Elite Gourmet MST-900VXD - 8.5 Qt. Programmable Slow Cooker Manual

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

The Elite Brand takes consumer safety very seriously. Products are designed and manufactured with our valued consumers' safety in mind. Additionally, we ask that you exercise a level of caution when using any electrical appliance by following all instructions and important safeguards.

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE AND SAVE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed as below:

1. Read all the instructions.
2. To protect against the risk of electrical shock do not put base in water or in any other liquid.
3. Close supervision is necessary when appliance is used near children.
4. NEVER ALLOW A CHILD TO USE THIS PRODUCT.
5. Unplug from the socket when not in use, before putting on or taking off attachments, and before cleaning.
6. 
   The use of attachments or tools not recommended by supplier may cause fire, electric shock or injury.
7. Do not use outdoors.
8. DO NOT let the power cord hang over the edge of the table or work-top, and keep it away from any hot surfaces.
9. KEEP YOUR APPLIANCE AWAY FROM ANY HOT PLATES, BURNERS AND HEATED OVENS.
10. Extreme caution must be used when moving an appliance containing hot food, water, or other hot liquids.
11. Do not use the appliance for other than intended use.
12. Do not switch on the cooker if the ceramic pot is empty.
13. Allow lid and slow cooker to cool before allowing it to touch water.
14. Never touch the outer enclosure of the slow cooker during its operation or before it cools. Use the handles or knobs. Do not touch hot surfaces. Use oven gloves or a cloth when removing lid or handling contents.
15. Never cook directly in the base unit. Use the ceramic pot.
16. Do not use slow cooker or glass lid if cracked or chipped.
17. Never leave the appliance connected to the socket outlet when not in use.
18. Do not switch on the appliance when it is upside down or laid on its side.
19. The glass lid and ceramic pot are fragile. Handle them with care.
20. The appliance must not be immersed in water.
21. 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.
22. Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.
23. If the supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by a special cord or assembly available from the manufacture or its service agent.
24. If the supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent or similarly qualified persons in order to avoid a hazard.
25. Some countertop and table surfaces, such as Corian®, wood and/or laminates, are not designed to withstand prolonged heat generated by certain appliances. It is strongly recommended by countertop manufacturers and Maxi-Matic, that a hot pad or trivet be placed under your appliance to prevent possible damage to the surface.

SHORT CORD PURPOSE

Note: A short power cord is provided to reduce the risk of personal injury resulting from becoming entangled in or tripping over a long cord.

Longer power-supply cords or extension cords may be used if care is exercised in their use.
If an extension cord is used:

1. the marked electrical rating of the extension cord should be at least as great as the electrical rating of the product;
2. the extension cord should be arranged so that it will not drape over the counter top or tabletop where it can unintentionally be pulled on or tripped over by children or pets.

If an extension cord is used:

1. the marked electrical rating of the extension cord should be at least as great as the electrical rating of the product;
2. the extension cord should be arranged so that it will not drape over the counter top or tabletop where it can unintentionally be pulled on or tripped over by children or pets.

POLARIZED PLUG

If this appliance is equipped with a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other), please follow the below instructions:

To reduce the risk of electrical shock, this plug is intended to fit into a polarized outlet only one way. If you are unable to fit the plug into the electrical outlet, try reversing the plug.

If the plug still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician. Never use the plug with an extension cord unless the plug can be fully inserted into the extension cord. Do not alter the plug of the product or any extension cord being used with this product. Do not attempt to defeat the safety purpose of the polarized plug.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
THIS PRODUCT IS FOR HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY.

PARTS IDENTIFICATION

INTRODUCTION TO SLOW COOKING

Slow cookers cook at temperatures just around boiling. The Programmable Slow Cooker can operate at LOW all day or night if required. When cooking on a HIGH setting, it is very much like a covered pot on the stove top. Foods will cook on HIGH in about half the time required for LOW cooking. Additional liquid may be required as foods do boil on HIGH. To turn the Slow Cooker OFF, press the POWER button.
Always unplug from electrical outlet when not in use.

