Whirlpool RCS2002G User manual

Use And Care
GUIDE
3191535
A Note To You.............2
Important Safety
Instructions .................3
Parts And Features.....5
Using Your Cooktop...6
Caring For
Your Cooktop..............9
Troubleshooting .......12
Requesting
Assistance
Or Service..................13
Warranty....................15
In the U.S.A., for assistance or service,
call the Consumer Assistance Center.
1-800-253-1301
In Canada for assistance or service,
see page 14.
ELECTRIC COOKTOPS
MODELS RCS2002G RCS2012G RCS3004G
RCS3014G RCS3614G
3191535v04c18 8/28/98 11:50 AM Page 1

Thank you for buying a WHIRLPOOL®appliance.
The Whirlpool Brand is committed to designing quality products that consistently perform for
you to make your life easier. 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 label/plate (see diagram
in the “Parts and Features” section).
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.
It is important for you to save your sales receipt showing the date of purchase.
Proof of purchase will assure you of in-warranty service.
A Note to You
Model Number _________________________
Serial Number _________________________
Purchase Date _________________________
Dealer Name __________________________
Dealer Address ________________________
Dealer Phone __________________________
In the U.S.A., call our Consumer
Assistance Center toll free. 1-800-253-1301
In Canada visit our Web site at www.whirlpool.com/canada
In Canada, for assistance or service, see the ”If You Need
Assistance or Service” section.
To find detailed product information, the location of the nearest Whirlpool dealer or authorized
servicer, to purchase an accessory item, or register your appliance on-line, please visit our
Web site at www.whirlpool.com
2
3191535v04c18 8/28/98 11:50 AM Page 2

3
continued on next page
Important Safety Instructions
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING – To reduce the risk of
fire, electrical shock, injury to persons, or
damage when using the cooktop, follow
basic precautions, including the following:
•CAUTION – Do not store items of
interest to children in cabinets above
a cooktop – Children climbing on
the cooktop to reach items could be
seriously injured.
•Proper Installation – Be sure your cook-
top is properly installed and grounded
by a qualified technician.
•Never Use Your Cooktop for Warming
or Heating the Room.
•Do Not Leave Children Alone – Children
should not be left alone or unattended
in area where cooktop is in use. They
should never be allowed to sit or stand
on any part of the cooktop.
•Wear Proper Apparel – Loose-fitting
or hanging garments should never
be worn while using the cooktop.
You will be killed or seriously injured
if you don’t follow instructions.
You can be killed or seriously injured
if you don’t follow instructions.
wDANGER
wWARNING
All safety messages will identify the hazard, tell you how to reduce the chance of injury,
and tell you what can happen if the instructions are not followed.
Your safety and the safety of others is very important.
We have provided many important safety messages in this manual and on your
appliance. Always read and obey all safety messages.
This is the safety alert symbol.
This symbol alerts you to hazards that can kill or hurt you and others.
All safety messages will be preceded by the safety alert symbol and the
word “DANGER” or “WARNING.” These words mean:
•User Servicing – Do not repair or
replace any part of the cooktop
unless specifically recommended in
the manual. All other servicing should
be referred to a qualified technician.
•Storage on Cooktop – Flammable
materials should not be stored near
surface units.
•Do Not Use Water on Grease Fires –
Smother fire or flame or use dry
chemical or foam-type extinguisher.
•Use Only Dry Potholders – Moist or
damp potholders on hot surfaces may
result in burns from steam. Do not let
potholder touch hot heating elements.
Do not use a towel or other bulky cloth.
– SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS –
3191535v04c18 8/28/98 11:50 AM Page 3

