Whirlpool RM973BXS User manual

COOKTOP AND
LOWER OVEN
Self-Cleaning Models
RM973BXS
RM978BXS (Shown)
Mlcrol*ave Ovens. Trash Compactors. Room Au Condltloners, Dehumldlflers. Aulomatlc Washers, Clothes Oryers. Freezers. Refngerator-F

Contents
Paae
-a-
2 BEFOREYOU USEYOUR RANGE
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
PARTSAND FEATURES
USING YOUR RANGE
Dual-Level Exhaust
Vent System
Using the Surface Elements
Optional Canning kit
Using the Lower Oven
Baking or Roasting
Adjusting the Temperature
Control
Using the Automatic
MEALTIMER’ Control
Using the Minute Timer.
Broiling . . . .
Custom Broil
Oven Vent.
3
5
6
9
. 10
11
11
12
12
Page
Storage Drawer 13
Use & Care Guide Storage 13
Optional Rotisserie 14
CARING FORYOUR COOKTOP
AND LOWEROVEN
14
Control Panel 14
Surface Elements and
Reflector Bowls., 15
Lift-Up Cooktop 16
Using the Self-Cleaning
Cycle 17
Cleaning Chart 22
Cleaning the Grease Filters 23
The Cooktop Light 24
The Lower Oven Light 25
IFYOU NEEDSERVICE
OR ASSISTANCE . 26
WHIRLPOOL RANGE
WARRANTY . 28
‘Tmk.
01987 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 obllgation 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 Instructionsl’]
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 your “Cooking Guide” and “Upper Microwave Oven Use & Care Guide”
for additional safety and operatlng Instructions.

IMPORTANT
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
. FOR YOUR SAFETY l
)O NOT STOREOR USEGASOLINE OR OTHERFLAMMABLE VAPORS AND LIQUID!
IN THEVICINITY OFTHIS OR ANY OTHERAPPLIANCE. THEYCOULD IGNITE
CAUSING EXPLOSION AND/OR FIRE.
1. DO NOT allow children to use or
play with any part of the range,
or leave them unattended near
it. They could be burned or
injured.
2. DO NOT store things children
might want above the range.
Children could be burned
or injured while climbing on it.
3. DO NOT allow anyone to touch
hot surface elements or heating
elements. Dark colored elements
can still be hot enough to burn
severely.
4. KEEP children away from the
range when it is on. The cooktop,
oven walls, racks and door
can get hot enough to cause
burns.
5. DO NOT use the range to heat a
room. Persons in the room could
be burned or injured, or a fire
could start.
6. KEEP pan handles turned in, but
not over another surface
element, to avoid burns, injury
and to help prevent the utensil
from being pushed off the
surface elements.
7. DO NOT use water on grease
fires. The fire will spread. Cover
fire with large lid or smother
with baking soda or salt.
8. DO NOT wear loose or hanging
garments when using the range.
They could ignite if they touch a
hot surface element or heating
element and you could be
burned.
9. DO NOT heat unopened
containers. They could explode.
The hot contents could burn
and container particles could
cause injury.
10. When adding or removing food.
MAKE SUREto open the oven
door all the way to prevent
burns.
continued on next page

11. Because of the automatic
exhaust fan system, the following
cautions must be observed:
a. Do not leave area when using
your cooktop at a high set-
ting. Accidental fires from
boilovers or spattering on the
surface elements could
spread, especially if the
exhaust fan is operating.
b. Do not operate the exhaust
vent system without the filters
in place. Grease could accu-
mulate in the venting system
and cause a fire hazard.
c. Do not allow grease and soil
to build up in the grease
filters. Exhaust fan efficiency
will decrease and fire may
result. Clean often following
the filter cleaning instructions
on page 23.
d. Do not “flame” foods when
operating the exhaust fan.
The fan, if operating, may
spread the flame and cause
personal injury or property
damage.
- SAW THESE INSTRUCTIONS -
Copy your Model and Serial Numbers here...
If you need service, or call with
a question, have this information
ready:
1. Complete Model and serial
Model Number
Numbers (from plate located
behind the microwave oven door].
Serial Number
2. Purchase date from sales slip.
Copy this information in these
Purchase Date
spaces. Keep this book in the
Range Information Center with your
sales slip.
Service Company Phone Number
Please complete and mall the Owner Registration Card
turnlshed with this product.
4

