Carter-hoffman GC11, GC42, GC41, GC12 User Manual

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GARDENCHEF

HERB AND MICROGREEN GROWING CABINET

Models GC42, GC41, GC12, GC11

GC42

MANUFACTURED BY:

CARTER-HOFFMANN

1551 McCormick Avenue

Mundelein, IL 60060 U.S.A.

Phone: 847-362-5500

Fax: 847-367-8981

Email: TechnicalService@Carter-Hoffmann.com

GC12

Shown with custom

stone counter-top

Toll Free: 800-323-9793

GC41

PATENT PENDING

FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS 2 UNPACKING AND INSPECTION 3 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 3-4 INSTALLATION & STARTUP 5-10 SETTING UP YOUR GROWING CYCLES 11 PROGRAMMING CYCLES 12 LET’S GROW 13 FUNCTIONS OF THE ZONE SCREEN 13 FUNCTIONS OF THE MAIN RESERVOIR SCREEN 13 PLANTING & GROWING 14 GROWING GUIDE 15 GROWING DO’S AND DON’TS 16 CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE 17-18 PERIODIC MAINTENANCE 19 REPLACING THE LIGHTS 20 SANITATION AND FOOD SAFETY 21 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 22 MICROGREEN PROBLEMS 23 RESOURCES 24-25 REPLACEMENT PARTS, WIRING & PLUMBING DIAGRAMS 26-27 WARRANTY STATEMENT 28

Part Number: 18400-3244 Printed in The United States of America Rev: KBA092117

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS

The GardenChef provides a self-contained environment that is ideal for growing herbs and micro greens. The lights produce the proper spectrum and an irrigation system delivers water and nutrients to the plants. The automated system provides everything the plants need to grow year round and right in the kitchen. It is preprogrammed for the growing needs for common herbs and microgreens. You can customize the growing conditions for other plants as needed.

GC42

Model

Number

Number of

Growing

Zones

Capacity

10”x20”

Trays

Overall Dimensions Caster

Height Depth Width

GC42 8 16 79” (2007 mm) 28-1/4” (718 mm) 66-3/4 (1695 mm) 3” (76 mm) 525 (238 kg) GC41 4 8 79” (2007 mm) 28-1/4” (718 mm) 37-1/2 (953 mm) 3” (76 mm) 275 (125 kg) GC12 2 4 33-1/2 (851 mm) 28-1/4” (718 mm) 66-3/4 (1695 mm) 3” (76 mm) 200 (91 kg) GC11 1 2 33-1/2 (851 mm) 28-1/4” (718 mm) 37-1/2 (953 mm) 3” (76 mm) 160 (73kg)

CONSTRUCTION...Welded & riveted double wall, non-insulated cabinet construction.

CABINET MATERIAL... 430 series stainless steel exterior; 301 series interior with reflective finish

BASE FRAME... 12 gauge stainless steel full depth bolsters.

CASTERS... 3” diameter polyurethane casters. All swivel; front casters fitted with brakes.

LEGS…4” Adjustable legs for leveling DOORS...Single panel tempered glass

doors set in extruded aluminum frame. Magnetic gasket. Full length integrated door handles.

HINGES… Adjustable edge mount hinges with chrome plate finish.

GROWING DRAWERS... Removable growing drawers. Stainless steel construction with drainage holes in rear for ebb and flow irrigation. Each drawer will accommodate two standard 10” x 20” flats with 5” or 7” greenhouse domes for sprouting. Includes one set of growing trays and 5” domes.

Level Growing Space

1 (top shelf) 9.875”

2 11.5” 3 13”

4 (bottom shelf) 16.75”

CONTROLS...Touchscreen digital controls. Automated system provides correct measures of water, nutrients, relative humidity, lighting on optimum cycle for plant growth and nutrient data. Preprogrammed default settings for most growing needs; programmable for other growing situations. Lock-out access code.

ENVIRONMENT... Digital controls for automatic light, watering schedule and

Default Programs:

Watering Cycle: Once every 4 days Watering Time: 5 Minutes Daylength: 18 Hours (lights on each day)

humidity levels for growing. Temperature based on ambient room temperature. WATERING SYSTEM... Automatic filtered pump/aerator irrigation system delivers water and nutrients from the reservoir to the plants. Programmable watering cycle. Auto-fill reservoir. 3/8” NPT fill connection: 3/8” NPT drain connection. pH and TDS (total dissolved solids) sensors.

GROWING LIGHTS... Equipped with 18” T5 high output fluorescent light fixtures. Each fixture includes an integrated electronic ballast, 6400°K lamp with a nanotech reflector for maximum reflection. Lights imitate the suns’ rays for optimum growing. Removable opaque polycarbonate shields. Fully programmable light cycles.

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS...

GC42: operates on 120 volts, 4.4 amps. GC41: operates on 120 volts, 2.5 amps. GC12 operates on 120 volts. 1.4 amps. GC11 operates on 120 volts, 1.0 amps. All are 60 cycle, single phase. Six foot rubber cord with 3 prong grounding plug. NEMA 5-15P.

ACCESSORIES/OPTIONS...

 Starter kit: includes growing trays,

GC41

Shipping

Weight

Size

Leg

Height

4” (102 mm) 4” (102 mm) 4” (102 mm) 4” (102 mm)

mats, domes, sifter, pH & TDS calibration solutions, hydrogen peroxide, 20 gallon plastic tub, measuring syringe

Standard 169 UL 1951

UNPACKING AND INSPECTION

This appliance should be thoroughly

cleaned prior to use. See the CLEANING

INSTRUCTIONS in this manual.

NOTE: DO NOT discard the carton or other packing materials until you have inspected the appliance for hidden damage and checked it

1. Remove the cabinet from shipping carton, ensuring that all packing materials and protective plastic has been removed from the unit.

2. Inspect all components for completeness and condition.

3. If any freight damage is present, a freight claim must be filed immediately with the shipping company.

4. Freight damage is not covered under warranty.

5. Check to insure all components are included: cabinet, anchoring straps, instruction packet and additional accessories.

6. Read operation instructions completely.

7. Appliance should be thoroughly cleaned before use. See CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS in this manual.

for proper operation. Refer to SHIPPING

DAMAGE CLAIM PROCEDURE on

bottom of this page.

WARNING: Tipping hazard

Anchor straps must be used to secure unit to a wall. Unit must be anchored, using straps along with the anchor points located in the upper corners of the back of the unit to structural supports in the wall behind the unit.

CAUTION: Health and safety regulations vary by jurisdiction. Prior to installation, operator must be aware and must adhere

to all local and state codes, including proper installation, plumbing and electrical h ook up, as well as any health certificates that may be required when growing food in your establishment. Carter-Hoffmann assumes no resp onsibility for improper installation or use of this product or failure to adhere to local regulations. NOTE: This unit is to be installed with adequate backflow protection to comply with all applicabl e federal, state and local codes.

FREIGHT DAMAGE PROCEDURE

NOTE: For your protection, please note that equipment in this shipment was carefully inspected and p ackage d b y skilled per-

sonnel before leaving the factory. Upon acceptance of this shipment, the transportation company assumes full responsibility for its safe delivery.

IF SHIPMENT ARRIVES DAMAGED:

1. VISIBLE LOSS OR DAMAGE: Be certain that any visible loss or damage is noted on the freight bill or express receipt, and that the note of loss or damage is signed by the delivery person.

2. FILE CLAIM FOR DAMAGE IMMEDIATELY: Regardless of the extent of damage. Contact your dealer immediately.

3. CONCEALED DAMAGE: If damage is unnoticed until the merchandis e is unpacked, notify the transportation company or carrier immediately, and then file a “CONCEALED DAMAGE” claim with them. This should be done within fifteen (15) days from the date the delivery was made to you. Be sure to retain the container for inspection.

