WestBend 5 - 6 QT. Slow Cooker Series Manual

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

To prevent personal injury or property damage, read and follow all instructions and warnings.
When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed including the following:

• Read all instructions, including these important safeguards and the care and use instructions in this manual.
• Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles or knobs and hot pads or oven mitts.
• Always unplug from outlet when not in use and before cleaning. Allow to cool before putting on or taking off parts and before cleaning.
• Close supervision is necessary when this appliance is used by or near children.
• Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug, after the appliance malfunctions, or has been damaged in any manner. For service information see warranty page.
• The use of accessory attachments not recommended by Focus Electrics may cause fire, electric shock, or injury.
• Do not use this appliance outdoors.
• Do not let cord hang over the edge of the table or counter, or touch hot surfaces.
• Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or in a heated oven.
• Extreme caution must be used when moving an appliance containing hot oil or other hot liquids.
• Always attach cord to heating base, then plug cord into electrical outlet. To disconnect, turn control to "OFF," unplug cord from electrical outlet letting heating base cool completely before removing cord and before cleaning.
• Do not use appliance for other than intended use.
• To protect against electric shock, do not immerse cord, plugs, or other electric parts in water or other liquids.
• Do not attempt to repair this appliance yourself.
• A short power-supply cord is provided to reduce risks resulting from becoming entangled in or tripping over a longer cord.
• Longer extension cords are available, but care must be excersized in their use. While use of an extension cord is not recommended, if you must use one, ensure that the marked electrical rating of the extension cord is equal to or greater than that of the appliance. If the plug is of the grounded type, the extension cord must be a grounding-type 3-wire cord. To avoid pulling, tripping or entanglement, position the extension cord so that it does not hang over the edge of the counter, table or other area where it can be pulled on by children or tripped over.
• Do not use an outlet or extension cord if the plug fits loosely or if the outlet or extension cord feels hot.
• Do not use glass cover if it is chipped or has deep scratches. Weakened glass can shatter during use. Discard immediately.
• Do not place glass cover with metal ring in the microwave oven.
• Glass is breakable. Care should be taken not to drop or impact the glass cover. If the cover breaks, it will do so in many pieces. Avoid or discard any foodstuffs exposed to broken cover.
• Be extremely cautious of steam when removing cover. Lift cover slowly, directing steam away from you.
• Set metal cooking vessel and cover on hot pad, trivet or other heat protective surface. Do not set directly on the counter, table or other surface.
• Do not heat covered and empty cooking vessel on top of range. If preheating of cooking vessel is necessary, preheat without cover on.
• Do not allow covered vessel to boil dry on top of range unit.
• Do not set glass cover on hot burner or on oven heat vent. Sudden temperature change may cause the cover to crack or shatter.
• Do not set hot cover on cold or wet surface; let cover cool before placing in water.
• For household use only.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

BEFORE USING FOR THE FIRST TIME

1. Before using, wash cooking vessel and covers with warm, soapy water, rinse and dry.
2. Wipe non-stick finish of slow cooker heating base with a damp cloth and dry.
3. Wipe the non-stick finish on inside of cooking vessel with a teaspoon of vegetable cooking oil using a paper towel. This will condition the non-stick finish to prevent sticking.
   NOTE: Do NOT use shortening or butter to condition the finish. Leave a light film of oil on finish. The non-stick finish will need to be reconditioned after each time the cooking vessel is
   1. cleaned in an automatic dishwasher;
   2. the finish is treated with a special cleaner;
   3. the finish is cleaned with lemon juice or vinegar to remove a mineral film; or
   4. when sticking becomes a problem during use. DO NOT CONDITION NON-STICK SURFACE OF SLOW COOKER HEATING BASE BEFORE USING AS A SLOW COOKER.

