Whirlpool RC8720ED User Manual

Home Appliances

Use And Care

GUIDE

A Note to You ......................... 2

Cooktop Safety.................... 3-5

Getting to Know

Your Cooktop ......................... 6

Controls .................................. 7

Using .................................. 7

Caring for............................ 8

Coil Elements ......................... 9

Installing ............................. 9

Using ................................ 11

Caring for.......................... 13

Ceramic Surface Units......... 16

Installing ........................... 16

Using ................................ 18

Caring for.......................... 20

Grill........................................ 23

Installing ........................... 23

Using ................................ 25

Caring for.......................... 28

Griddle .................................. 30

Installing ........................... 30

Using ................................ 31

Caring for.......................... 33

Vent ....................................... 34

Using ................................ 34

Caring for.......................... 35

Troubleshooting................... 36

Requesting Assistance

or Service ............................. 38

Warranty ............................... 40

30" ELECTRIC MODULAR DOWNDRAFT COOKTOP

PART NO. 208039B/4381591

1-800-253-1301

Call us with questions or comments.

MODELS RC8720ED

RC8700ED

A Note to You

Thank you for buying a WHIRLPOOL® appliance.

Because your life is getting busier and more complicated, WHIRLPOOL cooktops are easy to use, save time, and help you manage your home better. To ensure that you enjoy years of trouble-free operation, we developed this Use and Care Guide. It is full of valuable information about how to operate and maintain your appliance properly and safely. Please read it carefully.

Also, please complete and mail in the Product Registration Card provided with your appliance. The card helps us notify you about any new information on your appliance.

Please record your model’s information.

Whenever you call to request service for your appliance, you need to know your complete model number and serial number. You can find this information on the model and serial number plate (see diagram on page 6 for location of plate).

Please also record the purchase date of your appliance and your dealer’s name, address, and telephone number.

Keep this book and the sales slip together in a safe place for future reference.

Model Number __________________________ Serial Number __________________________ Purchase Date __________________________ Dealer Name ___________________________ Dealer Address _________________________ Dealer Phone ___________________________

Our Consumer Assistance Center number is toll-free 24 hours a day.

1-800-253-1301

Cooktop Safety

Your safety is important to us.

This guide contains safety statements under warning symbols. Please pay special attention to these symbols and follow any instructions given. Here is a brief explanation of the use of the symbol.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

wWARNING

This symbol alerts you to such dangers as fire, electrical shock, burns, and personal injury.

wWARNING

General

•Read all instructions before using

the cooktop.

•Install or locate the cooktop only

in accordance with the provided Installation Instructions. The cooktop must be installed by a qualified installer. The cooktop must be properly connected to electrical supply and grounded.

•CAUTION: Do not store things

children might want above the cooktop. Children could be burned or injured while climbing on it.

•Do not leave children alone or

unattended in area where the cooktop is in use. They should never be allowed to sit or stand on any part of the cooktop. They could be burned or injured.

•Do not operate the cooktop if it is

damaged or not working properly.

To reduce the risk of fire, electrical shock, injury to persons, or damage when using the cooktop, follow basic precautions, including the following:

•Do not use the cooktop for warm-

ing or heating the room. Persons could be burned or injured, or a fire could start.

•Use the cooktop only for its in-

tended use as described in this manual.

•Do not touch surface units or

areas near units. Surface units could be hot even though they are dark in color. Areas near surface units become hot enough to cause burns. During and after use, do not touch, or let clothing or other flammable materials contact surface units or areas near surface units until they have had sufficient time to cool.

continued on next page

COOKTOP SAFETY

•Do not wear loose or hanging

garments when using the cooktop. They could ignite if they touch a hot surface unit and you could be burned.

•Use only dry pot holders. Moist or

damp pot holders on hot surfaces could result in burns from steam. Do not let pot holder touch hot heating elements. Do not use a towel or bulky cloth for a pot holder. It could catch on fire.

•Do not heat unopened containers.

They could explode. The hot contents could cause burns and container particles could cause injury.

•Do not store flammable materials

on or near the cooktop. The fumes could create an explosion and/or fire hazard.

penetrate the broken cooktop and

create a risk of electrical shock. Contact a qualified technician immediately.

•Select a pan with a flat bottom

that is about the same size as the surface unit. If pan is smaller than the surface unit, some of the heating element will be exposed and could result in the igniting of clothing or pot holders. Correct pan size also improves cooking efficiency.

•Check to be sure glass cooking

utensils are safe for use on the cooktop. Only certain types of glass, glass-ceramic, ceramic, earthenware, or other glazed utensils are suitable for cooktops without breaking due to the sudden change in temperature.

•Never leave surface units un-

attended at high heat settings. A boilover could result and cause smoking and greasy spillovers that could ignite.

When using the cooktop

•Make sure the reflector bowls are

in place during cooking. Cooking without reflector bowls could subject the wiring and components underneath them to damage.