Carter-Hoffmann cannot assume liability for damage or loss incurred in transit, freight damage is not covered under war-

ranty. We will, however, at your request, supply you with the necessary documents to support your claim.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

WARNING: ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD

WARN ING

All service requiring access to non-insulated components must be performed by qualified service personnel. Failure to heed this warning may result in severe electric shock.

CAUTION: ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD

Disconnect this appliance from electrical power before performing an y maintenance or service.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

For your safety and the proper operation of this appliance, please follow these safety guidelines. This manual should remain with the GardenChef so that new owners and users learn about the product and relevant safety precautions. Carefully read through this manual before installing and using the GardenChef.

 This appliance is designed to be operated by adults.  The water from your GardenChef is not for drinking.  Keep your seeds, nutrients and growing mediums in a safe, dry storage area.

When using electrical appliances basic safety precautions should be followed, including the following:

1. Be familiar with the appliance use, limitations and associated restrictions. Operating instructions must be read and und erstood by all persons using or installing this appliance.

2. This appliance must be grounded. Connect only to properly grounded outlet.

3. Use this appliance only for its intended purpose as described in the manual. mercial establishments only.

4. Cleanliness of this appliance and its accessories is essential to good sanitation.

5. DO NOT submerge this appliance in water. This appliance is not jet stream approved. DO NOT direct water jet or steam jet at this appliance, or at any control panel or wiring. DO NOT splash or pour water on, in or over any controls, control panel or wiring. DO NOT use corrosive chemicals or vapors in this appliance.

6. DO NOT store this appliance outdoors. DO NOT use this product near water – for example, near a kitchen sink, in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool, and similar areas.

7. DO NOT operate this appliance if it has a damaged cord or plug, if it is not working properly, or if it has been damaged or dropped. Do not immerse cord or plug in water, keep cord away from heated surfaces, and do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter.

8. DO NOT cover or block any openings on the appliance.

9. Only qualified service personnel should service this appliance.

Safety Precautions During Operation

1. Contaminated items and/or garbage must not be present in the appliance.

2. Keep the door closed when not working with the GardenChef.

3. Do not remove the growing drawers when the appliance is watering. Refer to instructions for controlling the watering and lighting schedules.

4. Do not sit or stand on the open door or growing drawers. Doing so will ruin the drawers and slides and is a tipping hazar d.

5. Unplug the power cord from the outlet and disconnect the water supply when the appliance is not in us e. The pH sensor must be placed back into its case with storage solution when not in use.

6. Use genuine OEM parts when servicing and repairing the appliance. Any attempts to repair the GardenChef without an authorized professional can be dangerous and void your warranty.

7. Do not place anything on top of the GardenChef.

8. Take care when removing the grow drawers as they may weigh as much as 50 pounds when full y loaded with plants, soil and water.

9. When moving your GardenChef, ensure there is no water in the reservoir. Water may cause level issues if left in the unit while it is being moved, and slosh out of the reservoir creating a slip hazard.

This equipment is intended for use in com-

CAUTION: Purchase supplies and seeds from reputable suppliers and follo w instructions for prop er safet y and gro wing. Carter-

Hoffmann assumes no liability for conditions resulting from improper growing, maintenance and safety. Follow all safe food handling practices when growing and harvesting.

GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS

This appliance is equipped with a cord having a grounding wire with a grounding plug which must be plugged into an outlet that is properly installed and grounded. In the event of an electrical short circuit, grounding reduces the risk of electric shock by providing an escape wire for the electric current.

WARNING—Improper use of the grounding can result in a risk of electric shock. Consult a qualified electrician or service agent if the grounding instructions are not completely understood, or if doubt exists as to whether the appliance is properly grounded.

INSTALLATION AND STARTUP

WARNING: Risk of personal injury

Installation procedures must be performed by a qualified technician with full knowledge of all applicable electrical and plumbing codes. Failure could result in personal injury and property damage.

WARNING: Tipping hazard

Anchor straps must be used

to secure unit to a wall. Unit must be anchored, using straps along with the anchor points located in the upper corners of the back of the unit to structural supports in the wall behind the unit.

IMPORTANT:

Power cord is 10' long

If necessary, contact a licensed electrician to install an appropriate 15 amp electrical circuit with correct NEMA receptacle. Ensure that the plug is accessible after installation.

DO NOT use an extension cord.

CAUTION:

Electrical Shock Hazard

LOCATION

 Place the cabinet on level ground so that the inside water flows evenly. Lock the

front wheel caster brakes. Adjust the leveling legs so that they are on the floor. If your floor is not level, adjust the legs so that the unit is level. NOTE: Unit must be level in order to function properly.

 Leave at least 36 inches (914 mm) at the front of the cabinet, so there is ample

space for opening the doors and pulling the drawers out.

 Allow at least a two to six inch ventilation gap between the top of the unit and the

ceiling. Allow at least 2” of space for ventilation at the rear of the cabinet.

 Install the anti-tip straps, included with the cabinet. IMPORTANT: THIS PROCE-

DURE MUST BE DONE BEFORE GOING ANY FURTHER WITH INSTALLATION OR OPERATION OF THE CABINET.

INSTALLATION OF THE ANTI-TIP STRAPS

Before you operate the cabinet it must be installed, using anchors and straps, to prevent tipping.

1) Verify that you have these 4 items included with your Garden Chef: (2) ¼-20 X ¾” long screw, (2) washers, (2) 8’ long straps, (4) mounting brackets. (Fig. 1)

2) Using screws, washers, and the mounting plate, mount the bracket to the back of the cabinet as show in Figure 2

3) On the wall adjacent to the back of the cabinet, install wall anchors (acquired by other supplier) at equal height for the type of wall being used (i.e. wood, drywall, cement block, poured cement)

4) Install the mounting plate on the wall anchors with a screw and washer (acquired by other supplier) matching the wall anchor.

5) Thread the loo s e end of the strap as shown in Figure 3 and then through your wall mounted anchor

6) As shown in Figure 4, thread the loose e nd of the strap through the buckle

The ground prong of the power cord is part of a system designed to protect you from electric shock in the event of internal damage.

DO NOT cut off the large round ground prong or twist a blade to fit an existing receptacle.

IMPORTANT: Not under warranty

Damage to unit due to being connected to the wrong voltage or phase is NOT covered by warranty.

IMPORTANT: FILTERED WATER REQUIRED

Due to varying water quality in different municipalities, make sure that your facility water is filtered of sediment and chemicals before hooking up the fill lines. Sediment from hard and soft water may eventually clog up the pumps and filters.

Figure 1

Figure 3

Figure 2

Figure 4

Continued on next page

INSTALLATION AND STARTUP

WARNING: Risk of personal injury

Installation procedures must be performed by a qualified technician with full knowledge of all applicable electrical and plumbing codes. Failure could result in personal injury and property damage.

WARNING: Tipping hazard

Anchor straps must be used

to secure unit to a wall. Unit must be anchored, using straps along with the anchor points located in the upper corners of the back of the unit to structural supports in the wall behind the unit.

IMPORTANT:

Power cord is 10' long

If necessary, contact a licensed electrician to install an appropriate 15 amp electrical circuit with correct NEMA receptacle. Ensure that the plug is accessible after installation.

DO NOT use an extension cord.

CAUTION:

Electrical Shock Hazard

The ground prong of the power cord is part of a system designed to protect you from electric shock in the event of internal damage.

DO NOT cut off the large round ground prong or twist a blade to fit an existing receptacle.

IMPORTANT: Not under warranty

Damage to unit due to being connected to the wrong voltage or phase is NOT covered by warranty.

