ASK JEAN

Nikki Foot bought a Defy 357 previously had a Dimension 4 National/Convection oven which as she wrote came with a cookbook and easy to understand manual.  She writes: "Now I have this Defy and  managed to cook things to a cinder,  I find it very frustrating."  I agree frustrating and expensive so let me see if together we can solve the problem.

First let us understand your model.

1. Power output is 1000 w that means microwaving is far quicker than e.g. a 800 w.

2. The display panel/window shows:

a) Microwave
b) Defrost
c) Grill
d) Convection
e) The % microwave power level indication

Page 9 in your manual shows this diagram.

Now for the confusing part the buttons and whistles so speak.

You have:

Language
Kitchen Timer
Less/More
Memory
Cake
Crusty
Auto Cook
Microwave
Grill
Combi
Convection
Auto Defrost
Dial Knob
Stop/clear
Start/Speedy Cook

Wonderful selection of features but let's concentrate on the feature that for the moment is the most important for you, that is COMBI or as we understand combination cooking.  This is the best of both worlds convection or ordinary oven heat and microwave energy combined.  Result quick with the browned results.  Your oven has 5 different COMBI settings if you go to page 15 of your manual you will see these settings clearly set out for you.  Of the 5 settings you probably will find COMBI 1 the setting you use the most.  You can roast your meats, bake your cakes even do small pastries or frozen and crumbed foods.

Ah! I know you are thinking that all I have said is fine but how long do you cook?  Ok, you select COMBI 1 setting then put in your time which should be about a third less than your conventional recipe.  Remember to use heat resistant dishes and place on the low rack and peep in the oven to see how your cooking is doing, if you need more or less time just add.  Easy!

I know it is frustrating to study your user manual but it is well worth the time spent.   My next post I will have a recipe you can try out using COMBI 1.  For those who don't have a Defy DMO 357 but another brand name, select for baking and roasting a combination setting of 30% or 40% microwave power.

Hope that helped?

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