Whirlpool RM978BXV User manual

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1 1 1
COOKTOP AND
LOWER OVEN
SeJ%zming
RM978BXV (Shown)
RM973BXV

Contents
BElQREYOU USEYOURRANGE - 2
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS. 3
PARTSAND FEATURES , 5
USING YOUR RANGE.. 6
Using the Surface Elements 6
Optional Canning Kit 7
Dual-Level Exhaust
Vent System. 8
Setting the Clock 8
Using the Minute Timer 8
Using the Lower Oven 8
Baking,, 9
Adjusting the Oven
Temperature Control 10
Broiling 11
Using the Automatic
MEALTIMER’ Control 12
Oven Vent 13
Storage Drawer 14
Page
Optional Rotisserie 15
Optional Door Panel Pat 15
CARING FOR YOUR COOKTOP
AND LOWEROVEN.,
15
Control Panel and Knobs 15
Surface Elements and
Reflector Bowls 16
Lift-Up Cooktop 18
Using the Self-Cleaning
Cycle 19
Cleaning Chart 22
Cleaning the Grease Filters 23
Using and Replacing the
Light Bulbs , 24
Cooktop Light 24
Lower Oven Light 25
IF YOU NEEDSERVICE OR
ASSISTANCE . 26
WHIRLPOOL RANGE
WARRANTY 28
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01988 Whirlpool Corporation
Before you useyour range
Read and carefully follow the Installation Instructions packed with
your range.
Read this Use & Care Guide and your Cooking Guide carefully for important
use and safety information. Store these with the upper microwave oven
literature in the Range Literature Pat for future use.
It is Your personal responsibility and obligation to be sure your range:
l Has been installed where it is protected from the elements.
l Has been installed and leveled on a floor strong enough to support
its weight.
l Has been properly connected to electrical supply and grounded.
(See Installation Instructions.)
l Is not used by anyone unable to operate it properly.
l Is properly maintained.
l Is used only for jobs expected of a home range.
See the Cooking Guide and Upper Microwave Oven Use & Care Guide
for important safety and use Information.
2

IMPORTANT
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1. DO NOT allow children to use or 9.
DO NOT heat unopened con-
play with any part of the range, tainers. They could explode. The
or leave them unattended near it. hot contents could burn and
They could be burned or injured. container particles could
2. DO NOT store things children cause injury.
might want above the range.
10. When adding or removing food,
Children could be burned or
MAKE SURE to open the oven
injured while climbing on it. door all the way to prevent burns.
3. DO NOT allow anyone to touch
11. Because of the automatic
hot surface units or heating exhaust fan system, the following
elements. Dark colored units and cautions must be observed:
elements can still be hot enough
a. DO NOT leave area when
to burn severely. using your cooktop at high
4. KEEP children away from the setting. Accidental fires from
range when it is on. The cooktop boil-overs or spattering on
and oven walls, racks and the surface elements could
door can get hot enough to spread, especially if the
cause burns. exhaust fan is operating.
5. DO NOT use the range to heat a b.
DO NOT operate the exhaust
vent system without the filters
room. Persons in the room could in place. Grease could accu-
be burned or injured, or a fire mulate in the venting system
could start. and cause a fire hazard.
6. KEEP pan handles turned in, but c.
DO NOT allow grease and soil
not over another surface unit to to build up in the grease filters.
avoid burns, injury and to help Exhaust fan efficiency will
prevent the utensil from being decrease and fire may result.
pushed off the surface units. Clean often following the
7. DO NOT use water on grease filter cleaning instructions on
fires. The fire will spread. Cover page 23.
fire with large lid or smother with
d. DO NOT “flame” foods when
baking soda or salt. operating the exhaust fan. The
fan, if operating, may spread
8. DO NOT wear loose or hanging the flame and cause personal
garments when using the range. injury or property damage.
They could ignite if they touch a
hot surface unit or heating ele-
ment and you could be burned.
l FOR YOUR SAFETY l
DO NOT STORE OR USE GASOLINE OR OTHER FLAMMABLE VAPORS AND
LIQUIDS IN THE VICINITY OF THIS OR ANY OTHER APPLIANCE.
THEY COULD IGNITE CAUSING EXPLOSION AND/OR FIRE.
- SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS -

