Hamilton Beach 840084500 User manual

840084500
Slow Cooker Safety........................ 2
Know Your Slow Cooker .............. 3
How to Use Your Slow Cooker .... 3
Tips for Slow Cooking .................. 5
Cleaning Your Slow Cooker .......... 6
Customer Service .......................... 8
In USA: 1-800-851-8900
In Canada: 1-800-267-2826
Meal Maker™Slow Cooker

This product is intended for household
use only.
This appliance is equipped with a polarized
plug. This type of plug has one blade wider
than the other. The plug will fit into an
electrical outlet only one way. This is a
safety feature intended to help reduce the
risk of electrical shock. If you are unable to
insert the plug into the outlet, try reversing
the plug. If the plug should still fail to fit,
contact a qualified electrician to replace the
obsolete outlet. Do not attempt to defeat
the safety purpose of the polarized plug by
modifying the plug in any way.
2
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
Slow Cooker Safety
When using electrical appliances, basic
safety precautions should always be
observed, including the following:
1. Read all instructions.
2. Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles
or knobs.
3. To protect against electrical shock do not
immerse cord, plug, or base in water or
other liquid.
4. Close supervision is necessary when any
appliance is used by or near children.
5. Unplug from outlet when not in use and
before cleaning. Allow to cool before
putting on or taking off parts.
6. Do not operate any appliance with
a damaged cord or plug, or after the
appliance malfunctions or is dropped
or damaged in any manner. Call our
toll-free customer service number for
information on examination, repair, or
adjustment.
7. The use of accessory attachments not
recommended by Hamilton Beach/
Proctor-Silex, Inc. may cause fire, electric
shock or injury.
8. Do not use outdoors.
9. Do not let cord hang over edge of
table or counter, or touch hot surfaces,
including stove.
10. Do not place on or near hot gas or an
electric burner, or in a heated oven.
11. Extreme caution must be used when
using an appliance containing hot oil or
other hot liquids.
12. To disconnect slow cooker, turn control
knob to Off; remove plug from outlet.
13. Caution: To prevent damage or shock
hazard do not cook in base. Cook only
in removable liner.
14. Avoid sudden temperature changes,
such as adding refrigerated foods into
a heated crock.
15. Do not operate appliance in any way
other than intended use.
Consumer Safety Information
To avoid an electrical circuit overload do not
use a high wattage appliance on the same
circuit with the slow cooker.
The length of the cord used on this appli-
ance was selected to reduce the hazards
of becoming tangled in, or tripping over a
longer cord. If a longer cord is necessary an
approved extension cord may be used.
The electrical rating of the extension cord
must be equal to or greater than the rating
of the slow cooker. Care must be taken to
arrange the extension cord so that it will not
drape over the countertop or tabletop where
it can be pulled on by children or acciden-
tally tripped over.

3
Know Your Slow Cooker
Parts and Features
1. Cover
2. Crock
3. Base
4. Control Knob (see page 4)
1. Before first use, wash Cover and
Crock in hot, soapy water. Rinse and
dry. Do not immerse Base in water.
2. Prepare recipe according to instruc-
tions. Place food in Crock and cover.
3. Plug cord into outlet. Select temper-
ature setting.
How to Use Your Slow Cooker
4. When finished, turn to Off and
unplug Base. Remove food from
Crock.
5. Let Crock and Cover cool slightly
before washing.
Crock Capacity
How much does your slow cooker hold?
The capacity of your slow cooker refers to the amount the crock can hold if it is
filled to the rim. However, we DO NOT recommend filling to the rim. As a rule,
you should select recipes that yield 1 quart less than the listed capacity of your
crock. For example, if your slow cooker is labeled as a 6-quart slow cooker, your
best results will be achieved using recipes that yield 5 quarts or less.