Parts and features
Models RM973BXS and RM978BXS
COOKTOP AND LOWER OVEN
FILTER I I
COOKTOP AND
OVEN CONTROLS
MODEL AND SERIAL
NUMBER PLATE
(behlnd oven door) TOP LIGHT
COOKTOP LIGHT
ONE-PIECE CHRO
REFLECTOR BOWL
PLUG-IN
SURFACE EL
EXHAUST SYSTEM
GREASE FILTERS I
LOCK LEVER UTOMATIC OVEN
LIGHT SWITCH
SELF-CLEANING
OVEN
FIBERGLAS
HEAT SEAL
REMOVABLE
STORAGE DRAWER
AlRlFlOW
OVEN DOOR
5

Using your range
NUMBER PADS \ I
RIGHT REAR
CONTROL KNOB
LEFl REAR I
CONTROL KNOB
I
SURFACE ELEMENTS 2
INDICATOR LIGHT
LEFl FRONT
CONTROL KNOB -i
\
r
EXHAUST SYSTEM
SWITCH
Surface element control knobs
must be pushed in before turning.
Turn either way until setting you want
shows in window. Set them anywhere
between HI and OFF.
CLOCK
‘DISPLAY
MEALTIMER
CONTROL PADS
OVEN
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL
HEATING INDICATOR
LOWER OVEN
INDICATOR LIGHT
RIGHT FRONT
CONTROL KNOB
I OVEN
w
sELECToR
I
TOP LIGHT
/ SWITCH
When a surface element is on, the
surface elements indicator light will
also be on.
6

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).
NOTE:If the temperature gets too hot around the microwave oven when it is il
use, the exhaust fan will automatically turn on, or change to the HIGH setting
If this occurs It can not be turned off with the EXHAUSTswitch. It will stay on
until the area cools down or until the microwave oven shuts off. This protects
the oven.
To use only the lower vent:
l Push the Exhaust switch down to the
right for HIGH fan speed.
l Push the switch down to the left for
LOW fan speed.
l Center the switch to turn the vent
system OFF.
To use both vents:
l Raise the vent door above the
microwave oven.
l Turn on desired fan speed
by following the directions at
the left.
Using the Surface Elements
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.
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 setting for long periods of time
band to keep
can damage surface units and discolor chrome trim rings.
food at the
Start cooklng on HI and turn control down to continue
temperature
cooklng.
you want.

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-Carem Service
Company.
See the “Cooking Guide” for important canning information.
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 sefflng for the oven to heat.
Baking or Roasting
The rack(s) should be placed so
the top of the food will be cen-
tered in the oven. Always leave
at least lY2to 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:’
1. Position the rack(s) properly
before turning on the oven. To
change rack posltlon, pull rack
out to stop, raise front edge and
lift out.
2. Set Oven Selector to BAKE. The
lower Oven “ON” Indicator Light
will come on.
3. Set Oven Temperature Control to
the baking temperature you want.
The Heating Indicator Light will
come on. The oven is preheated
when the Heating Indicator Light
first goes off.

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
Heating Indicator Light will turn
on and off with the elements.
The fop element helps heat
during baking, but does not
turn red.
5. When the baking is done, turn both
the Oven Selector and the Oven
Temperature Control to 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 your 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 different 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 Temoerature Control 2. Loosen the lockina screw inside
Knob straight off. ’ the control knob. iote the
position of the notches.
3. To lower the temperature, move 4. To raise the temperature, move
the pointer to the left. Each the pointer to the right. Each
notch equals about 10°F(5°C). notch equals about 10°F(5°C).
Tighten the locking screw and 9
replace the control knob.

