Cuisinart GR-300WS User manual

Griddler®Elite GR-300WS
INSTRUCTION BOOKLET
For your safety and continued enjoyment of this product, always read the instruction book carefully before using.
Recipe
Booklet
Reverse Side

3
Important
SafeguardS
1. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS.
2. Unplug from outlet when not in
use and before cleaning. Allow to
cool before putting on or taking
off parts, and before cleaning
appliance.
3. Do not touch hot surfaces; use
handles, knobs or buttons.
4. To protect against fire, electric
shock, and injury to persons, DO
NOT IMMERSE CORD OR PLUG
in water or other liquids.
5. Close supervision is necessary when
any appliance is used by or near
children.
6. Do not operate any appliance with a
damaged cord or plug, or after the
appliance has malfunctioned or has
been damaged in any manner.
Return the appliance to the nearest
Cuisinart Repair Center for
examination, repair or adjustment.
7. The use of accessory attachments
not recommended by Cuisinart may
result in fire, electrical shock, or risk
of injury to persons.
8. Do not use outdoors.
9. Do not let power cord hang over
edge of table or counter, or touch
hot surfaces.
10.Do not place on or near hot gas or
electric burners, or in a heated oven.
11.Unplug the unit when finished using.
12.Do not use appliance for other than
intended use.
13.Extreme caution must be exercised
when moving an appliance
containing hot oil or other hot
liquids.
14.To disconnect, turn PLATE SELECT
dial to OFF setting, then remove
plug from wall outlet.
15.WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK
OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK,
ONLY AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL
SHOULD DO REPAIRS.
16.Do not operate your appliance in an
appliance garage or under a wall
cabinet. When storing in an
appliance garage always unplug
the unit from the electrical outlet.
Not doing so could create a risk of
fire, especially if the appliance
touches the walls of the garage or
the door touches the unit as it
closes.
SaVe tHeSe
InStruCtIonS
for HouSeHoLd
uSe onLY
SpeCIaL
Cord Set
InStruCtIonS
A short power-supply cord is provided to
reduce the risks resulting from becoming
entangled in or tripping over a longer
cord. Extension cords may be used if
care is exercised in their use.
If an extension cord is used, the marked
electrical rating of the extension cord
should be at least as great as the
electrical rating of the appliance, and the
longer cord should be arranged so that it
will not drape over the countertop or
tabletop where it can be pulled on by
children or animals, or tripped over.
NOTICE
This appliance has a polarized plug (one
blade is wider than the other) to reduce
the risk of electric shock. This plug will fit
in a polarized outlet only one way. If the
plug does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse
the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a
qualified electrician. Do not modify the
plug in any way.

