Gaggenau VK 411 Service manual

Operation and assembly instructions
VK 411
Steam cooker

VK 411
1
1. Important Notes Page 3-4
For your safety Page 3
Operating for the first time Page 3
About use Page 4
2. Features Page 5
Features Page 5
Special accessories Page 5
3. Operation Page 6-9
Operating principle Page 6
Hooking in the special handle Page 6
Switching on and off Page 7
Holiday safeguard Page 7
Draining cooking liquid from the cooking basin Page 8
Visual signals Page 9
4. Practical tips Page 10
5. Settings table Page 11-12
6. Cleaning and care Page 13
7. Maintenance Page 14
8. Installation Page 15-20
Technical data Page 15
Important notes on installation Page 15
Preparing the cabinet Page 16
Installing the control panel Page 17
Installing the appliance Page 18
Drain installation Page 19-20

2
Congratulations on buying your new
“Vario” appliance.
Before switching your appliance on for the first
time, we would like you to familiarize yourself with
your new appliance. In this manual you will find
important notes on safety and operation. These
will serve to ensure your personal safety and the
lasting value of your appliance.
You will find notes on Page 3 that you ought to
observe before operating the appliance for the
first time.
The chapters entitled “Features" and “Operation"
tell you all about what your appliance can do and
how you operate it.
The chapter entitled “Cleaning and Care" gives
tips on how to keep your appliance looking good.
And now we wish you lots of fun cooking.

3
For your safety
Do not operate the appliance if it is damaged.
The appliance must only be connected by
an authorised specialist, paying attention to
the relevant regulations of the power supply
companies and the regional construction
regulations.
Observe the assembly instructions!
The appliance could be damaged if connected
wrongly!
When connecting electrical appliances in the
proximity of the steam cooker, make sure that
connecting cables do not come into contact with hot
cooking surfaces.
Only operate the appliance under supervision.
Caution: Fire Risk! Do not store any combustible
objects in your appliance. When operating the
appliance, only leave the required parts inside the
cooking basin.
Caution: the appliance heats up during operation.
Keep children away.
To avoid jeopardising the electrical safety of the
appliance, do not use high-pressure or steam jet
cleaning devices.
Isolate the appliance from the mains during every
maintenance operation. To do this, remove the
mains plug or switch off the corresponding fuse.
Repairs must be carried out by authorised
specialists, thus ensuring electrical safety.
As the user, you are responsible for maintenance
and proper use in the household. No warranty
claims can be lodged for any damage resulting
from failure to observe these instructions.
Note:
if you have fitted the appliance cover VD 400-000
(special accessory) on the appliance, it must not
be closed until the appliance has cooled down
completely. Do not operate the appliance with the
cover closed! Heat development may damage the
appliance and the cover. Do not use the appliance
cover as a surface for placing objects or for
keeping things warm.
Subject to technical change without notice.
Operating for the first time
Remove the packaging from the appliance and
dispose of it according to local regulations.
Be careful to remove all accessories from the
packaging. Keep packaging elements and plastic
bags away from children.
Check the appliance for transport damage before
installing it.
The appliance must be installed and connected by
an authorised specialist before operation. Before
operating the appliance for the first time, make
sure that the mains connection is in proper working
order.
The serial number of the appliance can be found on
the quality control slip which is included with these
instructions. This quality control slip should be kept,
for guarantee reasons, together with your operating
and assembly instructions.
Read through these instructions attentively before
operating your appliance for the first time.
Thoroughly clean the appliance and accessories
before using them for the first time. This will elimi-
nate any 'newness’ smells and soiling (see chapter
“Operation”).
1. Important Notes

