Panasonic NN-SC668S - Microwave Oven Manual

Setting the Clock

1. With the oven NOT cooking, press Clock/ Set once; the colon will blink. Enter time of day using the Number pads.
   
2. Press Clock/ Set to finish setting and the colon (:) will stop blinking.
   

NOTES:

1. To reset the clock, repeat steps.
2. The clock will retain the time of day as long as the oven is plugged in and electricity is supplied.
3. The clock is a 12-hour display.
4. Oven will not operate while colon (:) is flashing.

Setting the Child Safety Lock

NOTES:

1. This feature prevents the electronic operation of the oven until cancelled. It does not lock the door.
2. To set or cancel child safety lock, Start or Stop/Reset pad must be pressed 3 times within 10 seconds.
3. You can set Child Lock feature when the display shows a colon or time of day.

NOTES:

1. For reheating, use PL10 (HIGH) for liquids, PL7 (MED-HIGH) for most foods, and PL6 (MEDIUM) for dense foods.
2. For defrosting, use PL3 (MED-LOW).

DO NOT OVERCOOK:
This oven requires less time to cook than older units. Overcooking will cause food to dry out and may cause a fire. A microwave oven's cooking power tells you the amount of microwave power available for cooking.

Stage Cooking:
For more than one stage of cooking, repeat steps 1 and 2 for each stage of cooking before pressing Start. The maximum number of stages for cooking is three. When operating, two beeps will sound between each stage. Five beeps will sound at the end of the entire sequence.
Note: After running the oven at PL10 power continuously for 30 min, if the cook process is not complete, the oven will automatically adjust to PL8 power to protect the microwave and complete the cook cycle. If you want to cook again at PL10 power, you will need to wait 15 min before restarting.

NOTES:

1. When each stage finishes, the oven will beep twice. At the end of the program, the oven will beep five times.
2. If the oven door is opened during Stand Time, Kitchen Timer or Delay Time, the time on the display will continue to count down.
3. Stand Time and Delay start cannot be programmed before any automatic function. This is to prevent the starting temperature of food from rising.

Setting a Standing Time

1. Some recipes call for a standing time after cooking. To do this, repeat steps 1 and 2 in the Cooking section on previous page. Then press Cooking Timer.
   
2. Set desired amount of stand time using Number pads (up to 99 minutes, 99 seconds).
   
3. Press Start. The timer will start and then beep twice at the end of cooking time (the beginning of standing time). Five beeps will sound when standing time is done.
   

Quick 30

(Set or add cooking time in 30 seconds increments)

1. Press Quick 30 until the desired cooking time (up to 5 minutes) appears in the display. Power Level is pre-set at PL10.
   
2. Press Start the cooking will start and the time will count down in the display. At the end of cooking, five beeps will sound.
   

NOTES:

1. If desired, you can use other power levels. Select desired power level before pressing Quick 30.
2. After setting the time by Quick 30 pad, you cannot use the Number Pads.
3. Quick 30 pad can also be used to add more time during manual cooking.

NOTES:

1. Pop one bag at a time.
2. Place bag in oven according to manufacturers' directions.
3. Start with popcorn at room temperature.
4. Allow popped corn to sit unopened for a few minutes.
5. Open bag carefully to prevent burns, because steam will escape.
6. Do not reheat unpopped kernels or reuse bag.
7. If popcorn is of a different weight than listed, follow instructions on popcorn package.
8. Never leave the oven unattended.
9. If popping slows to 2 to 3 seconds between pops, stop oven. Overcooking can burn popcorn or cause fire.
10. When popping multiple bags one right after the other, the cooking time may vary slightly. This does not affect the popcorn results.

Auto Defrost

1. This feature allows you to defrost foods such as meat, poultry and seafood, simply by entering the weight. Press Turbo Defrost.
   
2. " dEF " will appear briefly in the display, then a dash will appear next to the weight units. Enter weight of the food using the Number pads.
   
3. Press Start. Defrosting will start. Larger weight foods will cause a signal midway through defrosting. If two beeps sound, turn over and/or rearrange foods.
   

NOTE: The maximum weight for Auto Defrost is 6 lbs. (2.7 kg).

Conversion

Follow the chart to convert ounces or hundredths of a pound into tenths of a pound. To use Turbo Defrost, enter the weight of the food in pounds (1.0) and tenths of a pound (0.1). If a piece of meat weighs 1.95 lbs or 1 lb 14 oz, enter 1.9 lbs.