IMPORTANT: FILTERED WATER REQUIRED

**IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THIS NEXT STEP IS

COMPLETED CORRECTLY**

7. Pull both ends of the strap as show in Figure 5, make sure that the strap does not slide through easily

Figure 5

8. Pull the strap tight and tie up the rest of the strap neatly as shown in Figure 6

Figure 6

 Connect city water supply and city drain to the 3/8” NPT female fittings at the

back of the unit (Fig. 7). Access to the connections will be at the back of the cabinet. NOTE: This unit is to be installed with adequate backflow protection to

comply with all applicable federal, state and local codes.

 City water connection must not be further than 10 feet from the cabinet and

no higher than 6 feet from the connections. A minimum of 35 PSI is required to feed the cabinet.

 Install the lights and diffuser panels (instructions on page 20)  The 120V electrical outlet sho uld b e within 6 feet of the cabinet. Do not use an

extension cord. Connect to a properly grounded outlet according the electrical specifications for the cabinet. See page 2 for specifications.

Pipes that have not been in regular use should be cleaned an flushed with running water prior to connecting to cabinet

Make sure the water inlet hose and drain hose are not twisted, crushed, entangled or leaking. Do not use connection hoses that have been used previously for other appliances.

If the unit is built in to a wall or structure, make sure that it can be easily moved for access to the back and side panels for service and maintenance.

Fig. 7

City fill connection: 3/8” NPT female

City drain connection: 3/8” NPT female fitting

fitting

START-UP

Note: the cabinet must be plugged in and plumbed by a professional technician to all applicable local and state codes. When you plug the unit in, it will turn on and you will see the startup screen (A). The unit runs diagnostics and start-up functions while this screen is visible. You do not need to do anything while the startup screen is showing. The unit will automatically go to th e HOME screen fol low ing the start up scree n. To unlo ck the scre en, p ress an y button and a number pad will appear. Enter “155 1” then ““. Note: when the cabinet sits for long periods of time or it is turned off and then on again, it will automatically revert to locked mod e. You will have to use the unlock code any time this happens. Follow these steps to set up your GardenChef for the first time:

FILL THE WATER RESERVOIR USING CITY WATER

Ensure water lines are hooked up first (see page 6). Ensure the reservoir is free of dirt and foreign objects before filling.

1 Remove the lower grow drawer(s) to access the water reservoir 2 From the home screen (B), press SET UP, SET RESERVOIR ( C), AUTO

ON (D) to switch to city water mode*

3 Press FILL (E) and check to make sure t he water is fillin g into the reser -

voir. The screen will display FILLING (F).

4 Once full, the GardenChef’s onboard computer will maintain a constant

water level *For manual filling, make sure to press AUTO OFF, then fill manually to

the top of the float sensor (about 5.5” deep). Water level must be monitored and replenished if it gets low.

GC11: 1 zone GC12: 2 zones GC41: 4 zones (shown) GC42: 8 zones

Fig. 1 Access the water reservoir

Fig. 2 Float switch/sensor; left side of reservoir; shuts off water once filled to proper level

SET UP THE pH DOSER (pH down solution required)

Note: Auto dosing requires that the irrigation pump be primed first. See page 9 for instructions.

1 Remove the lower grow drawer(s) to access the dry box (Fig. 3) 2 Place a pH dosing bottle in the dry box. Any clean bottle will do as long

as it is not taller than the dry box. Drill a hole into the cap to insert the dosing line. If the cap is the same size as your pH down solution bottle, place the cap from the dosing bottle onto the pH down bottle. If they are not the same size, fill the pH dosing bottle with pH down solution. Place the bottle into the dry box.

3 From the home screen (B), press SETUP, SET RESERVOIR (C), then

Press PH SENSOR (F), then Set AUTO DOSE to ON (G) and then Press DONE (G)

The onboard computer will check every hour and will run the dosing pump as needed to maintain the PH level. Default PH is 5.5, but can be changed on the SET RESERVOIR screen. Most plants need a pH level of 5 to 7. See FAQ’s on page 16 regarding low pH.

Note: Calibration does not need to be done on initial set-up.

Fig. 3 Dry box with pH dosing bottle

Continued on next page

CALIBRATE THE pH SENSOR

START UP(continued)

1 Remove the lower grow drawer(s) to access the reservoir (Fig.1) 2 Locate the pH sensor probe on the left side of the reservoir (Fig.2)

3 Fill one cup of water, one cup of

pH buffer #4 (Fig. 3) and one cup of pH buffer #7 (Fig. 4)

4 Remove cap from the sen-

sor and gently wash the pH probe in the water and dry on a clean cloth.

Fig. 1 Access the water reservoir; the sensor will be on the left side

water

5 Gently swish

the probe in the pH buffer #4. Continue to swish the probe and follow instructions in step 6.

7 Wash the pH

sensor in the cup of water and dry on a clean cloth. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for pH buffer #7 solution

water

6 Enter the pH calibration

screen press SETUP (A), SET RESERVOIR (B), PH SENSOR(C), then CALIBRATE (D) and follow the instructions on the screen.

Calibration will take about three minutes to complete.

8 Press DONE when calibra-

tion is complete

IMPORTANT: Safely store the pH sensor cap and use it to stop the sensor from drying out when the water reservoir is empty. Do not let the pH sensor dry out. Fill cap with pH #4 calibration solution before placing it on probe to store the sensor. Failure to follow this procedure will ruin the sensor and void the warranty.

Fig. 2 Blue PH sensor (shown with cap on)

Fig. 3 PH buffer #4

Fig. 4 PH buffer #7

Continued on next page

START-UP (continued)

CALIBRATE THE TDS (TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS) SENSOR (EC 1000 PPM solution required)

1 Remove the lower grow drawer(s) to access the reservoir (Fig.1) 2 Locate the TDS sensor probe on the left side of the reservoir

(Fig.2)

3 Fill one cup of water, and one

EC 1000 PPM solution

water

PPM

Fig. 1 Access the water reservoir

Fig. 2 TDS sensor (black)

4 Gently wash the TDS probe

in the water and dry on a cloth

5 Gently swish the probe in EC

PPM solution and, while swishing the probe, enter the calibration screen.

water

PPM

6 To enter the TDS calibration screen press SETUP (A), SET RESERVOIR

(B), TDS SENSOR(C), then CALIBRATE (D) and follow the instructions on the screen. Continue to swish the probe in the solution for three minutes.

Calibration will take about three minutes to complete. Press FINISH (E) when complete.

PRIMING THE IRRIGATION PUMP

START-UP (continued)

 Access reservoir (Fig. 1) 1 If present, remove the bottom grow trays 2 Slide out drawers to access the reservoir

 Fill reservoir 1 Make sure that the unit has been connected to the water and power according to local codes 2 From the HOME screen, press SET UP, SET RESERVOIR, AUTO ON, FILL 3 Wait until the reservoir is full with water. Monitor the filling of the reservoir to assure proper fill.

Fig. 3 Priming valve in OPEN position

 Priming

1 Access the priming valve near the circulation pump. It should

be in the OPEN position and water should be flowing downwards into the reservoir

2 From the HOME screen, select ZONE 8 if you have a GC42, ZONE 4 if you have a GC41, ZONE 2 if you have a GC12 or ZONE 1 if you have a GC11 (A). In each case this will be the growing zone that is directly above the pumps. Press WATER NOW (B).

3 Open (1/4 clockwise turn) and wait for steady stream of water to come out of the priming valve (Fig 3); once you have a steady stream of water, close the valve (Fig 4).

4 Water should now be flowing steadily from the irrigation nozzle in the zone selected in step 2 (Fig. 5). Press WATER NOW (B) ` to turn off the watering cycle for that zone. Leave the priming valve in the CLOSED position.

Your pump is now primed.

