West Bend Cookers - Manual (Page 8)

8
Tips For Adapting Recipes To Slow Cooking cont.
Using Cooking Pot on Top of Range: The slow cooker pot (without heating base)
can be used for range top cooking. Place pot on large range unit. Use medium to low
heat. The use of low to moderate 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 pot.
ALWAYS USE OVEN MITTS WHEN USING POT AND COVER ON RANGE UNIT.
When cooking meats, preheat empty cooking pot over medium to medium-low heat
for 2 to 3 minutes or until a drop of water sizzles in pot. To prevent sticking of lean
meats, you may wish to add a small amount of cooking oil. Add meat and brown as
desired. Cover pot and reduce heat to low for cooking on range top OR transfer
cooking pot to heating base and cook at desired setting. The shortest cooking time
will be at HI (#5).
Using Cooking Pot in Oven: The slow cooker pot (without heating base) can
be used in a conventional or convection oven up to preheated temperatures of
350°F/177°C. If cooking pot is to be covered, use only glass cover in oven; do
not use a plastic cover, as damage will occur. Cooking pot may be covered with
aluminum foil for oven use. ALWAYS USE OVEN MITTS WHEN USING POT
IN OVEN.
DO NOT USE METAL COOKING POT IN A MICROWAVE OVEN, OVER A
CAMPFIRE OR UNDER AN OVEN BROILER UNIT TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO
THE COOKING POT OR OVEN.
Using Glass Casserole Cover as a Casserole Dish: (if included, Not Plastic
Cover) Your slow cooker may have a glass casserole style cover that when inverted
can be used as a 1½-quart casserole dish. The casserole cover may be used in a
conventional or convection oven up to preheated temperatures of 400°F/205°C, or
in a microwave oven. Do not use cover under a broiler or browning unit or in a
toaster oven. NOTE: to prevent damage to cover, property damage, or personal
injury, do not use glass cover on range top unit as it could shatter due to sudden
temperature change.
Using Roasting Rack (if included): Your slow cooker may include a small wire
roasting rack for use in roasting meat and poultry. To use rack, simply place into
bottom of slow cooker pot and place roast, chicken or ham onto rack. Add a small
amount of liquid to pot before cooking. If you wish, the meat can be browned in
cooking pot on top of range before roasting. The rack can also be used for steaming
fresh vegetables such as broccoli and corn-on-the-cob. Add 1 cup of water to
cooking pot to steam vegetables. Cook on top of range over medium to medium-low
heat or on heating base at HI (#5) to desired doneness.
Using Electric Base With Other Utensils: The slow cooker base may be used as a
warming and cooking unit for heatproof utensils other than the slow cooker pot, such
as a heatproof casserole dish. DO NOT USE PLASTIC COOKING OR SERVING
DISHES ON THE BASE. To ensure safe use make certain dish rests securely on
base before using it to cook or warm.
Bread, Cakes & Desserts: For oval shaped slow cooker use a 8 x 4-inch loaf pan;
for oblong shaped slow cooker use a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. To prevent condensation
from dripping onto food while baking, place double layer of paper toweling and single
layer of aluminum foil across top of slow cooker pot. Cover and bake according to
recipe.