Thank you for buying a Whirlpool appliance. Please complete and mall
the Owner Registration Card provided with this product. Then complete
the form be!ow Have this information ready if you need service or call with
a question.
I
l Copy model and serial numbers Model Number
from plate (behind the microwave
oven door) and purchase date
I from sales slip.
Serial Number
l Keep this book and sales slip to-
gether in the Literature Pac.
Purchase Date
Service Company Phone Number

Parts and features
Models RM978BXV and RM973BXV
COOKTOP AND LOWER OVEN
UIPPER VENT
DOOR
G I REASE FILTER ,
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O~Sll “““l,
COOKTOP LIGHT
UPPER
MICROWAVE
OVEN CONTROLS
COOKTOP AND
LOWER OVEN
CONTROLS
EXHAUST AND
IGHT SWITCHES
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LlTEkAruRt PAC
(Inside drawer]

Using your range
CLOCK/
- DISPLAY
NUMBER PADS.
RIGHT REAR
CONTROL KNOB \
LEFTREAR
CONTROL KNOB
SURFACE ELEMENTS
SIGNAL LIGHT-
LEFTFRONT
CONTROL KNOB\
RIGHT FRONT
CONTROL KNOB 4
MEALTiMER*
/
CONTROL PADS
LOWER OVEN
“LOCKED”
SIGNAL LIGHT
OVEN
TEMPERATURE
,- CONTROL
/LOWER OVEN
“HEATING”
SIGNAL LIGHT
1LOWER OVEN “ON”
Using the Surface Elements
Surface element control knobs
must be pushed in before turning.
Turn either way until setting you
want shows in the window. Set them
anywhere between HI and LOW.
6
TOP LIGHT
SWITCH
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Signal light
The Surface Element Signal Light will
glow when a surface element is on.
NOTE:When the signal light goes off
the surface element will still be hot.
Do not leave or store plastic, pans
or other items on surface elements.

Until you get used to the settings, use the following as a guide. For best results,
start cooking at the high settings; then turn the control knob down to continue
cooking.
Use HI to start Use MED-HI Use MED Use MED-LO Use LO
to
foods cook- to hold a for gravy, to keep food keep food
ing; to bring rapid boil; to puddings cooking after warm until
liquids to a fry chicken and icing; to starting it ready to
boil. or pancakes. cook large on a higher serve. Set the
amounts of setting. heat higher
vegetables. or lower
. within the LO
CAUTION: The use of the HI sefting for long periods of
band to keep
time can damage surface elements and discolor
food at the
chrome reflector bowl. Start cooklng on HI and turn
temperature
control down to continue cooking.
you want.
Use only flat-bottomed utensils for best cooking results and to prevent damage
to the cooktop. Specialty items with rounded or ridged bottoms (woks, ridged
bottom canners or tea kettles) are not recommended.
See the Cooking Guide for important utensil information.
Optional Canning Kit (Part No. 242905)
The large diameter of most water-bath or pressure canners combined with
high heat settings for long periods of time can shorten the life of regular
surface elements and cause damage to the cooktop.
If you plan to use the cooktop for canning, we recommend the installation of
a Canning Kit. Order the kit from your Whirlpool Dealer or Tech-Care” Service
Company.
See the Cooking Guide for important canning information.

