Hamilton Beach 840105900 User manual

840105900
Programmable Slow Cooker
Important Safeguards .................... 2
Parts and Features .......................... 3
Quick Start Guide .......................... 4
How to Use Your Slow Cooker...... 4
To Program Your Slow Cooker...... 5
Care and Cleaning.......................... 9
Troubleshooting ..............................10
Recipes........................................ 12
Customer Service ........................ 24
In USA: 1-800-851-8900
In Canada: 1-800-267-2826
840105900 Ev06 2/17/03 1:56 PM Page 1

This product is intended for household
use only.
This product is only intended for the
preparation, cooking, and serving of foods.
This product is not intended for use with
any non-food materials or products.
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!
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 injuries.
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
moving an appliance containing hot oil
or other hot liquids.
12. To disconnect slow cooker, press OFF
button on control; 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 use appliance for 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.
840105900 Ev06 2/17/03 1:56 PM Page 2

The Control Panel 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 thoroughly
cooked. Food should not be reheated on the Keep Warm setting. If food has been
cooked and then refrigerated it must be reheated on Low or High, then switched to
Keep Warm.
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.
Parts and Features
1. Cover
2. Crock
3. Base Handles
4. Base
5. Control Panel
6. Time/Status Display
7. OFF Button – Turns heater
off.
8. Keep Warm Indicator Light
9. “Low” Indicator Light
10. “High” Indicator Light
11. Cooking Mode Selection
Button – Use to choose heat
setting.
12. Time Adjustment Buttons –
Use to increase/decrease
cooking time.
3
840105900 Ev06 2/17/03 1:56 PM Page 3

4
1. Prepare recipe according to instruc-
tions. Place food in Crock and cover.
2. Plug cord into outlet.
3. Follow instructions in “To Program
Your Slow Cooker.”
4. When finished with cooking cycle,
press OFF button on control panel
and unplug Base. Remove food from
Crock.
5. Let Crock and Cover cool slightly
before washing.
How to Use Your Slow Cooker
BEFORE FIRST USE: Wash Cover and Crock in hot, soapy water. Rinse and dry.
Do not immerse Base in water.
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.
Quick Start Guide
1. Wash and dry Crock and Cover
before use. Do not immerse Base in
water.
2. Prepare recipe according to instruc-
tions. Place food in Crock and cover.
Place Crock in Base.
3. Plug cord into outlet. Lights and
Display will flash.
4. Select cooking mode by pressing the
Mode button until desired cooking
mode is selected: High, Low, or
Keep Warm. (Keep Warm is for
keeping already prepared foods
warm.)
5. Select cooking time in one hour
increments by pressing the Time Up
or Time Down buttons to obtain
desired number of cooking hours.
6. When cooking time is completed, the
unit will display “END” and automati-
cally switch to Keep Warm at the
end of cooking cycle. The appliance
will operate for a maximum of 12
hours and at the end of 12 hours will
automatically switch off and will dis-
play “OFF.”
For example, after cooking for 8
hours on High or Low, the slow
cooker will switch to Keep Warm for
the next 4 hours. After 12 total hours
(8 cooking hours and 4 Keep Warm
hours), the unit will shut off.
840105900 Ev06 2/17/03 1:56 PM Page 4

5
To Program Your Slow Cooker
• 12 hours is the maximum amount of
time that can be programmed and
the maximum amount of operating
time.
• The Digital Display is a countdown
timer, not a clock.
• Your unit is equipped with a “Power
Interrupt” feature and will remember
the programmed settings (Heat and
Time) for about 3 seconds of power
loss. This should help prevent loss of
programmed instructions and food
spoilage in the even of a minor power
loss.
Important Information
Plug-In Mode
Upon plugging unit into power source,
lights and digital display will flash.
NEXT STEP: Press MODE button to
select desired heat setting. See “Heat
Setting Mode” for more information.
Heat Setting Mode
After pressing the MODE button, the
display will show “On” and the “High”
indicator light will be on. The MODE
button may be pressed multiple times
to alternate among the Heat Settings:
High, Low, and Keep Warm.
NEXT STEP:
1. Let the unit operate on the selected Heat Setting for the recommended or
desired amount of time. The unit will automatically shut off after 12 hours.
OR
2. Press timer Time UP or Time DOWN button to enter desired cooking time.
See “Timed Cooking Mode” for more information.
NOTE: The heat setting can be changed at any time during the cooking cycle.
Only cook food on the High or Low settings. Do not cook on the Keep Warm
setting. This setting is only for food that has already been thoroughly cooked
and, if necessary, reheated.
840105900 Ev06 2/17/03 1:56 PM Page 5

