Whirlpool RF398PXV User manual

ELECTRIC
RANGE
Self-Cleaning
Model RF398PXV

Contents
Page
BEFOREYOU USEYOUR RANGE.
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
PARTSAND FEATURES
USING YOUR RANGE..
Using the Surface Units
Optional Canning Kit
About the Electronic
Oven Controls
Clock
Minute Timer
Baking .
Broiling
Baking Automatically
Keep Warm
Other Operating Hints
Oven Vent
2
6
0
8
9
10
11
13
14
14
Page
Storage Drawer 15
Optional Door Panel Pat 16
CARING FOR YOUR RANGE, 16
Control Panels and Knobs 16
Surface Units and
Reflector Bowls 16
Lift-Up Cooktop 18
Using the Self-Cleaning
Cycle 19
Cleaning Chart 22
Using and Replacing the
Light Bulbs 23
Cooktop Light 23
Oven Light 24
IF YOU NEEDSERVICE OR
ASSISTANCE 25
WHIRLPOOL OVEN WARRANTY 28
01988 Whirlpool Corporation
Before you use your range
Read this Use & Care Gulde 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.)
. 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 important safety and use information.
2

IMPORTANT
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1. DO NOT allow children to use or
6. KEEP pan handles turned in, but
play with any part of the range, not over another surface unit to
or leave them unattended near avoid burns, injury and to help
it. They could be burned or prevent the utensil from being
injured. pushed off the surface units.
2. DO NOTstore things children 7. DO NOT use water on grease
might want above the range. fires. The fire will spread. Cover
Children could be burned or fire with large lid or smother with
injured while climbing on it, baking soda or salt.
3. DO NOT allow anyone to touch 8. DO NOT wear loose or hanging
hot surface units or heating garments when using the range.
elements. Dark colored units and They could ignite if they touch a
elements can still be hot enough hot surface unit or heating ele-
to burn severely. ment and you could be burned.
4. KEEP children away from the 9.
DO NOT heat unopened con-
range when it is on, The cooktop tainers. They could explode. The
and oven walls, racks and door hot contents could burn and
can get hot enough to cause container particles could cause
burns. injury
5. DO NOT use the range to heat a 10. When adding or removing food,
room. Persons in the room could
MAKE SURE to open the oven
be burned or injured, or a fire door all the way to prevent
could start. burns.
l FORYOUR SAFETYl
DO NOT STOREOR USEGASOLINE OR OTHERFLAMMABLE VAPORS AND
LIQUIDS IN THEVICINITY OF THIS OR ANY OTHERAPPLIANCE.
THEYCOULD IGNITE CAUSING EXPLOSION AND/OR FIRE.
I- SAW THESE INSTRUCTIONS -
Thank you for buying a Whirlpool appliance. Please complete and mail
the Owner Registration Card provided with this product. Then complete
the form below. Have this information ready if you need service or call with
a question.
I
l Copy model and serial numbers
from plate [behind the oven door
Model Number
on the oven frame] and purchase
date from sales slip.
Serial Number
l Keep this book and sales slip to-
gether in the Literature Pac.
Purchase Date
Service Companv Phone Number
3

V 1

SURFACE UNIT OVEN LIGHT
INDICATO\RS SWITCH /
RIGHT REAR ’ RIGHT SURFiCE RIGHT FRO‘NT
CONTROL KNOB UNIT SIGNAL CONTROL KNOB
Using your range llGHT
Using the Surface Units
Control knobs must be pushed in
before turning them to a setting. They
can be set anywhere between HI
and OFF.
Surface Unit Indicators
The solid dot in the surface unit
indicator shows which surface unit
is turned on by that knob.
Signal light
i One of the signal lights will glow
when a surface unit is on.
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
CAUTION: The use of the HI settlng for long perfods of time
can damage surface units and discolor chrome trim rings.
Start cooklng on HI and turn control down to continue
cooklng.
I
within the LO
band to keep
food at the
temperature
you want.
5
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 contra! knob down to continue
cooking.

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
units 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.
NOTE: Excess steam and moisture can cause false readings on the
electronic oven controls. Avoid excess moisture by positioning
teakeffles, etc...away from the electronic controls. If false readings
occur, dry the keyboard. If the false reading remains, reset the
house circuit breaker, then reset the controls.
About the Electronic Oven Controls
There are three parts in the oven control section:
-The Digital 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 8) the Display again shows “PF,” it means
your electricity 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 operation.
l When the control panel temperature is too high, the rear surface units
automatlcally shut off. This may occur during the Self-Cleaning cycle.
When temperatures return to normal, the rear units can be used again.
l Do not operate any surface unit without a pan. If the two rear units
are left on without a pan, they will eventually automatically shut
off. When temperatures return to normal, the rear units can be used
again.
6

Digital 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 set-
tings, 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 CO
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.
MINUTE TIMER, MINUTE TIMER CANCEL and CLOCK SET
will opemte in this position.
The Keyboard On/Off Control must be in the ON or TONESOFFposition 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.