Fig. 4 Priming valve in CLOSED position

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Irrigation pump

Circulation pump

Fig. 5 Zone irrigation nozzle

SETTING UP YOUR GROWING CYCLES

Note: the cabinet must be plugged in and plumbed by a professional technician. Follow these steps to set up your GardenChef for the first time. Your GardenChef may have 8, 4, 2 or 1 growing zones and the home screen will show the appropriate number of zones for the model that you have.

GC42 8 zones

SET UP THE DATE AND TIME

GC41 4 zones

GC12 2 zones

On the home screen, press the date/time in the upper right hand corner. This will take you to the TIME AND DATE SCREEN.

Using the UP and DOWN arrows, set the date and time. Press DONE when you are finished. The date and time are now set so you can accurately program and monitor the growing cy cles.

SET UP YOUR SEED MENU

The cabinet comes with pre-set cycles for growing a variety of plants. It can also be programmed to set up the zones for special seeds or changing the lighting and watering cycles for each plant. On the HOME screen, select the zone for the seed you would like to program: GC42 (8 zones), GC41 (4 zones), GC12 (2 zones) and GC11 (1 zone). On the zone screen, press CHANGE SEED and you will be taken to the FAVORITES screen.

An alphabetical list of preprogrammed seeds will appear. Scroll through the list to find the seed you want, using the NEXT button to get to each screen (there are 5 screens, with a few spaces left empty at the end for custom programming of new items). NONE is the first item and can be used for designating shelves that might not be needed during a particular growing cycle. A list of the preprogrammed seeds appears on page 14. Press SELECT to choose your seed. Repeat for each of the zones you wish to use.

GC11 1 zone

PROGRAMMING CYCLES

You can change the lighting and watering cycles for specific seeds, or new seeds that are not in the default programming cycles.

EDIT CYCLES

From the HOME screen, press SET UP. On the SET UP SCREEN, press EDIT PLANTS. Select a plant and then the cycle will appear for that zone. You will see buttons for temperature, water and lights.

To change the temperature for when the fans turn on, press to increase or decrease the temperature. You may also set the RH using the + and - buttons next to the RH symbol. Fans will come on if the temperature and/or the RH rises above your settings.

To change the lighting cycle, press CHANGE to scroll through the lighting options. They are OFF, 12/DAY, 16/DAY, 18/DAY, 20/DAY (12, 16, 18 & 20 are the hours the lights will be on each day; default is 18 hours per day)

To change the watering cycle, press and use the arrows to select a watering cycle. The choices for watering cycle are: OFF: (no watering cycle) 1X DAY: (once each day) 2X DAY: (twice each day) 1-2 DAY: (once every other day) 1-3 DAY: (once every 3 days) 1-4 DAY: once every 4 days (default for most cycles; soil germination) 1-5 DAY: once every 5 days

Note: once or twice a day watering cycles are normally used for growing hydroponically, depending on your hydroponic growing media, i.e. perlite, mats, etc.)

You may also change the duration of the watering cycle anywhere between 1 and 10 minutes. Press the + and - buttons to increase or decrease the minutes. The default is 5 minutes. Press BACK when you are finished. You can select another plant to change or press to return to the HOME screen.

SET YOUR FAVORITE PLANTS

You can reduce the size of your plant selection list from the home screen to just your favorites so you don’t have to scroll through the entire list of saved plants to find your favorites and at the same time keep the programming for all of your plants, when you need them.

From the HOME screen, press SETUP, then from the SETUP screen, select SET FAVORITES. You will see the entire list of plants you have stored in the controller. To set your favorites, press the screen to the right of the plant names you would like to make your favorites. A little heart will appear, indicating that the plant is now a favorite. To de-select plants from the list, press the heart button until it disappears. You can scroll through the entire list using the NEXT button. To save your favorites, press the HOME button

LETS GROW!

TO START A GROWING CYCLE

On the HOME screen, select a seed for the zone you have just planted (Fig. 1), and you will enter the screen with the settings for that zone (Fig. 2).

Press the START CYCLE button and a cycle will begin. Then press the HOME button Repeat for each zone that you have planted. Different zones can be started on different days, so not all have to

be active at the same time and you can stagger growing cycles. The circulation pump will operate at the top of every hour to circulate the water and mix nutrients. In the GC42

and GC12, it will run for 2 minutes. In the GC41 and GC11 it will run for one minute.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

OTHER FUNCTIONS IN THE ZONE SCREEN

If you plant something different or move trays from one zone to another, you can change to the cycle for a different seed by pressing CHANGE SEED. This will take you to your FAVORITES menu and you can select from your favorites.

If you would like to do an unscheduled watering, you can press the WATER NOW button and start a watering cycle. Monitor the watering cycle and press the WATER NOW button again when you would like the watering cycle to stop.

To cancel a growing cycle, go to the ZONE screen for the particular cycle you want the cancel. Press START CYCLE. This will cancel the existing cycle and automatically start a new cycle. You will see the day counter on the top right of the screen revert to DAY 00.

OTHER FUNCTIONS IN THE MAIN RESERVOIR SCREEN

From this screen, you can automatically drain and fill your cabinet using the DRAIN and FILL buttons. In addition to the regular DRAIN and FILL functions, there is also a RECYCLE function. This function can be used when all you want to do is exchange old water for new water in the cabinet.

CAUTION:

The cabinet MUST be hooked up to city water connection AND drain for doing any of these functions. It is equipped with a last chance option to not do an automatic drain. This is built in to make sure you are

hooked up to municipal water and drain before you perform any a drain or recycle. The screen will ask if you are sure before beginning the draining process. A draining screen will appear for you to monitor the progress on the draining cycle.

The cabinet will automatically circulate the water in the reservoir every hour. However, the CIRCULATE H2O button can be used when adding nutrients. It will activate the circulation pump to stir and distribute the water in the reservoir after adding nutrients. It will run for two minutes in the GC42 and GC12 and one minute in the

GC41 and CG11.

LETS GROW!

PLANTING & GROWING

Planting and growing is easy in the GardenChef. Follow these simple instructions. See the growing guide for specific plants on the next page.

 Please refer to the Growing Guide and Growing Tips for successful growing and harvesting of specific plants.  See Sanitation and Safety Guidelines on the following pages 20-21 for safe growing and harvesting.

Materials Needed (planting using soil)*:

Potting Soil (sterile) Screen/Mat 1—20 gal plastic tub (unsifted soil); smaller tub (sifted soil) Seeds Shaker Humidity domes 10” x 20” planting trays** Sifter Measuring cups & spoons

Misting bottle *If you are planting hydroponically, you will need a soil-free medium such as perlite or soil free mat instead of soil

**You may also use 10” x 10” planting trays; 2 will fit in the same space as a 10” x 20”

1 PLACE SOIL INTO ONE OF THE TUBS 2 USING SIFTER, SIFT SOIL INTO THE SECOND TUB; YOU WILL NEED ABOUT ONE TO 1.5 CUPS OF

SIFTED SOIL PER TRAY TO BE PLANTED

3 ADD MORE SOIL TO THE FIRST TUB, ENOUGH TO FILL PLANTING TRAYS 1/2 TO 3/4 FULL AND

MOISTEN SOIL ENOUGH TO MAKE IT DAMP AND CRUMBLY—NOT WET AND MUDDY; STIR WHEN ADDING WATER; DO NOT ADD WATER TO THE TUB OF SIFTED SOIL

(for measuring seed quantities)

4 INSERT MATS INTO

PLANTING TRAY(S)

7 SECURE HUMIDITY DOME.

MAKE SURE DOME VENTS ARE CLOSED

5 PUT UNSIFTED SOIL IN

TRAY(S), FILL TO 1/2 TO 3/4 FULL, AND SMOOTH

8 PLACE TRAY(S) ON

SHELF IN GardenChef

6 MEASURE OUT

SEED QUANTITY AND SEED EVENLY WITH SHAKER (

Growing Guide, p. 15

see amounts in

). SPRINKLE JUST ENOUGH SIFTED SOIL OVER SEEDS TO COVER THEM. IF THE TOP LAYER OF SIFTED SOIL IS DRY, MIST LIGHTLY TO MOISTEN

not soak the top layer).

