Whirlpool RF387LXH, RF386PXG, RF385PXG, RF388LXG User Manual

Self-Cleaning

Electric Ranges

A Note to You ............	2
Range Safety ............	3
Parts and Features....	6
Using Your Range ....8
Using the Self-
Cleaning Cycle ........	25
Caring for Your
Range ......................	28
Troubleshooting ......	36
Requesting
Assistance or
Service ....................	38
Index ........................	39
Warranty ..................	40

1-800-253-1301

Call our Consumer Assistance Center with questions or comments.

with ACCUBAKE® System

4.65 Cubic Foot Oven

MODELS RF385PXG RF386PXG RF387LXH RF388LXG

8053401B

A NOTE TO YOU

Thank you for buying a WHIRLPOOL® appliance.

The Whirlpool Brand is committed to designing quality products that consistently perform for you to make your life easier. 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 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 label/plate (see diagram in

the “Parts and Features” section).

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

Model Number

Serial Number

Purchase Date

Dealer Name

Dealer Address

Dealer Phone

Keep this book and the sales slip together in a safe place for future reference. It is important for you to save your sales receipt showing the date of purchase. Proof of purchase will assure you of in-warranty service.

Our Consumer Assistance Center number is toll free.

1-800-253-1301

To find detailed product information, the location of the nearest Whirlpool dealer or designated servicer, to purchase an accessory item, or register your appliance on-line, please visit our Web site at www.whirlpool.com

2

RANGE SAFETY

Your safety and the safety of others is very important.

We have provided many important safety messages in this manual and on your appliance. Always read and obey all safety messages.

This is the safety alert symbol.

This symbol alerts you to hazards that can kill or hurt you and others.

All safety messages will be preceded by the safety alert symbol and the word “DANGER” or “WARNING.” These words mean:

wDANGER

wWARNING

You will be killed or seriously injured if you don’t follow instructions.

You can be killed or seriously injured if you don’t follow instructions.

All safety messages will identify the hazard, tell you how to reduce the chance of injury, and tell you what can happen if the instructions are not followed.

THE ANTI-TIP BRACKET

The range will not tip during normal use. However, the range can tip if you apply too much force or weight to the open door without the anti-tip bracket fastened down properly.

wWARNING

Tip Over Hazard

A child or adult can tip the range and be killed.

Connect anti-tip bracket to rear range foot.

Reconnect the anti-tip bracket, if the range is moved.

See the installation instructions for details.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in death or serious burns to children and adults.

Anti-Tip Bracket

Making sure the anti-tip bracket is installed:

•Slide range forward.

•Look for the anti-tip bracket securely attached to floor.

•Slide range back so rear range foot is under anti-tip bracket.

Range Foot

continued on next page

3

RANGE SAFETY

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

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

•WARNING – TO REDUCE THE RISK OF TIPPING OF THE RANGE, THE RANGE MUST BE SECURED BY PROPERLY INSTALLED ANTI-TIP DEVICES. TO CHECK IF THE DEVICES ARE INSTALLED PROPERLY, SLIDE RANGE FORWARD, LOOK FOR ANTI-TIP BRACKET SECURELY ATTACHED TO FLOOR, AND SLIDE RANGE BACK SO REAR RANGE FOOT IS UNDER ANTI-TIP BRACKET.

•CAUTION – Do not store items of interest to children in cabinets above a range or on the backguard of a range – children climbing on the range to reach items could be seriously injured.

•Proper Installation – Be sure the range is properly installed and grounded by a qualified technician.

•Never Use the Range for Warming or Heating the Room.

•Do Not Leave Children Alone – Children should not be left alone or unattended in area where the range is in use. They should never be allowed to sit or stand on any part of the range.

•Wear Proper Apparel – Loose-fitting or hanging garments should never be worn while using the range.

•User Servicing – Do not repair or replace any part of the range unless specifically recommended in the manual. All other servicing should be referred to a qualified technician.

•Storage in or on the Range – Flammable materials should not be stored in an oven or near surface units.

•Do Not Use Water on Grease Fires – Smother fire or flame or use dry chemical or foam-type extinguisher.

•Use Only Dry Potholders – Moist or damp potholders on hot surfaces may result in burns from steam. Do not let potholder touch hot heating elements. Do not use a towel or other bulky cloth.

