Sunbeam VitaSteam ST6650 - Food Steamer Manual

Please read these instructions carefully and retain for future reference.

Sunbeam's Safety Precautions

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR YOUR SUNBEAM VITASTEAM.

• Ensure your steamer is used at least 50cm (half a metre) away from a gas flame or electric element.
• Do not operate the steamer on an inclined surface.
• Do not move or cover the steamer whilst in operation.
• Do not immerse the base of the steamer in water or any other liquid.
• Use your steamer well away from walls, curtains and cupboards that may be affected by steam.
• Do not use your steamer in confined spaces.
• When removing the lid when steaming, open the lid away and angle away from your body.

Sunbeam are very safety conscious when designing and manufacturing consumer products, but it is essential that the product user also exercise care when using an electrical appliance. Listed below are precautions which are essential for the safe use of an electrical appliance:

• Read carefully and save all the instructions provided with an appliance.
• Always turn the power off at the power outlet before you insert or remove a plug. Remove by grasping the plug – do not pull on the cord.
• Turn the power off and remove the plug when the appliance is not in use and before cleaning.
• Do not use your appliance with an extension cord unless this cord has been checked and tested by a qualified technician or service person.
• Always use your appliance from a power outlet of the voltage (A.C. only) marked on the appliance.
• Close supervision is necessary when your appliance is being used near children or infirm persons.
• Never leave an appliance unattended while in use.
• Young children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.
• Do not use an appliance for any purpose other than its intended use.
• Do not place an appliance on or near a hot gas flame, electric element or on a heated oven. Do not place on top of any other appliance.
• Do not let the power cord of an appliance hang over the edge of a table or bench top or touch any hot surface.
• For safety reasons and to avoid maintenance by unskilled persons, some appliances are 'sealed' using tamperproof screws. Such appliances should always be returned to the nearest Sunbeam Appointed Service Centre for adjustment or repair if required.
• Do not operate any electrical appliance with a damaged cord or after the appliance has been dropped or damaged in any manner. If damage is suspected, return the appliance to the nearest Sunbeam Appointed Service Centre for examination, repair or adjustment.
• For additional protection, Sunbeam recommend the use of a residual current device (RCD with a tripping current not exceeding 30mA in the electrical circuit supplying power to your appliances.
• This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety.
• This appliance is intended to be used in household and similar applications such as staff kitchen areas in shops, offices and other working environments; farm houses; by clients in hotels, motels and other residential type environments; bed and breakfast type environments.
• Do not immerse the appliance in water or any other liquid unless recommended.
• The drip trays and the rice bowl can become hot. Do not touch whilst the unit is operating.

If you have any concerns regarding the performance and use of your appliance, please visit www.sunbeam.com.au or contact the Sunbeam Consumer Service Line.

Ensure the above safety precautions are understood.

Features of your VitaSteam™

6 Cup Capacity Rice Bowl
The separate rice bowl cooks light and fluffy rice every time.

3 x 3 Litre Steaming Bowls
Enables you to cook your entire meal using one appliance. Steam meat, poultry, seafood or fish in the lower tray, then add the upper trays to steam nutritious vegetables rice and even fruit. The steaming bowls are shatter resistant to prevent breakage.

Removable Drip Tray
Collects the fats, juices and condensation during steaming, and is removable for easy cleaning.

Water Level Indicator
External water level indicator and fill hole allows you to easily add water to your steamer.

Neon On/Off Light
Indicates when the appliance is steaming.

60 Minute Timer with Auto-Off
Allows you to set the steamer to cook your meal exactly the way you like it. The steamer automatically turns off when it has finished cooking.

An Introduction to Steam Cooking

You will now be able to enjoy the benefits and convenience of steam cooking.

Steaming is one of the healthiest cooking methods available, as it requires no fats or oils. Steaming ensures that fruit and vegetables retain vitamins and minerals required for a balanced diet. Meats such as chicken can be gently steamed to retain their flavour and tenderness, while the fats drain away.

Steaming is also gentle, as the food never comes in contact with the cooking liquid, ensuring that it retains its shape, colour and texture.

Using your VitaSteam^™

Before using your VitaSteam for the first time, wash the steaming bowls, rice bowl, lid and drip tray in warm soapy water. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Operate the steamer for 15 minutes using a solution of 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 2 cups water in the reservoir.

Note: You may notice a slight odour during this first operation. This is normal with many heating appliances and will not affect the performance of your steamer.

1. Fill the water reservoir above the 'MIN' water level and no higher than the 'MAX' water level.
   Note: Use only clean water in your VitaSteam. Do not use wine, stock or other liquids.
2. Put the Removable Drip Tray in place.
   Note: Do not operate the Steamer without the Removable Drip Tray.
3. Place food to be steamed without sauce or liquid into the steaming bowls and place on the Power Base. If steaming with sauce or liquid, use the rice bowl and place inside one of the steaming bowls.
4. Replace the lid.
5. Insert the plug into a 230-240V power outlet and turn the power on.
6. Set the timer to the required minutes.
7. A bell will sound when the selected time has elapsed and the steamer will automatically switch off. Using oven mitts or a cloth, remove the lid by tilting it away from you to ensure steam is safely released without scalding. Hold the lid over the steamer to allow the condensation to drain into the unit before removing completely. Remove the plug from the power outlet after use.
8. Remove the steamer tray/rice bowl and serve the food.
   Note: Use caution when handling the base of the unit and steamer/rice bowl as these will be hot.

For Best Results

The cooking times stated in this booklet are a guide only. The steaming time required for specific foods is affected by the following:

• The size, quality and the temperature of the food.
• The degree to which you like your food cooked.
• The temperature of the water used for steaming.