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CONTENTS
Important Safeguards............................ 3
Features and Benefits............................ 4
Getting to Know Your Control Panel ..... 5
Before the First Use............................... 5
Assembly Instructions ........................... 5
The Griddler®Elite Positions ................. 6
Operating the Griddler®Elite ................. 6
Operating the Timer............................... 8
Cleaning and Care ................................. 9
User Maintenance.................................. 9
Storage................................................. 10
Troubleshooting Chart ......................... 11
Warranty............................................... 12
FEATURES AND
BENEFITS
1. Base and Cover
Solid construction with stainless steel
self-adjusting cover.
2. Panini-Style Handle
Sturdy cast-metal handle adjusts cover
to accommodate thickness of food.
3. Control Panel
See page 5 for more details.
4. Removable, Reversible and
Embedded Cooking Plates
Nonstick and dishwasher safe for
easy cleanup.
a. Grill Side: Perfect for grilling steak,
burgers, chicken and vegetables.
b. Griddle Side: Prepare pancakes,
eggs, bacon and seared scallops.
5. Drip Tray
Collects grease and removes from base
for easy cleanup (dishwasher safe).
6. Cleaning/Scraping Tool
Helps clean grill and griddle plates
after cooking.
7. Plate Release Buttons
Push in to release and remove
cooking plates.
8. Hinge Release Lever
Allows the cover to extend back to
the Flat position.
9. Cover Height Adjuster
Features 6 preset height positions
for top melting. Locks cover closed
to store.
BPA Free (not shown)
All materials that come in contact
with food are BPA free.
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2
3
4a
4b
5
6
7
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9
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5
BEFORE THE
FIRST USE
Remove all packaging materials and any
labels or stickers from your grill. Be sure
all parts (see Features and Benefits) have
been included before discarding any
packaging materials. You may want to
keep the box and packing materials for
use at a later date.
Before using your Cuisinart®Griddler®Elite
for the first time, remove any dust from
shipping by wiping the base, cover and
controls with a damp cloth. Thoroughly
clean cooking plates, drip tray and
scraping tool; all are dishwasher safe.
Refer to Assembly Instructions for
plate removal.
ASSEMBLY
INSTRUCTIONS
Place base on a clean, flat surface where
you intend to cook, with the controls
directly in front of you.
To insert the cooking plates:
1. Choose the side(s) you intend to cook
on. The two cooking plates each have
two sides:
a. Grill side: ribbed surface intended for
grilling steaks, hamburgers, chicken,
seafood and vegetables. Also can be
used for panini and other toasted
sandwiches.
b. Griddle side: smooth surface
intended for cooking bacon and eggs,
pancakes and French toast. Also can
be used for panini and other toasted
sandwiches.
2. Identify the lower and upper plates. The
word LOWER or UPPER is embossed
on both sides of each plate.
3. Locate the connector prongs on the
plate(s) and line up with the appropriate
connection blocks. Slide the connector
prongs into the blocks and push down
the front end of the plate(s). They will
snap into place.
NOTE: If the plate(s) are not inserted
properly and completely into the
connection blocks, the plate(s) will not
heat up. This is a safety feature that
prevents the user from operating the
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CONTROL PANEL
a. Plate Select Dial & Temperature Dials
Use the PLATE SELECT dial to select
LOWER and UPPER plates and to turn
unit off. Use the UPPER and LOWER
temperature dials to select temperature
of each plate.
b. Time Directionals
Use to set cooking time. Press and hold
to scroll quickly; press and release to
advance more slowly.
c. Upper and Lower Plate Sear Buttons
Press to sear at 500˚F for up to
two minutes.
d. Start/Stop Button
Starts/stops cooking selection.
e. Blue Backlit LCD Display
Shows plate temperatures, timer and
PREHEAT/READY.
ab
cde
b.a.

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grill when it is not assembled correctly.
4. Slide the drip tray into the base at the
rear of the unit from the right side.
5. Plug the cord into a standard electrical
outlet. The blue backlight on the LCD
screen will illuminate, indicating the unit
is energized. The LCD will display the
current settings.
NOTE: If the START/STOP button is not
pressed within 10 minutes, the unit will
enter SLEEP mode. The blue backlight
on the LCD screen will turn off and the
screen’s display will go blank.
6. Just follow the instructions below
to position the unit, and you’re ready
to cook!
GRIDDLER®ELITE
POSITIONS
STORAGE Position – Upper plate/cover
rests flat on the lower plate/base and
cover height adjuster is in Lock position.
PREHEAT Position – Upper plate/
cover rests flat on the lower plate/base
and cover height adjuster is in
Unlock position.
OPEN COOKING Position – To Cook on
Lower Plate Only: Lift the handle so upper
plate/cover is vertical. Plate does not
“float” in this position.
CLOSED COOKING Position –
To Contact Grill or Panini Press: Start
with unit in Open Cooking position.
Lower top carefully until plate contacts
food. Hinge will automatically release the
plate, allowing it to “float” and rest evenly
on food.
To Top Melt: Start with unit in Open
Cooking position. Wearing an oven mitt,
press down slightly on front of upper
plate/cover to release hinge, allowing
plate to “float.” Lower it to close to the
desired height, then slide the cover height
adjuster into a notch to set the position.
NOTE: After Closed Cooking, you can
lock the upper plate/cover back into place
by simply closing the unit without any
food in it.
FLAT COOKING Position – To Cook on
Full Grill, Full Griddle or Half Grill/Half
Griddle: Upper plate/cover opens to lie
flat, level with the lower plate/base.
To adjust to this position from the Preheat
position, open unit and slide the hinge
release lever up while pushing the handle
back. The upper plate/cover will sit flat,
resting on the handle.
To adjust to this position from Closed
Cooking position, first close the unit,
resting upper plate/cover flat on lower
plate/base. You will hear the upper plate
click into place. Open unit and slide the
hinge release lever up while pushing the
handle back. The upper plate/ cover will
sit flat, resting on the handle.
To adjust to this position from Open
Cooking position, grasp handle and pull
slightly forward, then slide the hinge
release lever up while pushing the handle
back. The upper plate/cover will sit flat,
resting on the handle.
OPERATING
THE GRIDDLER®ELITE
Standard Cooking
1. Turn the PLATE SELECT dial to the
desired plate selection.
You can choose the upper plate,
lower plate, or both plates, depending
on how and what you want to cook.
We recommend the following plate
selections:
Cooking Option Plate Selection
Contact Grill Both
Panini Press Both
Full Grill Both
Full Griddle Both
Half Grill and Half Griddle Both
Half Grill or Half Griddle Lower or Upper
Top Melt Both