USING YOUR SLOW COOKER

1. Place heating base on dry, level, heat-resistant surface away from any edge.
2. Place foods into cooking vessel, cover and place cooking vessel onto heating base. If you wish to brown or precook any foods before slow cooking, place cooking vessel directly on range top unit over medium heat. After foods are browned or cooked, transfer cooking vessel to heating base.
   NOTE: Use only plastic, rubber, wooden, or non-metal cooking tools in metal cooking vessel. Use of metal cooking tools will scratch the non-stick surface.
3. Attach cord to base, then plug cord into a 120 volt, AC electric outlet only.
4. Slow cooker base offers heat settings of "Keep Warm," "LO," "Med" and "HI," or will be numbered 1-5. Heat setting #1 should only be used to warm dinner rolls, muffins, etc. Heat setting Keep Warm, "WM" (#2) should only be used to keep cooked foods warm for serving, whereas "LO" (#3), "Med" (#4) and "HI" (#5) are to be used for actual cooking of foods. Set dial directly at setting or anywhere between for complete temperature control.
   NOTE: DO NOT USE A HEAT SETTING BELOW "LO" (#3) FOR ACTUAL COOKING OF RAW FOODS AS THE SLOW COOKER WILL NOT GET HOT ENOUGH TO COOK FOODS.

Select heat setting and cook food for recommended time as given in recipe. As a general guideline, most meat and vegetable combinations need 7 to 10 hours of cooking at "LO" (#3), 4 to 6 hours of cooking at "Med" (#4) or 2 to 3 hours of cooking at "HI" (#5). Meats will become most tender when cooked for the longer time at the lower heat setting. Avoid removing cover when slow cooking as cooking time will be increased due to loss of heat. Remove cover only when needed to stir occasionally or when adding ingredients.

• Some smoke and/or odor may occur upon heating due to the release of manufacturing oils – this is normal.
• Some expansion/contraction sounds may occur during heating and cooling – this is normal.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Adapting Recipes to Slow Cooking: Many of your favorite oven and range top recipes can be adapted to slow cooking with a few minor changes. Here are some important points to remember:
  Amount of Liquid: Because little moisture evaporates during slow cooking, reduce amount of liquid in your recipe by one-half (1 cup of liquid is enough for most recipes). For soup recipes, add all ingredients except water or broth to vessel; add only enough liquid to cover ingredients.
  Amount of Seasoning: Reduce amount of seasoning in proportion to reduced amount of liquid. Use whole or leaf herbs and spices rather than crushed or ground forms.
  Slow Cooking Meat: Less tender, less expensive cuts of meat are better suited to slow cooking than expensive cuts of meat. Remove excess fat before slow cooking if desired. Meat can be browned in the cooking vessel on top of the range before slow cooking.
  Slow Cooking Vegetables: Add partially frozen vegetables, Chinese vegetables and fresh mushrooms during the last hour of cooking. Strongflavored vegetables such as spinach, eggplant, okra and collard greens should be precooked before adding to cooker. The amount of onion normally used in your recipe should be reduced because its flavor gets stronger during cooking. In most cases, fresh vegetables take longer to cook than meats because liquid simmers rather than boils.
  Slow Cooking Raw Meats and Vegetables: Most raw meat and vegetable combinations need at least 4 to 6 hours of cooking at "HI" (#5) or 7 to 10 hours at "LO" (#3).
  Slow Cooking Fish and Seafood: Fresh or thawed seafood and fish fall apart during long hours of cooking. Add these ingredients an hour before serving and cook at "HI" (#5).
  Slow Cooking Milk, Sweet or Sour Cream and Cheese: Because milk, sour or sweet cream and cheese break down during long hours of cooking, add these ingredients just before serving or substitute undiluted condensed canned soups or evaporated milk. Processed cheese tends to give better results than aged cheese.
  Rice and Pasta: Rice and pasta may either be cooked separately, or added uncooked during last hour of cooking time. If added uncooked, make sure there is at least 1 to 1½ cups of liquid in vessel and heat is set at "LO" (#3) or higher.
  Dumplings: Dumplings may be cooked in broth or gravy at "HI" (#5). Drop by spoonfuls on simmering broth or gravy. Cook covered for 30 minutes.
  Thickening Juices for Gravies and Sauces: To thicken juices for gravies and sauces, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of quick cooking tapioca at start, or thicken after cooking by adding a smooth paste made of 2 to 4 tablespoons cornstarch or flour and ¼ cup cold water. Bring to a boil at "HI" (#5). Solid foods may be removed first.
• Don't Remove Cover During Cooking: To retain heat, moisture and food flavor, don't remove cover during cooking unless necessary for adding additional ingredients.
• Using Cooking Tools on Non-Stick Finish: The following types of cooking tools may be used on the non-stick finish: plastic, rubber or wooden. Do not use sharp edged metal cooking tools (forks, knives, mashers) as these could scratch the non-stick finish.
• Using Cooking Vessel on Top of Range: The cooking vessel (without heating base) can be used for range top cooking. Place vessel on large burner and use medium to low heat. The use of low to medium heat will prevent foods from overcooking, reduce spattering, and help retain natural juices. Do not use high heat except for bringing liquids to a boil. If cooking on a gas range, do not let flame extend up side of cooking vessel. ALWAYS USE OVEN MITTS WHEN USING COOKING VESSEL AND COVER ON RANGE UNIT.
• Cooking Meats: When cooking meats, preheat empty cooking vessel over medium to medium-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until a drop of water sizzles in cooking vessel. To prevent sticking of lean meats, you may wish to add a small amount of cooking oil. Add meat and brown as desired. Cover cooking vessel and reduce heat to low for cooking on range top OR transfer cooking vessel to heating base and cook at desired setting. The shortest cooking time will be at "HI" (#5).
• Using Cooking vessel in Oven: The cooking vessel (without heating base) can be used in a conventional or convection oven up to preheated temperatures of 350°F/177°C. If cooking vessel is to be covered, use only glass cover in oven. Cooking vessel may be covered with aluminum foil for oven use. ALWAYS USE OVEN MITTS WHEN USING COOKING VESSEL IN OVEN.
• DO NOT USE THE COOKING VESSEL IN A MICROWAVE OVEN, OVER A CAMPFIRE OR UNDER AN OVEN BROILER UNIT TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE COOKING VESSEL OR OVEN.
• Bread, Cakes & Desserts: Use an 8 x 4-inch or a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Check to ensure that your pan fits completely into the cooking vessel before mixing any ingredients. To prevent condensation from dripping onto food while baking, place double layer of paper toweling and single layer of aluminum foil across top of cooking vessel. Cover and bake according to recipe.

