KitchenAid KERS308X manual Before Setting Surface Controls

Before Setting Surface Controls

About the ceramic glass cooktop

The ceramic cooktop has radiant surface elements located below the surface of the glass. The design on the ceramic cooktop outlines the area of the surface element underneath. Be sure to match the pan size with the diameter of the element outline on the cooktop and only flat-bottomed cookware should be used.

The type and size of cookware, the number of surface elements in use and their settings are all factors that will affect the amount of heat that spreads to areas beyond the surface elements. These surrounding areas may become hot enough to cause burns.

Types of cooktop surface elements

The single radiant element or elements will have one round outline pattern shown on the cooktop. The Warm Zone feature located on the center rear area of the cooktop uses one round outline and is designed to keep food warm only.

The dual radiant element (some models) allows the user to set the smaller inner portion as a single element or both inner and outer portions may be set to heat together (See Fig. 2).

The triple radiant element allows the user to set the smaller inner portion as a single element, both inner and middle portions or set all three portions to heat together (See Fig. 2).

About the radiant surface elements

As the element temperature rises gradually and evenly, it will glow red. It maintains it’s selected heat setting by cycling ON and OFF, but retains enough heat to provide a uniform and consistent heat during the off cycle.

For efficient cooking, turn OFF the element several minutes before cooking is complete. This will allow residual heat to complete the cooking process.

Radiant surface elements may appear to have cooled after they have been turned off. The glass surface may still be hot and burns may occur if the glass surface is touched before it has cooled sufficiently.

Do not place plastic items such as salt and pepper shakers, spoon holders or plastic wrappings on top of the range when it is in use. These items could melt or ignite. Potholders, towels or wooden spoons could catch fire if placed too close to the surface elements.

Do not allow aluminum foil, empty glass/porcelain cookware or ANY material that can melt to make contact with the ceramic cooktop. If these items melt on the cooktop they may damage the ceramic cooktop.

Hot Surface indicator light

The Hot Surface indicator light is located on each Electronic Surface Element control and will glow when the surface cooking area heats up. It will remain on until the cooktop element has cooled to a MODERATE level.

indicator light

Fig. 1

Warm	Single element	Dual element	Triple element
Zone	control	control	control
control
		Fig. 2

Home Canning

Be sure to read and observe all the following points when home canning with your appliance. Check with the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) website and be sure to read all the information they have available as well as follow their recommendations for home canning procedures.

•Use only quality flat bottom canners when home canning. Use a straightedge to check canner bottom.

•Use only a completely flat bottom canner with no ridges that radiate from the bottom center when home canning using a ceramic cooktop.

•Make sure the diameter of the canner does not exceed 1 inch beyond the surface element markings or burner. It is recommended to use smaller diameter canners on electric coil and ceramic glass cooktops.

•Start with hot tap water to bring water to boil more quickly.

•Use the highest heat seating when first bringing the water to a boil. Once boiling is achieved, reduce heat to lowest possible setting to maintain that boil.

•NEVER place or straddle a cooking utensil over 2 different surface cooking areas at the same time. This will cause uneven heating results and may cause the ceramic cooktop to fracture.

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