4
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
•DO NOT TOUCH SURFACE UNITS
OR AREAS NEAR UNITS – Surface
units may be hot even though they are
dark in color. Areas near surface units
may 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 units until they have had sufficient
time to cool. Among those areas are
the cooktop and surfaces facing the
cooktop.
•Use Proper Pan Size – This cooktop is
equipped with one or more surface units
of different size. Select utensils having
flat bottoms large enough to cover the
surface unit heating element. The use
of undersized utensils will expose a
portion of the heating element to direct
contact and may result in ignition of
clothing. Proper relationship of utensil
to burner will also improve efficiency.
•Never Leave Surface Units Unattended
at High Heat Settings – Boilover causes
smoking and greasy spillovers that
may ignite.
•Glazed Cooking Utensils – Only certain
types of glass, glass/ceramic, ceramic,
earthenware, or other glazed utensils
are suitable for cooktop service without
breaking due to the sudden change in
temperature.
– SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS –
•Utensil Handles Should Be Turned
Inward and Not Extend Over Adjacent
Surface Units – To reduce the risk of
burns, ignition of flammable materials,
and spillage due to unintentional
contact with the utensil, the handle of
a utensil should be positioned so that it
is turned inward, and does not extend
over adjacent surface units.
•Do Not Cook on Broken Cooktop –
If cooktop should break, cleaning
solutions and spillovers may penetrate
the broken cooktop and create a risk
of electric shock. Contact a qualified
technician immediately.
•Clean Cooktop With Caution – If a
wet sponge or cloth is used to wipe
spills on a hot cooking area, be careful
to avoid steam burn. Some cleaners
can produce noxious fumes if applied
to a hot surface.
For units with ventilating hood –
•Clean Ventilating Hoods Frequently –
Grease should not be allowed to
accumulate on hood or filter.
•When flaming foods under the hood,
turn the fan off. The fan, if operating,
may spread the flame.
3191535v04c18 8/28/98 11:50 AM Page 4

5
Parts And Features
Model and serial
number plate
(located on outside
bottom of cooktop)
Models RCS3004G,
RCS3014G, RCS3614G
Control
panel
Models RCS2002G, RCS2012G
Model and serial
number plate
(located on outside
bottom of cooktop) Control
panel
Plug-in coil element
with one-piece
reflector bowl
Plug-in coil
element with
one-piece
reflector bowl
Left rear
control knob
Surface
cooking area
marker
Right rear
control knob
Left front
control knob
Right front
control knob
Power On
indicator light
Models RCS2002G,
RCS2012G
Control panels
Models RCS3004G,
RCS3014G, RCS3614G
Left front
control
knob
Right front
control
knob
Surface
cooking
area marker
Power
On
indicator
light
3191535v04c18 8/28/98 11:50 AM Page 5

6
Using Your Cooktop
Using the surface cooking area
Push in control knobs before turning
them to a setting. You can set them
anywhere between HI and OFF.
Surface cooking area
markers
The solid dot in the surface cooking area
marker shows which coil element is turned
on by that knob.
Power On indicator light
The Power On indicator light will glow
when any of the coil element(s) are turned
on.
wWARNING
Fire Hazard
Turn off all controls when done cooking.
Failure to do so can result in death or fire.
(Models RCS3614G, RCS3004G,
RCS3014G shown)
(Models RCS3614G, RCS3004G,
RCS3014G shown)
3191535v04c18 8/28/98 11:50 AM Page 6

Home canning information
•Use flat-bottomed canners on all types
of cooktops, especially ceramic glass.
Canners with rippled or ridged bottoms do
not allow good contact with the surface.
•Center the canner over the largest
coil element. Do not extend more than
one inch outside the coil element.
Large diameter canners/pans, if not
centered correctly, trap heat and can
cause damage to the cooktop.
Do not place your canner on two coil
elements at the same time.
•The type of material the canner is made
of determines the length of heating time.
Refer to the “Characteristics of cookware
materials” chart later in this section for
more information.
•When canning for long periods of time,
allow elements and the surrounding
surfaces to cool down.
•Alternate use of the coil elements between
batches or prepare small batches at a time.
•Start with hot water, cover with a lid,
and bring to a boil; then reduce heat to
maintain a boil or required pressure levels
in a pressure canner.
•For up-to-date information on canning,
contact your local U.S. Government
Agricultural Department Extension Office
or companies who manufacture home
canning products.
Center over
coil element
Pan
Coil element
•
Keep reflector bowls clean so that they
will always reflect heat well.
•
Optional canning kit
Most water-bath or pressure canners have
large diameters. If you do canning with
them at high heat settings for long periods
of time, you can shorten the life of regular
coil elements. This can also damage the
cooktop. If you plan to use the cooktop for
canning, we recommend the installation of
a Canning Kit. Order the kit (Part No. 242905)
from your dealer or authorized service
company.
7
USING YOUR COOKTOP
Until you get used to the settings, use the following as a guide. For best results, start
cooking at the high setting; then turn the control knob down to continue cooking.
SETTING
HI
MED-HI or 6-8
MED or 5
MED-LO or 2-4
LO
RECOMMENDED USE
•To start food cooking.
•To bring liquid to a boil.
•To hold a rapid boil.
•To quickly brown or sear meat.
•To maintain a slow boil.
•To fry poultry or meat.
•To make pudding, sauce, or gravy.
•To stew or steam food.
•To simmer food.
•To keep food warm. Set the heat higher or lower within the
LO (or 1) band to keep food at the temperature you want.
•To maintain liquid just below simmer.
•To melt chocolate or butter.
3191535v04c18 8/28/98 11:50 AM Page 7

