GE RC546 Use and Care Manual

Howtogetthe

Range

Yom

UseandCareof

modelRC546
Energy-savingtips
Featuresofyourrange
Surticecooking
Ovencooking

p5

p6

p7

p12

—

Questions?

UsetheProblemSolver

D22

Helpus
helpyou...

Before Using YourRange . . . . ,..2

SafetyInstructions.. .. .. .. ...3.4

En@rgySavin~Tip$ ,. . . . . .. . ...5

FeaturesofYourRange.. . . . . . ..6

Surfac@Cooking.. . . . .. . . . . ...7

AutomaticTimerandCiock . . . ...8

UsingYourUven, ,.. <., . .. . ...9

Howto BakeandTimef3ake . ...10

HowtoRo@ . .. . . .. . . . . . .. ..ll

fiowto Brail . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . ..l2

HowtoCarefor

YaurRmge . . . ..13 .14. ..13. l4

CleaningYourRange. .. .. . .. ..15

SurfaoeCookingChart . . ....16.17

13akingChart .. . . . . . . . . . . . . ..l8

RoastingChart., . . . . . . . . . . . ..l9

BroiliffgChart, . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..2O

l-lomeCaninQTips, ... .,, . . ..2f

TheProblem Solver. ., , . . . . ...22

ffYouNe@dService, . . . . . . . ...23

Warranty

., . . . . . . . . .. BackCover

Read this book carefully.

Itwill help you operate and maintain

your new Range properly.
Keepit handy for answersto your

questions,
If you don’t understand something

or need more help, write: (include
your phone number)
Consumer Affairs

Hotpoint
Appliance Park
Louisville, KY 40225

Write down the model
and serial numbers.

You’llfind them on a label onthe
front of the Range behind the

storage compartment door.
These numbers are also on the

Consumer Product Ownership
Registration Card that came with
your Range. Before sending in
this card, please write these
numbers here:

If you received a damaged
Range...

Immediately contact the dealer

(or builder) that sold you the Range.

Save time and money.
Before you request
service...

Checkthe Problem Solver on page

22. It lists minor causes of operating
problems that you can correct
yourself.

Model Number

Serial Number

Usethese numbers in any
correspondence or service calls
concerning your Range,

2

IMPORTANTSAFETYINSTRUCTIONS

Readall instructionsbeforeusingthisappliance.

When using electrical appliances

basic safety precautions should

be followed, including the

following:

* Usethis appliance only for its
intended useas described in this
manual.

a Be sure your appliance is
properly installed and grounded
by a qualified technician in
accordance with the provided

installation instructions.

a

Don’t attempt to repair or

replace any part of

unless it isspecifically recom­mended in this book. All other

servicing should be referred to

a qualified technician.

o Before performing any ser-

vice, DISCONNECT THE

RANGE POWERSUPPLYAT

THE HOUSEHOLD DISTRIBU­TION PANELBY REMOVING
THE FUSEOR SWITCHING
OFF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER.

e Do not leavechildren alone—
children should not be left alone
or unattended in area where
appliance is in use.They should

never be allowed to sit or stand
on any part of the appliance.

e Don’tallowanyoneto climb,

standor hangon the door,
draweror rangetop. They could
damagethe rangeand eventip it
overcausingseverepersonal

injury.

* CAUTION: DO NOT STORE

ITEMS OF INTEREST TO

CHILDREN IN CABINETS

ABOVE A RANGE OR ON THE

BACKSPLASHOF A RANGE—

CHILDREN CLIMBING ON THE

RANGE TO REACH ITEMS

COULD BE SERIOUSLY

INJURED.

your range

@ Wearproperclothing.Loose
fitting or hanging garments
should never be worn while

using the appliance. Flammable
material could be ignited if
brought in contact with hot
heating elements and may cause

severeburns.

@ Use only dry potholders—

moist or damp potholders on
hot surfaces may result

from steam. Do not let pot­holders touch hot heating ele­ments. Do not usea towel or
other bulky cloth.

@ Neveruseyour appliancefor

warmingor heatingthe room.

@ Storagein or on Appliance—

Flammable materials should not

be stored in an oven or near sur-

face units.