To ensure good results using your VitaSteam, follow these simple tips:

• Remove food immediately after the steaming cycle is completed. Food will continue to cook slightly due to the accumulated steam, if you leave it in the steamer.
• Food should be arranged evenly in both steamer bowls. Foods of uniform size will steam at a similar rate.

Guide to Instant Steam Function

The VitaSteam features an Instant Steam Function that will enable steam to be generated in as little as 30 seconds. For this feature to operate you must place the Instant Steam Sleeve in position.

The Sleeve concentrates a small amount of water around the Exposed Heating Element, quickly bringing it to boiling temperature to produce steam, rather than heating all of the water in the reservoir.

The Sleeve has a small cut out in the bottom to allow water to flow into the contained water area. When the Sleeve is in position the cut out must be located at the bottom to allow the water to flow in.

For more efficient steaming we recommend that the appliance is always operated with the Instant Steam Sleeve in position.

Guide to Water Levels

Your VitaSteam relies on the water reservoir being full of water to operate. Fill the water reservoir with clean water only. The water level must be between the 'MIN' (500 ml) and 'MAX' (1400ml) markings.

When continuously cooking food with your steamer ensure that the water level does not fall below the 'MIN' marking (500ml).

Guide to using the Steaming Trays

The VitaSteam comes with three steaming trays – each 3 litres. The appliance can operate with two or three trays stacked on top of each other or with just one tray in position.

To enable the trays to stack properly, they need to be used in number order, with tray number one on the bottom.

Place the largest piece of food with the longest cooking time in the lower steaming bowl, then place on top of the Removable Drip Tray and Power Base.

Then place the upper steaming tray on top for cooking of vegetables.

Guide to using the Rice Bowl

Cooking of rice must be done in the Rice Bowl. The Rice Bowl can either be placed in any of the trays.

Note: When using multiple trays place rice in the bowl on the top steaming tray.

Both uncooked rice and water must be added to the Rice Bowl. Check the recommended quantities.

When handling the Rice Bowl use insulated pot holders/oven mitts to avoid burns from the hot steam.

Care and Cleaning

Before cleaning your Sunbeam VitaSteam, ensure the power is turned off at the power outlet and the plug removed.

Wash the rice bowl, steam tray, drip trays and the lid with a soft cloth in warm, soapy water, rinse and dry. DO NOT wash in an automatic dishwasher as the hot water temperatures and harsh detergents may ultimately warp and scratch these parts. DO NOT use abrasives, abrasive cleaners or alkaline cleaning agents when cleaning as these may scratch or damage the unit.

Wipe out the interior of the steamer base with a warm, damp cloth or a small brush.

Wipe the exterior of the base with a damp cloth or sponge. DO NOT use abrasives, abrasive cleaners or alkaline cleaning agents when cleaning as these may scratch or damage the unit.

NEVER IMMERSE THE BASE OF YOUR STEAMER IN WATER OR ANY OTHER LIQUID.

Mineral Deposits.

Mineral deposits may accumulate on the Exposed Heating Element which can result in your Sunbeam VitaSteam switching off before the cooking cycle is complete. To remove this build up use a wet scouring pad and rub over the surface of the heating element only after each use.

Alternatively, prepare a solution of either:

1. 2 cups of water in which 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar has been dissolved; or
2. 2 cups of water to which 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar has been added.

Pour the solution into the reservoir, position the Lid and operate your Sunbeam VitaSteam for approximately 15 minutes. Remove the lid and clean as directed. If excess scale has built up, repeat this process.

Note:

If food with a strong odour, such as fish and cabbage has been steamed, the above procedure may be followed with the Steamer trays or rice cooker bowl in position. This will ensure that the odour is not transferred to the next steaming cycle.

Vegetables – guide to steaming times

The following are some handy hints on how to steam vegetables:

1. Before steaming, wash the vegetables thoroughly.
2. Cut off stems and peel if desired.
3. Cut vegetable to the desired size (smaller pieces steam faster than larger ones).
4. To retain the vegetables flavour and nutrients, steam until just tender, but still slightly firm.
5. When steaming several different vegetables at once, place the largest and firmest in the steamer first. Add other vegetables according to size during the steaming time.
6. If a sauce or liquid is to be prepared with the vegetables, use the rice bowl for steaming.
7. Frozen vegetables should not be thawed before steaming.

Rice, Grain & Cereals – guide to cooking times

To cook rice in the rice cooker bowl, the following are some handy hints:

1. Wash rice well under cold running water, using a fine sieve.
2. Place rice and water into the rice cooker bowl.
3. Cover with the lid and set the timer.
4. For firmer rice, slightly decrease the water specified in the rice cooker bowl.
5. For softer rice, slightly increase water quantity.

Fish and Seafood – guide to cooking times

The following are some handy hints on steaming your fish and seafood:

1. Place fish in the Steamer tray.
2. If fish or seafood is to be poached or cooked in a sauce, use the Rice Cooker bowl.
3. Add lemon wedges, herbs and seasoning before steaming, as desired.
4. Add butter or margarine after steaming, if desired.
5. Fish is cooked when it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque in colour.
6. Frozen fish may be steamed without defrosting, except for fillets which need to be defrosted and separated before steaming. Fillets are best steamed in a single layer.
7. When steaming frozen fish, extend the steaming time.

Poultry – guide to cooking times

To steam chicken and poultry using your VitaSteam, the following are some handy hints:

1. Select pieces of poultry of similar size for even cooking.
2. Arrange poultry in a single layer, to facilitate even cooking.
3. Removal of fat and the removal of skin is recommended.
4. If some colour is desired, brown poultry well in a non-stick frypan before steaming.
5. Steam until well done. Check by piercing the thickest part of the poultry. If the juices run clear, it is cooked.