The instructions on one-stage cooking don't seem to give an indication of how you handle entering the time, then entering a power level so that it doesn't comfuse tht info with the time setting. How do you do this?

On this microwave, you just need to enter the correct cooking time and power level. This will clear the previous time and power level that you entered. (This works since you need to use the Options button to do multi-stage cooking.)

The manual for the Whirlpool WMH53521HZ is available on the product site: https://www.whirlpool.com/kitchen/cooking/microwaves/over-the-range/p.2.1-cu.-ft.-over-the-range-microwave-with-steam-cooking.wmh53521hz.html . Scroll down to the Manuals & Guides section or use the link and expand the section. The current link to the manual is https://www.whirlpool.com/content/dam/global/documents/201705/UserGuide-W11047549-RevA.pdf .

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(Note: the -4 indicates a minor difference between versions. Sometimes it indicates the color of the microwave.)

Press the Power button several times until the desired power level is reached. Each press of the Power button will reduce the power level by 10%. Using 40% power requires pressing the Power keypad 7 times. After setting the power level, then you can enter the cooking time by pressing the number buttons. Then press Start.

This is shown in the manual which is available at Manuals Lib, https://www.manualslib.com/products/Magic-Chef-Mcb1110w-272833.html . See page 8 to see the positions of the Power keypad; it's to the left of the number keys. Page 9 has a chart with the power level per press of the Power button. See page 12 for the single stage cooking procedure.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

This is from Page 16 in the users manual...

For simple, one-stage cooking, you only need to set the cooking time. The power level is automatically set to High.

If you want to set the power level to any other level, use the Power Level button.
1. Use the number buttons to set a cooking time. You can enter a time from one second to 99 minutes and 99 seconds. To select a time greater than one minute, enter the seconds too. (For example, to set a cooking time of 20 minutes, enter 2, 0, 0, 0.)

2. If you want to set the power level to a level other than High, press the Power Level button, and then use the number buttons to enter the power level.

3. Press the ENTER/START button to begin cooking. If you want to change the power level, press the STOP/ CLEAR button before you press the ENTER/START button, and then enter all the instructions again.

Try pressing and adjusting the power level before setting the cook time, or maybe before pressing start. Worked on my Panasonic

For elbow, bowtie, ziti, rotini, and penee

1 serving -1/2cup -water level at #1
2 servings -1 cup -water level at #1
3 servings - 1 1/2cups - water level 2
4 servings - 2 cups - water level at 4
6 servings - 3 cups - water level at 6
8 servings - 4 cups - water level at 8

cook times based on serving size ( serving size - minutes)

1 - 17
2 - 18
3 - 21
4 - 23
6 - 25
8 - 27

Stir macaroni once halfway through cooking for al dente; for softer pasta, cook several minutes longer.

and just because I couldn't find this online no matter how hard I tried:

For spaghetti, linguine, angel hair and fettuccini

1 serving - 1/2 the handle - water level 1
2 servings- 1 full handle - water level 2
3 servings- 1 1/2 handles - water level 3
4 servings- 2 full handles - water level 4
6 servings- 3 full handles - water level 6
8 servings- 4 full handles - water level 8

cook time servings/minutes

spaghetti - 1/13-14, 2/15-16, 3/16-18, 4/18-20, 6/20-22, 8/22
thin pasta-1/12-13, 2/13-14, 3/15-16, 4/17-18, 6/19-20, 8/21
angel hair- 1/11-12, 2/12-13, 3/13-14, 4/14-15, 6/15-16, 8/17

Sorry to read about your problem, I hope this helps you out.


Display: This is used to show the time, cook time and options you chose during you use.
Cook: Use this feature to cook fresh vegetable, frozen vegetables, rice and cassroles.
Enter/Start: This is used to start and enter any option you choice while operating the unit.
Stop/Clear: Use this function to clear or stop the unit during cooking or choosing a feature.
Reheat: This is use to reheat dinner plates and left overs. Be sure that you do not use any plastic foam or metal plates/utensils this can cause damage to the unit and may cause injury.
Auto Defrost: This is used to defrost food by weight and type. EX: If you have 1 pound of chicken, meat or fish press in the food code by using 1,2,3 and then the weight in pounds (1 pound would be 1.0 enter.)
Quick Frost: This is use with the Rapid defrosting method for 1.0 pound frozen food. If you have a pound of meat, chicken or fish press Quick Frost and it will defrost for that weight only.
Cook Time: This is to set the cook time for the food you are trying to heat or cook. Enter the time you wish to cook and press enter/start (EX: 7mins and 30 secs = 730/start.)
Clock: This is used to set the time of day. Press Clock the the time of day it is and clock again (EX: 11:00 would be 1100 then clock.)
Number: This is the key pad used to enter the cook time, clock or power level.
More: This feature is to add time to the cooking time only in ten second intervals. If you want to add time without restarting press this button to add ten seconds each time it is pressed.
Less: This is used to decrease the cooking time by ten second intervals. If you want to decrease time without restarting the time press this to decrease cooking time in ten second intervals.