6
Keep Warm Mode
After the programmed cook time has
elapsed (see “Timed Cooking Mode”),
the control will automatically switch to
the Keep Warm heat setting. The slow
cooker will remain on Keep Warm until
the maximum operating time of 12 hours
has elapsed. At this time, the control will
shut off.
NOTE: The slow cooker can be turned off
at any time by pressing the OFF button.
NEXT STEP: The unit will maintain the Keep Warm temperature for the remainder
of the time available, then shut off automatically.
OFF Mode
After the 12-hour maximum operating
time has elapsed (cooking and/or
Keep Warm) the slow cooker will shut
off.
NEXT STEP: See the “Care and
Cleaning” section for information
about cleaning the slow cooker.
Timed Cooking Mode
After pressing the Time UP button, the
display will show cooking times in one-
hour increments from 1:00 to 12:00. 12
hours is the maximum amount of time
that can be programmed and the maxi-
mum amount of operating time.
NEXT STEP: Let the unit operate on
the selected Heat Setting for the
selected amount of time. When pro-
grammed cook time has elapsed, the control will automatically switch to the
Keep Warm setting for the remainder of the 12-hour maximum operating time.
See “Keep Warm Mode” for more information.
NOTES:
• The amount of cooking time can be changed at any time during the cooking
cycle. Press the Time UP or Time DOWN button to change cooking time.
• 12 hours is the maximum amount of operating time. If the cooking time you
selected was 8 hours, then the Keep Warm mode will operate for the remaining
4 hours. After a total of twelve hours, the slow cooker will shut off automatically.
840105900 Ev06 2/17/03 1:56 PM Page 6

7
• 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 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.
Crock and 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.
Cooking in a slow cooker is easy but
different from conventional methods.
Take a few minutes and read “How to
Use Use Your Slow Cooker” and “Tips
for Slow Cooking.” Then try some of the
recipes.
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.
If You’ve NEVER Used a Slow Cooker
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.
This slow cooker is designed to bring
ingredients up to cooking temperature
quickly. It may reach a full boil and cook
faster than other slow cookers you have
used. Because the slow cooker reaches
its cooking temperature rapidly, older
recipes may need to be adjusted. Some
recipes may now take less cooking time.
If You’ve Used a Slow Cooker Before
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.
840105900 Ev06 2/17/03 1:56 PM Page 7

8
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, press
the Mode button until the High heat
setting is selected, and reduce the liq-
uid by simmering. This will take 30 to
45 minutes.
The slow cooker should be at least
half-filled for best results. If only half-
filled, check for doneness 1 to 2 hours
earlier than recipe time.
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. See “To Program
Your Slow Cooker” for information on
how to select Heat and Time settings.
Meat and poultry require at least 7 to
8 hours on Low. Do not use frozen
uncooked meat in the slow cooker.
Thaw any meat or poultry before slow
cooking.
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.
Removing Cover and Crock
840105900 Ev06 2/17/03 1:56 PM Page 8

9
Care and Cleaning
1. Press the OFF button to turn unit 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.
4. Wipe the Base/Control Panel with a
damp cloth. Do not use abrasive
cleansers.
CAUTION: To reduce the risk of
electrical shock, do not immerse
Base in water.
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.
Slow cookers allow 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.
Optional Feature 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.
840105900 Ev06 2/17/03 1:56 PM Page 9

10
Troubleshooting
There is no display visible on the control panel.
• Is the unit plugged in?
• Test that the electrical outlet is working with a lamp in known working order.
• Lights and display should flash when initially plugged in.
I can’t program the current time on the control panel.
• There is no “clock” feature on this slow cooker, only a countdown timer.
The display and lights are flashing...what do I do now?
• This is your indication that the slow cooker is ready to accept your instruc-
tions. See “Heat Setting Mode” for more information.
Food is undercooked.
• Was food cooked on the Keep Warm setting? Do Not cook on Keep Warm;
always cook on Low or High heat settings. See page 3 for more information.
• Was power interrupted (due to brownout, electrical storm, etc.) for 3 seconds
or longer? NOTE: For a power interruption of 3 seconds or less, your
Hamilton Beach slow cooker will remember your programmed heat and time
settings.
• Did you select the Low heat setting, but use a cooking time based on the
High heat setting?
• Did you have the Cover placed correctly on the slow cooker?
The food isn’t done after cooking the amount of time recommended in
my recipe.
• This can be due to voltage variations (which are commonplace everywhere)
or altitude. The slight fluctuations in power do not have a noticeable effect
on most appliances. However, it can alter the cooking times in the slow
cooker by extending the cooking times. Allow sufficient time and select the
appropriate heat setting. You will learn through experience if the shorter or
longer time needed.
My meal was overcooked. Why?
• Was the crock at least 1/2 full? The slow cooker has been designed to
thoroughly cook food in a filled crock. If the crock is only half-filled check
for doneness 1 to 2 hours earlier than recipe time.
• Did you select hours based on a Low heat recipe?
I pressed “Time UP” or “Time DOWN” before selecting MODE.
• The display will show “1:00” ... press “Time UP” button once to increase the
time setting in 1-hour increments. When the desired time is reached, press
the MODE button to select the appropriate heat setting.
840105900 Ev06 2/17/03 1:56 PM Page 10