Cuisinart Cook Central User manual

Cook Central™Multicooker
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CONTROL PANEL
PG-26987
Start/Stop Cooking
Use START/STOP button to start
and stop heat-up process.
NOTE: When combination
cooking (such as browning before
roasting), there is no need to
press the START/STOP button
again when switching to the new
function. The unit is already on.
Cooking Method
Pressing SLOW COOK,
ROAST, BROWN/SAUTÉ,
or STEAM lets you select
cooking mode. LED indicator
will light up.
Cooking Time
Press Time Directionals (+/–) to
set timer for Slow Cook, Roast
and Steam functions (setting
time is optional for Brown/Sauté).
Holding buttons down scrolls
quickly; pressing and releasing
advances more slowly. Time will
appear in LCD display.
Cooking Temperature
Each program has a pre-set
temperature which can be adjusted
by using temperature Directionals
(+/–) (Steam temperature can not
be changed). Holding buttons
down scrolls quickly; pressing and
releasing advances more slowly.
Power
Why won’t my unit turn on?
Check to make sure your unit is plugged into a functional outlet.
Contact Customer Service at 1-800-726-0190.
Why is my unit turning itself off?
If no cooking function has been started, the cooker will enter sleep
mode after 5 minutes of no use. All lights will turn off. Press any button
to “wake up” the unit and operate the unit as normal.
It is possible the unit overheated. Wait for the unit to cool down and
try again. If it does not turn back on, contact Customer Service at
1-800-726-0190.
If all of your water has boiled out during steaming, the unit will shut off
as a safety precaution. To continue steaming, add water to the pot and
restart the program.
If the pot is out of place for more than 15 minutes, when the pot is
replaced, the unit will not resume cooking on it’s own. Restart the
program.
If changing functions when the unit is already cooking, you do not
need to hit the START/STOP button again to select. Doing so will turn
the unit off. Simply press your new function and select your desired
settings; the unit will switch automatically.
The heater will turn off automatically after the cooking time and/or
Keep Warm time have elapsed. This is normal.
If you do not set a cooking time, the unit will cook for the maximum
allowable cooking time before shutting off automatically. This is normal.
Programming
Can I set a timer for the Brown/
Sauté function?
Yes. Setting a timer for brown/sauté is an optional step. Simply set
your timer using the Time Directionals as you would any other function.
Can I change my cooking
function, time or temperature
when the unit is already
cooking?
Yes. Simply use the cooking function, Time and Temperature
Directionals, to change your programming. Note: The unit is already on,
so you do not need to hit the START/STOP button again to select.
Doing so will turn the unit off. Simply press your new function or desired
settings; the unit will switch automatically and adjust accordingly.
Cooking
When should I brown my meat
before slow cooking/roasting?
Browning meat before slow cooking and roasting is an optional step.
It is beneficial, as it adds flavor and color, but the step can be omitted
if time is short. Exception: ground meats.
Which position should the rack
be in for steaming/roasting?
The rack is intended for steaming in the “up” position. The rack is
intended for roasting in the “down” position (see inside).
Can I use the cooking pot on
the stove/in the oven?
The cooking pot was designed specifically for use in this multi-cooker.
We do not suggest using it on the stove or in the oven.
Cleaning
Can I put my unit in the
dishwasher?
All removable parts are top-rack dishwasher safe.
Do not immerse or put the base of the unit in the dishwasher. Clean the
base and control panel with a clean damp cloth.
The pot is nonstick – why is
food sticking?
While the pot does have a nonstick coating, it is possible for food
residue to burn onto the pot, making it difficult to remove.
Food residue is sticking to the
cooking pot surface. How do I
clean it without damaging it?
If food has burned on, fill pot with warm soapy water and allow to soak
before cleaning. If scouring is necessary, use a non-abrasive cleanser
or liquid detergent with a nylon pad or brush.
Error Codes
My display shows flashing
- - - - - - -
Indicates that the pot has been removed from the unit or is not seated
properly. The heater will turn off temporarily if the pot is removed
to avoid damage. Once the pot is returned, the unit should resume
cooking. Note: If the pot is out of place for over 15 minutes, you will
need to restart the program.