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Power Level: This is use to choose the power level in which to cook or heat food or beverages. To change the default setting of 100%, press the power level button and press the level you desire, if you desire only 50% then press power level the 5 and enter/start. Hint: Change the Power level before entering the time your setting to cook
EZ-ON: This is to quickly start the power level to 100%.
Vent High/Low/Off: This is to turn the vent located on the outside of the unit during use. You have the option of turning it off, on, high or low.
Light High/Low/Off: This controls the light on the bottom of the unit if you have a mounted range above your stove or under your top counter cabinets.
Hot Water: This is used to heat water for beverages such as coffee and hot chocolate. Use Extreme caution when removing baverages from your unit, they will be hot and could cause injury.
Popcorn: This is used to pop popping corn, when placing the popcorn in the microwave press the this feature and enter/start and it will automatically start the correct time for cooking. This feature is designed for the individual packaged popcorn use. Do not place any foil or loose popcorn in the unit this could cause damage or injury.
Kids Meals: This is used to REHEAT meals for children it works at a lower power level. This can be used to reheat hot dogs, oatmeal, baby food and soup. Do Not place any metal objects or objects than can melt this can cause damage or injury.
Warm Hold: This is to keep foods or drinks warm for any length of time up to 99 minutes and 99 seconds. Although it is not a recommended to run a unit at the maxium time limit.
Melt: This is used to melt butter, margarine, chocolate, cheese and marshmallows. Do not leave these items unattended during the duration of melting time to prevent any unwanted over heating.
Soften: This is used to soften ice cream, butter, cream cheese, and frozen drinks. Do not place anything in a container that is made of foam or metal this can cause damge or injury.
*Child Lock: If your model has this feature it is used to lock the unit to keep a child from pressing buttons or causing injury.
Open: This is the handle or button on the front of the unit to open the unit after the unit is done cooking or in use. Do not open the door during the use, always press the Stop/Clear button first. Also do not remove hot items without oven mits or waiting time food is at a safe handling temperature.

MicrowavePasta Boat InstructionsFor elbow, bowtie, ziti, rotini, and penne

1 serving -1/2cup -water levelat #1
2 servings -1 cup -water level at #1
3 servings - 1 1/2cups - water level 2
4 servings - 2 cups - water level at 4
6 servings - 3 cups - water level at 6
8 servings - 4 cups - water level at 8

cook times based on serving ( serving - minutes)

1 - 17
2 - 18
3 - 21
4 - 23
6 - 25
8 - 27

Stir macaroni once halfway through cooking for al dente; for softer pasta, cookseveral minutes longer.


For spaghetti, linguine, angel hair andfettuccini

1 serving - 1/2 the handle - water level 1
2 servings- 1 full handle - water level 2
3 servings- 1 1/2 handles - water level 3
4 servings- 2 full handles - water level 4
6 servings- 3 full handles - water level 6
8 servings- 4 full handles - water level 8

Cook Time: servings/minutes

spaghetti - 1/13-14, 2/15-16, 3/16-18, 4/18-20, 6/20-22, 8/22
thin pasta-1/12-13, 2/13-14, 3/15-16, 4/17-18, 6/19-20, 8/21
angel hair- 1/11-12, 2/12-13, 3/13-14, 4/14-15, 6/15-16, 8/17)

The owner's manual is here. On page 10 we find:

COOKING IN ONE STAGE
1. Press the POWER button; the Microwave and High
Cook indicators will light and “PL 10” will light in the
display.
2. Press the POWER button different times to set the
desired power; the display will show the percentage
you chose. If selecting power level 70%-10%, the
Low Cook indicator will light instead of the High
Cook indicator.
3. Press number keys to set the desired cooking time.
OPERATION(CONTINUED)
4. Press the START/+30SEC. button to start cooking;
the Microwave and one of the Cook indicators will
blink and the display will countdown the remaining
cooking time in minutes and seconds. It will beep
five times when cooking is completed.

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Hi! I just purchased the same microwave, and came online to find the solution. I was then able to find the correct answer to this problem. On this model, Emerson does not put a "time cook" button for odd cook times such as 15 seconds. Instead, they have you push the "Power Button" prior to setting the cook time.

If you want to cook on full power, press the power button once, and then enter your cooking time and press start. If you want to cook on 50% power or 30% power or something like that, push the "Power Button" several times until the appropriate power level is displayed, then enter the cook time and press start.

The reason that it starts up right away when *********** pushes the 1 button is because Emerson has the quick cooking feature for 1 minute through 6 minutes. You only have to push the number once to get the 1 minute cook time or anywhere through 6 minutes respectively.

Hope this helps!

First enter the cooking time just like normal, but then you hit the power button and then hit the digit indicating the power level you want. THEN hit start and it will start cooking.