•DO NOT TOUCH SURFACE UNITS OR AREAS NEAR UNITS – Surface units may be hot even though they are dark in color. Areas near surface units may 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 units until they have had sufficient time to cool. Among those areas are the cooktop and surfaces facing the cooktop.

•Use Proper Pan Size – The range 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 use of 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.

•Never Leave Surface Units Unattended at High Heat Settings – Boilover causes smoking and greasy spillovers that may ignite.

•Make Sure Reflector Pans or Drip Bowls Are in Place – Absence of these pans or bowls during cooking may subject wiring or components underneath to damage.

•Protective Liners – Do not use aluminum foil to line surface unit drip bowls or oven bottoms, except as suggested in the manual. Improper installation of these liners may result in a risk of electric shock, or fire.

•Glazed Cooking Utensils – Only certain types of glass, glass/ceramic, ceramic, earthenware, or other glazed utensils are suitable for range-top service without breaking due to the sudden change in temperature.

•Utensil Handles Should Be Turned Inward and Not Extend Over Adjacent Surface Units – To reduce the risk of burns, ignition of flammable materials, and spillage due to unintentional contact with the utensil, the handle of a utensil should be positioned so that it is turned inward, and does not extend over adjacent surface units.

•Do Not Soak Removable Heating Elements – Heating elements should never be immersed in water.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

4

RANGE SAFETY

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

•Do Not Cook on Broken Cooktop – If cooktop should break, cleaning solutions and spillovers may penetrate the broken cooktop and create a risk of electric shock. Contact a qualified technician immediately.

•Clean Cooktop With Caution – If a wet sponge or cloth is used to wipe spills on a hot cooking area, be careful to avoid steam burn. Some cleaners can produce noxious fumes if applied to a hot surface.

•Use Care When Opening Door – Let hot air or steam escape before removing or replacing food.

•Do Not Heat Unopened Food Containers – Build-up of pressure may cause container to burst and result in injury.

•Keep Oven Vent Ducts Unobstructed.

•Placement of Oven Racks – Always place oven racks in desired location while oven is cool. If rack must be moved while oven is hot, do not let potholder contact hot heating element in oven.

•DO NOT TOUCH HEATING ELEMENTS OR INTERIOR SURFACES OF OVEN – Heating elements may be hot even though they are dark in color. Interior surfaces of an oven become hot enough to cause burns. During and after use, do not touch, or let clothing or other flammable materials contact heating elements or interior surfaces of oven until they have had sufficient time to cool. Other surfaces of the appliance may become hot enough to cause burns – among these surfaces are oven vent openings and surfaces near these openings, oven doors, and windows of oven doors.

For self-cleaning ranges –

•Do Not Clean Door Gasket – The door gasket is essential for a good seal. Care should be taken not to rub, damage, or move the gasket.

•Do Not Use Oven Cleaners – No commercial oven cleaner or oven liner protective coating of any kind should be used in or around any part of the oven.

•Clean Only Parts Listed in Manual.

•Before Self-Cleaning the Oven – Remove broiler pan and other utensils.

For units with ventilating hood –

•Clean Ventilating Hoods Frequently – Grease should not be allowed to accumulate on hood or filter.

•When flaming foods under the hood, turn the fan on.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

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

This appliance can cause low-level exposure to some of the listed substances, including benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and toluene.

5

PARTS AND FEATURES

(Models RF385PXG and RF387LXH)

Oven vent

(p. 23)

Plug-in coil element with one-piece reflector bowl

(pp. 28, 31, 32)

ACCUSIMMER

NORMAL

BURNER

	OVEN
SELF-CLEANING
			TIMER
			SET LIGHT
		CLOCK	TIMER
CUSTOM	AUTO	TEMP	OFF
BAKE BROIL	CLEAN		SYSTEM
		ACCUBAKE

HR

MIN

START

OFF

Anti-tip bracket

(p. 3)

Door stop clip

(p. 34, 35)

Model and serial number plate

(behind left side of storage drawer)

Removable storage drawer

(p. 24)

Electronic

Oven Control

(pp. 14-22)

Control panel

(pp. 6, 28)

Automatic oven light switch

(p. 35)

Gasket

(p. 25)

Broil element

(not shown) (p. 20)

Bake element

(p. 17)

CONTROL PANEL

	ACCUSIMMER™
	feature indicator		Surface heating
	light		indicator light
	(lights when		(lights up when a
	ACCUSIMMER		coil element is on)
	is on)
				OFF
			LO	HI
		ACCUSIMMER
		OFF	2	8
	NORMAL	MIN
	BURNER	LO	HI
			3	7
		2	8
			4	6
		3	7	5
		4	6
		5
			PUSH TO TURN
		MAX