1. Touch CLOCK SET.“0” appears in
the Display.
Within 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 wlthin
5 seconds, “PF” or the orlglnal
tlme 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 time 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 Minute Timer 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
Mlnute Timer must be cancelled after each use, including after the end
of tlme signal.
1. Touch MINUTE TIMER SET. 2. Touch START.
The Display counts
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 time of day. Reset the
Mlnute Timer.
down minutes, not seconds. At
the end of the selected time a
tone will sound.
To cancel the Minute Timer
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 Dis-
play will always show the Minute
Timer countdown, even when the
oven is in use.
8

Baking
1. Position the rack(s) properly
before turning on the oven. To
change mck position, lift rack
at front and pull out.
2. Touch BAKE TEMP”O”F” will appear
in the Display
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.
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.
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.
6. When baking is done, touch
CANCEL to turn off the oven.
The oven automatically turns off
after 12 hours, 59 minutes.
9

Bmiling
1. Position the rack before turning
the oven on. See “Broil Chart” in
the Cooking Guide or a reliable
cookbook for recommended
rack positions.
Close the door to the Broil Stop
position (open 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.
10

Baking Automatically
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:
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 forthe 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°F
(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 tlme ends, you
will hear 4 beeps and the oven
will shut off automatically.
11

To start baking at a later time and shut off automatically:
1. Make sure the Clock is set to the
rlght tlme of day.
2. Position the oven rack(s) and
place the food in the oven.
3. Touch BAKE TEMP and the desired
oven temperature. 350°F is shown
above.
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.
5. Touch STARTTIME. The Display will
show a “0:’ Touch Number Pads for
the time 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 appearon 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
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”C). Use it to keep hot foods warm
before serving, or to warm plates, serving dishes, etc.
To set the Keep Warm cycle:
1. Touch KEEPWARM. The Display will
show “170°F” 2. Touch START.The oven will main-
tain 170°F (76.7”C) for 4 hours and
m
3. To stop the Keep Warm
cycle, touch CANCEL.
59 minutes.
If you forget to cancel KEEPWARM,
the oven will automatically turn off
after 4 hours and 59 minutes.
You can also set the oven to automatically keep foods warm after baking
To Keep Warm automatically after
baking:
1. Set electronic controls for auto- 2. Before you touch START,touch KEEP
matic baking. See page 11,steps WARM. The Display will show
l-4 or page 12, steps I-5. “170°F.”
3. At the end of the baking time you
If you forget to cancel KEEPWARM,
will hear 4 beeps. The oven will
the oven will automatically turn off
automatically cool down to main-
after 4 hours and 59 minutes.
tainl70”F (76.6”(Z). The Display will
show “17O”E”

Other Operating Hints
There are a number of things you should know about your electronic oven
controls. Some of the items below are 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 partly opened for broiling or the oven will not heat.
l The Lock Lever must be all the way to the left for all baking functions or the
oven will not heat,
l The Lock Lever must be in the Clean position for the Self-Cleaning 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 lett
over the vent can melt.
I II
OVEN
Do not block the vent. Poor baking
can result.
14

The Storage Drawer
The storage drawer is for storing pots and pans.
Use care when handling the drawer.
Removing the storuge drawer
1. Pull drawer straight out to the
first stop. Lift front and pull out to
the second stop.
Replacing the storage drawer
1. Fit ends of drawer slidyrails into
the drawer guides on both sides
of opening.
2. Lift back slightly andxde 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 and sales slip in the
Literature Pat, inside the storage
drawer.
15

Optional Door Panel Pat
If you would like to change the color of your oven door glass to white or
almond, you can order one of these kits; White (Kit No. 814069) or Almond
(Kit No. 814070) from your Whirlpool Dealer. The kits include easy installation
instructions.
Caring for your range
Control Panels and Knobs
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
Removing
2. Lift the edge of the unit opposite
the receptacle, just enough to
clear the element hold down clip,
reflector bowl and trim ring.
16

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 openings in the reflector
bowl and notches in the trim ring
with the surface unit receptacle
and the element hold down clip.
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.
4. When terminal is pushed into the
receptacle as far as it will go, push
down the edge of the surface unit
opposite the receptacle. The ele-
ment hold down clip will keep the
surface unit from moving around.
17

CAUTION: Reflector bowis reflect heat back to the utensils on the surface
units. They help catch spiiis. When they are kept clean, they reflect heat
better and look new longer.
if a trim ring gets discolored, some of five utensils may not be flat enough,
or some may be too large for the surface unit. in either case, some of the
heatthat’s meant to go into or around a utensli goes down and heats the
trim ring. This extra heat can dlscoior It. See the 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, lift cooktop
from both sides while pressing the
suppdrt rods back to unlock them.
Lower the cooktop into place.

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 DO NOT
clea
hand. They do not get hot enough
In the fiberglass seal.
DO NOT movle it or bend it. Poor
during the Self-Cleaning cycle
for soil to burn awav. Use hot
cleaning ant d poor baking will res!
Jit
water and detergent or a soapy
steel wool pad on...
l The inside of the door.
l The frame around the oven.
2.
3.
Remove the broiler pan and any
pots and pans you may have
stored in the oven. They can’t
stand the heat.
Wipe out any loose soil or
grease. This will help reduce
smoke during the Self-Cleaning
cycle.
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.
CLEANSEAL
5. if you want to clean the reflector bowls in the oven :
l Wipe the reflector bowls of loose soil and grease.
l Place 2 bowls, upside down on each oven 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 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
the porceialn finish may occur. move freely for best cieanlng
DO NOT force the lock lever, you results.
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 ilners in
the oven. During the Self-Cieanlng
cycle toll can burn or meit and
damage the oven surface.
19

Setting the Controls
Be sure the kitchen is ventilated 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 ail the way
to the right-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.
4. Touch START.The Display 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.
5. After the Self-Cleaning cycle is
completed, the Lock Light goes
off. Move the Lock Lever back to
the left. Do not force it. Wait until it
will move easily.
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.
20