•Do not line reflector bowls or grill

basin with aluminum foil or other liners. Improper installation of these liners could result in a risk of electrical shock or fire.

•Do not cook on a broken cooktop.

If cooktop should break, cleaning solutions and spillovers could

•Turn pan handles inward, but not

over other surface units. This will help reduce the chance of burns, igniting of flammable materials, and spills due to bumping of the pan.

COOKTOP SAFETY

Grease

•Grease is flammable. Do not allow

grease to collect around cooktop. Wipe spillovers immediately.

•Do not use water on grease fires.

Never pick up a flaming pan. Smother flaming pan by covering with a well-fitted lid, cookie sheet, or flat tray. Flaming grease outside of pan can be extinguished with baking soda or, if available, a multipurpose dry chemical or foam-type extinguisher.

Care and cleaning

•Clean cooktop with care. Some

cleaners could produce noxious fumes if applied to a hot surface. If a wet paper towel is used to wipe spills on a hot cooking area, be careful to avoid steam burns.

•Do not soak removable heating

elements in water. The element will be damaged and shock or fire could result.

•Do not repair or replace any part

of the cooktop unless specifically recommended in this manual. All other servicing should be referred to a qualified technician.

•Disconnect the electrical supply

before servicing the cooktop.

•Keep all switches off when unit is

not in use.

•Clean only parts listed in this

manual and use procedures recommended.

•This appliance has been tested

for safe performance using conventional cookware. Do not use any devices or accessories that are not specifically recommended in this manual. Do not use eyelid covers for the surface units or stovetop grills. The use of devices or accessories that are not expressly recommended in this manual can create serious safety hazards, result in performance problems, and reduce the life of the components of the appliance.

– SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS –

Getting

to Know Your

Cooktop

This section contains captioned illustrations of your cooktop. Use them to become familiar with the location and appearance of all parts and features. To help you find information on specific parts and features quickly, page references are included.

Optional grill cover accessory

(p.n. RCM50DB/Q) (pp. 25, 26, 29)

Optional griddle accessory

(p.n. RCM40DB) (pp. 30-33)

Optional grill element, grillrocks, and grates

(p.n. RCM20DB) (pp. 23, 28, 29, 33)

Vent

Basins Model and serial

number plate

NOTE: Grill and griddle accessories can be

installed in either basin on Model RC8700ED. Coil and ceramic surface unit accessories can be installed in both basins on Model RC8700ED. On Model RC8720ED, the right side has nonremovable coil surface units.

Air grille

Optional ceramic surface

unit accessory

(p.n. RCM30DB/DQ)

(pp. 16-22)

Optional coil surface

unit accessory

(p.n. RCM10DB/DQ)

(pp. 9-15)

(Model RC8720ED comes

with nonremovable coil

surface units)

Control panel

(pp. 7, 8)

Vent Chamber

Drain jars

(Model RC8720ED only has

one jar, in the left bay.)

(p. 29)

Control panel

Vent fan control knob

(p. 34)

Left rear control knob

(pp. 7, 8)

Left front control knob

(pp. 7, 8)

Right rear control knob

(pp. 7, 8)

Right front

control knob

(pp. 7, 8)

Surface unit

indicator light

(p. 7)

Controls

Using

Your cooktop’s easy-to-use controls will work for all of the accessories. Please review this section before cooking with your cooktop to learn the few basics you’ll need to use them correctly.

Turning the knobs

Push down on control knobs before turning them to a setting. You can set

them anywhere between HI and LO.

NOTES:

• When the knob is set in any position,

other than OFF, you can turn it in any direction without pushing down.

• When using the grill element (see pages

23-28), you can use either the whole grill area or only half the grill area. To use the whole area, turn on both the front and rear control knobs. To use half the area, turn on only one of the control knobs.

Until you get used to the settings, use the following as a guide for surface element cooking.

SETTING RECOMMENDED USE

HI • To start foods cooking.

• To bring liquids to a boil.

7-10 • To hold a rapid boil.

• To fry chicken.

5-6

3-4

LO-2 • To keep food warm until

• Most frying, including

pancakes.

• To cook large amounts

of vegetables.

• For gravy, pudding, and

icing.

• To keep food cooking

after starting it on a higher setting.

ready to serve.

wWARNING

Surface unit indicator light

The Surface Unit Indicator Light on the

control panel will glow when any surface unit/grill element control knob is on.

Fire Hazard

Turn off all controls when done cooking.

Failure to do so can result in death, fire, or burns.

CONTROLS

Caring for controls

NOTE: Let cooktop cool before cleaning.

Use this chart to help you clean your control knobs and panel.

PART Control knobs

Control panel

WHAT TO USE

Sponge and warm, soapy water

Dishwasher

Sponge and warm, soapy water

Paper towel and mild liquid soap

HOW TO CLEAN

• Turn knobs to OFF and pull

straight away from control panel.