4
You are probably ready to develop new
recipes for use in your slow cooker. If
the recipe was originally cooked in a
saucepan on the stovetop, or slow
roasted in the oven, adapting the recipe
should be easy.
The Control Knob on the slow cooker
offers Low and High temperature
settings for cooking. The Keep Warm
setting is for holding the prepared
recipe at a perfect serving temperature.
The Keep Warm setting should only
be used after a recipe has been thor-
oughly cooked. Food should not be
reheated on the Keep Warm setting. If
food has been cooked and then refrig-
erated it must be reheated on Low or
High, then switched to Keep Warm.
Control Knob and Temperature Settings
CAUTION: The Keep Warm setting should only be used after completely cooking
the recipe according to the instructions. The food must be hot enough to prevent
bacterial growth before using the Keep Warm setting. Do not use the Keep Warm
setting to reheat any food that has been refrigerated or frozen.
If You’ve NEVER Used a Slow Cooker
If You’ve Used a Slow Cooker Before
Cooking in a slow cooker is easy but
different from conventional methods.
Take a few minutes and read “How to
Use” and “Tips for Slow Cooking.” Then
try some of the recipes in the Hamilton
Beach Slow Cooker Recipe Book
included with your slow cooker.
You’ll soon be convinced that a slow
cooker is a necessity. There are also
many slow cooker recipe books avail-
able in the library or book store. If you
have any questions, call our toll-free
customer service number. We’ll be glad
to help.
Our slow cooker heats from the sides.
The Base slowly raises the temperature
of the Crock. Whether cooked on Low
or High, the final temperature of the
food is the same, about 200°F. The
only difference is the amount of time
the cooking process takes. Read the
section on “Adapting Recipes” for more
information.

HEAT SETTING LOW HIGH
4 lb. Whole Chicken 8 4
3-4 lb. Beef Roast 10 5
3-4 lb. Boneless, Smoked Ham 8 4
5
When removing the Cover, tilt so that
the opening faces away from you to
avoid being burned by steam.
The sides of the Base of the slow
cooker get very warm because
the heating elements are located
here. Use the handles on the Base
if necessary. Use hot mitts to remove
the Crock.
The Cover of the slow cooker does not
form a tight fit on the Crock but should
be centered on the Crock for best
results. Do not remove the Cover
unnecessarily— this results in major
heat loss. Do not cook without Cover
in place.
Stirring is not necessary when slow
cooking. However, if cooking on High,
you may want to stir occasionally.
Slow cooking retains most of the
moisture in foods. If a recipe results
in too much liquid at the end of the
cooking time, remove the Cover, turn
the Control Knob to High, and reduce
the liquid by simmering. This will take
30 to 45 minutes.
The slow cooker should be at least
half-filled for best results.
Tips for Slow Cooking
If cooking soups or stews, leave a
2-inch space between the top of the
Crock and the food so that the recipe
can come to a simmer.
Many recipes call for cooking all day.
If your morning schedule doesn’t allow
time to prepare a recipe, do it the night
before. Place all ingredients in the
Crock, cover and refrigerate overnight.
In the morning, simply place Crock
in the slow cooker and select the
temperature setting.
Meat and poultry require at least 7 to
8 hours on Low. Do not use frozen
meat in the slow cooker. Thaw any
meat or poultry before slow cooking.
Basic Cooking Chart/Hours Required
Removing Cover and Crock