@ Keep hood and greasefilters
cleanto maintain good venting
and to avoid grease fires.

@ Do notlet cookinggreaseor

otherflammablematerialsaccu-

mulatein the rangeor nearit.

* Do not usewateron grease

fires.Neverpickup a flaming

pan.Smotherflamingpan on

surfaceunitby coveringpan

completelywithwellfittinglid,

cookiesheetor flattray. Flaming

greaseoutsidea pan can be put

out by coveringwith baking

sodaor, if available,a multi-

purposedry chemicalor foam.

in burns

@ Do not touch heatingele-

mentsor interiorsurfaceof
oven.These surfaces may be

hot enough to burn eventhough
they are dark in color. During
and after use,”do not touch, or
let clothing or other flammable
materials contact surface units,
areas nearby surface units or
any interior areaof the oven;
allow sufficient time for cooling,
first.

Potentially hot surfaces include
the cooktop and areas facing
the cooktop, oven vent opening

and surfaces near the openings,

and crevices around the oven

door. RemembecThe inside

surface of the oven may be hot

when the door is opened.

e Whencooking pork follow
our directions exactly and
always cook the meatto at least

170°. This assuresthat, in the

remote possibility that trichina

may be present in the meat, it
will be killed and meatwill be

safeto eat.

(continued next page)

IMPORTANTSAFETYINSTRUCTIONS

Oven:
.

Standawayfrom the range
when opening oven door.The
hot air or steamwhichescapes
can cause burnsto hands,face
and/or eyes.

● Don’theat unopenedfood

containersin the oven.Pressure
couldbuild up and thecontainer
couldburstcausingan injury.

● Keep oven vent ducts

unobstructed.

. Keep oven free from grease

build up.
@ Place oven rack in desired

position while oven is cool. If
racks must be handled when
hot, do not let potholder contact
heating units in the oven.

● Pulling out shelf to the shelf

stop isa convenience in lifting
heavyfoods. It is also a precau­tion against burns from touching
hot surfaces of the door or oven
walls.

● When using cooking or

roasting bags in oven, follow the
manufacturer’s directions.

● Do not use your oven to dry

newspapers. If overheated, they

can catch fire.

Surface Cooking Units:
*

Use ProperPanSize—This

appliance is equipped with one
or more surface units of dif­ferent size,Select utensils
having flat bottoms large
enough to cover the surface unit
heating element. The useof
undersized utensils will expose a

portion of the heating element to
direct contact and may result in
ignition of clothing. Proper rela­tionship of utensil to burner will
also improve efficiency.

@ Neverleavesurfaceunits

unattendedat high heatsettings.

Boilover causes smoking and

greasy spillovers that may catch
on fire.

@ Be sure reflector pans and

vent ducts are not covered and
are in place. Their absence
during cooking could damage
range parts and wiring.

. Don’tusealuminumfoilto
linereflectorpansor anywhere
in the oven except as described
in this book, Misusecould result
in a shock, fire hazard, or

damage to the range.

@ Only certain types of glass,

glass/ceramic, ceramic, earthen­ware, or other glazed containers
are suitable for range-top ser­vice; others may break because
of the sudden change in tem­perature (SeeSection on “Sur­face Cooking” for suggestions.)

@ To minimizeburns,ignition of

flammable materials, and spill­age;the handle of a container
should be positioned so that it is
turned toward the center of the
range without extending over
nearby surface units.

@ Don’timmerseor soak

removablesurfaceunits.Don’t
put them in a dishwasher.

@ Alwaysturn surfaceunitto

OFF beforeremovingutensil.

@ Keep an eye on foods being
fried at HIGH or MEDIUM HIGH
heats.

@ To avoidthe possibilityof a
burnor electricshock,always
be certainthatthe controlsfor
allsurfaceunitsare at OFF posi­tionand all coilsarecool before
attemptingto removethe unit.

@ When flamingfoods under

the hood,turn the fan off. The
fan, if operating,mayspread
the flame.

@ Foodsfor fryingshouldbe as

dry as possible.Frost on frozen

foods or moisture on fresh foods
can cause hot fat to bubble up
and over sides of pan.

@ Use little fat for effective
shallow or deep-fat frying. Fill­ing the pan too full of fat can
cause spillovers when food is
added.

@ If a combination of oils or

fats will be used in frying, stir
together before heating, or as
fats melt slowly.

@ Alwaysheatfat slowly,and

watch as it heats.

@ Use deep fat thermometer

whenever possible to prevent
overheating fat beyond the
smoking point.

SAVETHESE

iNSTRUCTIONS

InstallingYour Range

Your range,likemanyotherhouse-

holditems,isheavyand can settle
intosoftfloorcoveringssuchas

cushionedvinylor carpeting.When

moving the rangeon this type of
flooring, usecare,and it is
recommendedthat these simple and
inexpensiveinstructions befollowed.

The rangeshould be installed on a

sheetof plywood (or similar material)
asfollows: When the floorcoveri~ /s

temlnated at the frontof Me fange,

the areathat the rangewill rest on
should be built up with plywood to
the same levelor higher than the
floor covering. This will then allow the

rangeto be moved for cleaning or

servicing.

Levelingthe Range

Levelingscrews may be located on
eachcorner of the base.By removing
the bottom drawer you can levelthe
rangeto an unevenfloor by adjusting
leveling legs.

To removedrawer, pull drawer out all
the way, tilt up the front and remove
it. To replace,insert glides at back of
drawer beyond stop on range glides.
Lift drawer if necessaryto insert

easily. Let front of drawer down, then

push in to close.

EnergySavingTips

Sudace Cooking

●

Usecooking utensils of medium

weight aluminum, tight-fitting

covers,and flat bottoms which

completely cover the heated

portion of the surface unit.

●

Cook fresh vegetableswith a

minimum amount of water in a

covered pan.

e

Watch foods when bringing them
quickly to cooking temperatures
at HIGH heat.When food reaches
cooking temperature, reduce heat
immediately to lowestsetting that

will keepit cooking,

●

Use residual heat with surface
cooking whenever possible. For
example, when cooking eggs in
the shell, bring water to boil, then
turn to OFF position to complete
the cooking.

●

Usecorrect heat for cooking task

HIGH—to start cooking (if
time allows, do not useHIGH
heat to start), MEDIUM Hi—quick
brownings, MED-sIow frying,
LOW—finish cooking most

quantities, WM—double boiler

heat,finish cooking, and special

for small quantities.

o

When boiling waterfor tea or
coffee, heat only the amount

needed.It is not economical to
boil a container full of water for

only one or two cups.

Oven Cooking

●

Preheatthe oven only when
necessary.If you find preheating
is necessary,turn the OVEN SET

Knob to BAKE. Turn the OVEN
TEMP. knob to the desired
temperature. When the oven
cycling light goes out the oven is
preheated.

☛

Always turn oven OFF before
removing food,

e

During baking, avoid frequent
door openings. Keep door open
asshort a time as possible when
it is opened.

*

Cook complete oven meals
insteadof just one food item.
Potatoes,other vegetables,and
some dmserts will cook together

with a main-dish casserole,meat

loaf, chicken or roast.Choose
foods that cook at the same

temperature and in approximately
the sametime.

@

Use residual heat in oven

whenever possible to finish
cooking casseroles,oven meals,
etc. Also add rolls or precooked
dessertsto warm oven, using

residual heat to warm them.

Featuresof YourRange

Q

1.

Model and Serial Numbers (See page 2.)

2.

Surface Unit Controls (See page 7.)

3.

“ON” Indicator
(See page 7.)

4.

Oven Set Control (See page 9.)

5.

Oven Temp Control (See page 9.)

Oven Cycling Light (See page 9.)

6.

7.

Automatic Oven Timer, Clock and Minute

Timer (See page 8.)

8.

Plug-in Surface Units. May be removed when
cleaning under unit. Equipped with two 8“
units and two 6“ units. (See page 13.)

9.

One-piece Chrome Trim Ring and Reflector
Pan (See page 13.)

10.

Oven Vent. Located under right rear surface

I

Jnit.

Lightfor Surface Units

ModelRC546

11,

Oven Interior Light. Comes on automatically
when door is opened. (See pages 13 and 14.)

12.

Oven Light Switch (See page 9.)

13.

Broil Unit (See page 12.)

14.

Bake Unit. May be lifted gently for wiping oven
floor.

Oven Shelves (See page 9.)

15.

Oven Shelf Supports. (See page 9.)

16.

Broiler Pan and Rack (See page 12.)

17.

18.

Storage Drawer.

19.

Storage Compartment with Shelf.

6

SurfaceCooking

See Surface Cooking Chart on pages 16-17.

Features

1. Surface Unit Controls
z. “ON” Indicator Light for Surface Units

3. Surface Units

Surface Cooking

with Infinite

Heat Controls

Your surface units and controls are
designed to give you an infinite
choice of heat settings for surface
unit cooking.

At both OFF and HIGH positions,
there is a slight niche so control
“clicks” at those positions; “click”
on HIGH marks the highest set­ting; the lowest setting is between
the words WARM and OFF. In a

quiet kitchen you may hear slight

“clicking” sounds during cooking,
indicating heat settings selected

are being maintained.
Switching heats to higher settings

always show aquicker change than
switching to lower settings.

How to Set Surface
Unit Controls

Step 1

Grasp contol knob and push in. .,

Cooking Guide
for Using Heats

HI

MED
HI

MED

LOW

WM

NOTE:

1. At HIGH and MED
leave food unattended.

cause smoking; greasy

may catch fire.

2. At WARMand LOW, melt choco­late, butter on small unit.

Quick start for cooking;
bring water to boil.

Fast fry, pan broil; maintain
fast boil on large amount of
food.

Saute and brown; maintain
slow boil on large amount
of food.

Cook after starting at HIGH;
cook with little water in
covered pan.

Steam rice, cereal; maintain

serving temperature of
most foods.

Hl, never

Boilovers

spillovers

Step 2

Turn either clockwise or counter­clockwise to desired heat setting.

Controlmustbe pushedin to set

only from OFF position.When con­trol is in any position other than
OFF, it may be rotated without
pushing in.

Be sure you turn control to OFF
when you finish cooking. An indi­cater light will glow when ANY heat

on any surface unit is on.

7

AutomaticTimerandClock

The automatic timer and clock on
your Range are helpful devices
that serve several purposes.

To Set Clock

TO SET THE CLOCK, push the
center knob in and turn the clock
hands to the correct time. (The
Minute Timer pointer will move

also, let knob out, turn the Timer

pointer to OFF.)

To Set Minute Timer

The Minute Timer has been com­bined with the range clock. Use it
to time all your precise cooking
operations. You’ll recognize the
Minute Timer as the pointer which
is different in color and shape than

the clock hands.
TO SET THE MINUTETIMER, turn

the center knob, without pushing

in, until pointer reaches number of
minutesyouwishto time. (Minutes
are marked, up to 60, in the center

ring on the clock. ) At the end of
the set time, a buzzer sounds to tell
you time is up. Turn knob, without

pushing in, until pointer reaches
OFF and buzzer stops.

Time Bake Uses
Automatic Timer

Using Automatic Timer, you can
TIME BAKE with the oven starting

immediately and turning off at the
Stop Time set or set both Start and
Stop dials to automatically start
and stop oven at a later time of day.

It takes the worry out of not being
home to start or stop the oven,

Setting the dials for TIME BAKE is
explained in detail on page 10,

Questions

and Answers

Q. How can I use my Minute Timer
to make my surface cooking easier?

A. Your Minute Timer will help time
total cooking which includes time
to boil food and change tempera-

tures. Do not judge cooking time

by visible steam only. Food will
cook in covered containers even
though you can’t see any steam.

Q. Must the Clock be set on correct
time of day when I wish to use the
Automatic Timer for baking?

A. Yes, if you wish to set the Start
or Stop Dials to turn on and off at
set times during timed functions,
Q. Can I use the Minute Timer dur­ing oven

A.

during any cooking function. The
Automatic Timers (Start and Stop
Dials) are used with TIME BAKE
function only.

cooking?

The Minute Timer can be used

Q. Can I change the clock while I’m
Time Cooking in the Oven.

A. No. The clock cannot be

changed during any program that

uses the oven timer, You must
either stop those programs or wait
until they are finished before
changing time.