Whirlpool RC8720ED User manual

Home Appliances
UseAndCare
GUIDE
A Note to You ......................... 2
Cooktop Safety.................... 3-5
Getting to Know
Your Cooktop ......................... 6
Controls .................................. 7
Using .................................. 7
Caring for............................ 8
Coil Elements ......................... 9
Installing ............................. 9
Using ................................ 11
Caring for.......................... 13
Ceramic Surface Units......... 16
Installing ........................... 16
Using ................................ 18
Caring for.......................... 20
Grill........................................ 23
Installing ........................... 23
Using ................................ 25
Caring for.......................... 28
Griddle .................................. 30
Installing ........................... 30
Using ................................ 31
Caring for.......................... 33
Vent ....................................... 34
Using ................................ 34
Caring for.......................... 35
Troubleshooting................... 36
Requesting Assistance
or Service ............................. 38
Warranty ............................... 40
1-800-253-1301
Call us with questions or comments.
30" ELECTRIC MODULAR DOWNDRAFT COOKTOP
MODELS RC8720ED
RC8700ED
PART NO. 208039B/4381591

2
1-800-253-1301
Model Number __________________________
Serial Number __________________________
Purchase Date __________________________
Dealer Name ___________________________
Dealer Address _________________________
Dealer Phone ___________________________
A Note to You
Thank you for buying a WHIRLPOOL®appliance.
Because your life is getting busier and more complicated, WHIRLPOOL cooktops are easy
to use, save time, and help you manage your home better. To ensure that you enjoy years
of trouble-free operation, we developed this Use and Care Guide. It is full of valuable
information about how to operate and maintain your appliance properly and safely. Please
read it carefully.
Also, please complete and mail in the Product Registration Card provided with your appliance.
The card helps us notify you about any new information on your appliance.
Please record your model’s information.
Whenever you call to request service for your
appliance, you need to know your complete
model number and serial number. You can
find this information on the model and serial
number plate (see diagram on page 6 for
location of plate).
Please also record the purchase date of
your appliance and your dealer’s name,
address, and telephone number.
Keep this book and the sales slip together in a safe place for future reference.
Our Consumer Assistance Center
number is toll-free 24 hours a day.

3
Cooktop Safety
Your safety is important to us.
This guide contains safety statements
under warning symbols. Please pay special
attention to these symbols and follow any
instructions given. Here is a brief explana-
tion of the use of the symbol.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
wWARNING
wWARNING
This symbol alerts you to such
dangers as fire, electrical shock,
burns, and personal injury.
General
•Read all instructions before using
the cooktop.
•Install or locate the cooktop only
in accordance with the provided
Installation Instructions. The
cooktop must be installed by a
qualified installer. The cooktop
must be properly connected to
electrical supply and grounded.
•CAUTION: Do not store things
children might want above the
cooktop. Children could be
burned or injured while
climbing on it.
•Do not leave children alone or
unattended in area where the
cooktop is in use. They should
never be allowed to sit or stand
on any part of the cooktop. They
could be burned or injured.
•Do not operate the cooktop if it is
damaged or not working properly.
•Do not use the cooktop for warm-
ing or heating the room. Persons
could be burned or injured, or a
fire could start.
•Use the cooktop only for its in-
tended use as described in this
manual.
•Do not touch surface units or
areas near units. Surface units
could be hot even though they are
dark in color. Areas near surface
units become hot enough to cause
burns. During and after use, do
not touch, or let clothing or other
flammable materials contact
surface units or areas near sur-
face units until they have had
sufficient time to cool.
To reduce the risk of fire, electrical
shock, injury to persons, or damage
when using the cooktop, follow basic
precautions, including the following:
continued on next page