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The selected plate(s) and the
corresponding temperature(s) will
appear on the LCD screen.
2. Turn the temperature dial for the
selected plate(s) to the desired setting
– from Warm to 450°F. The temperature
readout(s) in the LCD screen will
change as you turn the dial.
NOTE: Warm setting will display
as 200°F.
In the example below, the lower plate
temperature has been set to 350˚F.
3. Once the desired temperature setting(s)
have been selected, press the START/
STOP button.
NOTE: If the START/STOP button is not
pressed within 10 minutes, the unit will
enter sleep mode. Turn any knob or
press any button to reactivate the unit.
a. The LED light around the START/
STOP button will illuminate and the unit
will beep one time.
b. In the LCD screen, PREHEAT will
appear and the selected temperature(s)
will flash as the plate(s) heat up. It may
take up to 20 minutes to reach
operating temperature, depending on
the temperature(s) selected.
c. When the plate(s) reach temperature,
the selected temperature(s) will stop
flashing, READY will display, and the
unit will beep 3 times.
NOTE: If both plates are selected,
when the first plate reaches
temperature it will show READY and
the unit will beep 1 time; you can begin
cooking on this plate if you choose.
The second plate will continue to
preheat until it reaches temperature, at
which time it will show READY and the
unit will beep 3 times.
In the example below, the upper plate
temperature has been set to 250˚F and
is ready, and the lower plate
temperature has been set to 350˚F and
is still preheating.
4. To change the temperature(s) at any
time during operation, simply turn the
temperature dial of the selected plate(s)
to the new setting.
a. If the plate(s) are in PREHEAT mode,
they will continue to preheat to new
selection.
b. If the plate(s) are in READY mode
and the temperature(s) are lowered,
READY will remain on display as the
unit adjusts to the lower temperature(s).
c. If the plate(s) are in READY mode
and the temperature(s) is raised,
PREHEAT will display and the higher
selected temperature will flash as the
plate(s) heat up. Once the higher
temperature(s) is reached, READY will
display, the temperature(s) will stop
flashing, and the unit will beep 3 times.
5. To change the plate selection at any
time during operation, simply turn the
PLATE SELECT dial to the new
selection and adjust the plate(s)
temperature (if necessary). PREHEAT
will display for new selected plate(s)
and the temperature will flash as the
plate(s) heat up. Once the new
temperature(s) are reached, READY will
display, the temperature(s) will stop
flashing, and the unit will beep 3 times.

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6. To stop the unit from heating, simply
press the START/STOP button.
NOTE: If the unit is on and heated for
more than 2 hours, it will automatically
shut off. This is a safety feature of the
Griddler®Elite.
SEAR Function
You can sear foods at 500°F for up to
2 minutes.
1. Follow Standard Cooking, Step 1.
2. Press UPPER SEAR and/or LOWER
SEAR button to initiate SEAR function.
SEAR will appear in place of the
temperature(s) in the LCD screen.
In the example below, the lower plate
has been set to SEAR.
3. Press the START/STOP button. The
LED light around the START/STOP
button will illuminate and the unit will
beep one time.
4. In the LCD screen, PREHEAT will
display and SEAR will flash while the
plate(s) heat up to 500°.
5. When the plate(s) reach the SEAR
temperature, SEAR will stop flashing,
READY will display and the unit will
beep 3 times.
NOTE: If both plates are selected for
SEAR, when the first plate reaches
temperature it will show READY and
the unit will beep 1 time; you can begin
cooking on this plate if you choose.
The second plate will continue to
preheat until it reaches temperature, at
which time it will show READY and the
unit will beep 3 times. In the example
below, both plate temperatures have
been set to SEAR and the upper plate
is ready while the lower plate is still
preheating.
In the example shown below, both
plates have been set to SEAR, but only
the upper plate has reached SEAR
temperature. The lower plate is still
preheating.
6. The 02:00 minute countdown timer will
flash ten times to allow enough time to
put the food on the plate(s).
7. After 10 seconds, the 2-minute
countdown will begin. To sear for less
than 2 minutes, simply press the arrow
down button at any time during
10-second delay or countdown to
decrease the time. You cannot sear for
more than 2 minutes at a time.
8. When the countdown is complete, the
unit will beep 3 times to indicate the
SEAR cycle has finished, and the unit
will adjust to the temperature(s)
selected on the corresponding
temperature knobs.