4
About use
The boiling point of water depends on your location
in relation to sea level. When operating for the first
time, the appliance calibrates itself automatically.
During calibration you might notice more steam
than usual. Your appliance can be used as normal to
prepare food while it is calibrating.
The appliance is intended solely for household use
and must not be put to any other uses.
Use the appliance to prepare meals only. Do not
use the appliance to heat up the room in which it is
installed.
The appliance is suitable for use with water or
cooking liquid only. Do not use the appliance for
deep frying.
The appliance must not be operated empty. If the
appliance is switched on empty, the temperature
control will switch off the appliance automatically.
Turn the “Temperature" control knob to the OFF
position. Wait until the appliance has cooled down.
Fill the cooking basin with liquid at a minimum to
the lower marking and not more than to the boil-
over rim.
Only use the intended cooking inserts.
Only add salt and stock cubes to the hot water. The
cooking basin is to a great extent corrosion proof,
however, in certain cases, for example salt, can
cause damage to the material.
Always place the glass lid firmly on the appliance
while in use!
Caution! Risk of burns! Use the special handle to
remove and insert the cooking inserts.
Make sure that the steam outlet opening is not
covered up during operation.
Switch off the appliance after use. Clean the
appliance once it has cooled down after every use.
Caution! When hot, the glass cover must not be
placed on a wet and cold worktop or cooled under
cold running water. It might otherwise crack.
Replace the glass cover immediately if it is damaged.
If glass splinters should enter into the cooking
basin as the result of a damaged glass cover, bear
in mind that the foodstuffs prepared in it are no
longer suitable for consumption.
Do not place any items on the glass lid.
We recommend you install your appliance with a
permanent drain connection. Use extreme caution
when draining the appliance without a permanent
drain connection. Risk of scalding! Use a
temperature-resistant container with an adequate
capacity (e.g. a 10 l bucket).
The door(s) of the base cabinet must be locked if
you do not have a permanent drain connection and
there are small children in your household. This
reduces the risk of burns.
If you have a permanent water drain connection,
pay attention to the applicable regulations.
Built-in overheating protection prevents overheating
of the appliance and of surrounding kitchen
furniture.
In the event of malfunction, first check your house-
hold fuses. If the power supply is in proper working
order, but the appliance is still not functioning,
please inform your specialist dealer or your nearest
Gaggenau after-sales service.

5
Features
Special accessories
1Glass lid
2Unperforated cooking insert (GE 020-010)
3Perforated cooking insert (GE 020-020)
4Steam outlet opening
5Minimum level marker
6Strainer
7Cooking basin
8Control knob to drain cooking basin
9Temperature control knob
You can order the following special accessories:
GE 020-010 Unperforated cooking insert
GE 020-020 Perforated cooking insert
FK 023-000 Noodle basket
VV 400-000 Connecting trim
VZ 400-000 Connecting trim with timer
VD 400-000 Appliance cover
AG 050-000 Drain installation set for
permanent connection
AG 060-000 Drain installation set for draining
water into a receptacle
2. Features
2
1
3
8 9
7
4
5
6

Operating principle
In the steam cooker you can cook, steam cook and
blanch.
Steam cooking consists of cooking in a steam flow.
The temperature range is between 80 °C and
100 °C. The steam transmits the heat. Suitable
foodstuffs are vegetables, potatoes, fish and yeast
dumplings.
The steam seals the food that is being cooked and
prevents a loss of nutrients in the foodstuffs.
Cooked food retains its shape, its colour and its
typical aroma. Foodstuffs are not browned in the
steam cooker.
The appliance offers you the possibility of steam
cooking without pressure using one or two cooking
inserts. When you use the perforated cooking
insert, the steam is able to reach the food on all
sides. This ensures uniform cooking even of large
quantities of food.
You can also set the cooking liquid temperature in
5°C stages between 45 and 95 °C. This precise
adjustment of the water temperature allows you, for
example, to melt chocolate icing, poach meat or
boil pasta.
Hooking the handle into the cooking inserts
The cooking inserts can only be inserted in and
removed from the steam cooker by using the
included special handle. The special handle is not
suitable for tipping over the cooking inserts, e.g. to
pour out the contents.
Note: by using the special handle to remove or
insert the cooking inserts, you will protect your
hands against burns while cooking.
Proceed as follows:
• Slide the special handle into the recess provided
for this purpose.
• Tilt back the handle and lift the cooking insert.
3. Operation
6
Tips when using for the first time
Thoroughly clean the appliance and accessories
with mild soap detergent before using them for
the first time. This will eliminate any 'newness’
smells and soiling. Fill the cooking basin up to the
lower marking with clean water. Replace the glass
lid and operate the appliance at the steam
cooking level for 30 minutes. During this time the
appliance calibrates itself automatically. During
calibration you might notice more steam than
usual. Drain the water.
The boiling point of water depends on your
location in relation to sea level. When operating
for the first time, the appliance calibrates itself
automatically to the correct setting.
Should you move to a different area, the appliance
has to be re-calibrated. Fill the cooking basin up
to the boil-over rim with water and replace the
glass lid. Turn the “Temperature” control knob
three times from the position 95 °C to the steam
cooking level and finally leave it on the steam
cooking level. The appliance then calibrates itself
automatically. This will take about 10 minutes.
Do not take off the glass lid during the calibration
process.