4
COOKTOP SAFETY
•Do not wear loose or hanging
garments when using the cooktop.
They could ignite if they touch a
hot surface unit and you could
be burned.
•Use only dry pot holders. Moist or
damp pot holders on hot surfaces
could result in burns from steam.
Do not let pot holder touch hot
heating elements. Do not use a
towel or bulky cloth for a pot holder.
It could catch on fire.
•Do not heat unopened containers.
They could explode. The hot
contents could cause burns and
container particles could
cause injury.
•Do not store flammable materials
on or near the cooktop. The fumes
could create an explosion and/or
fire hazard.
When using the cooktop
•Make sure the reflector bowls are
in place during cooking. Cooking
without reflector bowls could
subject the wiring and components
underneath them to damage.
•Do not line reflector bowls or grill
basin with aluminum foil or other
liners. Improper installation of
these liners could result in a risk
of electrical shock or fire.
•Do not cook on a broken cooktop.
If cooktop should break, cleaning
solutions and spillovers could
penetrate the broken cooktop and
create a risk of electrical shock.
Contact a qualified technician
immediately.
•Select a pan with a flat bottom
that is about the same size as the
surface unit. If pan is smaller
than the surface unit, some of
the heating element will be ex-
posed and could result in the
igniting of clothing or pot holders.
Correct pan size also improves
cooking efficiency.
•Check to be sure glass cooking
utensils are safe for use on the
cooktop. Only certain types of
glass, glass-ceramic, ceramic,
earthenware, or other glazed
utensils are suitable for cooktops
without breaking due to the sud-
den change in temperature.
•Never leave surface units un-
attended at high heat settings.
A boilover could result and cause
smoking and greasy spillovers
that could ignite.
•Turn pan handles inward, but not
over other surface units. This will
help reduce the chance of burns,
igniting of flammable materials,
and spills due to bumping of
the pan.

5
Grease
•Grease is flammable. Do not allow
grease to collect around cooktop.
Wipe spillovers immediately.
•Do not use water on grease fires.
Never pick up a flaming pan.
Smother flaming pan by covering
with a well-fitted lid, cookie sheet,
or flat tray. Flaming grease out-
side of pan can be extinguished
with baking soda or, if available,
a multipurpose dry chemical or
foam-type extinguisher.
Care and cleaning
•Clean cooktop with care. Some
cleaners could produce noxious
fumes if applied to a hot surface.
If a wet paper towel is used to
wipe spills on a hot cooking area,
be careful to avoid steam burns.
•Do not soak removable heating
elements in water. The element
will be damaged and shock or fire
could result.
COOKTOP SAFETY
•Do not repair or replace any part
of the cooktop unless specifically
recommended in this manual. All
other servicing should be referred
to a qualified technician.
•Disconnect the electrical supply
before servicing the cooktop.
•Keep all switches off when unit is
not in use.
•Clean only parts listed in this
manual and use procedures
recommended.
•This appliance has been tested
for safe performance using con-
ventional cookware. Do not use
any devices or accessories that
are not specifically recommended
in this manual. Do not use eyelid
covers for the surface units or
stovetop grills. The use of devices
or accessories that are not ex-
pressly recommended in this
manual can create serious safety
hazards, result in performance
problems, and reduce the life of
the components of the appliance.
– SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS –

6
Optional ceramic surface
unit accessory
(p.n. RCM30DB/DQ)
(pp. 16-22)
Optional coil surface
unit accessory
(p.n. RCM10DB/DQ)
(pp. 9-15)
(Model RC8720ED comes
with nonremovable coil
surface units)
Control panel
(pp. 7, 8)
Vent Chamber
Drain jars
(Model RC8720ED only has
one jar, in the left bay.)
(p. 29)
Getting to Know Your
Cooktop
This section contains captioned illustrations of your cooktop. Use them to become familiar with
the location and appearance of all parts and features. To help you find information on specific
parts and features quickly, page references are included.
Vent fan
control knob
(p. 34)
Left rear
control knob
(pp. 7, 8)
Left front
control knob
(pp. 7, 8)
Right rear
control knob
(pp. 7, 8)
Surface unit
indicator light
(p. 7)
Right front
control knob
(pp. 7, 8)
Optional grill cover
accessory
(p.n. RCM50DB/Q)
(pp. 25, 26, 29)
Optional griddle
accessory
(p.n. RCM40DB)
(pp. 30-33)
Optional grill
element, grill-
rocks, and grates
(p.n. RCM20DB)
(pp. 23, 28, 29, 33)
Vent
Basins
Model and serial
number plate
NOTE: Grill and griddle accessories can be
installed in either basin on Model RC8700ED.
Coil and ceramic surface unit accessories can
be installed in both basins on Model RC8700ED.
On Model RC8720ED, the right side has
nonremovable coil surface units.
Control panel
Air grille