Dual-Level Exhaust Vent System
Your Range/Microwave Combination has a dual-level exhaust vent system
for removal of steam, grease and cooking odors. You may use the lower Vent
alone or add the top vent for maximum venting.
The lower vents are located above the cooktop (underneath the microwave
oven). The top vent is located above the microwave oven (behind the Upper
Vent Door).
To use only the lower vents:
l Push the Exhaust Switch down to
the right for HIGH fan speed.
l Push the Exhaust Switch down to
the left for LOW fan speed.
l Center the Exhaust Switch to turn
the vent system OFF.
To use both vents:
l Raise the Upper Vent Door above
the microwave oven.
l Turn on desired fan speed by
following directions at left.
NOTE: If the temperature gets too hot around the microwave oven when it
is in use, the exhaust fan will automatically turn on or change to the HIGH
setting. If this occurs, it cannot be turned off with the Exhaust Switch. The
exhaust fan will stay on until the area cools down or until the microwave
oven shuts off. This protects the oven.
Setting the Clock
The Clock is located at the top of the upper microwave oven control panel.
To set the Clock, follow the instructions found in the Upper Microwave Oven
Use & Care Guide.
Using the Minute Timer
The Minute Timer on the upper microwave oven control panel can be used
for any timed cooking, To use the Minute Timer, follow the instructions found in
the Upper Microwave Oven Use & Care Guide.
Using the Lower Oven
The lower oven is always set with two knobs:
- The Oven Selector
- The Oven Temperature Control
Both must be on a setting for the lower oven to heat.

Baking
1. Position the rack(s) properly
before turning on the oven. To
change rack position, lift rack at
front and pull out.
2. Set the Oven Selector on BAKE. The
Lower Oven ON Signal Light will
come on.
4. Put food in the oven. NOTE:Oven
racks, walls and door will be
hot.
During baking, the elements will
turn on and off to keep the oven
temperature at the setting. The
Lower Oven HEATING Signal Light
will turn on and off with the
elements.
The top element helps heat
during baking, but does not
turn red.
The rack(s) should be placed so the
top of the food will be centered in
the oven. Always leave at least 1Yzto
2 inches (4-5 cm] between the sides
of the pan and the oven walls and
other pans. For more information,
see the Cooking Guide.
3. Set the Oven Temperature Control
on the baking temperature you
want. The Lower Oven HEATING
Signal Light will come on. The
oven is preheated when the Lower
Oven “HEATING” Signal Light first
goes off.
5. When baking is done, turn both
the Oven Selector and Oven
Temperature Control to OFF.The
Lower Oven ON and HEATING
Signal Lights will go off.

Adjusting the Oven Temperature Control
Does your oven seem hotter or colder than your old oven? The temperature of
your old oven may have shifted gradually without you noticing the change.
Your new oven is properly adjusted to provide accurate temperatures. But
when comparing to your old oven, the new design may give you difficult
results.
If after using the oven for a period of time, you are not satisfied with the
temperature settings, they can be adjusted by following these steps:
1. Pull the Oven Temperature Control
Knob straight off.
SCREW
2. Loosen the locking screw inside
the control knob. Note the posi-
tion of the notches.
1.To lower the temperature, move
the tooth a notch closer to LO.
Each notch equals about 10°F
(92).
4. To raise the temperature, move
the tooth a notch closer to HI. Each
notch equals about 10°F (5°C).
Tighten the locking screw and
replace the control knob.
10

Broiling
1. Position the rack before turning
the oven on. See “Broil Chart” in
the Cooking Guide or a reliable
cookbook for recommended
rack positions.
2. Put the broiler pan and food on
the rack.
3. Close the door to the Broil Stop
position (open about 4 inches,
10.2 cm]. The door will stay open
by itself.
4. Set the Oven Selector and Oven
Temperature Control on BROIL. The
Lower Oven ON and HEATING
Signal Lights will come on.
5. When broiling is done, turn both
the Oven Selector and Oven Tem-
perature Control to OFF The Lower
Oven ON and HEATING Signal
Lights will go off.
Custom Broil
l If food is cooking to fast,turn the Oven Temperature Control counterclock-
wise until the Lower Oven HEATING Signal Light goes off.
l If you want the food to broil slower from the start, set the Oven Temperature
Control between 150” and 325°F (65.5 and 162.7”C). The lower the tempera-
ture, the slower the cooking.
The Oven Selector must be on BROIL for all broiling temperatures.
NOTE:The lower oven door must be partly open whenever the oven is
set to BROIL. leaving the door open allows the oven to maintain proper
temperatures.