7
Filling the cooking basin
Fill the cooking basin with water or another cooking
liquid (between 1 - 6 litres, refer to the settings
table). Do not fill the cooking basin with oil. Fill the
cooking basin with liquid at a minimum to the lower
marking and not more than to the boil-over rim.
Switching on
Press down the right control knob and turn it left or
right to the required temperature or the steaming
setting. The luminous disc behind the control knob
flashes, as long as the appliance heats up. Insert
the cooking inserts with the food when the appliance
has heated up and the luminous disc lights
constantly. Replace the glass lid.
We recommend to always pre-heat the steam
cooker.
Switching off
Fully turn the right control knob to the OFF position.
Holiday safeguard
(Automatic switch-off)
The appliance is set to automatically switch off
4 hours after the last operation. The luminous disc
behind the right control knob flashes. Turn the
control knob to 0. Now the steam cooker can be
switched on again as normal.
Switching on
Switching off
Important: Never operate the steam cooker
without liquid.
min
max

Draining the cooking liquid from the cooking
basin
• Only if your steam cooker is not installed with a
permanent drain connection:
place a heat resistant container (e.g. a 10 l
bucket) under the drain valve of the additionally
installed drain installation set AG 060-000.
• Turn the “Temperature" control knob to the right
to the draining position . Turn the left control
knob to the right to the draining position .
• A signal is sounded, the drain valve is opened.
The luminous disc behind the left control knob
flashes while the drain valve is open.
Closing the drain valve
• Turn the “Temperature" control knob to the right
to the draining position .
• Turn the left control knob to the left to the closing
position .
• The drain valve is closed. The luminous disc
behind the left control knob goes off when the
drain valve is closed.
8
Note:
Allow the water or the cooking liquid to cool down
before draining it: this avoids steaming in the base
cabinet and scalding.
Pay attention to regular descaling if you live in a
hard water area. Otherwise, discoloration of the
cooking basin and heat build-ups may result.

Visual signals
9
Luminous disc Luminous disc Signification Cause / Remedy
behind the left behind the right
control knob control knob

lights OFF appliance is switched OFF

right control knob appliance is ON normal use
lights constantly

flashing of appliance is normal use
right control knob heating up

flashing of drain valve Close the drain valve after draining
left control knob is open the cooking liquid.
The appliance will not heat up while
the drain valve is open.

fast flashing of appliance was Appliance was switched on without
right control knob operated empty any cooking liquid or cooking liquid
or overheating has evaporated. Fill basin at least
protection to the minimal marker and let
the appliance cool down.

fast flashing of holiday safeguard The appliance setting has not been
right control knob changed for over 4 hours. Turn
control knob to 0 and then switch
on again if required.

fast flashing of power cut After a power cut, the appliance
right control knob stays switched off for safety
reasons. Turn control knob to 0
and then switch on again if
required.

fast flashing of faulty installation Connecting cable between the
both control knobs appliance and the control panel
alternately is not plugged in. Check that cable
is plugged in firmly.