Defrosting Tips & Techniques

Preparation For Freezing:

1. Freeze meats, poultry, and fish in packages with only one or two layers of food. Place wax paper between layers.
2. Package in heavy-duty plastic wraps, bags (labeled "For Freezer"), or freezer paper.
3. Remove as much air as possible.
4. Seal securely, date, and label.

To Defrost:

1. Remove wrapper. This helps moisture to evaporate. Juices from food can get hot and cook the food.
2. Set food in microwave safe dish.
3. Place roasts fat-side down. Place whole poultry breast-side down.
4. Select power and minimum time so that items will be underdefrosted.

5. Drain liquids during defrosting.
6. Turn over (invert) items during defrosting.

After Defrosting:

1. Large items may be icy in the center. Defrosting will complete during Standing Time.
2. Let stand, covered, following stand time directions.
3. Rinse foods indicated in the chart.
4. Items which have been layered should be rinsed separately or have a longer stand time.

NOTES:

1. After having used the Auto Reheat feature a few times, you may decide you would prefer your food cooked to a different doneness – that is why you would utilize the More/Less pads.
2. All foods must be previously cooked.
3. Foods should always be covered loosely with plastic wrap, wax paper or casserole lid.

Casseroles: Add three to four tablespoons of liquid, cover with lid or vented plastic wrap. Stir when time appears in the display window.
Canned foods: Empty contents into casserole dish or serving bowl, cover dish with lid or vented plastic wrap. After reheating, let stand for a few minutes.
Plate of food: Arrange food on plate; top with butter, gravy, etc. Cover with lid or vented plastic wrap. After reheating, let stand for a few minutes.

DO NOT USE AUTO REHEAT:

1. To reheat bread and pastry products. Use manual power and time for these foods.
2. For raw or uncooked foods.
3. If oven cavity is warm.
4. For beverages.
5. For frozen foods.

Auto Cook

1. Press Auto Cook until the number corresponding to the desired food appears in the display.
   
2. If desired, press Serving/Weight to select desired food weight.
   
3. Press Start Cooking is complete when five beeps sound.
   

NOTES:

1. After having used the Auto Cook feature a few times, you may decide you would prefer your food cooked to a different doneness – that is why you would utilize the More/Less pads.
2. Automatic features are provided for your convenience. If results are not suitable to your individual preference, or if serving size is other than what is listed, please refer to manual cooking.

BEFORE Reheating/Cooking:

1. Cover food with lid, or with vented plastic wrap. Never use tightly sealed plastic containers—they can prevent steam from escaping and cause food to overcook.

AFTER Reheating/Cooking:
All foods should have a standing time.

Auto Cook Chart

See the chart below for Auto Cook categories.

OMELET
Basic Omelet Recipe
Yield: 1 Serving
1 Tablespoon butter or margarine
2 Eggs
2 Tablespoons milk
Salt and ground black pepper, if desired Heat butter in a microwave safe 8-inch round dish, 20 seconds at PL10, or until melted. Turn the plate to coat the bottom with butter. Meanwhile, combine the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl, beat together and pour into the pie plate. Cook, covered with vented plastic wrap, cook 2 min at PL10. Let stand 2 minutes. With a spatula, loosen the edges of the omelet from the plate, fold into thirds to serve. Always beat the eggs before making the omelet.
NOTE: Double ingredients for a 4-egg Omelet.

Food Characteristics

Bone and Fat
Both bone and fat affect cooking. Bones may cause irregular cooking. Meat next to the tips of bones may overcook while meat positioned under a large bone, such as a ham bone, may be undercooked. Large amounts of fat absorb microwave energy and the meat next to these areas may overcook.

Density
Porous, airy foods such as breads, cakes or rolls take less time to cook than heavy, dense foods such as potatoes and roasts. When reheating donuts or other foods with different centers be very careful. Certain foods have centers made with sugar, water, or fat and these centers attract microwaves (for example, jelly donuts). When a jelly donut is heated, the jelly can become extremely hot while the exterior remains warm to the touch. This could result in a burn if the food is not allowed to cool properly in the center.

Quantity
Two potatoes take longer to cook than one potato. As the quantity of the food decreases so does the cooking time.
Overcooking will cause the moisture content in the food to decrease and a fire could result. Never leave microwave unattended while in use.