BEFORE FIRST USE

1. Before using the slow cooker for the first time remove all labels and tags from the product.
2. Wash the ceramic pot and glass lid in hot soapy water with a sponge or a dish cloth, rinse thoroughly and dry.
3. It is necessary to operate the Slow Cooker one time before placing food in the stoneware pot. Pour 4 cups of water into the stoneware pot and place it inside the base unit. Cover with the glass lid.
4. Plug into a 120V AC outlet. Press the Power button. The screen will illuminate and the numbers will start to blink until the unit is programmed.
5. Press the MODE selector button to select the HIGH program. Press the + button until "0:30" appears on the time display. The Slow Cooker will begin to heat.
6. After 30 minutes, the Slow Cooker will automatically switch to OFF. Unplug the Slow Cooker and allow the unit to cool.
7. Wearing oven mitts, grasp the stoneware pot handles carefully to lift and remove the stoneware pot from the base unit; pour out the water from the stoneware pot.
8. Rinse stoneware pot, dry thoroughly and replace inside the base unit.

NOTE:

• The initial 15 minutes of use may result in minimal smell and smoke. This is normal and harmless and comes from the protective substance applied to the heating elements during manufacturing.
• Do not immerse the slow cooker base in water.

STONEWARE POT CARE

Like any ceramic, the stoneware pot may crack or break if not properly handled. To prevent damage, handle with care!

• ALWAYS USE POT HOLDERS OR OVEN MITTS WHEN HANDLING HOT STONEWARE.
• Do not place hot stoneware pots on counter top. Use a protective trivet.
• Do not place stoneware pot on any range top burner, under a broiler, microwave browning element, or in a toaster oven.
• Do not strike utensils against rim of stoneware pot to dislodge food.
• Do not use stoneware pot to popcorn, caramelize sugar, or make candy.
• Do not use abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, or any object that will scratch the cookware or accessories.
• Do not use or repair any stoneware pot or lid that is chipped, cracked, or broken.
• Do not use stoneware pot for reheating foods or for general food storage.
• Always place foods into the stoneware pot at room temperature, then place stoneware pot into the base unit before turning unit ON. NEVER heat the stoneware pot when it is empty.

Failure to follow these instructions can cause breakage resulting in injury or property damage.

HOW TO USE

COOKING

1. Place the base on a dry, level, heat resistant surface, away from the edge of the table surface. Do not use on the floor.
2. Place food into the pot and place the pot into the base.
3. Cover with the glass lid. If you need to pre-cook or brown foods prior to slow cooking, this must be done in a pan. Do not try to brown or pre-cook food in the slow cooker.
4. Plug cord into a 120V AC outlet. Press the Power button; the screen will illuminate and the numbers will start to blink until the unit is programmed.
5. Press the Mode selector button until Low, High, or Warm program is selected. Then cook according to the recipe.
6. Press the + or – buttons to set the cooking time. The slow cooker can be programmed in 30 minute increments. After 5 seconds, the slow cooker will begin to heat.
7. The time on the display will begin to count down in minutes until "0:00" minutes is shown on the display.
8. When cooking time is complete, the slow cooker will automatically switch off.
9. Using oven mitts, carefully remove the glass lid by grasping the lid knob and lifting the lid slightly away from you. This will allow the steam to escape before removing the lid.
10. Allow a few seconds for all the steam to escape. Inspect and test food for doneness and adjust seasoning if needed. Using oven mitts, remove the pot from the base unit.
11. Press the Mode button until Warm is selected. The slow cooker will warm by default for 4 hours. After 4 hours the slow cooker will automatically turn off. The WARM function can be programmed in half hour (30 minutes) increments from 30 minutes up to 20 hours.
12. Unplug from electrical outlet.
13. Even when off and unplugged, the slow cooker remains hot for some time after using; allow unit to cool before cleaning or storing. (See Cleaning & Maintenance).

NOTE:

• Press the + or – buttons to adjust cooking time while the slow cooker is operating.
• If the Low or High mode is selected without entering a cook time, the slow cooker will heat by default for a time of 8 hours in Low setting and 4 hours in High.
• Press the Power button at any time to turn the slow cooker off. - If serving directly from the stoneware pot, always place a trivet or protective padding under the pot before placing it on a table or countertop.
• If you are moving the slow cooker, grasp the unit by the base unit handles; use potholders or oven mitts.

