West Bend 6 – QUART Manual page 3

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DO NOT heat covered and empty slow cooking pot on top of range. If preheating of cooking pot is necessary, preheat
without cover on.
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DO NOT allow covered pot to boil dry on top of range unit.
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DO NOT use plastic cover in any type of oven or under a broiler or browning element.
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DO NOT wash plastic cover in an automatic dishwasher as it may change shape and not fit the cooking pot properly.
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DO NOT set plastic cover on hot burner or on oven heat vent.
USE AND CARE
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Clean Before Using The First Time
Wash slow cooker pot and cover in hot soapy water with a dishcloth or sponge, rinse and dry. If roasting rack is
included, wash in same manner as cooking pot and cover. Wipe non-stick finish of slow cooker heating base with a
damp cloth and dry with a soft cloth.
CAUTION: To prevent personal injury or electric shock, do not immerse slow cooker heating base, its cord or plugs
in water or other liquid.
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Condition Inside of Cooking Pot
After initial cleaning, wipe the non-stick finish on inside of cooking pot with a teaspoon of vegetable cooking oil
using a paper towel. This will condition the non-stick finish to prevent sticking. Do Not use shortening or butter to
condition the finish. Leave a light film of oil on finish. The slow cooker is now ready to use
The non-stick finish will need to be reconditioned after each time the coking pot 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. Non-stick finish of heating base should only be conditioned when it is used as a grill.
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Using Slow Cooker
1. Place heating base on a dry, level heat-resistant surface away from any edge.
2. Place foods into slow cooker pot, cover and place cooking pot onto heating base. (If you wish to brown or precook
any foods before slow cooking, place slow cooker pot directly on range top unit over medium heat. After foods are
browned or cooked, transfer cooking pot to heating base.)
3. Attach cord to base, then plug cord into a 120 volt AC electrical outlet ONLY.
CAUTION: To prevent personal injury or property damage, inspect cord set for damage or wear before each use. Do
not use your product if it or its cord has been damaged or if it is not working properly.
4. Slow cooker base will offer heat settings numbered 1-5 or identified as Keep Warm, Low, Med or High. Heat
Setting #1 should only be used to warm dinner rolls, muffins, etc. Heat Setting #2(Keep Warm) should only be used
to keep cooked foods warm for serving, whereas Heat Settings #3 ½(Low), #4(Med) and #5(High) are to be used for
actual cooking of foods. Set dial directly at setting or anywhere between for complete temperature control.
DO NOT USE A HEAT SETTING BELOW #3½(Low) FOR ACTUAL COOKING OF RAW FOODS AS
SLOW COOKER DOES NOT GET HOT ENOUGH TO COOK FOODS AT SETTINGS #1, #2 OR #3(Keep
Warm).
Set 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 Setting #3 ½(Low), 4 to 6 hours of cooking at Setting #4(Med)
and 2 to 3 hours of cooking at Setting #5(High). Meats will become the 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
temperature. Remove cover only when needed to stir occasionally or when adding ingredients.
CAUTION: To prevent personal injury, always use oven mitts when handling cover and cooking pot as handles become
hot. Also be careful when removing cover to avoid steam burns.
5. After food is cooked, reduce heat to Setting #2(Keep Warm) for serving OR unplug cord from outlet to run off. Slow
cooker must be unplugged from outlet to turn off. Allow slow cooker to cool before cleaning.
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