Shape
Uniform sizes heat more evenly. The thin end of a drumstick will cook more quickly than the meaty end. To compensate for irregular shapes, place thin parts toward the center of the dish and thick pieces toward the edge.

Size
Thin pieces cook more quickly than thick pieces.

Starting Temperature
Foods that are at room temperature take less time to cook than if they are chilled, refrigerated or frozen.

Cooking Techniques
Piercing
Foods with skins or membranes must be pierced, scored or have a strip of skin peeled before cooking to allow steam to escape. Pierce clams, oysters, chicken livers, whole potatoes and whole vegetables. Whole apples or new potatoes should have a 1-inch strip of skin peeled before cooking. Score sausages and frankfurters. Do not Cook/Reheat whole eggs, with or without the shell. Steam buildup in whole eggs may cause them to explode, and possibly damage the oven or cause injury. Reheating SLICED hard-boiled eggs and cooking SCRAMBLED eggs is safe.

Browning
Foods will not have the same brown appearance as conventionally cooked foods or those foods which are cooked utilizing a browning feature. Meats and poultry may be coated with browning sauce, Worcestershire sauce, barbecue sauce or shake-on browning sauce. To use, combine browning sauce with melted butter or margarine and brush on before cooking. For quick breads or muffins, brown sugar can be used in the recipe in place of granulated sugar, or the surface can be sprinkled with dark spices before cooking.

Spacing
Individual foods, such as baked potatoes, cupcakes and appetizers, will cook more evenly if placed in the oven equal distances apart. When possible, arrange foods in a circular pattern.

Covering
As with conventional cooking, moisture evaporates during microwave cooking. Casserole lids or plastic wrap are used for a tighter seal. When using plastic wrap, vent the plastic wrap by folding back part of the plastic wrap from the edge of the dish to allow steam to escape. Loosen or remove plastic wrap as recipe directs for stand time. When removing plastic wrap covers, as well as any glass lids, be careful to remove them away from you to avoid steam burns. Various degrees of moisture retention are also obtained by using wax paper or paper towels.

Cooking Time
Cooking times will vary because of food shape variations, starting temperature, and regional preferences. Always cook food for the minimum cooking time given in a recipe and check for doneness. If the food is undercooked, continue cooking. It is easier to add time to an undercooked product. Once the food is overcooked, nothing can be done.

Stirring
Stirring is usually necessary during microwave cooking. Always bring the cooked outside edges toward the center and the less cooked center portions toward the outside of the dish.

Rearranging
Rearrange small items such as chicken pieces, shrimp, hamburger patties or pork chops. Rearrange pieces from the edge to the center and pieces from the center to the edge of the dish.

Turning
It is not possible to stir some foods to distribute the heat evenly. At times, microwave energy will concentrate in one area of the food. To help ensure even cooking, these foods need to be turned. Turn over large foods, such as roasts or turkeys, halfway through cooking.

Standing Time
Most foods will continue to cook by conduction after the microwave oven is turned off. After cooking meat, the internal temperature will rise 5°F to 15°F (3°C to 8°C), if allowed to stand, tented with foil, for 10 to 15 minutes. Casseroles and vegetables need a shorter amount of standing time, but this standing time is necessary to allow foods to complete cooking to the center without overcooking on the edges.

Test for Doneness
The same tests for doneness used in conventional cooking may be used for microwave cooking. Meat is done when fork-tender or splits at fibers. Chicken is done when juices are clear yellow and drumstick moves freely. Fish is done when it flakes and is opaque. Cake is done when a toothpick or cake tester is inserted and comes out clean.
Check foods to see that they are cooked to the United States Department of Agriculture's recommended temperatures.
To test for doneness, insert a meat thermometer in a thick or dense area away from fat or bone. NEVER leave the thermometer in the food during cooking, unless it is approved for microwave oven use.

Maintenance

Care and Cleaning of Your Microwave Oven

Please see below for particular cleaning instructions for each section of the oven.
BEFORE CLEANING: Unplug oven at wall outlet. If outlet is inaccessible, leave oven door open while cleaning.
AFTER CLEANING: Be sure to place the Roller Ring and the Glass Tray in the proper position and press Stop/Reset Button to clear the Display.

