Whirlpool RF398PXP User manual

ELECTRIC
RANGE
Self-Cleaning
Model RF398PXP
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owave Ovens. Trash Compactors. Room AM Condilloners, Oehumrdifiers. Aulomatlc Washers, Clothes Dryers. Freezers, Refrrgerator-Freezers

Contents
Page
Before You Use Your Range. 2
Important Safety lnstructlons. 3
Parts and Features. 4
Using Your Range 5
Surface Units 5
Optional Canning Kit 6
Aboutthe Electronic
Oven Controls. 6
Clock 8
Minute Timer 8
Baking 9
Broiling 10
Baking Automatically 11
Keep Warm 13
Other Operating Hints 14
Oven Vent
Storage Drawer
Carlng for Your Range
Control Panel
Surface Units and
Reflector Bowls.
Lift-Up Cooktop
Using the Self-Cleaning
Cycle . . . .._.
Cleaning Chart
Using and Replacing the
Light Bulbs
If You Need Service or
Assistance.
Page
14
15
16
16
16
18
::
24
25
01985 Whlrlpool Corporatlon
Before you use your range
Read this Use & Care Guide and The Cooklng Guide for Important safety
Information.
You are personally responsible for:
l Reading and following all safety precautions in this Use &Care Guide and the
Cooking Guide.
l Installing the range where it is protected from the elements, and on a floor
strong enough to support its weight.
l Properly connecting the range to electrical supply and grounding. (See
“Installation Instructions:‘)
l Making sure the range is not used by anyone unable to operate it properly.
l Properly maintaining the range.
l Using the range only for jobs expected of a home range.
See “Cooklng Guide” for lmportant safety and use Information.

IMPORTANT
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1. DO NOT allow children to use or 6. KEEP pan handles turned in, but not
play with any part of the range, or over another surface unit to avoid
leave them unattended near it. burns, injury and to help prevent the
They could be burned or injured. utensil from being pushed off the sur-
2. DO NOT store things children face units.
might want above the range. 7. DO NOT use water on grease fires.
Children could be burned or The fire will spread. Cover fire with
injured while climbing on it. large lid or smother with baking
3. DO NOT allow anyone to touch soda or salt.
hot surface units or heating ele- 8. DO NOT wear loose or hanging gar-
ments. Dark colored units and ele- ments when using the range. They
ments can still be hot enough to could ignite if they touch a hot sur-
burn severely. face unit or heating element and
4. KEEP children away from the you could be burned.
range when it is on. The cooktop 9. DO NOT heat unopened containers.
and oven walls, racks and door They could explode. The hot con-
can get hot enough to cause tents could burn and container par-
burns. titles could cause injury
5. DO NOT use the range to heat a IO. When adding or removing
room. Persons in the room could food, MAKE SURE to open the
be burned or injured, or a fire oven door all the way to
could start. prevent burns.
l FORYOURSAFEI-Y.
DO NOT STOREOR USEGASOLINE OR OTHERFLAMMABLE VAPORS AND LIQUIDS
IN THEVICINITY OFTHIS OR ANY OTHERAPPLIANCE. THEYCOULD IGNITE
CAUSING EXPLOSION AND/OR FIRE.
- 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
Numbers (from plate just behind
the oven door). Model Number
2. Purchase date from sales slip.
Copy this information in these
spaces. Keep this book, other oven Serial Number
literature, your warranty and sales
slip together in the Literature Pac. Purchase Date
Service Company/Phone Number

Parts and features
Model RF398PXP
LEFl F;ONT SIGNA: LIGHT \
COHTRdL KNOB SURFACEUNIT INDICATORS
CONTROL KNOB
KEYBOARD
ON/OFF CONTROL
CONTROL PANEL
PLUG-IN
SURFACEUNIT-
\
AUTOMATIC OVEN
LIGHT SWITCH \
INSTRUCTION
PORCELAIN-ENAMEL
CHROME TRIM RING
OVEN VENT
MODEL AND SERIAL
NUMBER PLATE
DOOR SWITCH
SELF-CLEANING
OVEN
FIBERGLASS
HEAT SEAL
REMOVABLE
STORAGE DRAWER
LITERATUREPAC
(not shown)
4

