Hamilton Beach Meal Maker User manual

840056100
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 elec-
trical outlet only one way. This is a safety
feature. If you are unable to insert the plug
into the outlet, try reversing the plug. If
the plug should still fail to fit, contact an
electrician to replace the obsolete outlet.
Do not attempt to defeat the safety purpose
of the polarized plug.
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
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, electrical
repair, mechanical 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.
This appliance has a short cord to reduce
the hazards of becoming entangled or
tripping over a longer cord. An extension
cord may be used if electrical rating of
extension cord is equal to or greater than
the rating of the slow cooker. Use only
an extension cord rated 10 amperes or
greater. Care must be taken to arrange
extension cord so that it will not drape over
a countertop or tabletop where it can be
tripped over or pulled on by children.

3
Know Your Slow Cooker
Parts and Features
1. Cover
2. Crock
3. Base
4. Control Knob
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.

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 “One Step Prep™ 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.
(Only available for the 61⁄2quart oval slow cooker.)
DO NOT PLUG IN AND TURN ON WHEN THE SLOW COOKER IS STILL IN
THE CARRYING CASE.
To order the Lid Latch or Carrying Case, call our toll-free customer service
numbers: In the USA 1-800-851-8900 and in Canada 1-800-267-2826.

8
TWO YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc. warrants this appliance to be free from defects in
material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from the date of original purchase,
except as noted. There is no warranty with respect to the following, which may be supplied
with this appliance: glass parts, glass containers, cutter/strainer, nonstick soleplate and/or
nonstick cooking surfaces. This warranty extends only to the original consumer purchaser
and does not cover damage from abuse, neglect, use for commercial purposes, or any
other use not found in the printed directions. HAMILTON BEACH/PROCTOR-SILEX, INC.
EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR
INCIDENTAL LOSSES CAUSED BY USE OF THIS APPLIANCE. Some states or provinces do
not allow this exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential losses, so the foregoing
disclaimer 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 or www.proctorsilex.com
KEEP THESE NUMBERS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE!
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.
Web site address: www.hamiltonbeach.com or www.proctorsilex.com
HAMILTON BEACH PROCTOR-SILEX,INC.PROCTOR-SILEX CANADA,INC.
Washington, North Carolina 27889 Picton, Ontario K0K 2T0
4/99
840056100
Customer Service
Call our toll-free customer service numbers. Please note the model, type, and
series number on the slow cooker, or have the slow cooker close by when you call.
This will help us answer your question.