(do

9 SET PROGRAM FOR

LIGHT AND WATERING SCHEDULE ACCORDING TO THE GROWING GUIDE

10 LEAVE DOME(S) ON

FOR AT LEAST 48 HOURS (until seeds sprout)

11 REMOVE THE HUMIDITY

DOME(S) FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE GROWING CYCLE

12 HARVEST!

Harvest all greens

Or thin out greens and use as they grow

GROWING GUIDE

Seed Sowing Amount

seeds per

10”x20” tray

Amaranth 2 tsp 2-3 days 2 weeks 1 every 4 days 3 oz (95g) Arugula 1 tsp 2-3 days 3 weeks 1 every 4 days 4.7 oz (145g) Basil 1 tsp 2-3 days 4-5 weeks 1 every 5 days 7.5 oz (235g) Beet Tops 1/2 cup 2-3 days 2 weeks 1 every 4 days 4.3 oz (135g) Broccoli 1 tbsp. 2-3 days 1 week 1 every 4 days 8.4 oz (260g) Buckwheat 1/2 cup 2-3 days 1 week 1 every 3 days 13.3 oz (415g) Cabbage 1 tbsp 2-3 days 2 weeks 1 every 4 days 5.2 oz (160g) Chervil 2 tbsp. 8-10 days 3 weeks 1 every 4 days 4.5 oz (140g) Chives 2 tbsp. 4-7 days 2 weeks 1 every 4 days 2.6 oz (80g) Cilantro 1/4 cup 8-10 days 3 weeks 1 every 4 days 4.3 oz (135g) Dill 1 tbsp. 4-7 days 3 weeks 1 every 4 days 3.5 oz (110g) Fenugreek 1/4 cup 2-3 days 2 weeks 1 every 4 days 6.4 oz (200g) Flax 1 tbsp 2-3 days 2 weeks 1 every 4 days 2.7 oz (85g) Kale 1 tbsp 2-3 days 2 weeks 1 every 4 days 6.4 oz (200g) Komatsuna 2 tsp 2-3 days 2 weeks 1 every 4 days 6.4 oz (200g) Lemon Balm 2 tsp 8-10 days 4 weeks 1 every 4 days 3 oz (95g) Lentils 1/2 cup 2-3 days 1 week 1 every 4 days 5.7 oz (180g) Lettuce 1 tbsp 4-7 days 3 weeks 1 every 4 days 2.1 oz (65g) Marjoram 1 tsp 4-7 days 4 weeks 1 every 4 days 1.3 oz (40g) Mizuna 1 tbsp 2-3 days 2 weeks 1 every 4 days 4 oz (124g) Mustard 1 tbsp 2-3 days 2 weeks 1 every 4 days 6.4 oz (200g) Nasturtium 1/2 cup 4-7 days 1-2 weeks 1 every 4 days 9.3 oz (290g) Oregano 1 tsp 4-7 days 4 weeks 1 every 5 days 1 oz (32g) Parsley 1 tbsp 4-7 days 3 weeks 1 every 4 days 5.4 oz ( 168g) Pea, Sugar 1 cup 2-3 days 2 weeks 1 every 4 days 9.6 oz (300g) Pea 1 cup 2-3 days 2 weeks 1 every 4 days 9.6 oz (300g) Peppercress 1 tbsp 2 days 2 weeks 1 every 4 days 4.5 oz (140g) Radish 2-3 tbsp. 2-3 days 1 week 1 every 4 days 10.3 oz (320g) Sage 2 tbsp 2-3 days 2 weeks 1 every 4 days 2.7 oz (85g) Savory 1 tbsp 2-3 days 2 weeks 1 every 5 days 1.1 oz (35g) Shiso 2 tsp 2-3 days 2-3 weeks 1 every 4 days 4.1 oz (128g) Sorrell 2 tsp 2-3 days 2 weeks 1 every 4 days 3 oz (92g) Sorrell, Ruby Veined 1 tsp 4-7 days 2-3 weeks 1 every 4 days 5.3 oz (165g) Sunflower 1 cup 2-3 days 1 week 1 every 4 days 12.2 oz (380g) Swiss Chard 1/2 cup 4-7 days 3 weeks 1 every 4 days 4.3 oz (134g) Thyme 2 tsp 4-7 days 4 weeks 1 every 5 days 1.6 oz (50g) Wheatgrass 1 cup 2-3 days 1 week 1 every 4 days 8.3 oz (258g)

Dome On Time

(germination)

Grow Time

(harvest)

Watering

Schedule¹

(soil)

Harvest Yield

per Tray*

NOTE: If sowing multiple varieties of seeds in the same growing zone, set watering to once per 4 days

*Yields may vary depending on seed variety, quality and growing conditions ¹For soil-free (hydroponic) growing, change watering cycle to once or twice per day; frequency is dependent on t ype of media that is used

GROWING DO’S AND DON’TS

DO MAINTAIN TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY

Keep the room temperature between 55°F and 90°F (13°C and 32°C), and the humidity level in the cabinet

between 30 and 60%.

DO KEEP IT CLEAN

Keep your growing environment clean. Clean the reservoir, reservoir filter and growing shelves every month

according to the cleaning instructions on pages 16-17.

DON’T OVERWATER

Overwatering, especially at the beginning of the growing cycle can bring on mold and mildew. Most watering

cycles have been pre-set for every 4 days and are usually sufficient for most plants, depending on the ambient temperature and humidity.

DO USE HUMIDITY DOMES DURING GERMINATION

The humidity domes increase the temperature and humidity to enhance germination. Keep them on the trays

for the first 2-3 days, with the vents closed. Remove them when the seeds start to sprout.

DO USE PROPER SOIL OR MEDIA

Purchase clean potting soil, from a reputable supplier. Make sure there is a filter pad in the bottom of the tray

to keep dirt from running into the water reservoir. We have had good results with Happy Frog brand potting soil, but there are many choices on the market. Don’t use garden soil as it can get compacted and interfere with proper watering. If growing hydroponically, purchase mats or other hydroponic media such as perlite. Note: depending on the media, growing results may be different than soil. You may have to experiment with hydroponic media to determine which type works best for growing different plants. There are many resources online describing the use, pros and cons of the different types of media that are available. For discussion on hydroponic growing media, consult www.epicgardening.com

DON’T OVERFEED

Overfeeding can cause damage to plants. For best results follow the instructions on your nutrient bottle. Most

quick growing micro greens (one to two weeks) do not require any nutrients. Greens with a longer growing cycle (herbs, arugula, etc) or greens that are used for multiple harvests require nutrients, and should only be added after week one or two at the earliest.

DO KEEP pH LEVELS BETWEEN 5 AND 7

Balance your pH level at 5 in the beginning of the growing cycle for best results, as the pH is likely to increase

as the cycle goes on. The cabinet is equipped with an automatic dosing system to keep pH levels from going too high. Be sure to check your dosing bottle regularly to make sure it doesn’t run out. Low pH is rare, but if it occurs citric acid (organic) or potassium hydrochloride can be used to raise the level. Make sure they are mixed according to manufacturer’s direction and used sparingly. Th ese and other hydroponic supplies can be purchased at a local hydroponic growing store or on the internet.

DO SOW SEEDS A LITTLE ON THE HEAVY SIDE

Thin out young plants and allow others to grow and fill out.