10
4. Practical tips
Cooking in steam
• Fill the steam cooker to the bottom marking and
pre-heat on the steam cooking level.
• Place the cooking insert with the food inside the
appliance. When using two cooking inserts at the
same time, place the perforated cooking insert
first and then the unperforated above it.
• Fit the glass lid.
You can highlight the taste of meals by replacing
the water with a liquid that matches the food
(vegetable, fish or meat stock).
Keeping warm
•Fill the steam cooker to the bottom marking.
•Turn the “Temperature" control knob to 80 - 90 °C
and pre-heat.
•Place the cooking insert with the food inside it in
the appliance.
•Fit the glass lid.
This is a gentle method to keep food warm over a
prolonged period of time. This retains the flavour
and prevents the food from drying out.
Regenerating
Meals that have already been prepared can be
regenerated (reheated) in the steam cooker.
• Fill the steam cooker to the bottom marking and
pre-heat on the steam cooking level.
• Place your prepared meal in the corresponding
cooking insert and turn the “Temperature" control
knob back to the required temperature (85 - 95 °C)
Fit the glass lid.
Cooking
• Fill the cooking basin with water or another
cooking liquid (no oil!) up to the boil-over rim.
• Turn the “Temperature" control knob to a
temperature between 45 and 95 °C and pre-heat.
• You are advised to fit the glass cover.
Use the noodle basket (accessory FK 023-000).
Cooking in boiling water
• Fill the cooking basin with water up to the
boil-over rim and pre-heat on the steam cooking
level.
• Do not fit the glass lid. Use the noodle basket
(accessory FK 023-000).
Extracting juice
• Fill the steam cooker to the bottom marking and
pre-heat on the steam cooking level.
• Place fruit in the perforated insert.
• Place the unperforated insert in the appliance
and then the perforated insert above it.
• Steam until no more juice is extracted.
Sterilising
• Fill the steam cooker to the bottom marking.
• Place jars in the perforated insert in such a way
that they do not touch each other.
• Turn the “Temperature" control knob to the steam
cooking level setting.
• Switch off the appliance as soon as bubbles start
to rise in the jar.
• Do not remove the jars from the appliance until
they have cooled down fully.
Blanching
• Fill the steam cooker to the bottom marking and
pre-heat on the steam cooking level.
• Place the vegetables in the unperforated insert.
• After 1-2 minutes, place the vegetables in icy
water to cool them down fast. Allow the
vegetables to fully drip dry.

11
5. Settings table
Steaming / Cooking Setting: steam cooking
Foodstuff Water Cooking insert Food quantity Preparation Cooking times*
quantity ( l ) selection (minutes)
Meat
Meatballs 1 perforated 500 g 15 - 20
Fillet of beaf 1 unperforated 400 g place herbs, e.g. 1/2 teasp. 15 - 20
thyme in the cooking basin
Chicken breast, 1unperforated 500 g 20 - 25
filled Base buttered
Turkey breast 1 unperforated 300 g over vegetable stock 15
Base buttered
Smoked pork 1 unperforated 1 kg 60
Boiled beef 1 unperforated 1 kg with soup vegetables 85 - 90
Fish
Salmon fillet 1 perforated 600 g 10
Truite bleu 1 perforated 2 trouts vegetable stock with vinegar 8 - 10
Trout in stock 1 unperforated 2 pieces 10 -15
Cod cutlets 1unperforated 2 cod cutlets possibly in a vegetable bed 20
steamed in wine over water and wine
Ocean perch fillet 1 unperforated 3 fillets 10 - 12
Pike fillet 1 unperforated 1 kg + 0,5 l 15 - 20
water and
ingredients
Mussels 1 perforated, in the perforated insert 10 - 15
unperforated with juice
Vegetables
Cauliflower 1 perforated 1 head in roses 20 - 30
Cauliflower and 1unperforated 1 kg in roses 35 - 40
carrots perforated 1 kg sliced
Broccoli 1 perforated 1 head in roses 8 - 12
Green beans 1 perforated 800 - 1000 g 20 - 25
Kohlrabi 1 perforated 800 g sliced 30 - 35
Carrots 1 perforated 1 kg sliced 20 - 25
Jacket potatoes 1 perforated 1 kg 35 - 40
Boiled potatoes 1 perforated 1 kg halve 20 - 25
Boiled potatoes and 1perforated 1 kg halve 25 - 30
cauliflower unperforated 1 kg in roses
Asparagus spears 1 perforated, unperfor. 2 kg whole 25 - 40
Courgettes, aubergine 1unperforated 500 g sliced 5 - 8
Spinach 1 unperforated 250 g 4
Fennel 1 perforated 4 pieces whole 30 - 40