My display shows Err Indicates the unit has overheated. Wait for the unit to cool down and
try again. If the problem persists contact Customer Service.
TROUBLESHOOTING CHART

SWITCH FROM BROWN TO SLOW COOK OR ROAST
IMPORTANT!
Do not throw away. Keep for further reference.
This Quick Start Guide is intended to supplement the Instruction Booklet.
In order to ensure safe operation and optimum performance,
please read the entire Instruction Booklet.
Follow directions above to brown or sauté ingredients.
Once Ingredients are browned or sautéed: Press SLOW COOK or ROAST.
Choose temperature and cooking time. Continue with recipe. There is no need
to press START/STOP button again as the unit is already on.
TO SLOW COOK: Fill cooking pot with ingredients and cover with lid.
Press SLOW COOK. Select cooking temperature (HIGH, LOW, SIMMER
or WARM) and cooking time (up to 24 hours). Press START/STOP button
to start slow cooking.
TO ROAST: Put rack in cooking pot in Roast
position, place food on rack and cover with lid.
Press ROAST. Select cooking temperature
(from 250° to 450°F) and cooking time (up to
6 hours). Press START/STOP button. When roasting
temperature is reached, 2 beeps will sound
and timer will begin counting down.
TO BROWN/SAUTÉ: Select Brown/Sauté Function. Select cooking
temperature (from 250° to 500˚). Press the START/STOP button to begin
heat-up. When selected temperature is reached, 2 beeps will sound – add
ingredients to cooking pot and proceed with recipe. NOTE: For best results,
brown ingredients in batches; do not crowd cooking pot.
TO STEAM: Place about 1 quart of water or other
liquid in cooking pot. Put rack in pot in Steam
position and cover with lid. Press STEAM
(Steam temperature is preset). Select cooking
time (up to 1½ hours). Press START/STOP button.
When Steam temperature is reached, 2 beeps
will sound and timer will begin counting down.
Carefully place food in rack and put lid back on pot.
PROGRAMMING THE COOKING FUNCTIONS TIPS & HINT
• Use the slow cooker as you would a normal slow cooker, the roaster as
you would a normal oven and brown/sauté as you would a skillet. One of the
benefits to using the Cook Central™ is you can do all of these functions in one
pot and can switch from function to function at the touch of a button.
• You can switch cooking functions or change cooking time or temperature at
any point. Keep in mind if you are changing settings while the unit is already
on there is no need to hit the START/STOP button again to select. Doing so
will turn the unit off.
• If you do not wish to program a time, the unit will cook at the selected
temperature until you manually turn the heater off. The heater will turn off
automatically after the maximum allowable cooking time for the selected
function has been reached. Maximum cook time for Slow Cook is 24 hours.
Roast is 6 hours. Brown/Sauté is 1 hour and Steam is 1½ hours.
• Do not leave the unit on 500°F for over 1 hour – prolonged heat at this high
temperature can harm the nonstick coating or overheat the unit.
• Heatup times vary in different cooking modes, based on a number of factors.
The selected temperature, the current temperature of the cooking pot, and the
contents of the pot can all affect heatup time. For example, you may reach the
set temperature in the Brown/Sauté mode, but require additional heatup time
if you switch to the Roast mode, even though your temperature selection is
the same.
For an idea of how long it takes to reach a temperature in different modes,
see below:
Brown/Saute (350ºF, empty pot) - 5 min
Roast (400ºF, with 4-lb roast) - 9½ min
Steam (1 quart of water) - 8½ min
• You may need to remove excess grease or water from the cooking pot in
certain recipes. To do so, using pot holders, carefully remove the cooking pot
from the base and pour out the grease or water. Return the cooking pot to the
base and finish cooking the dish.
• Always use pot holders during and after cooking, and always lift the lid away
from you to direct steam away – the unit and it’s contents are hot.
• We encourage browning foods before slow cooking or roasting as it adds
much depth and flavor to the finished dish. However, if time is short this step
can be skipped. Ground meats are the exception. They should always be
browned before slow cooking.
• In general, for Slow Cooking, 1 hour on High is the equivalent of cooking for
2 hours on Low.
• See the instruction booklet for more helpful tips and hints.