SETTING REFERENCE CHART

KEEP WARM FUNCTION

• Food can be kept warm in the slow cooker for up to 20 hours. However past 4 hours, food contents may start to become dry or the flavor may alter.
• Food cooked in other appliances can be transferred to the slow cooker to keep warm as well.

The base unit will get very warm during cooking. This is where the heating elements are located. Use potholders or oven mitts when moving or handling the unit.

COOK-CLOSE-CARRY

• The locking lid feature of this slow cooker allows you to bring your favorite recipes on-the-go to office potlucks, holiday parties and more! Always use the side handles when carrying or moving the appliance.
• Lift glass lid upwards while holding the lever up on the locking mechanism.
  
• Repeat this on the other side of the locking mechanism.
• Before starting to cook, place the ceramic insert with the sealed lid properly in the slow cooker, otherwise the locking lid will not be locked or sealed properly.
  

ADAPTING COOKING TIMES

• Your favorite traditional recipes can be adapted easily, by halving the amount of liquid and increasing the cooking time considerably.
• See the guide below for suggested cooking times and settings when adjusting your favorite recipes. These times are approximate. Times can vary depending on ingredients and quantities in recipes.

LIQUID AMOUNTS

When food is cooking in your slow cooker, very little moisture boils away. So when adapting from traditional recipes, it is advised to halve the liquid content of traditional recipes. However, if it looks like the liquid content is too high, remove the lid and operate the slow cooker on the High heat setting for 30-45 minutes or until the liquid reaches the desired amount.

TIPS FOR SLOW COOKING

• Slow cooking is a great way to prepare a nutritious hot meal with minimum preparation and maximum free time away from the kitchen.
• Less tender and cheaper cuts of meat are more ideal candidates for slow cooking than more expensive cuts.
• Slow cooking retains moisture. If you wish to reduce moisture in the cooker, remove the lid after cooking and turn the control to high (if set to low or medium) and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes.
• The lid is not a sealed fit. Do not remove unnecessarily as the built up heat will escape. Each time you remove the lid, add an additional 10 minutes to the cooking time.
• If cooking soups, leave 5cm of space between the top of the pot and the food surface to allow simmering.
• Many recipes demand all day cooking, if you do not have time to prepare food that morning prepare it the night before and store the food in a covered container in the refrigerator. Transfer the food to the slow cooker and add liquid/gravy. Select the setting low or high.
• Most meat and vegetable recipes require 8-10 hours on low, 4-6 hours on high, and 5-7 hours on medium.
• Some ingredients are not suitable for slow cooking. Pasta, seafood, milk, and cream should be added towards the end of the cooking time. Many things can affect how quickly a recipe will cook: water and fat content, initial temperature of the food and the size of the food.
• Food cut into small pieces will cook quicker. A degree of "trial and error" will be required to fully optimize the potential of your slow cooker.
• All food should be covered with a liquid, gravy or sauce. In a separate pan or pot prepare your liquid, gravy or sauce and completely cover the food in the slow cooker.
• Meat will not brown during the cooking process. Browning fatty meats will reduce the amount of fat and help to preserve color while adding richer flavor. Heat a small amount of oil in a skillet and brown meats prior to putting into the stoneware pot.
• Whole herbs and spices flavor better in slow cooker than crushed or ground.
• When cooking in a Slow Cooker, remember that liquids do not boil away like they do in conventional cooking. Reduce the amount of liquid in any recipe that is not designed for a Slow Cooker. The exceptions to this rule would be rice and soups. Remember, liquids can always be added at a later time if necessary. If a recipe results in too much liquid at the end of the cooking time, remove the cover and re-program the Slow Cooker to continue to cook HIGH for 45 minutes. Check every 15 minutes. After about 30-45 minutes the amount of liquid will be reduced.
• Foods cut into uniform pieces will cook faster and more evenly than foods left whole such as roast or poultry.
• Vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, turnips and beets require longer cooking time than many meats. Be sure to place them on the bottom of the Slow Cooker and cover them with liquid.