8
USING YOUR COOKTOP
The pan material affects how fast heat transfers from the coil element through the pan
material and how evenly heat spreads over the pan bottom. Choose pans that provide the
best cooking results.
Aluminum • Heats quickly and evenly.
• Use for all types of cooking.
• Medium or heavy thickness is best for most cooking.
• Used as a core or base in cookware to provide even heating.
Cast iron • Heats slowly and evenly.
• Good for browning and frying.
• Maintains heat for slow cooking.
• Can be coated with porcelain enamel.
Ceramic or
ceramic glass • Heats slowly and unevenly.
• Use on low to medium settings.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions.
Copper • Heats very quickly and evenly.
• Used as a core or base in cookware to provide even heating.
Earthenware • Can be used for cooktop cooking if recommended by the
manufacturer.
• Use on low settings.
Porcelain enamel-on-steel
or enamel-on-cast iron • See cast iron and stainless steel.
Stainless steel • Heats quickly but unevenly.
• A core or base of aluminum or copper on the cookware
provides even heating.
• Can be coated with porcelain enamel.
Characteristics of cookware materials
Cookware tips
• Select a pan that is about the same size
as the coil element. Cookware should not
extend more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) outside
the area.
• Cookware with non-stick finish has
heating characteristics of the base material.
•Use flat bottom cookware for best heat
• For best results and greater energy
efficiency, use only flat-bottomed
cookware that makes good contact with
the coil element. Cookware with rounded,
warped, ribbed (such as some porcelain
enamelware), or dented bottoms could
cause uneven heating and poor cooking
results.
conduction from the coil element to the
cookware. Determine flatness with the
ruler test. Place the edge of a ruler across
the bottom of the cookware. Hold it up to
the light. No light should be visible under
the ruler. Rotate the ruler in all directions
and look for any light.
• Do not leave empty cookware, or
cookware that has boiled dry, on a hot
coil element. The cookware could overheat,
causing damage to the cookware or the
coil element.
3191535v04c18 8/28/98 11:50 AM Page 8

Removing
1. Make sure all coil elements are off and
cool before removing coil elements and
reflector bowls.
2. Push in the edge of the coil element,
opposite the receptacle. Then lift it just
enough to clear the reflector bowl.
3. Pull the coil element straight away from
the receptacle.
4. Lift out the reflector bowl. See the
“Cleaning chart” later in this section
for cleaning instructions.
9
Caring For Your Cooktop
WARNING
Explosion Hazard
Do not store flammable materials such as gasoline near
this appliance.
Doing so can result in death, explosion, or fire.
BAKE
OFF
BAKE
Coil elements and reflector bowls
continued on next page
3191535v04c18 8/28/98 11:50 AM Page 9

10
CARING FOR YOUR COOKTOP
Replacing
1. Make sure all coil elements are off and
cool before replacing coil elements and
reflector bowls.
2. Line openings in the reflector bowl with
the coil element receptacle.
3. Hold the coil element as level as possible
with the terminal just started into the
receptacle. Push the coil element terminal
into the receptacle.
4. When the terminal is pushed into the
receptacle as far as it will go, push down
the edge of the coil element opposite the
receptacle.
NOTE: Reflector bowls reflect heat back to
the cookware on the coil elements. They
also help catch spills. When they are kept
clean, they reflect heat better and look new
longer.
BAKE
OFF
BAKE
If a reflector bowl changes color, some of
your cookware may not be flat enough, or
some may be too large for the coil element.
In either case, some of the heat that’s
meant to go into or around cookware goes
down and heats the reflector bowl. This
extra heat can cause it to change color.
Coil elements and reflector bowls (cont.)
3191535v04c18 8/28/98 11:50 AM Page 10