’RIGHT REAR RIGHT FRbNl
CONTROL KNOB CONTROL KNOB
Using the surface units
Surface Unit Indicators
The solid dot in the surface unit
indicator shows which surface unit
is turned on by that knob.
Signal light
One of the signal lights will glow
\ when a surface unit is on.
Control knobs must be pushed in
before turning them to a setting. They
can be set anywhere between HI
and OFF.
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
foods cook- to hold a for gravy, to keep food
ing; to bring rapid boil; to puddings cooking after
liquids to a fry chicken and icing; to starting it
boil. or pancakes. cook large on a higher
amounts of setting.
vegetables.
CAUTION: The use ot the HI setttng tar long periods of tlme
can damage surtace untts and discolor chrome trim rings.
Start cooklng on HI and turn control down to continue
cooklng.
Use LO to
keep food
warm until
ready to
serve. Set the
heat higher
or lower
within the LO
band to keep
food at the
temperature
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 “Cooklng Guide” for Important utensil Informafton.
Optional Canning Kit (Pafi 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
units and cause damage to the cook-top.
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 “Cooklng Guide” for Important canning Information.
NOTE: Excess steam and moisture can cause false readings on the
electronic oven controls. Avold excess moisture by posltlonlng
teakeffles, etc...away from the electronic controls. If false readings
occur, dry the keyboard. If the false reading remains, reset the
house clrcult breaker, then reset the controls.
About the Electronic Oven Controls
There are three parts in the oven control section:
-The Dlgltal Display,
-Command Pads with Signal Lights,
-Number Pads.
Instructions for each oven control are covered on the following pages. Read
them carefully.
When you first plug in the range, the Display will show “PF.”This stands for “Power
Failure:’ If after you set the Clock (page S),the Display again shows “PF,”it means
your electrlclty was off for a while. Reset the Clock and any other functions
which may have been set.
NOTE:
l KEEPTHECONTROL PANELCLEAN. Food or moisture on the panel can
affect proper operatlon.
l When the control panel temperature Is too high, the rear surface unlts
automatloally shut off. Thls may occur durlng the self-clean cycle.
When temperatures return to normal, the rear units can be used agaln.
l Do not operate any surface unlt wlthout a pan. If the two rear unlts
are lefl on wlthout a pan, they will eventually automatloally shut
off. When temperatures return to normal, the rear units can be used
agaln.
6

The Dlgltal Display/Clock. When
you are not using the oven, this is an
accurate digital clock. When using
the oven or minute timer, this displays
time and temperature settings, and
shows what number pads have been
touched.
The Command Pads tell the oven
what to do and in what order. A few
examples:
-CLOCK SETtells the oven you are
going to set the clock.
- STARTtells the oven to start.
Each Command Pad (except START,
CANCEL and MINUTE TIMER CANCEL)
has its own Signal Light. The Signal
Light comes on when you touch the
Command Pad.
Once you’ve touched a Command
Pad to tell the oven what you want
it to do, you’ll touch Number Pads to
tell it...a temperature and/or a time.
Keyboard
On/Off Control
The Keyboard On/Off Control is under
the flip-top in the center of the console.
It has three different positions:
ON-allows all Command Pads and tones to work.
TONESOFF - removes the programming tones.
OVEN CONTROL OFF-turns off the oven controls and programming tones.
MINUTETIMER, MINUTETIMER CANCEL and CLOCK SEl
will operate In thls posltlon.
The Keyboard On/Off Control must be In the ON or TONESOFFposltlon for the
oven to heat.
Operating instructions are provided for each of the Electronic Controls. They
are located on the inside of the flip-top console. Use these flip-top instructions
for quick and easy reference.