SUITABLE FOODS FOR SLOW COOKING & PREPARATION:
Most foods are suited to slow cooking methods, however there are a few guidelines that need to be followed:

• Cut root vegetables into small, even pieces, as they take longer to cook than meat. They should be gently sautéed for 2-3 minutes before slow cooking. Ensure that root vegetables are always placed at the bottom of the pot and all ingredients are immersed in the cooking liquid.
• Trim all excess fat from meat before cooking, since the slow cooking method does not allow fat to evaporate.
• If adapting an existing recipe from conventional cooking, you may need to cut down on the amount of liquid used. Liquid will not evaporate from the slow cooker to the same extent as with conventional cooking.
• Never leave uncooked food at room temperature in the slow cooker.
• Do not use the slow cooker to reheat food.
• Insert a meat thermometer into joints of roasts, hams, or whole chickens to ensure they are cooked to the desired temperature.
• Authentic stoneware is fired at high temperatures therefore the ceramic pot may have minor surface blemishes, the glass lid may rock slightly due to these imperfection. Low heat cooking does not produce steam so there will be little heat loss. Due to normal wear and tear through the products life, the outer surface may start appearing "crazed".
• Do not put the ceramic pot or glass lid in an oven, freezer, and microwave or on a gas/electrical hob.
• Do not subject the ceramic pot to sudden changes in temperature. Adding cold water to a very hot opt could cause it to crack.
• Do not allow the pot to stand in water for a long time (You can leave water in the pot to soak).
• There is an area on the base of the ceramic pot that has to remain unglazed for manufacturing purposes. This unglazed area is porous, therefore will soak up water, this should be avoided.
• Do not switch the slow cooker on when the ceramic pot is empty or out of the base.

CLEANING & MAINTENANCE

• The ceramic insert is dishwasher safe or can also be cleaned with warm soapy water. To remove any foods that have been cooked onto the bottom of the pot, simply soak overnight in soapy water and rinse the next day.
• Do not place a hot or warm ceramic insert into a cold environment or it may result in cracking.
• The exterior of the slow cooker can be wiped with a damp cloth and dried. DO NOT use harsh abrasive cleaner or scouring pad to clean any part of the slow cooker as this will damage the surfaces.
• The glass lid is dishwasher safe once it has cooled down to room temperature. Do not place a hot or warm glass lid into a cold environment or it may result in cracking.
• Do not use the stoneware pot to store food in the refrigerator, and then reheat in the base unit. The sudden temperature change may crack the pot.
• Avoid hitting the stoneware pot and glass lid against the faucet or other hard surfaces.
• Do not use stoneware pot or glass lid if chipped, cracked, or severely scratched.

NOTE:
Always make sure the slow cooker is unplugged and POWERED OFF before storing away or cleaning. Make sure the unit has cooled down completely before cleaning.

Never submerge the base unit or cord into water or any other liquid or this may damage the slow cooker.

USER MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS

This appliance requires little maintenance. It contains no user serviceable parts. Do not try to repair it yourself. Any servicing requiring disassembly other than cleaning must be performed by a qualified appliance repair technician.

1. Avoid sudden, extreme temperature change. For example, do not place a hot glass lid or stoneware pot into cold water or onto a wet surface.
2. Do not use the stoneware pot to store food in the refrigerator, and then reheat in the base unit. The sudden temperature change may crack the pot.
3. Avoid hitting the stoneware pot and glass lid against the faucet or other hard surfaces.
4. Do not use stoneware pot or glass lid if chipped, cracked, or severely scratched.

STORING INSTRUCTIONS

• Be sure all parts are clean and dry before storing.
• Store appliance in its box or in a clean, dry place.
• Never store slow cooker while it is hot or wet.
• To store, place stoneware pot inside the base unit and the glass lid over the stoneware pot; to protect the glass lid, it may be wrapped with a soft cloth and placed upside down over the stoneware pot.
• Never wrap cord tightly around the appliance; keep it loosely coiled.

COOKING CHART

This chart is intended as a general guide. Please check temperatures with a meat thermometer and follow USDA food safety guidelines listed below.

USDA COOKING GUIDELINES:

• Meats such as beef and lamb, etc. should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F/63°C.
• Pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F/71°C.
• Poultry products should be cooked to an internal temperature of 170°F/77°C – 180°F/82°C to be sure any harmful bacteria has been killed.
• When reheating meat/poultry products, they should also be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C.

Questions? Elite's customer service team is ready to help.
For more Elite products, visit us at shopelitegourmet.com.
Recipes are included in this manual.

Documents / Resources

References

• Shop Elite Gourmet - Small Kitchen Appliances

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