DO USE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

If you accidentally keep your humidity domes on too long or overwater your seeds, they may develop powdery

mildew. You can spray them with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water. Mix 1 tbsp. of hydrogen peroxide (17-35% food grade) in 1 quart of water. Spray only the soil, as the solution can cause plants to rot in on themselves.

DO LOVE YOUR PLANTS!

Take time and care with your plants. Check them frequently for mold or other kinds of stress. You can see

great growth, even in one day!

CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

CLEANING THE RESERVOIR & IRRIGATION SYSTEM

1. Make sure cabinet is connected to city drain and water. If you are not hooked up to a drain and city water you will need to manually drain and fill the cabinet; if this is the case, connect the drain fitting to a hose that runs to a drain or sink. Do not activate the DRAIN function until you have a place to drain the water with a hose to a sink or drain, observing all municipal codes. Used water from the GardenChef is not potable.

2. Remove the bottom drawer(s)

3. From the HOME screen, press SETUP

4. In the SETUP screen, press SET RESERVOIR

5. Press DRAIN. The next screen that appears will ask if you are sure. Double check that the cabinet is hooked up to a drain. Otherwise it will drain onto your floor! If you are not sure, press no and double check. If you are sure, press YES.

6. The cabinet will start to drain the reservoir. This may take up to 30 minutes. Once the reservoir has been drained, wipe off any dirt with a clean rag.

7. Add your preferred cleaning solution (i.e. hydrogen peroxide mixture) into the reservoir. Follow the guidelines on the label of the agent. The capacity of each model is: GC42 & GC12: 22 gallons; GC41: 11 gallons. H

concentration should be 5 tsp per one gallon of water.

2O2

8. From the HOME screen, press SET RESERVOIR, then FILL. Filling should take approximately 30 minutes.

9. When the reservoir has refilled, from the HOME screen press, ZONE 1 and then WATER NOW so that the cleaning solution flows through the GardenChef’s piping system to ZONE 1

10. Repeat step 10 for each zone

11. Once the zones and reservoir are cleaned, from the HOME screen, press SETUP, SET RESERVOIR, then RECYCLE. This will drain the reservoir of the cleaning solution and then refill it with fresh water for your next growing cycle.

CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE (continued)

CLEANING THE GROWING DRAWERS Clean your grow drawers between each harvest. However,

keep a close eye on the environment and immediately clean any mold or organic matter.

reservoir and water lines (5 teaspoons per gallon of water). Read all warning labels on the hydrogen peroxide or other cleaning products.

Do not use any chemically damaging or toxic cleaning products such as bleach. Do not use stainless steel cleaner on the interior of the cabinet. Using chemical cleanin g products can be toxic and also damage the stainless steel drawers and cabinet. You can use 30% hydrogen peroxide to clean the

Keep your growing environment clean.

Clean the reservoir, reservoir filter and grow drawers every month.

GENERAL STAINLESS STEEL

CLEANING

Clean the exterior of your cabinet when fingerprints and large amounts of dust appear on the outer surfaces. Using Stainless Steel cleaner from your local hardware store, spray on and wipe down with a cloth going with the grain (As seen in the pictures). DO NOT USE STAINLESS STEEL CLEANER IN THE RESERVOIR OR IN THE DRAWERS THEMSELVES. Stainless steel cleaner is to only be used on the outer surfaces of your cabinet!

CLEANING CAUTIONS

When you wipe down the reservoir, do not knock the pumps, misalign the pipes or the sensors. Draining the reservoir sends water down and out from the drain hose. Water fro m the GardenChef is not for

drinking as biological residues may still be present and could be harmful. Do not use steel wool pads to clean the reservoir as they will damage the steel and its rust-resistant finish. Do not use detergents or solutions that contain chlorides, ammonias, alkalis or abrasive cleaners. Use only en-

vironmentally safe, non-toxic solutions in the manufacturers’ recommended concentration. Non-chlorine ble ach from an environmentally-friendly company may be used in accordance with the guidelines on the packaging.

DAMAGE TO STAINESS STEEL IS PERMANENT, COSTLY TO REPAIR, AND IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE AND TIPS

INSIDE THE RESERVOIR

A. DRAIN, CLEAN AND FLUSH RESERVOIR

(Monthly)

SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 18

B. CHANGE FILTER (30-45 days*—more often in

areas with hard water; filter is washable for extended use)

1. Locate the filter (large blue or white canister in

You may need to re-prime the pump after this process. See instructions on how to prime the pump on page 8.

* How often you change your filter is dependent on whether you are growing in soil or hydroponic media. Once you get through a few growing cycles, you will be able to determine how often it should be changed. One indicator the filter needs to be changed is inadequate water flow to the trays during a watering cycle.

the reservoir) and unscrew the canister clockwise. A wrench for the canister was included with your cabinet. Remove and discard excess water. Clean or change the filter and screw the canister back into place.

Filter housing

Water circulation pump; white filter cap at bottom

INSIDE THE GROWING ZONES

A. CLEAN DRAWERS (Monthly)

1. Remove a drawer from the GardenChef

Use a clean cloth with hot soapy water or hydrogen peroxide solution to wipe down the grow drawer; make sure the drain holes are cleared of any debris.

Rinse off the drawer with clean water

Dry with clean cloth

Replace in cabinet

Repeat steps for all drawers

Aerator/water mover

C. CHECK AND CLEAN FILTER CAP (Monthly)

1. Remove the small white cap at the bottom of the blue pump (the pump is the smaller blue cylinder attached to the larger filter canister).

2. Rinse the cap.

Place the cap back onto the pump

* If the water flow to your growing drawers is inadequate during a watering cycle, check the filter cap to see if it needs to be cleaned.

D. CHECK WATER MOVER /AERATOR (Monthly)

1. Locate the aerator (black pump attached with

suction cups to the right side wall of the reservoir)

Check the outtake nozzle to ensure it is clear of debris.

Check the water intake tube black filter at the end to ensure it is clear of debris. To do this,

take the cap off the bottom on the pump, check

the filter and wash out any debris that may have accumulated. Place back in the cap and put the cap pack onto the pump.

REPLACING THE LIGHTS

Occasionally you may need to replace a light bulb. It is a simple process, similar to changing the bulb on a fish tank hood. For part number, see the list on page 26.

 Remove the diffuser shield by pushing it up with

both hands, then pushing it back far enough for the front to drop down, and then pull out

 Grab each end of the bulb (metal ends of tube),

rotate clockwise until you can pull the bulb out.

 Insert the ends of the new bulb into the black

ends of the ballast, then turn counter-clockwise until the bulb snaps into place.

 Replace the shield by lifting it up and back over

the notch in the back of the cabinet, push up the front until it clears the front of the diffuser frame, pull forward and drop into place.

Push up and back over notch in back of cabinet, then let front drop down

NOTE: T5 growing lights running at the default time of 18 hours per day is consid-

ered high use and the efficiency of the bulbs will reduce approximately 10% after 20,000 hours. Bulbs should be replaced every 18-24 months to ensure best performance.

SANITATION AND FOOD SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS

For your health and safety, please read the information below regarding sanitation, safe growing and food safety.

Micro greens and herbs are not sprouts, but rather, baby plants with intense flavor and nutrients. There are differences in growing and harvesting micro greens that make them much safer than sprouts.

Starting with Seeds

Make sure that all seeds you buy have been handled as a food crop, not a farm crop. Seeds that have been in contact with animals or animal waste could be contaminated with salmonella or E.coli O157 H7 and could lead to food poisoning. Reputable seed suppliers test all lots of seed for contamination.

Make sure that each container of seed is labeled with the name of the seed producer or distributor, the lot number and the country of origin.

Keep records to ensure trace-back and recall procedures.