12
Foodstuff Water Cooking insert Food quantity Preparation Cooking times*
quantity ( l ) selection (minutes)
Side dishes
Rice, untreated 1 unperforated 250 g 40 - 45
0,5 l water
Parboiled-rice 1 unperforated 250 g 20
0,5 l water
Pasta 4 Noodle basket 500 g according to
manufacturer’s
specifications
Swabian noodles, 4without 500 g 2 - 5
fresh pasta
Cooked-egg 1unperforated 1 litre 10 - 15
garnish base buttered
Desserts
Pudding in 1perforated quantity for according to
bain-marie tin 1,5 litre tin recipe
Stewed fruit 1 unperforated 1 kg, 1/4 l water 10 - 20
Yeast dumplings 1 unperforated 8 dumplings, 15 - 20
1/8 l milk, butter
and sugar
Rice pudding 1 unperforated 250 g, 0,8 l milk 25 - 30
* Note: the cooking times specified here are rough guide values only.
You are advised to always preheat the steam cooker. If the appliance is not preheated, cooking times are prolonged by around 5 minutes.
When using two cooking inserts at the same time, put the perforated cooking insert into the cooking basin first and then the unperforated
cooking insert above it.
Cooking table Simmering Setting: temperature level
Foodstuff Water- Cooking insert Food quantity Temperature Cooking times*
quantity ( l ) selection ( minutes )
Sausages 4 without 4 - 8 pairs 75 - 85 °C 10 - 20
Meat dumplings 4without depending on 90 - 95 °C 20 - 30
(e.g. stock) the size
Dumplings 4 without 4 - 6 90 - 95 °C 20 - 30
Mulled wine – without min. 1 litre 80 - 90 °C –
* Note: the cooking times specified here are rough guide values only.

Caution, risk of burns! Before cleaning, please
wait until the appliance has cooled to hand-
warm.
Do no use any abrasive and caustic cleaning
agents (scouring or nitro polishing agents).
Do not use any cleaning agents containig
chloride (for example bleach), these can cause
corrosion damage to the appliance.
Use plastic pot cleaners or a soft dishwashing brush
and normal detergent. Do not use any abrasive
sponges either.
Clean the appliance and accessories thoroughly
before using them for the first time. Fill the cooking
basin up to the foaming edge and operate the
appliance at the steam cooking level for 30 minutes
to remove any 'newness’ smells. Drain the water.
Clean the cooking basin with a mild detergent
solution.
The cooking basin should not be treated with
stainless steel care agents because, in most
cases, these are not neutral as far as food-
stuffs are concerned.
You can clean the glass cover and the cooking
inserts in the dishwasher.
Cleaning the control knobs
Wipe with a damp cloth. Cloth should not be too
wet, as moisture could penetrate behind the control
knob.
Clean the appliance after every use:
• Empty and clean the steam cooker with mild soap
solution.
• Soiling, salt and limescale deposits can cause
corrosion.
• Clean the cooking inserts in the dishwasher or
with mild soap solution. The handle for the
cooking inserts must only be cleaned by hand.
• Rub the cooking basin dry with a cloth. The glass
lid should not be fitted while the cooking basin is
still moist.
• If a white coating should form in the cooking basin
owing to very hard water, wipe out the basin with a
water and vinegar mixture or a descaling agent
that is not harmful to foodstuffs and then rinse it
well with clear water.
• Polish the cooking basin with a soft cloth and a
drop of cooking oil.
After cleaning and drying, you can store the
cleaned cooking inserts and the handle in the
cooking tub. Turn over the glass cover to make
sure that the appliance cover (special accessory)
will lie properly on the recess.
13
6. Cleaning and care
Note: to avoid jeopardising the electrical safety of
the appliance, do not use high-pressure or steam
jet cleaning devices – risk of short circuits!

If the appliance does not function correctly, check
the household fuses first.
If the power supply is functioning correctly, but your
appliance still does not work, please contact your
dealer or your local Gaggenau customer service
agency. Specify the appliance type. The serial
number and type of the appliance can be found on
the quality control slip which is included with these
instructions.
Repairs may only be carried out by authorised
technicians, in order to guarantee the safety of the
appliance.
Unauthorised tampering with the appliance
will invalidate any warranty claims.
14
7. Maintenance
The appliance must always be disconnected from
the mains when being repaired.