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 (meats, casseroles, etc.]. Do not use the automatic cycle for cakes,
coqkies, or other recipes that reqyire preheating the oven beforg
baklng...undercooking will result.
‘Tmk
To start and stop baking automatically:
1. Position the oven rack(s) properly,
and place the food in the oven.
3. Set the Oven Selector to TIMED
BAKE.
5. Touch the STARTTIME Pad. Then
touch the number pads for the
time you want cooking to start.
(Option: Skip this step if you want
to star-f baking immediately.]
6. Touch the STOP TIME Pad. Then
touch the number pads for the
10 time you want cooking to stop.
2. Make sure the clock on the micro-
wave oven display is set to the
correct time of day. (See”Upper
Microwave Oven Use & Care
Guide” for setting instructions.)
4. Set the Oven Temperature Control to
the baking temperature you want.
7. Touch START.The oven will now
start and stop automatically.
After baking is done be sure
to turn both the Oven Selector
and the Oven Temperature
Controls to OFF.

To cancel the MEALTIMER* control:
1. Touch the STOP TIME pad, then touch CANCEL.
2. Turn the Oven Selector and the Oven Temperature Controls to Off.
‘Tmk.
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 your “Upper Microwave Oven Use & Care Guide:’
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.
continued on next page

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 the
Oven Temperature Control to
BROIL.
When broiling is done, turn both
the Oven Selector and the Oven
Temperature Control to OFF.
Custom Broil
l If food is cooking too fast, turn the Oven Temperature Control counterclock-
wise until the Heating Indicator 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 tem-
perature, the slower the cooking.
The Oven Selector must be on BROIL for all broiling temperatures.
CAUTION: The door must be partly open whenever the oven is
set to BROIL. Leaving the door open allows the oven to mainfaln
proper temperatures.
The Oven Vent
Hot air and moisture escape from the
oven through a vent under the right
rear surface element. You can cook on
the element, or keep food warm on it
while the oven is on.
Cauffon: Plastic utensils leff over
the vent can melt. Do not block
the vent. Poor baking
can result.
12

The Storage Drawer
The storage drawer is for storing pots and pans
Removing the storage drawer
1. Pull drawer stzght out to the
first stop. Lift front and pull out to
the second stop.
2. Lift back slightly and slide drawer
all the way out.
Replacing the storage dmwer
1. Fit ends of drawer slide rails into
the drawer guides on both sides
of opening.
2. Lift drawer fro;t 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
1
drawer closed.
E
1 Use & Care Guide storage
J
Store this booklet, along with your
“Cooking Guide:’ sales slip and
“Upper Microwave Oven Use &
Care Guide” in the Literature Pat,
inside the storage drawer.
13

Optional Rotisserie
If you would like a rotisserie for your lower oven, you can order a kit
(Pari No. 242985) from your Whirlpool Dealer. The kit includes easy
installation instructions.
Caring for your cooktop and lower oven
Control Panel and Knobs
Pull knobs straight off.
3. Wash control knobs in warm soapy
water. Rinse well and dry.
glass cleaner and a soft cloth to
wipe the control panel. Rinse and
dry well.
’ Push control knobs straight back on. Make sure they point to OFF
14

Elements and
1. Make sure all knobs are turned
to OFF.
,
Pull the surface element straight
away from the receptacle.
Replacing
2. Lift the edge of the element,
opposite the receptacle, just
enough to clear the reflector
bowl.
. Lift out the reflector bowl.
See Cleaning Chart on page 22
for cleaning instructions.
2. Line up opening in the reflector
bowl with the surface element
receptacle.

3. Hold the surface element as level
as possible with the terminal
just started into the receptacle.
4. Push the surface element termi-
nal into the receptacle. When
the terminal is pushed into the
receptacle as far as it will go,
the surface element will fit into
the reflector bowl.
CAUTION: Reflector bowls reflect heat back to the utensils on the
surface 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 Into or around a
utensil goes down and heats the reflector bowl. Thls extra heat can
discolor It. See “Cooklng Guide” for further information.
Lift-Up Cooktop
1. Lift front of cooktop at center and
swing-up the support rod.
2. Carefully lower the cooktop onto
the support rod.
Wipe with warm soapy water.
Use soapy steel-wool pad on
stubborn spots.
CAUTION: Do not drop the cooktop or let It bump the upper oven
when Ilftlng. Damage can result to the porcelain and the cooktop
frame.
1