• Wash, rinse, and dry well. Do

not soak.

• Do not use steel wool or gritty

cleansers. They may damage the finish.

• Replace knobs. Make sure all

knobs point to OFF.

• Wash, wipe with clean water,

and dry well.

• Do not use steel wool or gritty

cleansers. They may damage the finish.

• Do not spray cleaner directly on

panel. Spray cleaner on paper towel.

Coil Elements

Installing

You can install extra coil elements in the left basin (Model RC8720ED) or both basins (Model RC8700ED) of your cooktop. To get the coil element accessory, order Part Number RCM10DB/DQ from a Whirlpool service company or dealer (see Step 2 on page 38) or call the Whirlpool Consumer Assistance Center toll-free 1-800-253-1301.

To install:

Terminal

receptacle

Terminal

plug

1. Make sure the control knobs are

turned off.

2. If the grill grates, element, and grill-rocks

are in place, remove them before installing coil elements. Clean out any grease that may be in the basin. (See page 24 for more information.)

Terminal

receptacle

Terminal

plug

4. Slide the accessory towards the recep-

tacle until the terminal plug is firmly set in receptacle.

5. Lower the opposite end of the accessory

into the cooktop until it is flush with the surface.

3. Position the accessory terminal plug

towards the terminal receptacle.

continued on next page

COIL ELEMENTS

To remove:

1. Make sure the control knobs are turned

off and the cooktop is cool.

Tab

Opening

Terminal

receptacle

3. To pull out the accessory, hold it by the

sides and slide away from the terminal receptacle. Lift out when fully unplugged.

NOTE: Do not stack accessories where they

may fall or be damaged.

2. Lift up on the “tab” located on the

accessory until the top of the accessory clears the opening of the cooktop by about two inches. Lifting the accessory too high while still set firmly in receptacle could damage the terminal plug.

Using

COIL ELEMENTS

Cookware tips

• Select a pan that is about the same size

as the surface unit.

• NOTE: For best results and greater

energy efficiency, use only flat-bottomed

cookware that makes good contact with the surface units. Cookware with rounded, warped, ribbed (such as some porcelain enamelware), or dented bottoms could cause severe overheating, which damages the cookware and/or surface unit.

You can, however, use the newer cookware available with slightly indented bottoms or very small expansion channels. This cookware is specially designed to provide the good contact needed for best cooking results.

Also, woks, canners, and teakettles with flat bottoms suitable for use on your cooktop are now available in most stores that sell housewares.

• The pan should have straight sides and a

tight-fitting lid.

• Choose medium to heavy gauge (thick-

ness) pans that are fairly lightweight.

• The pan material (metal or glass) affects

how fast heat transfers from the surface unit through the pan material and how evenly heat spreads over the pan bottom. Choose pans that provide the best cooking results.

• Handles should be made of sturdy, heat-

resistant material and be securely attached to the pan.

NOTES:

• If a surface unit stays red for a long time,

the bottom of the pan is not flat enough or is too small for the surface unit, or the control has been left on HI after boiling. Prolonged usage of utensils that are too large could result in damage to the surface unit, cooktop, wiring, and surrounding areas. To prevent damage, use correct utensils and turn control down to continue cooking.

• Do not leave an empty utensil, or one

which has boiled dry, on a hot surface unit. The utensil could overheat and damage the utensil or surface unit.

COIL ELEMENTS

Home canning information

To protect your cooktop:

• Use flat-bottomed canners/pans for best

results.

• Use the largest surface unit for best

results. Also, use a canner/pan which can be centered over the surface unit and which does not extend more than one inch outside surface unit area. Large diameter canners/pans, if not properly centered, trap heat and can cause damage to the cooktop.

• Do not place canner on two surface units

at the same time. Too much heat will build up and will damage the cooktop.

• Start with hot water. This reduces the

time the control is set on high. Reduce heat setting to lowest position needed to keep water boiling.

• Keep reflector bowls clean for best heat

reflection.

• To prolong the life of the elements:

– Prepare small batches at a time. – Do not use elements for canning all

day.

• Refer to your canner manual for specific

instructions.

Energy saving tips

Although the energy used for cooking is usually a very small percentage of the total energy used in the home, cooking energy can be used efficiently. Here are some tips to help you save energy when using your cooking product:

• Use pans with flat bottoms, straight sides,

and tight-fitting lids.

• Match the pan to the surface unit size.

• Cook with a minimum of liquid or fat to

help shorten cooking time.

• Preheat pans only when recommended

and for the shortest time possible.

• Start food on higher heat settings, then set

surface unit control on low or off to finish cooking. Use retained heat for cooking when possible.

• Turn on the surface unit only after placing

filled pan on the unit.

• Plan your meals for the most efficient use

of the cooktop.

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