7
Controls
Using
Your cooktop’s easy-to-use controls will
work for all of the accessories. Please
review this section before cooking with your
cooktop to learn the few basics you’ll need
to use them correctly.
Turning the knobs
Push down on control knobs before
turning them to a setting. You can set
them anywhere between HI and LO.
NOTES:
•When the knob is set in any position,
other than OFF, you can turn it in any
direction without pushing down.
•When using the grill element (see pages
23-28), you can use either the whole grill
area or only half the grill area. To use the
whole area, turn on both the front and rear
control knobs. To use half the area, turn on
only one of the control knobs.
Surface unit indicator light
The Surface Unit Indicator Light on the
control panel will glow when
any surface unit/grill element
control knob is on.
Until you get used to the settings, use
the following as a guide for surface
element cooking.
SETTING RECOMMENDED USE
HI •To start foods cooking.
•To bring liquids to a boil.
7-10 •To hold a rapid boil.
•To fry chicken.
•Most frying, including
pancakes.
•To cook large amounts
of vegetables.
•For gravy, pudding, and
icing.
•To keep food cooking
after starting it on a
higher setting.
LO-2 •To keep food warm until
ready to serve.
wWARNING
Fire Hazard
Turn off all controls when done
cooking.
Failure to do so can result in death,
fire, or burns.
3-4
5-6

8
CONTROLS
Caring for controls
NOTE: Let cooktop cool before cleaning.
Use this chart to help you clean your control knobs and panel.
WHAT TO USE
Sponge and warm,
soapy water
OR
Dishwasher
Sponge and warm,
soapy water
OR
Paper towel and
mild liquid soap
HOW TO CLEAN
•Turn knobs to OFF and pull
straight away from control panel.
•Wash, rinse, and dry well. Do
not soak.
•Do not use steel wool or gritty
cleansers. They may damage
the finish.
•Replace knobs. Make sure all
knobs point to OFF.
•Wash, wipe with clean water,
and dry well.
•Do not use steel wool or gritty
cleansers. They may damage
the finish.
•Do not spray cleaner directly on
panel. Spray cleaner on paper
towel.
PART
Control knobs
Control panel

9
Coil Elements
Installing
You can install extra coil elements in the left
basin (Model RC8720ED) or both basins
(Model RC8700ED) of your cooktop. To get
the coil element accessory, order Part
Number RCM10DB/DQ from a Whirlpool
service company or dealer (see Step 2 on
page 38) or call the Whirlpool Consumer
Assistance Center toll-free 1-800-253-1301.
To install:
1. Make sure the control knobs are
turned off.
2. If the grill grates, element, and grill-rocks
are in place, remove them before install-
ing coil elements. Clean out any grease
that may be in the basin. (See page 24
for more information.)
3. Position the accessory terminal plug
towards the terminal receptacle.
Terminal
receptacle
Terminal
plug
4. Slide the accessory towards the recep-
tacle until the terminal plug is firmly set in
receptacle.
Terminal
receptacle
Terminal
plug
5. Lower the opposite end of the accessory
into the cooktop until it is flush with the
surface.
continued on next page

10
COIL ELEMENTS
To remove:
1. Make sure the control knobs are turned
off and the cooktop is cool.
Terminal
receptacle
2. Lift up on the “tab” located on the
accessory until the top of the accessory
clears the opening of the cooktop by
about two inches. Lifting the accessory
too high while still set firmly in receptacle
could damage the terminal plug.
3. To pull out the accessory, hold it by the
sides and slide away from the terminal
receptacle. Lift out when fully unplugged.
NOTE: Do not stack accessories where they
may fall or be damaged.
Tab
Opening