6
• Please handle the Crock and Cover
carefully to ensure long life.
• Avoid sudden, extreme temperature
changes. For example, do not place a
hot Cover or Crock into cold water, or
onto a wet surface.
• Avoid hitting the Crock and Cover
against the faucet or other hard
surfaces.
• Do not use Crock or Cover if chipped,
cracked, or severely scratched.
• Do not use abrasive cleansers or
metal scouring pads.
Adapting Recipes
Some ingredients are not suited for
extended cooking in the slow cooker.
Pasta, seafood, milk, cream, or sour
cream should be added 2 hours before
serving. Evaporated milk or condensed
soups are perfect for the slow cooker.
Many things can affect how quickly a
recipe will cook. The water and fat
content of a food, the temperature of
the food, and the size of the food will
all affect the cooking time. Food cut
into pieces will cook faster than whole
roasts or poultry.
Most meat and vegetable combinations
require at least 7 hours on Low.
The higher the fat content of the meat,
the less liquid is needed. If cooking
meat with a high fat content, place
thick onion slices underneath, so the
meat will not sit and cook in the fat.
Some recipes call for browning the
meat before slow cooking. This is only
to remove excess fat or for color; it is
not necessary for successful cooking.
Slow cookers have very little evapora-
tion. If making your favorite soup, stew,
or sauce, reduce the liquid or water
called for in the original recipe. If too
thick, liquids can be added later.
If cooking a vegetable-type casserole,
there will need to be liquid in the
recipe to prevent scorching on the
sides of the Crock.
Cleaning Your Slow Cooker
1. Turn the Control Knob to Off. Unplug
cord from outlet.
2. Remove Crock and Cover from Base
and let cool.
3. Wash the Crock and the Cover in hot,
soapy water. Rinse and dry. The
Crock and the Cover may also be
washed in the dishwasher. If you
have a plastic Cover, please place on
top rack of dishwasher.
4. Wipe the Base with a damp cloth.
Do not use abrasive cleansers.
CAUTION: To reduce the risk of
electrical shock, do not immerse
Base in water.
Crock and Glass Cover Precautions and
Information
• The bottom of the Crock is very rough
and can damage the countertop. Use
caution.
• The Crock and the Cover can become
very hot. Use caution. Do not place
directly on any unprotected surface or
countertop.
• The Crock is microwave safe and
oven proof, but never heat the Crock
when empty. Never place the Crock
on a burner or stove top. Do not place
the Cover in a microwave oven,
conventional oven, or on the stove top.

7
Optional Features on Selected Models
The Lid Latch secures the cover while moving,
transporting, or storing the slow cooker. To use
Lid Latch, place the white band into the groove
located under one of the handles. Stretch the
band to the other side of the slow cooker and
secure it in the groove under the other handle.
Once the band is attached, it can also be crossed
over the knob to further secure the lid.
The Carrying Case can be used when you need
to transport the slow cooker to another location.
First attach the Lid Latch. Secure the electric cord
of the slow cooker with a rubber band or twist tie.
Then set the slow cooker in the Carrying Case with
the cord under the slow cooker. Fit the handles of
the slow cooker through the openings in the case.
Zip the case and use caution when carrying any
hot foods. The Carrying Case can be cleaned by wiping with a damp sponge.
For bigger spills, hand wash the case in cold water and mild detergent.
DO NOT PLUG IN AND TURN ON WHEN THE SLOW COOKER IS STILL IN
THE CARRYING CASE.

8
2/01
840084500
Customer Service
Call our toll-free customer service numbers. Please note the model, type, and
series number on the bottom of the slow cooker, or have the slow cooker close by
when you call. This will help us answer your question.
LIMITED WARRANTY
This product is warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period
of two (2) years for Hamilton Beach Portfolio products or one (1) year for Hamilton Beach
products from the date of original purchase, except as noted below. During this period, we
will repair or replace this product, at our option, at no cost. THE FOREGOING WARRANTY
IS IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER WARRANTY, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WRITTEN
OR ORAL INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. ANY LIABILITY IS EXPRESSLY LIMITED TO AN AMOUNT
EQUAL TO THE PURCHASE PRICE PAID, AND ALL CLAIMS FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL
AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. There is no warranty with
respect to the following, which may be supplied with this product: glass parts, glass
containers, cutter/strainer, blades, and/or agitators. This warranty extends only to the
original consumer purchaser and does not cover a defect resulting from abuse, misuse,
neglect, use for commercial purposes, or any use not in conformity with the printed
directions. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other legal
rights which vary from state to state, or province to province. Some states or provinces do
not allow limitations on implied warranties or special, incidental or consequential damages,
so the foregoing limitations may not apply to you.
If you have a claim under this warranty, DO NOT RETURN THE APPLIANCE TO THE
STORE! Please call our CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER. (For faster service please have
model, series, and type numbers ready for operator to assist you.)
CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBERS
In the U.S. 1-800-851-8900
In Canada 1-800-267-2826
Web site address: www.hamiltonbeach.com
KEEP THESE NUMBERS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE!
Web site address: www.hamiltonbeach.com
HAMILTON BEACH PROCTOR-SILEX,INC.PROCTOR-SILEX CANADA,INC.
263 Yadkin Road
Southern Pines, North Carolina 28387
Picton, Ontario K0K 2T0