GE JDS26 User manual

Use and Care Guide
Electric Range
GE Appliances
Model: JDS26
164D3333P012-3
Safety Instructions....................3–5
Operating Instructions, Tips
Aluminum Foil ...........................5, 19, 23, 25
Features........................................................6, 7
Oven ........................................................17–26
Baking..................................................18–21
Broiling, Broiling Guide....................25, 26
Control, Clock and Timer ................12–16
Fan ........................................................17, 18
Oven Vent..............................................4, 28
Roasting, Roasting Guide ...............23, 24
Special Features of Your Control....14–16
Timed Baking .....................................20, 21
Surface Cooking......................................8–11
Control Settings...........................................9
Cooktop Comparison.................................8
Cookware Tips ..........................................10
Home Canning Tips .................................11
Problem Solver .......................31, 32
Thermostat Adjustment–
Do It Yourself.............................................22
More questions ?…call
GE Answer Center® 800.626.2000
Care and Cleaning....................27–30
Broiler Pan and Grid............................................28
Brushed Chrome Cooktop...............................28
Control Panel and Knobs..................................27
Lift-Up Cooktop....................................................29
Lift-Off Oven Door ...............................................30
Oven Light Bulb ...................................................28
Shelves ...................................................................28
Surface Units and Drip Pans ...........................29
Consumer Services...................35
Appliance Registration..................................2
Important Phone Numbers........................35
Model and Serial Number Location...........2
Removal of Packaging Tape ........................2
Warranty ........................................Back Cover

HELP US HELP YOU…
Before using your range, read this
guide carefully.
It is intended to help you operate and maintain your
new range properly.
Keep it handy for answers to your questions.
If you don’t understand something or need more help, call:
GE Answer Center®
800.626.2000
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
How to Remove Packaging Tape
To assure no damage is done to the finish of the
product, the safest way to remove the adhesive left
from packaging tape on new appliances is an
application of a household liquid dishwashing
detergent, mineral oil or cooking oil. Apply with a
soft cloth and allow to soak. Wipe dry and then apply
an appliance polish to thoroughly clean and protect
the surface.
NOTE: The plastic tape must be removed from the
chrome trim on range parts. It cannot be removed if
it is baked on.
Write down the model and serial numbers.
You’ll find them on a label underneath the cooktop.
These numbers are also on the Consumer Product
Ownership Registration Card that came with your
range. Before sending in this card, please write these
numbers here:
Model Number
Serial Number
Use these numbers in any correspondence or service
calls concerning your range.
If you received a damaged range…
Immediately contact the dealer (or builder) that sold
you the range.
Save time and money.
Before you request service…
Check the Problem Solver in the back of this guide.
It lists causes of minor operating problems that you
can correct yourself.
IF YOU NEED SERVICE…
To obtain service, see the Consumer Services page in
the back of this guide.
We’re proud of our service and want you to be
pleased. If for some reason you are not happy with the
service you receive, here are three steps to follow for
further help.
FIRST, contact the people who serviced your
appliance. Explain why you are not pleased. In most
cases, this will solve the problem.
NEXT, if you are still not pleased, write all the
details—including your phone number—to:
Manager, Consumer Relations
GE Appliances
Appliance Park
Louisville, KY 40225
FINALLY, if your problem is still not resolved, write:
Major Appliance Consumer Action Program
20 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
2