11
Using
Cookware tips
•Select a pan that is about the same size
as the surface unit.
•NOTE: For best results and greater
energy efficiency, use only flat-bottomed
cookware that makes good contact with
the surface units. Cookware with rounded,
warped, ribbed (such as some porcelain
enamelware), or dented bottoms could
cause severe overheating, which damages
the cookware and/or surface unit.
You can, however, use the newer
cookware available with slightly indented
bottoms or very small expansion channels.
This cookware is specially designed to
provide the good contact needed for best
cooking results.
Also, woks, canners, and teakettles with
flat bottoms suitable for use on your
cooktop are now available in most stores
that sell housewares.
COIL ELEMENTS
•The pan should have straight sides and a
tight-fitting lid.
•Choose medium to heavy gauge (thick-
ness) pans that are fairly lightweight.
•The pan material (metal or glass) affects
how fast heat transfers from the surface
unit through the pan material and how
evenly heat spreads over the pan bottom.
Choose pans that provide the best cooking
results.
•Handles should be made of sturdy, heat-
resistant material and be securely attached
to the pan.
NOTES:
•If a surface unit stays red for a long time,
the bottom of the pan is not flat enough or
is too small for the surface unit, or the
control has been left on HI after boiling.
Prolonged usage of utensils that are too
large could result in damage to the surface
unit, cooktop, wiring, and surrounding
areas. To prevent damage, use correct
utensils and turn control down to continue
cooking.
•Do not leave an empty utensil, or one
which has boiled dry, on a hot surface unit.
The utensil could overheat and damage
the utensil or surface unit.

12
Home canning information
To protect your cooktop:
•Use flat-bottomed canners/pans for best
results.
•Use the largest surface unit for best
results. Also, use a canner/pan which can
be centered over the surface unit and
which does not extend more than one inch
outside surface unit area. Large diameter
canners/pans, if not properly centered,
trap heat and can cause damage to the
cooktop.
Energy saving tips
Although the energy used for cooking is
usually a very small percentage of the total
energy used in the home, cooking energy
can be used efficiently. Here are some tips
to help you save energy when using your
cooking product:
•Use pans with flat bottoms, straight sides,
and tight-fitting lids.
•Match the pan to the surface unit size.
•Cook with a minimum of liquid or fat to
help shorten cooking time.
•Preheat pans only when recommended
and for the shortest time possible.
•Start food on higher heat settings, then set
surface unit control on low or off to finish
cooking. Use retained heat for cooking
when possible.
•Turn on the surface unit only after placing
filled pan on the unit.
•Plan your meals for the most efficient use
of the cooktop.
COIL ELEMENTS
•Do not place canner on two surface units
at the same time. Too much heat will build
up and will damage the cooktop.
•Start with hot water. This reduces the
time the control is set on high. Reduce
heat setting to lowest position needed to
keep water boiling.
•Keep reflector bowls clean for best heat
reflection.
•To prolong the life of the elements:
–Prepare small batches at a time.
–Do not use elements for canning all
day.
•Refer to your canner manual for specific
instructions.

13
COIL ELEMENTS
Caring for coil elements
Your coil element cooktop is designed for
easy care. You can do most cleaning with
items found around your home. Cleaning
your coil element cooktop whenever spills or
soiling occurs will help to keep it looking and
working like new.
NOTE: Let cooktop cool before cleaning.
Removing elements and
reflector bowls
Removing
1. Make sure all surface units are off and
cool before removing surface units and
reflector bowls.
2. Lift the edge of the unit, opposite the
receptacle, just enough to clear the
reflector bowl.
3. Pull the surface unit straight away from
the receptacle.
4. Lift out the reflector bowl. See “Cleaning
chart” on page 15 for cleaning instructions.

14
Replacing
1. Make sure all surface units are off and
cool before replacing surface units and
reflector bowls.
2. Line up openings in the reflector bowl
with the surface unit receptacle.
3. Hold the surface unit as level as possible
with the terminal just started into the
receptacle. Push the surface unit terminal
into the receptacle.
COIL ELEMENTS
4. While terminal is pushed into the
receptacle as far as it will go, push
down the edge of the surface unit
opposite the receptacle.
NOTE: Reflector bowls reflect heat back to
the utensils on the surface units. They also
help catch spills. When they are kept clean,
they reflect heat better and look new longer.
If a reflector bowl gets discolored, some of
your utensils may not be flat enough, or
some may be too large for the surface unit.
In either case, some of the heat that’s meant
to go into or around a utensil goes down and
heats the reflector bowl. This extra heat can
discolor it.

