing surfaces are damaged; or if door is bent; or if hinges are loose or broken.
• Do not operate the oven empty. This will damage the oven.
• Do not attempt to dry clothes, newspapers or other materials in the oven. They may catch on fire.
• Do not use recycled paper products as they may contain impurities which may cause sparks or fires.
• Do not hit or strike the control panel with hard objects. This can damage the oven.

Food

• Never use your microwave oven for home canning. The oven is not designed for proper home canning. Improperly canned food may spoil and be dangerous to consume.
• Always use the minimum recipe cooking time. It is better to undercook rather than overcook foods. Undercooked foods can be returned to the oven for more cooking. If food is overcooked, nothing can be done.
• Heat small quantities of food or foods with low moisture carefully. These can quickly dry out, burn or catch on fire.
• Do not heat eggs in the shell. Pressure may build up and eggs can explode.
• Potatoes, apples, egg yolks and sausages are examples of food with non-porous skins. These must be pierced before cooking to prevent bursting.
• Do not attempt to deep fat fry in your microwave oven. Always allow a standing time of at least 20 seconds after the oven has been switched off to allow the temperature to even out, stir during heating, if necessary, and ALWAYS stir after heating. To prevent eruptive boiling and possible scalding, you should put a spoon or glass stick into the beverages and stir before, during and after heating.
• Do not leave the oven unattended while popping corn.
• Do not pop corn in a paper bag unless it is the commercially prepared Microwave Popcorn product. The kernels can overheat and ignite a brown paper bag.
• Do not put packaged Microwave Popcorn bags directly on the oven tray. Place the package on a microwave safe glass or ceramic plate to avoid overheating and cracking the oven tray.
• Do not exceed the Microwave Popcorn manufacturers suggested popping time. Longer popping does not yield more popcorn but it can result in burning the popcorn or risk of fire. Remember, the Popcorn bag and tray can be too hot to handle. Remove with caution and use pot holders.

Arcing

If you see arcing, touch the STOP 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.