Sanitation

Always use clean seed, as stated above, and soil, tested for E. coli and salmonella.

Sanitize equipment; regularly clean an sanitize all growing drawers, cabinet and reservoir with hydrogen peroxide rate recommended below. We recommend a thorough cleaning/disinfecting weekly, or when new trays are planted.

Don’t let greens or seeds come into contact with manure or other contaminated organic material.

Hands and equipment must be kept clean at all times for handling micro greens. We recommend food handling gloves during planting and harvesting.

Water in the reservoir should be clean, potable water, tested for bacterial contamination.

It is recommended that 2% chlorine from calcium hypochlorite be used as a seed sanitation method if your intention is sprouting. This is not necessary for micro greens, but can be done as an extra precaution.

Using Calcium Hypochlorite

Rate: 3 ounces calcium hypochlorite in 1 gallon of warm water. Mix thoroughly and soak seed for 20 minutes. Rinse seed thoroughly in clean water, then finish soaking time, if required, in clean water. Avoid breathing the fumes of chlorine. Masks should be worn to filter the fumes is you choose this method.

Using Hydrogen Peroxide:

Soak seeds in hydrogen peroxide. Add 5 ounces of 5% hydrogen peroxide and one ounce distilled vinegar to one quart of room temperature water. Pour the solution over the seed and let stand for 5 minutes, making sure that all of the seed is in contact with the solution. Drain and rinse the seeds in clean water several times to make ensure the solution has been removed. Plant seed as usual. This again is recommended for sprouting, but not necessary for growing micro greens and herbs.

Growing Conditions

The environment in which E. coli and salmonella thrive is warm and moist. Most commercial sprouts are grown in large tanks of water, which tumble the seeds much like a washing machine tumbles clothes. In these conditions, if one seed is contaminated, it will be spread to all of the sprouts in the water bath.

Micro greens are not grown in water. We recommend growing them in sterile soil or other sterile media. While a sprout bath spreads pathogens from one sprout to another, soil acts like a filter, actually removing the source of contamination.

Harvesting

While a sprout is consumed whole, including the leaves, roots and seed husk, micro greens are newly germinated, small plants like you’d find in any garden. All micro greens should be harvested with clean hands, or using food handling gloves, clipped at least 2” away from the root system and soil, using clean disinfected scissors. Ensure all debris is removed from micro greens and cleaned thoroughly before consumption.

Refrigerate cut micro greens. Treat them and any foods containing them as you would any nutritious food.

If you love sprouts, consider growing micro greens. Their bright and intense flavor will be even more enjoyable now that you have confidence that they are also safe to enjoy.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & TROUBLESHOOTING

How much soil should I put in my trays?

You should fill each tray 1/2 to 3/4 full with sterile potting soil. Make sure the soil is well moistened, but not overly muddy or soupy. See Resources page 24 for some brands we have found to be high quality soils. For seeds with a shorter life cycle like pea shoots, radishes, wheatgrass (1-2 weeks), 1/2 full is adequate. For seeds with longer life cycles such as basil, oregano, arugula, etc., go with 3/4 full.

Can I mix in my seeds or cover with dirt?

For the best results for germination, sprinkle them with a fine layer of sifted soil, just enough to cover the seeds. Usually 1 to 1-1/2 cups of sifted soil works. The finer soil spreads easily and provides a nice blanket over the seeds for germination so that more seeds sprout and at the same rate.

When should I use plant nutrients?

The cabinet will display total dissolved solids (TDS) of the water in the reservoir. Note what the TDS is when you first fill the reservoir and try to maintain a TDS of 100-250 above that number. Add 2.75 oz. (80ml) of nutrients at a time, wait 15 minutes to adjust the TDS.

Is the GardenChef pre-programmed?

Yes, the GardenChef is pre-programmed for the seeds listed on page 14 for soil growing. There are a few e mpty positions open in the menu for adding more seeds and you can erase and replace items in the seed menu. You can also designate your favorite seeds for frequently used cycles. All of the seed programs are adjustable for light and watering schedules.

How often should I perform maintenance on my GardenChef?

The cabinet requires frequent monitoring and care. It should be inspected thoroughly and cleaned at least once a month. This may vary with your usage, depending on the number and types of plants, nutrients and TDS build

-up and growing medium (soil vs. hydroponic). Please refer to maintenance and cleaning procedures in this manual.

Does the water reservoir keep itself filled?

Yes. If your GardenChef has been plumbed and hooked up to municipal water supply, then it is preprogrammed exchange the water in the reservoir once a week and top off as needed.

What do I do if the reservoir won’t recycle?

Check to ensure that the connection on your city drain is open and free of blockage. If the GardenChef is new, it may not be primed. See instructions in this manual for priming the pump.

What do I do if there is a zone that won’t water?

Make sure not more than two zones are being watered at a time. Only two zones can be watered at one time, so watering schedules for each zone will be staggered an hour apart, if they are programmed to water at the same time. Check the programmed schedule to ensure it is not programmed to be OFF. If still no watering, access the reservoir and insure that the pump is on and primed.

What if I see a weak/no water supply to the drawers during a watering cycle?

It’s likely that the screen over the filter is clogged with debris and needs to be cleaned or the filter needs to be replaced. See maintenance and cleaning instructions on page 18.

What if the drawers don’t appear to be draining properly?

Check the drain holes at the back of the drawers and clear them if they are blocked. A pipe cleaner is ideal for this maintenance.

MICROGREEN PROBLEMS

WHITE MOLD

SLOW GERMINATION

CLUMPY MICROGREENS

Identification Remedy

White mold looks like a spider web crawling across the surface of the growing media. It starts out in one area in a small, wispy ball and then expands quickly over the growing media.

 Make sure your trays are CLEAN be-

fore you plant

 Decrease the humidity by increasing

air circulation

 Decrease the seed density of your

future plantings, especially for mucilaginous seeds

 Try using some grapefruit seed extract

mixed with water as an organic solution

Identification Remedy

Most micro green seeds germinate in 2-4 days, but some may take a bit longer. If you’re seeing germination times that are longer than what is outlined in the table on page 14, something is wrong.

 Increase moisture in the tray by mist-

ing or running an unscheduled watering cycle

 Do a germination test on a paper towel

to see if the seed is bad. Place a paper towel in a growing tray, moisten it by misting with a mister and sprinkle the seeds on top. Cover with a propagation dome and see if they sprout.

Identification Remedy

When you’re spreading your seed out in trays, it can be difficult to get an even spread. If you plant too densely, they will clump together, especially if their mucilaginous. When they sprout, a few of the seedlings will push the rest of them up into the air, suspending the roots and possibly bringing dirt along with them. It makes harvesting difficult.

 Decrease total seed volume planted in

each tray

 Spread seeds more evenly throughout

the tray

FAILURE TO THRIVE

Identification Remedy

The greens look weak and pale. This is an all encompassing condition that could result from a number of factors. It is difficult to troubleshoot this condition if all of the other conditions above have been addressed.

The weakness could be due to a lack of moisture control—either too dry or too wet. In some cases the seed is not properly planted, or the humidity dome is removed at the wrong time.

 Make sure to read the seed growing

instructions on the packets of seeds

 Stick to a normal watering schedule  Make sure you leave the humidity

domes on for an adequate amount of time

 If growing hydroponically, check your

nutrient concentration; make sure nutrients are mixed according to the manufacturers directions

RESOURCES

The GardenChef comes with a starter set of domes and trays. An optional starter kit is available and includes growing trays, domes, mats, sifter, TDS calibration solution, PH kit, hydrogen peroxide, 20 gallon plastic tub (for mixing/sifting soil) and measuring syringe (for adding nutrients)

Many supplies, including seeds and growing media, can be found at local greenhouses and urban garden supply sellers. The internet is a great resource for finding everything you need for your GardenChef. A list of some resources is on the next page.