Clock
1. Touch CLOCK SET.“0” appears in
the Display.
Wlthln 5 seconds, touch Number
Pads for the correct time of day
The Display will show the numbers
you touched In the order you
touched them. If the Number
Pads are not touched wlthln 5
seconds, “PF” or the orlglnal
time will show In the Display.
Touch CLOCK SETand Number
Pads agaln.
2. Touch START.The Start Signal Light
will stay on for 5 seconds.
If an Incorrect flme Is set, such
as 7:77, the Display will show “Err!’
Touch CANCEL and reset the clock.
The clock cannot be set if a bake
or broil function is programmed.
Minute Timer
The Mlnute Tlmer does not start or stop the oven. It works like a kitchen timer.
Set It in minutes or hours. You will hear a beep when the set time is up. The
Minute Timer must be cancelled after each use, lncludlng after the end
of time slgnal.
1. Touch MINUTE TIMER.
Within 5 seconds, touch Number
Pads for the desired time in hours
and minutes. The Display will show
what numbers you touched, In the
order you touched them. If the
Number Pads are not touched
wlthln 5 seconds, the Display will
show the tlme of day. Reset the
MINUTE TIMER.
2. Touch START. The Display counts
down mlnutes, not seconds. At
the end of the selected time a
tone will sound.
To cancel the minute tlmer before
the set tlme Is up, touch MINUTE
TIMER CANCEL. This will cancel the
Minute Timer only.
Use the Minute Timer alone or while
the oven is in use. The display will
always show the minute timer count-
down, even when the oven is in use.

Bdking
Position the rack(s) properly
before turning on the oven. To
change rack position, lift rack
at front and pull out.
3. Touch Number Pads for desired
temperature between 150”-509°F
(65.5’265°C). The Display will
show the numbers you touched, in
the order you touched them. The
temperature appears in the Dis-
play until the oven is turned off.
e
5. 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 top element helps heat
during baking, but does not
turn red.
2. Touch BAKE TEMP”O”F” will appear
in the Display.
4. Touch START.The Preheat Signal
Light will come on. When the oven
is fully preheated, you will hear 2
beeps and the Preheat Signal
Light will go off.
6. When baking is done, touch
CANCEL to turn off the oven.
The oven automatically turns
off after 12 hours, 59 minutes.

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.
3. Open the door to the Broil Stop
position, about 4 inches (10.2 cm).
The door will stay open by itself.
The door must be in this position
for the broil element to heat.
2. Put the broiler pan and food on
the rack.
4. Touch BROIL. The Display will
continue to show the time of day.
5. Touch START. 6. When broiling is done, touch
CANCEL to turn off the oven.
CAUTION: Leaving the door open allows he oven to malntaln proper
temperdums and prevents window glass from cmcklng.
10

Baking Automalically
The electronic controls are designed to turn the oven ON and OFF at the times you
set, even if 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.
To start baking now and shut off automatically:
1. Setting the right time of day
is not necessary, but you may
want to set the clock to the
right time of day before placing
food in the oven.
2. Touch BAKE TEMP and a desired
oven temperature. The Display will
show the numbers you touched,
in the order you touched them.
350°F is shown above.
3. Touch TIMED BAKE. “0” will show on
the Display. 4. Touch Number Pads for the de-
sired length of baking time up to
12 hours and 59 minutes. The
Display will show the numbers
you touched, in the order you
touched them. 2 hours, 30
minutes is shown above.
NOTE: If a time greater than 1259
or a temperature less than 150
(65.5%) or over 509°F (265°C) is
entered, “ERR” will appear on the
Display. Touch CANCEL and reset
all commands.
5. Touch START.The Display will alter-
nate between showing the Bake
Temp and the remaining baking
time.
6. When the baking time ends, you
will hear 4 beeps and the oven
will shut off automatically.