Important Safety Instructions
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Read all instructions before using this appliance.
When using electrical appliances, basic safety
precautions should be followed, including the
following:
• Use this appliance only for its intended use
as described in this guide.
• Have the installer show you the location
of the circuit breaker or fuse. Mark it for
easy reference.
• Be sure your appliance is properly installed and
grounded by a qualified technician in accordance
with the provided installation instructions.
• Do not attempt to repair or replace any
part of your range unless it is specifically
recommended in this guide. All other servicing
should be referred to a qualified technician.
• Before performing any service, DISCONNECT
THE RANGE POWER SUPPLY AT THE
HOUSEHOLD DISTRIBUTION PANEL BY
REMOVING THE FUSE OR SWITCHING OFF
THE CIRCUIT BREAKER.
• Do not store flammable materials in an oven or
near the surface units.
• Do not leave children alone—children should
not be left alone or unattended in an area where an
appliance is in use. They should never be allowed
to sit or stand on any part of the appliance.
• Teach children not to play with the controls
or any other part of the range.
• Never leave the oven door open when you are
not watching the range.
• Always keep combustible wall coverings, curtains
or drapes a safe distance from your range.
• Do not allow anyone to climb, stand or hang
on the door or range top. They could damage
the range and even tip it over, causing severe
personal injury.
• CAUTION: ITEMS OF INTEREST TO
CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE STORED IN
CABINETS ABOVE A RANGE OR ON THE
BACKSPLASH OF A RANGE—CHILDREN
CLIMBING ON THE RANGE TO REACH
ITEMS COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED.
• Be sure the range is securely installed in a
counter that is firmly attached to the house
structure. Weight on the oven door could cause
the oven to tip and result in injury. Never allow
anyone to climb, sit, or hang on the oven door.
• Never wear loose-fitting or hanging garments
while using the appliance. Be careful when
reaching for items stored over the range.
Flammable material could be ignited if brought
in contact with hot surface units or heating
elements and may cause severe burns.
• Use only dry pot holders—moist or
damp pot holders on hot surfaces may
result in burns from steam. Do not let
pot holders touch hot surface units or heating
elements. Do not use a towel or other bulky cloth.
Such cloths can catch fire on a hot surface unit or
heating element.
• Always keep dish towels, dish cloths, pot
holders and other linens a safe distance from
your range.
• Always keep wooden and plastic utensils
and canned food a safe distance away from
your range.
• For your safety, never use your appliance for
warming or heating the room.
• DO NOT STORE OR USE COMBUSTIBLE
MATERIALS, GASOLINE OR OTHER
FLAMMABLE VAPORS AND LIQUIDS IN
THE VICINITY OF THIS OR ANY OTHER
APPLIANCE.
• Keep the hood and grease filters clean to
maintain good venting and to avoid grease fires.
• Do not let cooking grease or other flammable
materials accumulate in or near the range.
(continued next page)
3

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
(continued)
• Do not use water on grease fires.
Never pick up a flaming pan.
Smother flaming pan on surface unit
by covering pan completely with well-
fitting lid, cookie sheet or flat tray, or if available,
use a dry chemical or foam-type extinguisher.
Flaming grease outside a pan can be put out
by covering with baking soda or, if available,
a multi-purpose dry chemical or foam-type fire
extinguisher.
Flame in the oven can be smothered completely
by closing the oven door and pressing the
CLEAR/OFF pad or by using a dry chemical or
foam-type extinguisher.
• Do not touch the surface units, heating
elements or the interior surface of the oven.
These surfaces may be hot enough to burn even
though they are dark in color. During and after use,
do not touch, or let clothing or other flammable
materials contact, surface units, areas nearby
surface units or any interior area of the oven; allow
sufficient time for cooling first.
Potentially hot surfaces include the cooktop, areas
facing the cooktop, oven vent opening, surfaces
near the opening, crevices around the oven door,
and metal trim parts above the door.
Remember: The inside surface of the oven may
be hot when the door is opened.
• When cooking pork, follow the directions
exactly and always cook the meat to an internal
temperature of at least 170°F. This assures that,
in the remote possibility that trichina may be
present in the meat, it will be killed and the meat
will be safe to eat.
Oven
• Stand away from the range when opening the
oven door. The hot air or steam which escapes
can cause burns to hands, face and/or eyes.
• Do not heat unopened food containers.
Pressure could build up and the container could
burst, causing an injury.
• Keep the oven vent duct unobstructed.
• Keep the oven free from
grease buildup.
• Place the oven shelf in the desired position
while the oven is cool. If the shelves must be
handled when hot, do not let pot holder contact
the heating elements in the oven.
• Pulling out the shelf to the stop-lock is a
convenience in lifting heavy foods. It is also a
precaution against burns from touching the hot
surfaces of the door or the oven walls.
• When using cooking or roasting bags in the
oven, follow the manufacturer’s directions.
• Do not use your oven to dry newspapers. If
overheated, they can catch fire.
• Do not leave paper products, cooking utensils,
or food in the oven when not in use. Do not
store flammable materials in an oven or near the
heating elements.
• After broiling, always take the broiler pan
out of the range and clean it. Leftover grease
in the broiler pan can catch fire the next time
you use the pan.
• Never leave jars or cans of fat drippings on or
near your range.
• Never leave the oven door open when you are
not watching the range.
• Do not use the oven for a storage area. Items
stored in the oven can ignite.
• Clean only parts listed in this Use and Care
Guide.

