Cuisinart Griddler Elite GR-300 Service manual

Griddler®Elite GR-300
INSTRUCTION AND
RECIPE BOOKLET
For your safety and continued enjoyment of this product, always read the instruction book carefully before using.

2

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.

4
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.
1
2
3
4a
4b
5
6
7
7
9
8

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 grill
when it is not assembled correctly.
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.

6
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

7
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.

8
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.

9
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 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.

10
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.