15
Technical data
Total connected load:
220-240 V / 2 000 W
Important notes on installation
This appliance can be combined with all Gaggenau
Vario 400 Series appliances.
Note: do not install the appliance directly next
to a deep fryer!
This appliance may be installed in kitchen combi-
nations made of wood or similar combustible
materials without taking additional safety measures.
The built-in furniture and worktop where the
appliance is installed must be heat resistant up to
temperatures of 200° F/90° C.
The appliance must only be connected by an
authorised specialist, paying attention to the
relevant regulations of the power supply companies
and the regional construction regulations.
The mains connecting cable must at least corres-
pond to type H 05 VV-F (3 x 1,5 mm2). Pay attention
to the data on the rating plate. The appliance must
be properly grounded.
When connecting electrical appliances in the
proximity of cooking surfaces, make sure that
connecting cables do not come into contact with
hot cooking surfaces.
The installation technician is responsible for the
correct functioning of the appliance at the place of
installation. He must instruct the user on how to
disconnect the appliance from electricity in an
emergency.
After unpacking, check the appliance for any
transportation damage and report this immediately
to the transportation company.
There must be a gap of at least 40 mm at the side
between the appliance and any walls or furnishings.
The minimum distance from the trough base to the
nearest heat-sensitive parts is 10 mm.
An extractor hood must be installed if suspended
cupboards are installed over the steam cooker
because the steam might otherwise damage the
furniture.
If all poles of the appliances cannot be isolated
from the mains by removing an accessible plug, an
isolating device with a contact gap of at least 3 mm
must be installed (e.g. domestic fuse).
No warranty claims can be lodged for any
damage resulting from failure to observe these
instructions. Pay attention to the “Important
notes" on page 3 and 4.
Subject to technical change without notice.
8. Installation

Preparing the cabinet • Cut out the recess for the hob in your worktop.
Proceed as indicated on the installation sketch.
The installation sketch contains the measurements
of the space required for the trim between the
appliances. Several appliances can also be
installed in individual recesses, as long as a
minimum clearance of 50 mm is kept to between
the appliances.
• As shown in the installation sketch, drill the
Ø35mm holes to secure the control knobs in the
cabinet front.
• If the cabinet front is thicker than 26 mm, the front
must be routed from the back to max. 26 mm on
an area of 80 x 310 mm.
16
72
280
76
220
min.105
max.162,5
8
190
510
280
min. 50
min. 35
1170
35
765
360
1575
60
490
380
90
D> 26
D= 26
80 x
310
min. 5
16 – 26
min. 5

Installing the control panel
• Before installation, remove all styrofoam
packaging from the control knobs and peel off
the protective film behind the luminous discs.
• Open the lid of the connecting terminal on the
control panel. Secure the mains connecting lead
as shown in the connection diagram. Secure the
connecting lead with the pull relief. The mains
connecting cable must at least correspond to the
type H 05 VV-F (3 x 1,5 mm2). Close the lid of the
connecting terminal.
• Hold the support plate from the rear against the
cabinet front, insert control knobs into the holes,
secure from the rear with the nuts.
Take care to install control knobs in the correct
order: left control knob to drain cooking basin,
right control knob for temperature selection.
• Secure the control panel with the included nuts
onto the support plate.
17
Note:
only install control panel with appliance of the
corresponding type.
Before connecting the appliance, make sure
the electricity is switched off at fuse point!

Installing the appliance • Firmly plug the connecting cable in the cooktop
and in the control panel (the plugs must lock into
place).
• Turn the clamping screws to the side. Insert the
appliance with the control panel on the front into
the cut-out and align it.
Note: do not stick the appliance onto the worktop
with silicone.
• Turn the clamping screws under the countertop
and tighten them evenly. Do not tighten the clam-
ping screws too tightly, as a uniform sealing gap
should be left all round.
• Connect the appliance to the electricity. Test that
it functions correctly. If the luminous discs behind
both control knobs blink alternately, check the
connecting cable between the appliance and the
control panel is firmly plugged in.
18