15
Cleaning chart
Use this chart to clean all parts of your coil element cooktop.
PART
Surface units
Chrome
reflector bowls
Exterior surfaces
(other than control
panel)/area under
cooktop
WHAT TO USE
No cleaning required
Warm, soapy water and
a nonabrasive, plastic
scrubbing pad
Sponge and warm,
soapy water
HOW TO CLEAN
•Spatters or spills will burn off.
•Do not immerse in water.
•Wash, rinse, and dry well.
•Clean often.
•Do not use gritty or harsh
cleansers.
•Wash, wipe with clean water,
and dry well.
•Use nonabrasive, plastic scrubbing
pad on heavily soiled areas.
•Do not use gritty or harsh cleans-
ers. They may damage the finish.
NOTE: Do not allow foods containing
acids (such as vinegar, tomato, or
lemon juice) to remain on surface.
Acids may remove the glossy finish.
Also wipe up milk or egg spills when
cooktop is cool.
NOTE: Never immerse the cartridge in water to clean. This can damage wiring. A drain hole
within the cartridge permits drainage of normal spills into the porcelain basin pan where it will
drain into the grease container. If needed, you can wipe the bottom of the cartridge clean with
detergent solution.
COIL ELEMENTS

16
Terminal
plug
Terminal
receptacle
4. Slide the accessory towards the recep-
tacle until the terminal plug is firmly set in
receptacle.
5. Lower the opposite end of the accessory
into the cooktop until it is flush with the
surface.
Ceramic Surface Units
Installing
You can install ceramic surface units in the
left basin (Model RC8720ED) or both basins
(Model RC8700ED) of your cooktop.
NOTE: The pictures in this section show the
ceramic surface unit installed in the left
basin, where the receptacle is in the front
wall of the basin. To get the ceramic
surface unit accessory, order Part Number
RCM30DB/DQ from a Whirlpool service
company or dealer (see Step 2 on page 38)
or call the Whirlpool Consumer Assistance
Center toll-free 1-800-253-1301.
To install:
1. Make sure the control knobs are
turned off.
2. If the grill grates, element, and grill-rocks
are in place, remove them before install-
ing ceramic surface units. Clean out any
grease that may be in the basin. (See
page 24 for more information.)
3. Position the accessory terminal plug
towards the terminal receptacle.
Terminal
receptacle
Terminal
plug

17
CERAMIC SURFACE UNITS
To remove:
1. Make sure the control knobs are turned
off and the cooktop is cool.
2. Lift up on the “tab” located on the
accessory until the top of the accessory
clears the opening of the cooktop by
about two inches. Lifting the accessory
too high while still set firmly in receptacle
could damage the terminal plug.
Opening
Tab
3. To pull out of the terminal, hold acces-
sory by the sides and slide away from
the terminal receptacle. Lift out when
fully unplugged.
NOTE: Do not stack accessories where they
may fall or be damaged. Never store other
materials on top of a glass-ceramic acces-
sory since this could damage or mar the
surface.
Terminal
receptacle

