Wolfgang Puck WPSC0017C manual Using Your Slow Cooker, Slow Cooking Tips

TSCDIST_SlowCooker Manual 7/20/07 1:53 PM Page 11

Using Your Slow Cooker

1Plug your slow cooker into a 110/120v outlet. The green POWER light will illuminate indicating that the unit is plugged in, but that the heating elements have not turned on. The LCD will illuminate and display the default time setting of 06:00 (6 hours). At the same time, the “HIGH” will appear in bottom left corner of the

digital readout.

2The “UP” and “DOWN” buttons are used to adjust the cooking time in 30 minute increments. The WARM/HIGH/LOW button is used to adjust the cooking temperature between the HIGH & LOW settings. The WARM setting will automatically shut off after 20 hours.

3Select the time based on the length of time indicated in your recipe. The HIGH setting has a time range of 4 - to 8 - hours, and the LOW setting has a time range of 8 – 16 hours. The default time for HIGH setting is 6 hours, and LOW is 10 hours. The keep warm time will last a maximum of 20 hours before the unit shuts itself off.

4Once you have selected the time and HIGH / LOW setting press the “ON/OFF” button. The “COOK” light will illuminate red indicating that the heating process has started. Always cook with the lid in place. Excess heat will be lost when the lid is removed on the LOW setting requiring you to extend the cooking time. For shorter cooking times on the HIGH setting, the lid can be removed to stir the food, however replace the lid promptly after stirring.

5When the cooking time is completed, the slow cooker will automatically shift to the “WARM” setting, and the word “WARM” will appear in the top right corner of the digital readout.

6To turn the slow cooker off, push the “ON/OFF” button. The red “COOK” light shut off and the green “POWER” indicator will remain on indicating that your unit is still plugged in. Unplug from the wall outlet.

• Green Power Light • Function Display • Red Cooking Light

• Mode to High Low or Warm • Timer Display	• ON and OFF Button
• Increase Cooking Time	• Decrease Cooking Time

Slow Cooking Tips

•Natural cheeses will break down during the long cooking process of your slow cooker. If your recipe calls for cheese always add it during the last hour of the cooking process. Milk will curdle over long cooking times, but you can substitute evaporated milk or stir in heavy cream or sour cream during the last hour as well.

•Fish and seafood tend to cook faster then meat and should be added late in any recipe for soup or chowder.

•Browning meats help reduce the fat content and enhance the flavor and texture of dishes, but it is not necessary. Because of the condensation in a slow cooker, reduce the liquid if you are making a sauce or gravy from it.

•Root vegetables, like potatoes, carrots, and turnip, should be cut in small pieces, about 1-inch, and layered on the bottom of the crock so they will start to cook as soon as the liquid heats.

•Always defrost meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker.

•Fill cooker no less than half full and no more than two-thirds full.

•It is recommended that you use whole leaf herbs and spices when cooking all day. Ground herbs should stirred in only in the last hour of cooking as they may tend to overpower the ingredients

•Always soften dried beans first when using with recipes that call for sugar or acidic foods as they tend to harden the beans. Dried beans should be boiled in water for 10 minutes, and then allowed to simmer for at least 1 hour or until softened.

•Pasta should be cooked al-dente prior to adding to the slow cooker, unless the recipe states otherwise.

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