Usi the Self-Cleaning Cy
The self-cleaning cycle uses very high heat to burn away soil. Before you start,
make sure you understand exactly how to use the cycle safely.
Before You Start
1. Clean the shaded areas by hand.
They do not get hot enough dur-
ing the Self-Clean cycle for soil to
DO NOT clean the fiberglass seal.
DO NOT move it or bend it. Poor
cleaning and poor baking will result
burn away. Use hot water and
detergent or a soapy steel-wool
pad on...
l the frame around the oven.
l the inside of the door, especially
the part outside the oven seal.
Remove the broiler pan and any I
pots or pans you may have stored
in the oven. They can’t stand the
high heat.
Wipe out any loose soil or grease.
This will help reduce smoke dur-
ingthecleaningcycle. I
If your oven has a rotisserie, make
sure the motor socket cover is
closed.
Put oven racks on the second
and fourth guides (counting from
bottom to top). During the Self-
Cleaning Cycle they will darken
and become harder to slide. See
tips on page 20. If you want the
oven racks to remain shiny, clean
them by hand.
Clean Door /
Clean Frame /
Chrome reflector bowls must not be cleaned in the oven. They will discolor.
Turn on the vent hood or other kitchen vent during the cleaning cycle.
This will help remove smoke, odor and heat that are normal during the cycle.
SPECIAL CAUTIONS:
DO NOT use commercial oven
cleaners in your oven. Damage to
the porcelain finish-may occur.
DO NOT force the Lock Lever, you
could bend or break it. The lever is
designed to stay locked until the
oven is cool enough to safely open.
Wait until it moves freely
DO NOT use foil or other liners in the
oven. During the cleaning cycle foil
can burn or melt and damage the
oven surface.

1. Set Oven Selector and Oven
Temperature Control to CLEAN.
2. Move the Lock Lever all the way
to the right. The cleaning cycle
works only when the lever is all the
way over.
3. Make sure the clock on the
microwave oven display is set to
the correct time of day. (See
“Upper Microwave Oven Use &
Care Guide” for instructions.]
5. Touch the STOP TIME pad. Then
touch the number pads for the
time of day you want cleaning to
stop (3 hours after set Start time].
4. Touch the STARTTIME pad. Then
touch the number pads for the
time you want cleaning to start.
(Option: Skip this step if you want
cleaning to start immediately.)
6. Touch START.The oven will start the
CLEAN cycle automatically at the
time you have set. The LOCKED
Light will come on when oven
temperatures exceed normal
baking temperatures. The Lock
Lever must not be moved and the
door can’t be opened when this
light is on.
18

7. When the Lock Light is off and the
oven is cool, move the Lock Lever
to the left. Do not force it. Wait
until it moves easily.
9. After the oven is cool, wipe
off any residue or ash with a damp
cloth. If needed, touch up spots
with soapy steel wool pad.
8. Turn the Oven Selector and Oven
Temperature Controls to OFF.
tn;rdt;-Ie cleaning cycle at
3. When the Locked Light turns off,
: move the Lock Lever back to the
1. Touch STOP TIME pad. left.
Do not force it. Wait until
it moves easily. Turn the Oven
2. Touch CANCEL. Selector and Oven Temperature
Controls to OFF.

Special Tips
Keep the kitchen well ventilated
during the cleaning cycle to help
get rid of normal heat, odors and
smoke.
Clean the oven before it gets
heavily soiled. Cleaning a very
soiled oven takes longer and
results in more smoke than usual.
Ifthe cleaning cycle doesn’t get
the oven as clean as you ex-
pected, the cycle may not have
been set long enough or you
may not have prepared the oven
properly. Set the cleaning time
longer the next time and hand
clean areas noted on page 17.
Oven racks lose their shine, dis-
color and become harder to slide
on their guides when they are left
in the oven during the cleaning
cycle. To make them slide easier,
polish the edges of the racks with
a soapy steel-wool pad, rinse
well and wipe on a thin coat of
salad oil.
20