Using the Automatic MEALTIMER* Control
The automatic MEALTIMER’ control will turn the lower oven on and off at times
you set...even when you are not around
Automatic baking is ideal for foods which do not require a preheated oven,
such as meats and casseroles. Do not use the automatic cycle for cakes,
cookies, etc...undercooking will result.
TOstart and stop baking automatically:
1. Position the oven rack(s) properly
and place the food in the oven.
3. Set the Oven Selector on TIMED
BAKE.
2. Make sure the clock is set to the
right time of day. (See the Upper
Microwave Oven Use 13Care
Guide for settina instructions.1
4. Set the Oven Temperature Control
on the baking temperature you
want.
5. Touch the STARTTIME Pad. Then
touch the Number Pads for the
time you want baking to start.
(Option: Skip this step if you want
to start baking immediately.)
12
6. Touch the STOP TIME Pad. Then
touch the Number Pads for the
time you want baking to stop,

7. Touch START.The oven will now
start and stop automatically.
8. After baking is done or to stop
the oven before preset time,
turn both the Oven Selector and
Oven Temperature Control to OFF.
To cancel the MEALTIMER* control
setting:
1. Touch STOPTIME.
2. Touch CANCEL.
3. Turn the Oven Selector and Oven
Temperature ContTol to OFF.
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The Oven Vent
Hot air and moisture escape from
the lower oven through a vent under
the right rear surface element. You
can cook on the element, or keep
food warm on it while the lower
oven is on.
/\
\
iI@@
- 2J
‘.
/ ‘\ CAUTION: Plastic utensils left
over the vent can melt. Do not block the vent.
Poor baking
can result.
13

The Storage Drawer
The storage drawer is for storing pots and pans.
Use care when handling the drawer.
Removing the Storage Drawer
1. Pull drawer straight out to the
first stop. Lift front and pull out to
the second stop.
Replacing the Storage Drawer
2. Lift back slightly and slide drawer
all the way out.
1. Fit ends of drawer slide rails into
the drawer guides on both sides
of opening.
2. Lift drawer front and push In until
metal stops on drawer slide
rails clear white stops on drawer
guides. Lift drawer front again
to clear second stop and slide
drawer closed.
Use & Care Guide Storage
Store this booklet, along with your
Cooking Guide, Upper Microwave
Oven Use & Care Guide and sales
slip in the Literature Pat, inside the
storage drawer.
14

Optional Rotisserie
If you would like a rotisserie for your lower oven, you can order a kit (Part No.
242985) from your Whirlpool Dealer. The kit includes easy installation
instructions,
Optional Door Panel Pat
If you would like to change the color of your lower oven door glass to white
or almond, you can order one of these kits; White (Kit No. 814071) or Almond
(Kit No. 814072) from your Whirlpool Dealer. The kits include easy installation
instructions.
Caring for your cooktop and lower oven
Control Panel and Knobs
2. Pull control knobs straight off.
3. Use warm soapy water and a soft
cloth, or spray glass cleaner, to
wipe the control panel. Rinse and
wipe dry.
4. Wash control knobs in warm
soapy water. Rinse well and dry.
5. Push control knobs straight back
on. Make sure they point to OFF.

Surface Elements and Reflector Bowls
Pull the surface element straight
away from the receptacle.
2. Lift the edge of the element
opposite the receptacle, just
enough to clear the element hold
down clip and the reflector bowl.
4. Lift out the reflector bowl. See
“Cleaning Chart” on page 22 for
cleaning instructions.
16

Replacing
3. Hold the surface element as level
as possible with the terminal just
started into the receptacle. Push
the surface element terminal into
the receptacle.
!. Line up openings in the reflector
bowl with the surface element re-
ceptacle and the element hold
down clip.
8.When terminal is pushed into the
receptacle as far as it will go, push
down the edge of the surface
element opposite the receptacle.
The element hold down clip will
keep the surface element from
moving around.
CAUTION: Reflector bowls reflect heat back to the utensils on the sur-
face elements. 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 the utensils may not be flat
enough, or some may be too large for the surface element. In either
case, some of the heat that’s meant to go info or around a utensil goes
down and heats the reflector bowl. This extra heat can discolor If. See
Cooking Guide for further information.