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9. To cancel SEAR, press the SEAR
button(s) again and the unit will adjust
to the temperature(s) selected on the
corresponding temperature knobs.
OPERATING
THE TIMER
The 60-minute timer can be activated at
any time the unit is on, except in the
middle of a SEAR cycle.
1. Press the up or down arrow button to
initiate time-set mode. The LCD screen
will display a blinking 00:00.
2. Press the up and down arrows to add
or subtract time. Time can be set in
30-second intervals up to 10 minutes,
then 1-minute intervals up to 60
minutes. Press and hold the buttons to
scroll through time more quickly. Timer
will stop blinking and automatically
start to count down when no time-set
buttons have been pressed for 3
seconds.
3. To add or subtract time during
countdown, simply press the up or
down arrow buttons.
4. When the countdown is complete,
the unit will beep 3 times.
5. To stop and reset the timer, press
and hold both the up and down arrow
buttons at the same time for 2
seconds. Timer will default to 00:00.
6. To turn the unit off, simply turn PLATE
SELECT dial to OFF.
NOTE: If timer is in use and either
SEAR button is pressed, the SEAR
cycle will override the previously
set timer.
CLEANING AND CARE
1. Once you have finished cooking, turn
the PLATE SELECT dial to the OFF
position and unplug the power cord
from the wall outlet. Allow the unit to
cool down for at least 30 minutes.
2. Use the cleaning/scraping tool to
remove any leftover food from the
cooking plate(s).
3. Dispose of grease from the drip tray
once cooled.
4. Press the plate release buttons to
remove cooking plates from the
housing. Be sure that the plates have
cooled completely before handling
(at least 30 minutes).
5. Wipe down the plates to remove any
leftover food. The cooking plates, drip
tray and cleaning/scraping tool can be
cleaned by hand or on the top shelf of
the dishwasher. The housing base,
cover and control panel can be wiped
clean with a soft, dry cloth. For tough
stains, dampen cloth. Never use an
abrasive cleaner or harsh pad.
USER MAINTENANCE
• ThefirsttimeyouusetheGriddler®
Elite it may have a slight odor and may
smoke a bit. This is common to
appliances with nonstick surfaces.
• Alwaysexercisecautionwhenhandling
the Griddler®Elite during cooking.
Open and close the unit using the
handle only. Do not touch the arms or
top cover during or immediately after
cooking, as they become hot during
use. We recommend you wear oven
mitts when handling the Griddler®Elite
to prevent burns.
• Neverusemetalutensils,whichwill
scratch the nonstick plates. Instead,
use wooden or heat-proof plastic
utensils.
• Neverleaveplasticutensilsincontact
with the hot grill plates. This includes

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the cleaning tool that is included.
• Inbetweenrecipes,useawoodenor
heat-proof plastic utensil to scrape
excess food buildup through grease
channels and into the drip tray. Wipe off
any residue with a paper towel before
proceeding with next recipe.
• AllowtheGriddler®Elite to cool down
completely (at least 30 minutes) before
cleaning.
• Anyotherservicingshouldbe
performed by an authorized service
representative.
STORAGE
• Wrapthepowercordaroundthecord
storage clips at the back of the base.
• Storecleancookingplatesanddrip
tray in the unit.
• Lockunitclosedbyslidingthecover
height adjuster to the Lock position.