18
Using
Cooking on the ceramic glass cooktop is
almost the same as cooking on coil surface
units. There are, however, a few differences:
•The surface unit will glow red when it is
turned on. You will see the element cycling
on (glowing red) and off – even on HI
setting – to maintain the proper tempera-
ture setting you have selected.
•Sliding metal pans on ceramic glass
cooktop surface could leave marks. Wiping
off the cooktop before and after each use
will help keep the surface free from stains
and provide the most even heating. See
pages 20-22 for care and cleaning
suggestions.
•When preparing foods which can be
easily scorched or over-cooked, start
cooking at a lower temperature setting and
gradually increase temperature as needed.
•Do not use or place plastic items any-
where on the cooktop.
Cookware tips
•Select a pan that is about the same size
as the surface unit.
•NOTE: For best results and greater
energy efficiency, use only flat-bottomed
cookware that makes good contact with
the surface units. Cookware with rounded,
warped, ribbed (such as some porcelain
enamelware), or dented bottoms could
cause uneven heating and poor cooking
results.
CERAMIC SURFACE UNITS
Also, woks, canners, and teakettles with
flat bottoms suitable for use on your
cooktop are now available in most stores
that sell housewares.
•The pan should have straight sides and a
tight-fitting lid.
•Choose medium to heavy gauge (thick-
ness) pans that are fairly lightweight.
•The pan material (metal or glass) affects
how fast heat transfers from the surface
unit through the pan material and how
evenly heat spreads over the pan bottom.
Choose pans that provide the best cooking
results.
•Handles should be made of sturdy, heat-
resistant material and be securely attached
to the pan.
•With your hand, feel the bottom of your
pans while they are cool for nicks and
scratches. Nicks and scratches on pan
bottoms will scratch the ceramic glass
cooktop.
•Make sure bottoms of pans are clean and
dry before using on cooktop.
•Avoid spillovers on cooktop. Use pans
with tall sides.
•Do not cook food directly on cooktop.
NOTE: Do not leave an empty utensil, or
one which has boiled dry, on a hot surface
unit. The utensil could overheat and damage
the utensil or surface unit.

19
Home canning information
•Acceptable canning pots should not be
oversized and must have a flat bottom.
•Use the largest surface unit for best
results. Also, use a canner/pan which can
be centered over the surface unit.
•Start with hot water. This reduces the
time the control is set on high. Reduce
heat setting to lowest position needed to
keep water boiling.
•Refer to your canner manual for specific
instructions.
Energy saving tips
Although the energy used for cooking is
usually a very small percentage of the total
energy used in the home, cooking energy
can be used efficiently. Here are some tips
to help you save energy when using your
cooking product:
•Use pans with flat bottoms, straight sides,
and tight-fitting lids.
•Match the pan to the surface unit size.
•Cook with a minimum of liquid or fat to
help shorten cooking time.
•Preheat pans only when recommended
and for the shortest time possible.
•Start food on higher heat settings, then set
surface unit control on low or off to finish
cooking. Use retained heat for cooking
when possible.
•Turn on the surface unit only after placing
filled pan on the unit.
•Plan your meals for the most efficient use
of the cooktop.
CERAMIC SURFACE UNITS
center over
surface unit
1 inch
maximum
overhang
1" 1"
Pan
Flat Bottom
Surface unit

20
Caring for ceramic surface units
This cooktop is designed for easy care.
However, ceramic cooktops need to be
maintained differently than standard electric
open-coil elements. Foods spilled directly on
the cooktop will not burn off as on open-coil
elements. Because of this, the surface
should be dust free and soil free before
heating.
Your cooktop has been prepolished at the
factory for improved protection and clean-
ability. The Cooktop Polishing Creme (see
ordering information on page 21), a razor
scraper, and paper towels or a sponge are
all you need to clean your cooktop. For
proper cleaning methods, please review
“Cleaning tips” on pages 21. Follow them
after each use to ensure top performance
and to preserve that uniquely elegant look.
CERAMIC SURFACE UNITS
To avoid damaging the cooktop, follow
these instructions:
•Sugar spills and soils (such as jellies and
candy syrups) can cause pitting on the
cooktop if not removed while the ceramic
surface is still warm. Remove as soon as
possible after the spill occurs.
•Do not use the cooktop as a cutting
board.
•Do not allow anything that could melt (such
as plastic or aluminum foil) to come in
contact with the surface while it is hot.
•Do not use the ceramic cooktop to cook
popcorn that comes in prepackaged
aluminum containers. The container could
leave aluminum marks on the cooktop that
cannot be removed completely.
•Do not use steel wool, plastic cleaning
pads, abrasive, powdered cleansers,
chlorine bleach, rust remover, ammonia,
or glass cleaning products with ammonia.
These could damage the cooktop surface.
•Dropping heavy or hard objects on the
cooktop could crack it. Be careful with
heavy skillets. Do not store jars or cans
above the cooktop.