5
Important Safety Instructions
Surface Cooking Units
• Use proper pan size—This appliance is
equipped with different size surface units.
Select cookware having flat bottoms large
enough to cover the surface unit heating
element. The use of undersized cookware will
expose a portion of the surface unit to direct
contact and may result in ignition of clothing.
Proper relationship of the cookware to the
surface unit will also improve efficiency.
• Never leave the surface units unattended at
high heat settings. Boilovers cause smoking and
greasy spillovers that may catch on fire.
• Be sure the drip pans and vent ducts are not
covered and are in place. Their absence during
cooking could damage range parts and wiring.
• Do not use aluminum foil to line the drip pans
or anywhere in the oven except as described in
this guide. Misuse could result in a shock, fire
hazard or damage to the range.
• Only certain types of glass, glass/ceramic,
earthenware or other glazed containers are
suitable for range-top cooking; others may
break because of the sudden change in
temperature.
• Always turn the surface unit controls off before
removing the cookware.
• To minimize the possibility of burns, ignition
of flammable materials, and spillage, the handle
of a container should be turned toward the center
of the range without extending over nearby
surface units.
• To avoid the possibility of a burn or electric
shock, always be certain that the controls for all
surface units are at the off position and all surface
units are cool before attempting to lift or remove
the unit.
• Never clean the cooktop surface when it
is hot. Some cleaners produce noxious fumes
and wet cloths could cause steam burns if used
on a hot surface.
• Do not immerse or soak the removable
surface units. Do not put them in a dishwasher.
• When flaming foods are under the hood,
turn the fan off. The fan, if operating, may spread
the flame.
• Carefully watch for spillovers or overheating
of foods when frying at high or medium high
temperatures.
• Foods for frying should be as dry as possible.
Frost on frozen foods or moisture on fresh foods
can cause hot fat to bubble up and over the sides
of the pan.
• Use little fat for effective shallow or deep-fat
frying. Filling the pan too full of fat can cause
spillovers when food is added.
• If a combination of oils or fats will be used
in frying, stir together before heating, or as fats
melt slowly.
• Always heat fat slowly, and watch as it heats.
• Use a deep fat thermometer whenever
possible to prevent overheating fat beyond the
smoking point.
• Never try to move a pan of hot fat, especially
a deep fat fryer. Wait until the fat is cool.
SAVE THESE
INSTRUCTIONS

6
FEATURES OF YOUR RANGE

7
Features of Your Range
Explained
Feature Index on page
1Bake Element 27
May be lifted gently for wiping the oven floor.
2Broil Element 25, 27
3Oven Interior Light 28
4Lift-Up Cooktop 29
Support rod holds it up to simplify
cleaning underneath.
5Model and Serial Numbers (under cooktop) 2
6Plug-In Surface Units 3–5, 8–11, 29
7Drip Pans 5, 29
8Surface Unit “ON” Indicator Light 9
9Surface Unit Controls 5, 8, 27
10 Oven Vent (located under right rear surface unit) 4, 28
11 Oven Control, Clock and Timer 12–16
12 Oven Light Switch —
Lets you turn interior oven light on and off.
13 Oven Shelves with Stop-Locks 4, 17, 18, 23,
25, 26, 28
14 Oven Shelf Supports 4, 17, 18,
Shelf positions for cooking are suggested in the 23, 25, 26
Baking, Roasting and Broiling sections.
15 Lift-Off Oven Door with Broil Stop Position 3, 4, 25, 29
Easily removed for oven cleaning.
16 Broiler Pan and Grid 4, 5, 23, 25–28

