West Bend L 5243 User Manual

WEST BEND® ELECTRIC GRIDDLE

L 5243

Register this and other West Bend® products through our website: www.westbend.com

Care and Use Instructions

TO PREVENT PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, READ AND FOLLOW THE
INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS IN THI S CARE AND USE INSTRUCTION M ANUAL.

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS: Use electricity safely and wisely! Observe safety precautions when using

your West Bend® Electric Griddle, including the following:

• Read all instructions before using.

• Be sure that handle/legs are assembled and fastened properly. See instructions regarding assembly.

• Attach heat control to griddle first, then plug cord into wall outlet. To disconnect, turn control to OFF, then

remove plug from wall outlet.

• Do not let cord touch hot surfaces or hang over the edge of a counter, table or surface area.

• Always unplug cord from wall outlet when not in use. Let griddle cool before connecting or disconnecting heat

control, and also before cleaning.

• Be very careful when carrying griddle if it contains hot oil or liquid; let cool before pouring out.

• Supervise closely when griddle is used by or near children.

• Do not immerse heat control, its cord or plug in water or other liquid.

• Do not use griddle or control outdoors, on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or in a heated oven.

• Do not touch hot surface of griddle. Use handles for lifting or carrying.

• Use your griddle only for the cooking tasks described in this booklet. Do not use attachments unless re

commended by West Bend Housewares.

• Do not use griddle if it or its cord has been damaged or if it is not working properly.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS: Your griddle needs no special care other than cleaning. If servicing

becomes necessary, please return your griddle to West Bend Housewares. See Warranty section in this booklet for
service details. Do not attempt to repair it yourself.

For household use only.

This appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). As a safety feature, this plug will fit in a
polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit,
contact a qualified electrician. Do not attempt to defeat this safety feature.
WARNING: To prevent personal injury or property damage caused by fire, always unplug this and other appliances
when not in use.

FOR UNASSEMBLED MODELS ONLY:
ASSEMBLE HANDLE/LEGS BEFORE USING

Parts Included

2 Handle/Legs
4 Long Handle/Leg Scre ws
2 Leveling Washers

Tool Required

Common Slotted Screwdriver

HANDLE/LEG ASSEMBLY

1. Place griddle upside down on tabletop or countertop.

2. Position each handle/leg on griddle, lining up holes in handle with the mounting projection on griddle.

3. Using appropriate screwdriver, securely attach handles with the screws provided (two long screws per handle).
See diagram.

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CAUTION: To prevent personal injury or property damage, screws must be inserted straight into griddle mounting
projections for proper assembly. To prevent stripping of threads, do not over tighten screws.

4. To assure proper installation of griddle handles, place assembled unit right side up on a flat surface and lift item
with handle s. Handles should feel tight ly secured.

5. If the griddle rocks when placed on a flat surface, remove screw on the leg which is not resting on the surface.
Install one of the enclosed washers between the griddle mounting projection and the handle. Replace the screw
following instructions 3 and 4 above. If the griddle is not level after the addition of the washer, add the second
leveling washer in the same manner as the first.

BEFORE USING THE FIRST TIME:

CAUTION: To prevent personal injury or electric shock, always remove temperature control before immersing this

product in water. Do not immerse the temperature control, its cord or plug in water or other liquid.

1. Wash griddle thoroughly in hot soapy water with a dishcloth or sponge to remove any manufacturing oils. Rinse
thoroughly and dry. Be sure temperature control socket is completely dried.

2. Condition the non-stick finish by lightly wiping two teaspoons of cooking oil with paper toweling or a soft cloth
over the entire surface. Let cooking oil remain on the finish. Do not use butter or shortening to condition the
non-stick surface. Your griddle is now ready for use.

DAILY USE:

1. Always use griddle on a dry, level, heat-resistant surface. Do not operate griddle when hands are wet. Attach
temperature control to griddle. Be sure dial is set at OFF. Plug cord into a 120-volt AC electrical outlet ONLY.

CAUTION: To prevent personal injury or property damage, inspect cordset for damage or wear before each use. Do
not use your p roduct if it, its cord or plug have bee n damaged or if it is not working prope rly.

CAUTION: Your griddle has a short cord as a safety precaution to prevent personal injury or property damage
resulting from pulling, tripping or becoming entangled with the cord. Do not allow children to be near or use this
griddle without close adult supervision. If you must use a longer cordset or an extension cord when using the griddle,
the cord must be arranged so it will not drape or hang over the edge of a countertop, tabletop or surface area where it
can be pulled on by children or tripped over. To prevent electric shock, personal injury or fire, the electrical rating of
the extension cord you use must be the same or more that the wattage of the griddle (wattage is stamped on underside
of griddle).

2. Refer to the Temperature Guide in this booklet for selecting correct heat settings. (If food is taken directly from
freezer, use heat setting as indicated on guide, but allow longer cooking time.) Most foods require a preheat
period. See cooking chart.

3. The signal light on the temperature control will go out when the cooking temperature has been reached; add
food. Heat may be increased or decreased, depending upon personal preference and the type or amount of food
being prepared. The signal light will go on and off periodically to indicate that proper temperature is being
maintained.

4. Foods may be prepared with or without fats. When frying, the use of a small amount of butter, fat or oil will
improve the flavor, color and crispness of foods. When frying fatty foods such as bacon or sausage, excess
grease will collect in the grease well. If a large quantity of food is being prepared, you may find it necessary to
remove grease from the well as it accumulates. Either remove excess grease from well during cooking using a
baster, or after food is removed, lift griddle by handles and carefully pour grease from either end of grease well
into a heat-resistant container.

CAUTION: To prevent personal injury or property damage, always exercise caution when removing hot grease.

5. Nylon, plastic, wooden or rubber cooking tools are recommended for use on the non-stick surface. Smooth­edged metal cooking tools may be used with care. Do not use sharp-edged cooking tools such as forks, knives or
food choppers as scratching may occur. Minor scratching will affect only the appearance of the finish; it will not
harm its non- stick property.

6. When cooking period is completed, set the temperature control dial at WARM for later serving, or set dial at
OFF if food will be removed immediately from griddle. After the dial is set at OFF, disconnect cord from wall
outlet. Let griddle cool before removing temperature control.

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