Cuisinart CDF-500 Instruction Manual

INSTRUCTION AND
RECIPE BOOKLET

Extra-Large Rotisserie Fryer and Steamer

For your safety and continued enjoyment of this product, always read the instruction book carefully before using.

CDF-500

IMPORTANT
SAFEGUARDS

When using an electrical appliance, especially
when children are present, basic safety
precautions should always be taken, including
the following:

1. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS.

2. Unplug from outlet when not in use and
before cleaning. Allow to cool before put­ting on or taking off parts, and before
cleaning the appliance.

3. Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles
and knobs.

4. To protect against electric shock, do not
immerse control panel, cord, plug or deep
fryer in water or other liquids.

5. This appliance should not be used by
or near children or individuals with
certain disabilities.

6. Never leave appliance unattended when it
is connected to the power outlet.

7. Always attach breakaway cord to appliance
first, then plug into wall outlet.

8. Do not operate any appliance with
a damaged cord or plug, or after the
appliance malfunctions or has been
damaged in any manner. Return appliance
to the nearest Authorized Service Center for
examination, repair or adjustment.

9. The use of attachments not recommended
or sold by the manufacturer may result in
fire, electric shock or injury.

10. Do not use outdoors.

11. Do not let cord hang over edge of table
or counter, or touch hot surfaces.

12. Do not place on or near a hot gas or
electric burner, or in a heated oven.

13. Extreme caution must be used when
moving the Cuisinart
Rotisserie Fryer and Steamer
if it contains hot oil.

14. The appliance will automatically shut off if
operation exceeds 12 minutes without oil.
If this occurs, use the reset button to reset
the appliance.

®

Extra-Large

15. If appliance still does not function after
following reset instructions, please contact
a Cuisinart Certified Consumer Service
Center for assistance.
Be sure handles are properly attached to

16.
basket and locked in place. See detailed
assembly instructions.

17. Do not use this appliance for other than its
intended use.

18. Periodically check for looseness of
screws or nuts and retighten them.
CAUTION: Overtightening can result in
stripping of screws or nuts or cracking
of handle or feet.

19. Do not exceed 60 minutes of ON time within
a period of 2 hours.

20. Do not operate your appliance in an
appliance garage or under a wall cabinet.
Indoor, countertop use only. When stor
ing in an indoor appliance garage, always
unplug the unit from the electrical outlet.
Not doing so could create a risk of fire,
especially if the appliance touches the walls
of the garage or the door touches the unit as
it closes.

21. Follow all instructions for removal of
moisture/ice and thawing before cooking.

22. Always cook with lid in closed position,
except when frying French fries and high
moisture foods. Ensure both the lid and
vessel are completely dry after washing
and before use.

23. Follow the instructions on the frozen food
package for cooking time and temperature,

24. Due to their extremely low temperature,
frozen foods inevitably lower the tempera­ture of the oil. For the best results, do not
overload the basket with food.

25. See instructions on pages 6–8 regarding
cooking foods with cavities.

26. There is a risk of fire if you don't use the
basket or cage when cooking.

-

2

SAVE THESE
INSTRUCTIONS

FOR HOUSEHOLD

SHORT CORD
INSTRUCTIONS

CAUTION: A short power-supply cord is

provided to reduce the risk of personal injury
resulting from becoming entangled in or tripping
over a long cord.

USE ONLY

BREAKAWAY CORD AND
POLARIZED PLUG

This appliance features a breakaway cord and
polarized plug (one blade is wider than the
other). The breakaway cord is designed to
quickly disconnect from the appliance
when a pulling force is applied.
NOTE: The breakaway cord can fit into
the appliance in only one direction.

Please refer to printing on the cord connector
that states “This Side Up.” To reduce the risk
of electric shock, a polarized plug is used.
This plug is intended to fit only into a polarized
outlet. If the plug does not fit into the outlet,
reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a
qualified electrician. Do not attempt to modify
the plug in any manner. Always attach plug to
appliance first, then plug cord in the wall outlet.
To disconnect, turn any control to OFF, then
remove plug from wall outlet.

EXTENSION CORD USE

An extension cord or longer detachable cord is
not recommended for use with deep fryers.

ELECTRIC POWER

If the electrical circuit is overloaded with other
appliances, your appliance may not operate. It
should be operated on an electrical circuit that
is free from other appliances. If you are not sure
of the reason for overloading or cannot find a
separate circuit, contact a qualified electrician.

This appliance is for 120 volts only and should
not be used with a converter.

IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPS

1. Always keep lid closed while deep fryer is
cooking food. Use basket handle to raise and
lower basket. Always raise basket out of hot
oil and rest on basket hook, to allow food to
drain completely before removing.

2. BEWARE OF STEAM WHEN

OPENING LID.

3. Wet food should be dried first with paper
towels. Remove loose ice from frozen foods.
Close the lid when frying. Beware of oil
splattering when food is put into the oil.