8
HOW DOES THIS COOKTOP COMPARE
WITH YOUR OLD ONE?
Type of Cooktop Description How It Works
Electric Coil Flattened metal Heats by direct contact with the pan and by heating the air under the pan. For best
tubing containing cooking results, use good quality pans. Electric coils are more forgiving of
electric resistance warped pans than radiant or solid disks. Heats up quickly but does not change
wire suspended heat settings as quickly as gas or induction. Electric coils stay hot enough to
over a drip pan. continue cooking for a short time after they are turned off.
Radiant Electric coils Heat travels to the glass surface and then to the cookware, so pans must be flat on
(Glass Ceramic) under a glass- the bottom for good cooking results. The glass cooktop stays hot enough to
Cooktop ceramic cooktop. continue cooking after it is turned off. Remove the pan from the surface unit if
you want cooking to stop.
Induction High frequency Pans must be made of ferrous metals (metal that attracts a magnet). Heat is
induction coils produced by a magnetic circuit between the coil and the pan. Heats up right away
under a glass and changes heat settings right away, like a gas cooktop. After turning the control
surface. off, the glass cooktop is hot from the heat of the pan, but cooking stops right away.
Solid Disk Solid cast iron Heats by direct contact with the pan, so pans must be flat on the bottom for good
disk sealed to the cooking results. Heats up and cools down more slowly than electric coils. The
cooktop surface. disk stays hot enough to continue cooking after it is turned off. Remove the pan
from the solid disk if you want the cooking to stop.
Gas Burners Regular or sealed Flames heat the pans directly. Pan flatness is not critical to cooking results, but
gas burners use pans should be well balanced. Gas burners heat the pan right away and change
either LP gas heat settings right away. When you turn the control off, cooking stops right away.
or natural gas.
Your new cooktop has electric coil surface units.
If you are used to cooking with gas burners or other
types of electric cooktops, you will notice some
differences when you use electric coils.
The best types of cookware to use, plus heat-up and
cool-down times, depend upon the type of burner or
surface unit you have.
The following chart will help you to understand the
differences between electric coil surface units and any
other type of cooktop you may have used in the past.

9
SURFACE COOKING
Your surface units and controls are designed to give
you an infinite choice of heat settings for surface unit
cooking. At both OFF and HI the control “clicks” into
position.
When cooking in a quiet kitchen, you may hear slight
“clicking” sounds—an indication that the heat settings
you selected are being maintained.
Switching to higher heat settings always results in a
quicker heat change than switching to lower settings.
Cooktop Comparison Surface Cooking
How to Set the Controls
1. Grasp the control
knob and push it in.
2. Turn the knob either
clockwise or counterclockwise
to the desired heat setting.
The control must be pushed in to set only from
the OFF position. When the control is in any
position other than OFF, it may be turned without
pushing it in.
Be sure you turn the control knob to OFF when you
finish cooking.
The surface unit “ON” indicator light will glow
when ANY heat on any surface unit is on.
O
F
F
L
O
H
I
Cooking Guide for Using Heat Settings
HI—Quick start for cooking; brings water to boil.
Medium High—(Setting halfway between HI and
MED) Fast fry, pan broil; maintains a fast boil on
large amounts of food.
MED—Sauté and brown; maintains a slow boil on
large amounts of food.
Medium Low—(Setting halfway between MED and
LO) Cook after starting at HI; cooks with little water
in covered pan.
LO—Steam rice, cereal; maintain serving temperature
of most foods. At LO settings, melt chocolate, butter
on a small unit.
NOTE: At HI and Medium High, never leave food
unattended. Boilovers cause smoking; greasy
spillovers may catch fire.
MEDIUM
HIGH MEDIUM
LOW
O
F
F
L
O
M
E
D
H
I
Medium
High Medium
Low

10
SURFACE COOKWARE TIPS
Wok Cooking
We recommend that you
use only a flat-bottomed
wok. They are available
at your local retail store.
Do not use woks that
have support rings.
Use of these types of woks,
without the support ring in
place, is dangerous because
the wok is unstable. With the
ring in place, heat will be trapped inside the ring
and may cause damage to the porcelain cooktop.
Do not try to use such woks without the ring. You
could be seriously burned if the wok tipped over.
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Cookware
Use medium- or heavy-weight cookware. Aluminum
cookware conducts heat faster than other metals.
Cast-iron and coated cast-iron cookware are slow to
absorb heat, but generally cook evenly at low to
medium heat settings. Steel pans may cook unevenly
if not combined with other metals.
For best cooking results pans should be flat on the
bottom. Match the size of the saucepan to the size of
the surface unit. The pan should not extend over the
edge of the surface unit more than 1 inch.