To start baking at a later time and shul off automatically:
1. Make sure the Clock is set to the
right time of day.
3. Touch BAKE TEMP and the desired
oven temperature. 350°F is shown
above.
5. Touch STARTTIME. The Display will
show a “0:’ Touch Number Pads for
the ttme of day you want baking
to start. The Display will show
the numbers you touched, in the
order you touched them. 4:00
is shown above.
Touch START.The current time of
day will appear on the Display.
The oven will begin baking at the
time you set. After the oven begins
baking, the Display will alternate
showing the Bake Temp and the
remaining baking time.
12
2. Position the oven rock(s) and
place the food in the oven.
4. Touch TIMED BAKE. “0” will appear
in the Display. Touch Number Pads
for the desired length of baking
time up to12 hours and 59 minutes.
The Display will show the numbers
you touched, in the order you
touched them. 1hour, 30 minutes
is shown above.
6. When the baking time ends, you
will hear 4 beeps and the oven
will shut off automatically.
To stop the oven before the end
of the preset bake time, touch
CANCEL.

KEEPWARM
The Keep Warm cycle is preset atl70”F (76.6%). Use it to keep hot foods worm
before serving, or to worm plates, serving dishes, etc.
To set the Keep Warm cycle:
1. Touch KEEPWARM. The Display will
show “170°F”
m
2. Touch START.The oven will main-
tain 170°F (76.7”C) for 4 hours and
59 minutes.
3. To stop the Keep Warm If you forget to cancel KEEPWARM,
the oven will automatically turn off
cycle, touch CANCEL.
after 4 hours and 59 minutes.
You con also set the oven to automatically keep foods warm after baking.
To Keep Warm automatically after
baking:
1.
3.
Set electronic controls for auto-
matic baking. See page il. steps
l-4 or page 12,steps I-5.
2. Before you touch START,touch KEEP
WARM. The Display will show
“170°F”
At the end of the baking time you
will hear 4 beeps. The oven will
automatically cool down to main-
tain 170°F (76.6”C). The Display will
show “170°F.”
If you forget to cancel KEEPWARM,
the oven will automatlcally turn off
after 4 hours and 59 minutes.

Other Operating Hints
There are a number of things you should know about your electronic oven
control. Some of the items below ore reminders, while others will be mentioned
for the first time.
l The control will accept temperatures between 150” and 509°F (65.5” and
265°C).
l The control will accept times up to 12 hours and 59 minutes.
l The Start Time can be delayed up to 11hours and 59 minutes.
l KEEPWARM will operate up to 4 hours and 59 minutes.
l If you forget to turn the oven off, it will automatically turn itself off after 12 hours
and 59 minutes.
l The oven door must be portly opened for broiling or the oven will not heat.
l The Lock Lever must be in the Cook Position for all baking functions orthe oven
will not heat.
l The Lock Lever must be in the Clean Position for the Self-Clean cycle or the
oven will not heat.
l If you want to check what you have programmed, simply touch the Command
Pad for the function you want to check. The Display will show what you pro-
grammed for 5 seconds
The Oven Vent
Hot air and moisture escape from the
oven through a vent under the right
rear surface unit. You can cook on the
unit, or keep food warm on it while
the oven is on.
CAUTION: Plastic utensils lefl
over the vent can melt.
Do not block the vent. Poor baking
con result.
14

The storage drawer
The storage drawer is for storing pots and pans. Never keep anything in the
drawer that could burn or melt.
Use care when handllng the dmwer.
Removing the stomge dmwer
1. Pull drawer straight out to the
first stop. Lift front and pull out to
the second stop.
Replacing the stomge drawer
1. Fit ends of drawer slide roils into
the drawer guides on both sides
of opening.-
2. Lift back slightly and%e drawer
all the way out.
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:’ soles slip and
warranty in the Literature Pat, inside
the storage drawer.