TEMPERATURE GUIDE

Be sure to cook foods to recommended food-safe temperatures. Always check with a meat thermometer to ensure that the center is cooked completely.
Note: Foods cooked on the light-duty griddle base will take longer than on a standard griddle.

CLEANING YOUR SLOW COOKER

RECIPES

Note: Please pay attention to the size of the recipe you wish to make. Do not attempt to make a 6 quart recipe in a 5 quart cooking vessel.

Beef Vegetable Soup - 5 Qt.
1½ lbs. Beef soup bones or 1 pound beef short ribs
1½ qt. Water
1 tsp. Salt
¼ tsp. Pepper
2 Carrots, chopped
2 Ribs celery, chopped
2 Potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 Small onion, chopped
1 Bay leaf
1 16 oz. Can whole tomatoes, undrained

Herb Pork Roast - 5 Qt.
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Thyme
½ tsp. Sage
½ tsp. Ground cloves
1 tsp. Grated lemon peel
4-5 lbs. Pork roast, boneless or bone-in
4 Large cloves garlic, quartered
2 tbsp. Water, optional
2 tbsp. Cornstarch, optional

Pepper Steak - 5 Qt.
1½ lbs Round steak, cut into thin strips
1 Clove garlic, minced
1 cup Chopped onion
½ tsp. Salt
¼ tsp. Pepper
¼ tsp. Ginger
1 tsp. Sugar
½ cup Soy sauce
1 Large green pepper, cut into thin strips
4 Tomatoes, cut into eighths, or 1 1- pound can whole tomatoes, undrained
1 lb. Can bean sprouts, drained
1 tbsp. Cornstarch
½ cup Cold water

Corned Beef and Cabbage - 5 Qt.
3 - 4 lb. Corned beef brisket
1 Medium onion, sliced
½ tsp. Celery seed
½ tsp. Mustard seed
1 Clove garlic, minced
1 Bay leaf
Water
1 Small head cabbage, cut into wedges

Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup - 5 Qt.
2 lbs. Chicken parts, skinned if desired
5 cups Water
1 Medium onion, chopped
4 Carrots, cut into
½-inch pieces
4 Ribs celery, cut into
½-inch pieces
1 16 oz. Can whole tomatoes, cut up
1 tbsp. Instant chicken bouillon
1 tbsp. Minced parsley
1 tsp. Salt
½ tsp. Dried rosemary
¼ tsp. Pepper
1 cup Uncooked fine egg noodles

Chili - 5 Qt.
1½ lbs. Ground beef
1 cup Onion, chopped
1 cup Green pepper, chopped
1 Clove garlic, minced
1 28 oz. Can whole tomatoes, undrained
1 16 oz Can kidney beans, undrained
1½ tbsp. Chili powder
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Ground cumin
½ tsp. Pepper

1. Brown ground beef with onion and green pepper in cooking vessel over medium heat of range unit. Remove excess grease.
2. Transfer cooking vessel to heating base using hot pads. Add remaining ingredients, stir to blend. Cover and slow cook at "LO" (#3) for 7 to 8 hours. Reduce heat to Keep Warm, "WM" (#2) for serving.

Fish Chowder - 5 Qt.
2 lbs. Fresh or frozen fish fillets (haddock, perch, cod, flounder)
2 tbsp. Lemon juice
4 Slices bacon
1 cup Chopped onion
¼ cup Diced celery
4 Medium potatoes, cut into cubes
4 cups Hot water
1 16 oz Can stewed tomatoes
1 cup Diced carrots
2 tsp. Salt
¼ tsp. Pepper
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp. Dry sherry, optional

1. Place beef in cooking vessel. In a small bowl, combine flour, celery salt, garlic powder, ground ginger and pepper. Sprinkle over beef.
2. In a bowl, combine tomatoes, carrots, wine and molasses. Pour over beef.
3. Cover and place cooking vessel on base. Simmer at "LO" (#3) for 6 to 8 hours. Add raisins 30 minutes before serving. Reduce heat to Keep Warm, "WM" (#2) for serving. Serve over hot cooked noodles.

1. Preheat cooking vessel on electric or gas range top heating unit over medium heat. Add ribs in batches to brown. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Return all ribs to cooking vessel. Layer sauerkraut, onion, mushrooms, apple wedges and brown sugar over ribs. Sprinkle with celery seed.
3. Place cooking vessel on base, cover and cook at "LO" (#3) for 7 to 9 hours or at "HI" (#5) for 3 to 4 hours until meat is tender. Reduce heat to Keep Warm, "WM" (#2) for serving.

1. Grease bottom only of a 9 x 5-inch or 8 x 4-inch loaf pan with solid hydrogenated shortening. Dust with flour and shake out excess. Set covered cooking vessel on base and preheat at "HI" (#5) while mixing ingredients.
2. In mixing bowl, sift flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Add vegetable oil and stir until ingredients are moistened. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each egg is added. Stir in grated carrots and cinnamon until evenly mixed. Pour batter into pan. Place pan in cooking vessel.
3. Cover and bake at "HI" (#5) for 2 hours. Do not remove cover during this time. To test for doneness at end of recommended baking time, insert a metal cake tester in several places including center of cake. If cake tester comes out clean, cake is done. If batter clings to cake tester, continue baking in 15-minute intervals. Remove cake from pan and cool on rack. Frost with softened cream cheese, if desired. Makes a 1½-pound cake.

1. Grease 9 x 5-inch or 8 x 4-inch loaf pan with solid hydrogenated shortening. Dust with flour and shake out excess. Set covered cooking vessel on base and preheat at "HI" (#5) while mixing ingredients.
2. Grind cranberries and walnuts with coarse blade of food chopper. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter or margarine to form a coarse mixture. Make an indentation in mixture and add egg, orange peel and orange juice. Beat only until lumps disappear. Add chopped cranberries and walnuts. Stir until evenly mixed. Pour batter into pan. Place pan in cooking vessel.
3. Cover and bake at "HI" (#5) for 3 hours. Do not remove cover during this time. To test for doneness at end of recommended baking time, insert a metal cake tester in several places including center of bread. If cake tester comes out clean, bread is done. If batter clings to cake tester, continue baking for 15-minute intervals. Remove bread from pan and cool on rack. Makes a 1½-pound loaf.