Lift-Up Cooktop
1. Lift front of cooktop at both front
corners until the support rods lock
into place.
2. Wipe with warm soapy water. Use a
soapy steel wool pad on stubborn
spots.
3. To lower the cooktop, lifl cooktop
from both sides while pressing the
support rods back to unlock them.
Lower the cooktop into place.
CAUTION: Do not drop the cook-
fop or let If bump the upper
microwave oven when lifting.
Damage can result to the por-
celain and the cooktop frame.
18

Using the Self-Cleaning Cycle
The Self-Cleaning cycle uses very high heat to burn away soil. Before you start,
make sure you understand exactly how to use the Self-Cleaning cycle safely.
Before You Start
1. Clean the shaded areas by hand.
They do not get hot enough
DO NOT clean the fiberglass seal.
during the Self-Cleaning cycle for
DO NOT move if or bend if. Poor
soil to burn away. Use hot water
cleaning and poor baking will resuli
and detergent or a soapy steel
2. Remove the broiler pan and any
wool pad on...
pots and pans you may have
l The inside of the door. stored in the oven. They can’t
l The frame around the oven. stand the heat.
3. WiDe ouf anv loose soil or
grease. This will help reduce smoke
during the Self-Cleaning Cycle.
4. If the oven has a rotisserie, make
sure the motor socket cover is
closed.
5. If you want the oven racks to
remain shiny, remove from the
oven and clean by hand. Cther-
wise, put oven racks on second
and fourth guides (guides are
counted from bottom to top). After
racks are cleaned in the Self-
Cleaning cycle, they become
harder to slide. See chart on page
22. Chrome reflector bowls must
not be cleaned in the oven. They
will discolor.
Turn on the vent hood or other kitchen vent during the Self-Cleaning cycle.
This will help remove heat and odors that are normal during the cycle.
SPECIAL CAUTIONS:
DO NOT use commercial oven DO NOT block the vent during
cleaners In your oven. Damage to the Self-Cleaning cycle. Air must
fhe porcelain finish may occur. move freely for best cleaning
DO NOT force the lock lever, you results.
could bend or break if. The lever is
designed to stay locked until the
oven is cool enough to safely
open. Waif until if moves freely.
DO NOT use foil or other liners in
the oven. During the Self-Cleaning
cycle foil can burn or melt and
damage the oven surface.

Setting the Controls
I. Set the Oven Selector and Oven
Temperature Control to CLEAN.
3. Make sure fhe clock is set to the
right time of day. (See Upper
Microwave Oven Use & Care
Guide for setting instructions.)
5. Touch START.The oven will start
the Self-Cleaning cycle auto-
matically at the time you have
set. The Lower Oven LOCKED Sig-
nal Light will come on when the
oven temperature exceeds nor-
mal baking temperatures. The
Lock Lever must not be moved
and the door can’t be opened
when this light is on.
20
2. Move the Lock Lever all the way
to the right-the Clean position.
4. Set a 2 to 4 hour Self-Cleaning
cycle.Touch STARTTIME Pad, then
touch the Number Pads for the
time you want to start.Touch STOP
TIME Pad, then touch the Number
Pads for the time you want to stop.
(Option: Only set the Stop Time if
you want the Self-Cleaning cycle
to start immediately)
A 3-hour Self-Cleaning cycle is
recommended for moderately
soiled ovens.
l Use 2 hours for light soil.
l Use 3-4 hours for moderate to
heavy soil.