4. Keep appliance at least 4 inches away from
walls or other objects during operation. Do
not place any objects on top of appliance
while it is operating.

5. Be sure oil container is filled to at
least the minimum oil level. Do not
fill above the maximum. Do not operate
appliance without oil or with an insufficient
amount of oil. Never pour oil into heated
oil container.

3

6. Do not operate this appliance if the lid and
the oil container are not completely dry.

7. Keep this fryer out of reach of children while
in use and away from edges of countertops
where it could be pulled off or pushed over
by children.

8. Do not use any solid/hydrogenated oil,
shortening, olive oil, grapeseed oil or lard in
this deep fryer. DO NOT MIX OILS, as they
may have different smoke points. USE GOOD
QUALITY OIL that has a smoke point of
420°F or higher.

CAUTION: To prevent damage to countertop

or tabletop finish, use a nonflammable,
heat-resistant coaster or placemat between
the appliance and the countertop or tabletop
surface. Never place on carpet, furniture, or
other combustible materials.

CONTENTS

Important Safeguards................. 2

Important Safety Tips..................3

Parts and Features................... 5

Before the First Use .................. 6

Operating Instructions .................6

Cleaning, Care and Maintenance........ 9

Safety Features ..................... 9

Tips and Hints ......................10

Filtering and Changing the Oil ......... 10

Tips for Frying ......................11

Warranty ...........................11

Deep-Frying Guide ...................13

Recipes............................14

4

PARTS AND FEATURES

1. Stainless steel housing

2. Vented Lid with handle

3. Mesh Basket with handle

4. Small cage

5. Large cage

6. Spit rod

7. Double lifting handle

8. Oil container

9. Side handles

10. Timer control knob

11. Temperature control knob

12. Ready indicator light

13. Power On indicator light

14. Toggle switch ON/OFF

15. Heating element

16. Breakaway cord

17. Reset button

18. Control panel

19. Spigot

20. Drain hose

1018 11131412

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17

19

20

16

15

7

8

3

4

5

6

9

1

5

BEFORE THE FIRST USE

Remove all packaging and any promotional
labels or stickers from your deep fryer. Be sure
that all parts (listed in Parts and Features) of
your new deep fryer have been included before
discarding any packing materials. You may want
to keep the box and packing materials for use
at a later date.

Before using your Cuisinart
Rotisserie Fryer and Steamer for the first time,
remove any dust from shipping by wiping the
base with a moist cloth. Thoroughly clean
the oil container, lid and basket. The lid and
basket are dishwasher safe. Never immerse the
appliance in water; water must not be allowed
to penetrate the interior of the appliance.

®

Extra-Large

OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS

This appliance is designed for household
use only. It is not intended for
commercial use.

1. Before your Rotisserie Fryer/Steamer is

used for the first time, remove all packing
materials and be sure all parts are fully dry
after cleaning and before use. See complete
cleaning instructions on page 9.

2. Place heating

element/control
panel in the unit.
Please make sure
that the heating
element/control
panel is properly
inserted into the
housing. This unit
is equipped with an
interlock feature that
will prevent it from
turning on until the
heating element/
control panel is in
place.

3. Be sure that the oil draining spigot is in

the closed position before adding oil.
Turn clockwise until secure.

6

4. Pour approximately 5 liters of good-quality
corn, canola, soybean, or peanut oil into
reservoir until it reaches between the MIN
and MAX marks inside container.

OIL WARNING

DO NOT OVER- OR UNDER-FILL. DO NOT
MIX OILS. DO NOT USE EXTRA VIRGIN
OLIVE OIL, SOLID/HYDROGENATED OIL,
SHORTENING, GRAPESEED OIL OR LARD
IN THIS FRYER. USE GOOD-QUALITY OIL
THAT HAS A SMOKE POINT OF 420ºF OR
HIGHER. TO PRESERVE OIL QUALITY, DO
NOT ADD SALT OR SPICES TO THE FOOD
UNTIL AFTER IT HAS BEEN REMOVED
FROM THE FRYER.

5. Do not operate unit near open burners
on stove.

6. Make sure the toggle switch is in the OFF
position and the temperature control knob is
in the standby location.

7. To turn on your fryer, attach breakaway cord
to back of the appliance, then plug into
outlet.

8. The power ON light will glow to show that
the unit is on.

9. Set the temperature control knob to the
desired temperature. The ready light will turn
green once the oil has reached the desired
temperature. It will take approximately
20–30 minutes for 5 liters of good quality oil
to reach the desired temperature.

10. Place lid onto unit to shorten heat–up time.

11. While the oil is heating, prepare the food
to be fried using Rotisserie or in a Frying
Basket.

ROTISSERIE FRYING

As previously noted, pour 5 liters of good­quality vegetable, corn, canola, soybean or
peanut oil into the reservoir. Do not mix oils.
Then preheat while following the steps below.
Set temperature control knob to 375ºF.

1. Prepare food to be fried. If frying a whole
turkey, remove the neck and giblets. Make

sure the turkey is thawed completely and