Optional Rotisserie
If you would like a rotisserie for your lower oven, you can order a kit (Part No.
RCK81-242985) from your Whirlpool Dealer. The kit includes easy installation
instructions.
Caring for your range
Control Panel
1. Pull knobs straight off.
2. Use warm soapy water and a soft cloth, or spray glass cleaner, to wipe
the control panel. Rinse and wipe dry.
3. Wash control knobs in warm soapy water. Rinse well and dry
4. Push control knobs straight back on. Make sure they point to OFF.Move Key-
board On/Off Control to the ON position.
Surface Units and Reflector Bowls

3. Pull the surface unit straight away
from the receptacle.
Replacing
4. Lift out the reflector bowl and trim
ring.
See Cleaning Chart on page 22
for cleaning instructions.
2. Line up opening in the reflector
bowl and notch in the trim ring
with the surface unit receptacle.
3. Hold the surface unit as level as
possible with the terminal just
started into the receptacle.
4. Push the surface unit terminal into
the receptacle. When the terminal
is pushed into the receptacle as
far as it will go, the surface unit will
fit into the trim ring.

CAUTION: 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 belter and look new longer.
It a htm ring gets discolored, some of the utensils may be not be flat
enough, or some may be too large tor the surface unit. In elIher case,
some oi the heat that’s meant to go Into or around a utensil goes down
and heats the trim ring. This extra heat can discolor it. See “Cooking
Guide” for further lnformatlon.
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.
3. Wipe with warm soapy water
Use soapy steel-wool pad on
stubborn spots.
CAUTION: Do not drop the
cooktop. Damage can
result to the porcelain 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 cycle safely.
Before You Start
1. Clean the shaded areas by hand.
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.
DO NOT clean the flbeglass seal.
DO NOT move It or bend It. Poor
cleaning and poor baklng will result.
2. Remove the broiler pan and any
pots or pans you mav have stored
in the oven. They can’t stand the
high heat.
3. Wipe out any loose soil or grease.
This will help reduce smoke dur-
ing the cleaning cycle.
4. If your oven has a rotisserie, make
sure the motor socket cover is
closed.
/,,2>3 Put oven racks on the second
and fourth guides. Dunng the Self-
, Cleaning Cycle they will darken
and become harder to slide. See
DO NOT / lqfy ir
tips on page 21.If you want the
oven racks to remain shiny, clean
them by hand.
Clean Seal 6.
I/
The porcelain reflector bowls may be cleaned in the oven.
Clean Door
l Put the oven racks on the second and fourth guides.
l Wipe the reflector bowls of loose soiled and grease.
Clean Frame
l Place 2 bowls, upside down on each rack. For best results,
they should not touch each other or the oven walls.
l Chrome trim rings must not be cleaned in the oven.
They will diicolor.
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 CAlJllONS:
DO NOT us 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 bum or meli and damage the
oven sutface.

Setting the Clean Cycle
Be sure the kitchen Is ventllated during the Self-Cleaning cycle. This will help
normal smoke and heat odors to disappear from the room as quickly as possible.
The oven will accept any length of cleaning time up to 4 hours and 59 minutes.
A 3 hour cleaning time is recommended for moderate soil.
1. Move the lock lever all the way
to the right-to the Clean Position.
3. Touch Number Pads for the
desired cleaning time up to 4
hours and 59 minutes. The Display
will show the numbers you
touched, in the order you
touched them.
l Use 2 hours for light soil.
l Use 3 hours or more for moderate
to heavy soil.
5. After the Clean Cycle is com-
pleted, the Lock Light goes off.
Move the Lock Lever back to the
Cook Position. Do not force It.
Wait until it will move easily.
2. Touch CLEAN TIME. A “0” will
appear in the Display.
mm
4. Touch START.The DiSDlaV will count
down the time you set in minutes.
The Lock Light will come on when
the oven temperature exceeds
normal baking temperatures. The
Lock Lever can’t be moved when
this light is on.
6. After the oven is cool, wipe off
any residue or ash with a damp
cloth. If needed, touch up spots
with a soapy steel wool pad.