1. Outside oven surfaces: Clean with a damp cloth. To prevent damage to the operating parts inside the oven, water should not be allowed to seep into ventilation openings.
2. Label: Do not remove. Wipe with a damp cloth.
3. Inside the Oven: Wipe with a damp cloth after using. Mild detergent may be used if needed. Do not use harsh detergents or abrasives.
4. Oven Door: Wipe with a soft dry cloth when steam accumulates inside or around the outside of the oven door. During cooking, especially under high humidity conditions, steam is given off from the food. (Some steam will condense on cooler surfaces, such as the oven door. This is normal.) Inside surface is covered with a heat and vapor barrier film. Do not remove.
5. Oven Cavity Floor: Clean the bottom surface of the oven with mild detergent, water or window cleaner, and dry.
6. Wave Guide Cover: Do not remove Wave Guide Cover. It is important to keep cover clean in the same manner as the inside of the oven.
7. Control Panel: The Control Panel is covered with a removable protective film to prevent scratches during shipping. Small bubbles may appear under this film, so if this is the case, remove by applying masking or clear tape to an exposed corner and pull gently. If the Control Panel becomes wet, clean it with a soft dry cloth. Do not use harsh detergents or abrasives.
8. Glass Tray: Remove and wash in warm soapy water or in a dishwasher.
9. Roller Ring: Roller Ring may be washed in mild soapy water or dishwasher. These areas should be kept clean to avoid excessive noise.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE OVEN CLEAN AND DRY. FOOD RESIDUE AND CONDENSATION MAY CAUSE RUSTING OR ARCING AND DAMAGE TO THE OVEN. AFTER USE, WIPE DRY ALL SURFACES, INCLUDING VENT OPENINGS, OVEN SEAMS, AND UNDER GLASS TRAY.

Shop Accessories

Purchase Parts, Accessories and Instruction Books online for all Panasonic Products by visiting our Web Site at:
http://shop.panasonic.com/support

Parts Available to Order:
Glass Tray - 12570000008334
Roller Ring Assembly - 12170000004310

Before Requesting Service

See below before calling for service, as most problems can easily be remedied by following these simple solutions:

The oven causes TV interference	Some radio and TV interference might occur when you cook with the microwave oven. This interference is similar to the interference caused by small appliances such as mixers, vacuums, blow dryers, etc. It does not indicate a problem with your oven.
Steam accumulates on oven door and warm air comes from the oven vents.	During cooking, steam and warm air are given off from the food. Most of the steam and warm air are removed from the oven by the air which circulates in the oven cavity. However, some steam will condense on cooler surfaces such as the oven door. This is normal. After use, the oven should be wiped dry.
Oven will not turn on	The oven is not plugged in securely or needs to be reset; remove plug from outlet, wait ten seconds and re-insert. Main circuit breaker or main fuse is tripped; reset main circuit breaker or replace main fuse. There is a problem with the outlet; plug another appliance into the outlet to check if it is working.
Oven will not start cooking	The door is not completely closed; close the oven door securely. Start was not pressed after programming; press Start. Another program is already entered into the oven; press Stop/Reset to cancel the previous program and enter new program. The program is not correct; program again according to the Operating Instructions. Stop/Reset has been pressed accidentally; program oven again.
The Glass Tray wobbles	The Glass Tray is not positioned properly on the Roller Ring or there is food under the Roller Ring; take out Glass Tray and Roller Ring. Wipe with a damp cloth and reset Roller Ring and Glass Tray properly.
When the oven is operating, there is noise coming from the Glass Tray.	The Roller Ring and oven bottom are dirty; clean these parts according to Care and Cleaning of Your Microwave Oven.
appears in the display.	The CHILD SAFETY LOCK was activated by pressing Start three times; Deactivate CHILD SAFETY LOCK by pressing Stop/Reset three times.

General Information

Specifications

Your safety and the safety of others are very important.
We have provided important safety messages in this manual and on your appliance. Always read and obey all safety messages. This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert 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", "WARNING" or "CAUTION". These words mean:

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

You can be killed or seriously injured if you don't follow instructions.

You can be exposed to a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.
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.

PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO EXCESSIVE MICROWAVE ENERGY

1. 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.
2. DO NOT place any object between the oven front face and the door or allow soil or cleaner residue to accumulate on sealing surfaces.
3. 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.
4. The oven should not be adjusted or repaired by anyone except properly qualified service personnel.