Growing trays (with drain holes) and vented domes

Sterile soil or hydroponic growing media

Seeds: purchase from reputable supplier

TDS reader: for measuring the initial TDS of your water supply

Plastic tubs for mixing and sifting soil

Growing mats/filters to keep soil from running out of the trays into the water. Thicker mats can be used for hydroponic growing

Sifter to sift dry soil to cover seeds for germination

Plant food: for hydroponic growing or seeds with longer growing cycles. Seeds with shorter growing cycles get enough nutrients from the soil

Rockwool or stonewool starter cubes/trays for hydroponic growing. Perlite may also be used. For discussion on hydroponic growing media, consult www.epicgardening.com

Measuring syringe to add nutrients

PH kit: PH#4 and PH#7 bottles to calibrate the pH probe.

TDS 1000 EC ppm solution: To calibrate total dissolved solids probe

List of brands for supplies*

RESOURCES

Growing trays (with drain holes) and vented domes:

Mondi™ Super Sprouter™ Sun Systems™

Sterile soil:

Fox Farms Happy Frog™ Miracle Gro™

Hydroponic growing media (perlite, rockwool):

Handy Pantry™ Miracle Gro™ Therm-O-Rock™ Viagrow™ Plant It™ Grodan™

Growing mats/filters:

Handy Pantry™ For discussion on hydroponic

growing media, consult www.epicgardening.com

TDS reader:

Milwaukee™

Plastic tub for mixing and sifting soil:

Rubbermaid™

pH and TDS Calibration Solutions:

Nutradip™ General Hydroponics™

Seeds: Johnny’s Selected Seeds™ Burpee™ Cahaba Clubs Herbal Outpost™ Eden Brothers™

Plant food:

Miracle Gro™ Jungle Juice™ General Hydroponics Flora Series™ Fox Farm Gringo Rasta,™ Bush Doctor™ and Hydroponic Trio™

* This is not a compete list or an endorsement of these products. Brands are trademarked and not affiliated with Carter-Hoffmann

pH down and pH up solutions:

Nutradip™ General Hydroponics™ Botanicare™

REPLACEMENT PARTS & WIRING DIAGRAM

GARDENCHEF COMPONENTS 120V, 4.4 A

Part Number Description 18301-2649 3” swivel poly caster with brake 18309-0048 4” adjustable S.S. leveling leg 18310-0209 22” drawer slide 29038-5152 tempered glass door (GC41 & GC42) 29038-5153 tempered glass door (GC11 & GC12) 29038-3259 polymatte light diffuser panel 18616-0415 T5 growing light fixture and bulb 18614-0314 muffin fan 115V 18614-0272 fan cover 18616-0224 transformer 120/208/240, 24V40VA 18615-0172 3/8” female NPT tube fitting 18607-0017 terminal board CH03265 18602-0002 water level float switch 18605-0010 16/3 HSJO Cord w/ 5-15 plug 18614-0399 Pressure regulator 18615-0176 Straight 1/2” NPT to 3/8” tube fitting 18615-0179 Straight 1/4” NPT to 3/8” tube fitting 18615--0222 90 degree elbow 1/4” NPT to 3/8” tubing 18616-0419 TDS sensor 18616-0420 pH sensor 18616-0423 temperature/RH sensor w/housing 18614-0115 water pump 12VDC 18614-0396 recirculation pump 120VAC 18614-0397 peristaltic pump 12VDC 18614-0118 water filter housing 18614-0121 water filter cartridge 4-7/8”, 5 micons 18615-0174 replacement seal 4-3/8, 4-5/8, 5-3/8 18614-0033 solenoid valve 3/8” tube 5/16” ORF 18615-0166 3/8” bulkhead tube fitting

Part Number Description 18616-0424 power supply, 12 VDC, 120 VAC 18616-0438 Isolation board 18603-9125 remote control harness 8 pin USB 18616-0425 cable, HUBA press transmitter 18616-0418 press transmitter type 400 18615-0168 ball valve 3/8” tube 18615-0161 tee 3/8” tube 18617-0049 rubber plug grommet 9600K44 18614-0035 Solenoid valve HD 120 18614-0316 muffin fan cord, 40” #4C552 18614-0164 straight fitting 3/8” tube x 3/8” NPT 18616-0416 I/O board 18616-0417 touch screen 4.3 18615-0169 rubber hose 1/4 ID x 3/8 OD 18615-0162 90 FTG 3/8” tube 18616-0422 CAT cable 18615-0167 3/8” polyurethane tubing 18304-0033 chrome door hinge 18616-0434 EVA tubing, .188 ID x .312 OD 18616-0435 .312 OD tension spring clamp 18616-0436 nylon loop clamp 1-1/2” ID 18616-0430 propagation tray with drain holes, 10” x 20” 18616-0429 propagation 4” dome 10”x 20” w/ vents 18603-0011 pressure sensor cable 18602-0009 EMI filter 16090-4100 Starter kit for GC11 16090-4099 Starter kit for GC12 16090-4081 Starter kit for GC41 16090-4088 Starter kit for GC42

PLUMBING DIAGRAM

CAUTION: Use only (OEM) original equipment manufacturer

replacement parts. Using unauthorized parts may cause serious injury or damage to the cabinet. Replacement parts

Contact Carter-Hoffmann with your model and serial number for replacement parts. Call: 800-323-9793 or email: technicalservice@carter-hoffmann.com

should be installed by a qualified service technician.

WARRANTY

Carter-Hoffmann Warranty:

Carter-Hoffmann (“CARTER-HOFFMANN”) warrants to the initial purchaser of its standard Carter Line Products that CARTER-HOFFMANN will, at its option, repair or replace, during th e warranty period set forth below, any part of such products made necessary due to a defect in material or workmanship which is present when the product leaves its factory and which manifests itself during the warranty period under normal use and service.

This warranty applies only to original equipment owned and possessed by the initial purchaser and the warranty period begins on the date of original shipment from the CARTER-HOFFMANN factory and extends as follows: to component parts and labor for 12 months; to refrigeration compressor unit for one year (limited to replacement only - not to include labor for removal, repair or replacement).

Repair or replacements under this warranty will be performed, unless otherwise authorized in writing by CARTER-HOFFMANN, at its factory. All parts or components to be repaired or replaced under this warranty are to be shipped prepaid to CARTER-HOFFMANN, with reimbursement credit for such part or component to be given if found by CARTER-HOFFMANN to be defective.

CARTER-HOFFMANN neither makes nor assumes and does not authorize any other person to make or assume any obligation or liability in connection with its products othe r than that covered in th is warranty. This warran ty applies only within the continental United States and Canada. In Alaska and Hawaii, this warra nty applies only to and is limited to the supply of replacement parts.

Warranty Exclusions and Limitations:

Any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose is hereby specifically disclaimed by CARTER-HOFFMANN. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, which extend beyond the description on the face hereof. This warranty does not cover and CARTER-HOFFMANN shall not under any circumstances be

liable for any incidental, consequential or other damages (such as injury to persons or property, loss of time,

inconvenience, loss of business or profits, or other matters not specifically covered) arising in connection with

the use of, inability to use, or failure of these products.

Specifications subject to change through product improvement and innovation.

Carter-Hoffmann

1551 McCormick Ave.

Mundelein, Illinois, 60060 USA

Phone: 847-362-5500 Toll free: 800-323-9793 Fax: 847-367-8981

Sales and Marketing E-mail: sales@carter-hoffmann.com

Service E-mail: technicalservice@carter-hoffmann.com

Company Website: www.carter-hoffmann.com

Carter-hoffman GC11, GC42, GC41, GC12 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual