Hotpoint RGA724, RGA720 User Manual 2

RGA720
RGA724

Owner’s Manual and

Installation Instructions

Ranges

20″ and 24″ Compact Gas

183D9542P002 49-85104 12-05 JR

Safety

Instructions . . . . . 2–7, 22, 23, 24

Operating Instructions

Oven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10–16

Surface Burners . . . . . . . . . . . .8, 9

Care and Cleaning

Broiler Compartment . . . . . . . .19

Broiler Pan and Grid . . . . . . . . 20

Burners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Control Panel and Knobs . . . . .18

Grates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Lift-Up Cooktop . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Lift-Off Oven Door . . . . . . . . . . 20

Metal Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Oven Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Painted Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Removable Oven Bottom . . . . .19

Shelves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Thermostat Adjustment . . . . . . .14

Installation Instructions . . 22–33

LP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Troubleshooting Tips . . . . . . . 34

Consumer Support

Consumer Support . . . Back Cover

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

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Write the model and serial numbers
here:

Model # ______________________

Serial # ________________________

You can find them on a label under the
cooktop. See the Lift-Up Cooktop section
in this manual for instructions on how to
lift the cooktop.

HOTPOINT

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Consumer Support Troubleshooting Tips Installation Instructions Care and Cleaning Operating Instructions Safety Instructions

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.

— Do not store or use gasoline or other

flammable vapors and liquids in the
vicinity of this or any other appliance.

—

WHAT TO DO IF YOU
SMELL GAS

■ Do not try to light any appliance.

■ Do not touch any electrical switch;

do not use any phone in your
building.

■ Immediately call your gas supplier

from a neighbor’s phone. Follow the
gas supplier’s instructions.

■ If you cannot reach your gas supplier,

call the fire department.

— Installation and service must be

performed by a qualified installer,
service agency or the gas supplier.

WARNING: If the information

in this manual is not followed exactly,
a fire or explosion may result causing
property damage, personal injury
or death.

WARNING!

ANTI-TIP DEVICE

■ ALL RANGES CAN TIP

■ INJURY TO PERSONS

COULD RESULT

■ INSTALL ANTI-TIP

DEVICES PACKED WITH
RANGE

■ SEE INSTALLATION

INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING!

For your safety, the information in this manual must be followed to minimize the risk of fire or explosion, electric
shock, or to prevent property damage, personal injury, or loss of life.

All ranges can tip and injury could result.

To prevent accidental tipping of the range, attach it to the wall by installing the Anti-Tip device
supplied.

If the Anti-Tip device supplied with the range does not fit this application, use the universal Anti-Tip
device WB2X7909.

To check if the device is installed and engaged properly, carefully tip the range forward. The Anti-Tip
device should engage and prevent the range from tipping over.

If you pull the range out from the wall for any reason, make sure the device is properly
engaged when you push the range back against the wall. If it is not, there is a possible risk of
the range tipping over and causing injury if you or a child stand, sit or lean on an open door.

Please refer to the Anti-Tip device information in this manual. Failure to take this precaution
could result in tipping of the range and injury.

ANTI-TIP DEVICE

®

Safety Instructions Operating Instructions Care and Cleaning Installation Instructions Troubleshooting Tips Consumer Support

3

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WARNING!

Have the installer show you the location of the range gas shut-off valve and how to shut it off if
necessary.

■ Have your range installed and properly

grounded by a qualified installer, in
accordance with the Installation
Instructions. Any adjustment and
service should be performed only by
qualified gas range installers or service
technicians.

■ Do not attempt to repair or replace any

part of your range unless it is
specifically recommended in this
manual. All other service should be
referred to a qualified technician.

■ Plug your range into a 120-volt

grounded outlet only. Do not remove
the round grounding prong from the
plug. If in doubt about the grounding
of the home electrical system, it is your
personal responsibility and obligation
to have an ungrounded outlet replaced
with a properly grounded, three-prong
outlet in accordance with the National
Electrical Code. Do not use an
extension cord with this appliance.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE

The California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act requires the Governor of California
to publish a list of substances known to the state to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm,
and requires businesses to warn customers of potential exposure to such substances.

Gas appliances can cause minor exposure to four of these substances, namely benzene, carbon
monoxide, formaldehyde and soot, caused primarily by the incomplete combustion of natural gas
or
LP fuels. Properly adjusted burners, indicated by a bluish rather than a yellow flame, will minimize
incomplete combustion. Exposure to these substances can be minimized by venting with an open
window or using a ventilation fan or hood.

WARNING: NEVER use this

appliance as a space heater to heat or
warm the room. Doing so may result
in carbon monoxide poisoning and
overheating of the oven.

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Consumer Support Troubleshooting Tips Installation Instructions Care and Cleaning Operating Instructions Safety Instructions

■ Locate the range out of kitchen traffic

path and out of drafty locations to prevent
pilot outage (on standing pilot models)
and poor air circulation.

■ Be sure all packaging materials are removed

from the range before operating it to
prevent fire or smoke damage should the
packaging material ignite.

■ Be sure your range is correctly adjusted by

a qualified service technician or installer
for the type of gas (natural or LP) that is
to be used. Your range can be converted
for use with either type of gas. See the
Installation of the range section.

■

WARNING: These adjustments must

be made by a qualified service technician
in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions and all codes and requirements
of the authority having jurisdiction. Failure
to follow these instructions could result in
serious injury or property damage. The
qualified agency performing this work
assumes responsibility for the conversion.

■ Be careful when you clean the cooktop

because the area over the pilot (on
standing pilot models) will be hot.

■ After prolonged use of a range, high floor

temperatures may result and many floor
coverings will not withstand this kind of
use. Never install the range over vinyl tile
or linoleum that cannot withstand such
type of use. Never install it directly over
interior kitchen carpeting.

■ Do not leave children alone or unattended

where a range is hot or in operation. They
could be seriously burned.

■ Do not allow anyone to climb, stand or

hang on the oven door, broiler door or
cooktop. They could damage the range
and even tip it over, causing severe
personal injury.

■

CAUTION: Items of interest to

children should not be stored in cabinets
above a range or on the backsplash of a
range—children climbing on the range
to reach items could be seriously injured.

■ Clean only parts listed in this Owner’s

Manual.

■ Never wear loose fitting or hanging

garments while using the appliance. Be
careful when reaching for items stored in
cabinets over the range. Flammable
material could be ignited if brought in
contact with flame or hot oven surfaces
and may cause severe burns.

■ Do not store flammable materials in an

oven, a range broiler or near a cooktop.

■ Do not store or use combustible materials,

gasoline or other flammable vapors and
liquids in the vicinity of this or any other
appliance.

■ Do not let cooking grease or other

flammable materials accumulate in or
near the range.

■ Do not use water on grease fires. Never

pick up a flaming pan. Turn the controls
off. Smother a flaming pan on a surface
burner by covering the pan completely
with a well-fitting lid, cookie sheet or flat
tray. Use a multi-purpose dry chemical or
foam-type fire extinguisher.

■ Flaming grease outside a pan can be put

out by covering it with baking soda or,
if available, by using a multi-purpose dry
chemical or foam-type fire extinguisher.

■ Flame in the oven can be smothered

completely by closing the oven door and
turning the control to off or by using a
multi-purpose dry chemical or foam-type
fire extinguisher.

■ Let the burner grates and other surfaces

cool before touching them or leaving
them where children can reach them.

■ Never block the vents (air openings) of

the range. They provide the air inlet and
outlet that are necessary for the range to
operate properly with correct combustion.
Air openings are located at the rear of
the cooktop, at the top and bottom of the
oven door, and at the bottom of the range
under the broiler door.

■ Large scratches or impacts to glass doors

can lead to broken or shattered glass.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.

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Safety Instructions Operating Instructions Care and Cleaning Installation Instructions Troubleshooting Tips Consumer Support

■ Do not use the oven for a storage area.

Items stored in the oven can ignite.

■ Keep the oven free from grease buildup.

■ Place the oven shelves in the desired

position while the oven is cool.

■ Pulling out the shelf to the stop-lock is a

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

■ Do not heat unopened food containers.

Pressure could build up and the container
could burst, causing an injury.

■ When using cooking or roasting bags in

the oven, follow the manufacturer’s
directions.

■ Do not use your oven to dry newspapers.

If overheated, they can catch fire.

■ Use only glass cookware that is

recommended for use in gas ovens.

■ Always remove the broiler pan from range

as soon as you finish broiling. Grease left
in the pan can catch fire if oven is used
without removing the grease from the
broiler pan.

■ When broiling, if meat is too close to the

flame, the fat may ignite. Trim excess fat to
prevent excessive flare-ups.

■ Make sure the broiler pan is in place

correctly to reduce the possibility of
grease fires.

■ If you should have a grease fire in the

broiler pan, turn off the oven control, and
keep the broiler door and oven door
closed to contain fire until it burns out.

■ For safety and proper cooking performance,

always bake and broil with the oven and
broiler doors closed.

■ Never leave jars of fat drippings on or near

your range.

Stand away from the range when opening the door of a hot oven. The hot air and steam that escape
can cause burns to hands, face and eyes.

OVEN

COOK MEAT AND POULTRY THOROUGHLY…

Cook meat and poultry thoroughly—meat to at least an INTERNAL temperature of 160°F and poultry
to at least an INTERNAL temperature of 180°F. Cooking to these temperatures usually protects
against foodborne illness.

WARNING: NEVER cover

any slots, holes or passages in the oven
bottom or cover an entire rack with
materials such as aluminum foil. Doing
so blocks air flow through the oven and
may cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
Aluminum foil linings may also trap
heat, causing a fire hazard.

Consumer Support Troubleshooting Tips Installation Instructions Care and Cleaning Operating Instructions Safety Instructions

6

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.

SURFACE BURNERS

Use proper pan size—avoid pans that are unstable or easily tipped. Select cookware having flat
bottoms large enough to cover burner grates. To avoid spillovers, make sure cookware is large
enough to contain the food properly. This will both save cleaning time and prevent hazardous
accumulations of food, since heavy spattering or spillovers left on range can ignite. Use pans with
handles that can be easily grasped and remain cool.

■ Always use the LITE position (on electric

ignition models) or the HI position (on
standing pilot models) when igniting the
top burners and make sure the burners
have ignited.

■ Never leave the surface burners

unattended at high flame settings.
Boilovers cause smoking and greasy
spillovers that may catch on fire.

■ Adjust the top burner flame size so it

does not extend beyond the edge of the
cookware. Excessive flame is hazardous.

■ Use only dry pot holders—moist or damp

pot holders on hot surfaces may result in
burns from steam. Do not let pot holders
come near open flames when lifting
cookware. Do not use a towel or other
bulky cloth in place of a pot holder.

■ When using glass cookware, make sure it

is designed for top-of-range cooking.

■ To minimize the possibility of burns,

ignition of flammable materials and
spillage, turn cookware handles toward the
side or back of the range without
extending over adjacent burners.

■ Carefully watch foods being fried at a high

flame setting.

■ Always heat fat slowly, and watch as it heats.

■ Do not leave any items on the cooktop.

The hot air from the vent may ignite
flammable items and will increase pressure
in closed containers, which may cause
them to burst.

■ If a combination of oils or fats will be used

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

■ Use a deep fat thermometer whenever

possible to prevent overheating fat beyond
the smoking point.

■ Use the least possible amount of fat for

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

■ Do not flame foods on the cooktop. If you

do flame foods under the hood, turn the
fan on.

■ Do not use a wok on the cooking surface

if the wok has a round metal ring that is
placed over the burner grate to support
the wok. This ring acts as a heat trap,
which may damage the burner grate and
burner head. Also, it may cause the burner
to work improperly. This may cause a
carbon monoxide level above that
allowed by current standards, resulting
in a health hazard.

■ Foods for frying should be as dry as

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

■ Never try to move a pan of hot fat,

especially a deep fat fryer. Wait until the fat
is cool.

■ Do not leave plastic items on the

cooktop—they may melt if left too close to
the vent.

■ Keep all plastics away from the surface

burners.

■ To avoid the possibility of a burn, always be

certain that the controls for all burners are
at the OFF position and all grates are cool
before attempting to remove them.

■ If range is located near a window, do not

hang long curtains that could blow over the
surface burners and create a fire hazard.

■ Always turn the surface burner controls off

before removing cookware.

WARNING!

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Safety Instructions Operating Instructions Care and Cleaning Installation Instructions Troubleshooting Tips Consumer Support

READ AND FOLLOW THIS SAFETY INFORMATION CAREFULLY.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

SURFACE BURNERS (cont.)

■ When a pilot goes out (on standing pilot

models), you will detect a faint odor of gas
as your signal to relight the pilot. When
relighting the pilot, make sure burner
controls are in the off position, and follow
instructions in this book to relight.

■ If you smell gas, and you have already

made sure pilots are lit (on standing pilot
models), turn off the gas to the range and
call a qualified service technician. Never
use an open flame to locate a leak.

■ Do not place or store items that can melt

or catch fire on the grates, even when the
cooktop is not being used.

■ Keep range clean and free of

accumulations of grease or spillovers,
which may ignite.

Do not locate the range where it may be subject to strong drafts. Any openings in the floor or wall
behind the range should be sealed. Make sure the openings around the base of the range that supply
fresh air for combustion and ventilation are not obstructed by carpeting or woodwork.

FLOORING UNDER THE RANGE

Your range, like many other household items,
is heavy and can settle into soft floor coverings
such as cushioned vinyl or carpeting. Use
care when moving the range on this type of
flooring. It is recommended that the following
simple and inexpensive instructions be
followed to protect your floor.

The range should be installed on a sheet of
plywood (or similar material). When the floor
covering ends at the front of the range, the
area that the range will rest on should be built
up with plywood to the same level or higher
than the floor covering.

This will allow the range to be moved for
cleaning or servicing. Also, make sure your
floor covering will withstand 180°F. (See the
Installation Safety Instructions section).

Make sure the wall coverings around your
range can withstand the heat generated (up to
200°F) by the range. (See the Installation
Safety Instructions section).

Leveling legs are located on each corner of
the base of the range. Your range must be
level in order to produce proper cooking and
baking results. After it is in its final location,
place a level horizontally on any oven shelf

and check the levelness front to back and
side to side. Level the range by adjusting the
leveling legs or by placing shims under the
corners as needed.

LEVELING THE RANGE

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Consumer Support Troubleshooting Tips Installation Instructions Care and Cleaning Operating Instructions Safety Instructions

8

Using the gas surface burners.

Throughout this manual, features and appearance may vary from your model.

Surface Lighting Instructions for Electric Ignition Models

The surface burners on some models are lit by
electric ignition, eliminating the need for standing
pilot lights with constantly burning flames.

In case of a power failure, you can light
the surface burners on your range with
a match. Hold a lit match to the burner,
then turn the knob to the LITE position.

Use extreme caution when lighting burners
this way.

Surface burners in use when an
electrical power failure occurs will
continue to operate normally.

The electrode of the spark igniter is
exposed. When one burner is turned
to LITE, all the burners spark. Do not
attempt to disassemble or clean
around any burner while another
burner is on. An electric shock may
result, which could cause you to
knock over hot cookware.

Surface Lighting Instructions for Standing Pilot Models

The surface burners on these ranges have
standing pilots that must be lit initially.

To light them:

Be sure surface burner control
knobs are in the OFF position.

Lift the cooktop up and prop it
open with the prop rod provided
(see the Care and cleaning of the
range section).

Locate the 2 pilot ports and light
each of them with a match.

To avoid pilot outage, slowly lower
the cooktop after lighting the pilots.

Surface Burner Controls

The knobs that turn the surface burners on and
off are located on the control panel on the front
of the range. The two surface knobs on the left
control the left front and left rear burners. The
two surface knobs on the right control the right
front and right rear burners.

To Use a Surface Burner

Push the control knob in and turn it
to LITE (HI on pilot models). On
electric ignition models, you will
hear a little clicking noise—the
sound of the electric spark igniting
the burner.

After the burner ignites, turn the
knob to adjust the flame size.

After Lighting a Burner

■ Check to be sure the burner you
turned on is the one you want to use.

■ Do not operate a burner for an
extended period of time without
cookware on the grate. The finish on
the grate may chip without cookware
to absorb the heat.

■ Be sure the burners and grates are
cool before you place your hand, a
pot holder, cleaning cloths or other
materials on them.

Pilot port

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Safety Instructions Operating Instructions Care and Cleaning Installation Instructions Troubleshooting Tips Consumer Support

How to Select Flame Size

Watch the flame, not the knob, as you reduce
heat. The flame size on a gas burner should
match the cookware you are using.

For safe handling of cookware, never let the
flame extend up the sides of the cookware.

Any flame larger than the bottom of the
cookware is wasted and only serves to
heat the handle.

Top of Range Cookware

Aluminum: Medium-weight cookware is

recommended because it heats quickly
and evenly. Most foods brown evenly in
an aluminum skillet. Use saucepans with
tight-fitting lids when cooking with
minimum amounts of water.

Cast-iron: If heated slowly, most skillets
will give satisfactory results.

Enamelware: Under some conditions,
the enamel of some cookware may
melt. Follow cookware manufacturer’s
recommendations for cooking methods.

Glass: There are 2 types of glass
cookware—those for oven use only
and those for top-of-range cooking
(saucepans, coffee and teapots).
Glass conducts heat very slowly.

Heatproof Glass Ceramic: Can be used
for either surface or oven cooking. It
conducts heat very slowly and cools very
slowly. Check cookware manufacturer’s
directions to be sure it can be used on
gas ranges.

Stainless Steel: This metal alone has
poor heating properties and is usually
combined with copper, aluminum
or other metals for improved heat
distribution. Combination metal skillets
usually work satisfactorily if they are used
with medium heat as the manufacturer
recommends.

Never let the flame extend up the
sides of the cookware.

Oven Control

Your oven is controlled by an OVEN TEMP knob.
It can take up to 90 seconds before the flame
comes on.

After the oven reaches the selected
temperature, the oven burner maintains
the selected temperature.

Oven Shelves

The shelves are designed with stop-locks
so when placed correctly on the shelf
supports, they will stop before coming
completely out of the oven and will not
tilt when you are removing food from
them or placing food on them.

When placing cookware on a shelf,
pull the shelf out to the bump on the
shelf support. Place the cookware on the
shelf, then slide the shelf back into the
oven. This will eliminate reaching into
the hot oven.

To remove the shelves from the oven, pull
them toward you, tilt front end upward
and pull them out.

To replace, place shelf on shelf support
with stop-locks (curved extension of
shelf) facing up and toward back of oven.
Tilt up front and push shelf toward back
of oven until it goes past the bump on
the shelf support. Then lower front of
shelf and push it all the way back.

Consumer Support Troubleshooting Tips Installation Instructions Care and Cleaning Operating Instructions Safety Instructions

10

Using the oven.

Throughout this manual, features and appearance may vary from your model.

Power Outage—Electric Ignition Models

CAUTION: Do not make any attempt to
operate the electric ignition oven during an
electric power failure. The oven or broiler

cannot be lit during a power failure. Gas
will not flow unless the glow bar is hot.

If the oven is in use when a power failure
occurs, the oven burner shuts off and
cannot be re-lit until power is restored.
This is because the flow of gas is
automatically stopped and will not
resume when power is restored until
the glow bar has reached operating
temperature.

Oven Lighting Instructions for Standing Pilot Models

The standing oven pilot must be lit initially.

To light the oven pilot:

Be sure the OVEN TEMP knob is in
the OFF position.

Open the oven door and
remove the oven bottom. See the

Removable Oven Bottom section in
Care and Cleaning.

Find the oven pilot port at the back
of the oven.

To light the oven pilot, push in
and hold the OVEN TEMP knob while
lighting the pilot with a long match
or match in a match holder. Once
the oven pilot is lit, continue holding
the OVEN TEMP knob in for one
minute before releasing.

Bump

Power Outage—Standing Pilot Models

An electrical power failure will not affect
the standing oven pilot.

OVEN TEMP

F

F

O

L

I

O

R

B

0

5

0

0

5

2

6

0

3

0

0

3

5

0

4

0

0

4

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Safety Instructions Operating Instructions Care and Cleaning Installation Instructions Troubleshooting Tips Consumer Support

Oven Vents

■ The oven is vented through
duct openings at the front of the
backsplash.

■ Do not block the opening when
cooking in the oven—it is important
that the flow of hot air from the oven
and fresh air to the oven burner be
uninterrupted.

■ The vent openings and nearby surfaces
may become hot during baking and
broiling. Do not touch them.

■ Do not leave plastic items on the
cooktop—they may melt if left too
close to the vent.

■ Handles of pots and pans on the
cooktop may become hot if left too
close to the vent.

■ Metal items will become very hot if
they are left on the cooktop and could
cause burns.

■ Do not leave any items on the cooktop.
The hot air from the vent may ignite
flammable items and will increase
pressure in closed containers, which
may cause them to burst.

Oven Shelf Positions

The oven has four shelf supports—
A (bottom), B, C and D (top).

Shelf positions for cooking are suggested
in the Using your oven for baking and
Using your oven for roasting sections.

The type of margarine will affect baking performance!

Most recipes for baking have been developed
using high fat products such as butter or
margarine (80% fat). If you decrease the fat, the
recipe may not give the same results as with a
higher fat product.

Recipe failure can result if cakes, pies,
pastries, cookies or candies are made
with low fat spreads. The lower the fat
content of a spread product, the more
noticeable these differences become.

Federal standards require products
labeled “margarine” to contain at least
80% fat by weight. Low fat spreads, on
the other hand, contain less fat and more
water. The high moisture content of
these spreads affects the texture and
flavor of baked goods. For best results
with your old favorite recipes, use
margarine, butter or stick spreads
containing at least 70% vegetable oil.

The oven has 4 shelf positions.