	ACCUBAKE®									Coil element marker
	system electronic									(shows which coil
	oven control									element you are setting)
										OFF
									LO	HI
SELF-CLEANING OVEN									2	8	OFF
										LO	HI
									3	7
										2	8
				TIMER					4	6
BAKE	CUSTOM AUTO	TEMP	CLOCK	SET	LIGHT HR		START	OFF
						MIN				5
	BROIL CLEAN			TIMER			ENTER	CANCEL		3	7
				OFF			5 SEC			PUSH TO TURN
										4	6
			ACCUBAKE SYSTEM								5

ACCUSIMMER	Left front	Left rear	Right rear	Right front
control knob	control knob	control knob	control knob	control knob

6

PARTS AND FEATURES

(Models RF386PXG and RF388LXG)

Oven vent

(p. 23)

CLEANTOP® ceramic glass cooktop

(pp. 11, 30)

Surface cooking area

(pp. 8-11, 30)

Anti-tip bracket

(p. 3)

Door stop clip

(p. 34, 35)

Model and serial number plate

(behind left side of storage drawer)

Removable storage drawer

(p. 24)

ACCUSIMMER

NORMAL

BURNER

SELF-CLEANINGOVEN
			TIMER
			SET LIGHT
		CLOCK	TIMER
CUSTOM	AUTO	TEMP	OFF
BAKE BROIL	CLEAN		SYSTEM
		ACCUBAKE

HR

MIN

START OFF

Electronic

Oven Control

(pp. 14-22)

Control panel

(pp. 7, 28)

Hot surface indicator lights

(p. 11)

Automatic oven light switch

(p. 35)

Gasket

(p. 25)

Broil element

(not shown) (p. 20)

Bake element

(p. 17)

CONTROL PANEL

ACCUSIMMER™ feature indicator light

(lights when ACCUSIMMER is on)

	ACCUSIMMER
	OFF
NORMAL	MIN
BURNER	LO

Surface heating indicator light

(lights up when a surface cooking area is on)

	OFF
LO	HI
2	8
HI
3	7

2	8
	4	6
3	7	5
4	6
	5
	PUSH TO TURN

MAX

ACCUBAKE® system electronic oven control

SELF-CLEANING OVEN

						TIMER
	BAKE	CUSTOM	AUTO	TEMP	CLOCK	SET	LIGHT	HR	MIN	START	OFF
		BROIL	CLEAN			TIMER				ENTER	CANCEL
						OFF				5 SEC

ACCUBAKE SYSTEM

ACCUSIMMER	Left front	Left rear
control knob	control knob	control knob

	Surface cooking area
	marker (shows which
	surface cooking area
	you are setting)
	OFF
LO	HI
2	8	OFF
	LO	HI
3	7
	2	8
4	6
	5	7
	3
	PUSH TO TURN
	4	6
		5
Right rear		Right front
control knob		control knob

7

USING YOUR RANGE

USING THE SURFACE COOKING AREAS

Using the control knobs

Push in the control knobs before turning them to a setting. You can set them anywhere between HI and OFF.

NOTE: The ACCUSIMMER™ control knob does not have to be pushed in before turning.

wWARNING

Fire Hazard

Turn off all controls when done cooking.

Failure to do so can result in death or fire.

Surface cooking area heat settings

Use the following chart as a guide.

SETTING	RECOMMENDED USE
HI	•To start food cooking.
	•To bring liquid to a boil.
6-8	•To hold a rapid boil.
	•To quickly brown or sear food.
5	•To maintain a slow boil.
	•To fry poultry or meat.
	•To make pudding, sauce, or gravy.
2-4	•To stew or steam food.
	•To simmer food.
LO	•To keep food warm.
	•To melt chocolate or butter.
ACCUSIMMER	•For a low simmer or when using
MIN
	lids.
MAX	•For a high simmer or when
	simmering without lids.

Using the ACCUSIMMER™ feature

ACCUSIMMER is an adjustable setting for the left front element which allows for more accurate simmering of foods.

To set the ACCUSIMMER control:

1.Turn the small element knob clockwise from the NORMAL BURNER position to the ACCUSIMMER ON position. The indicator light will glow.

2.Turn the left front element knob ON between the ACCUSIMMER MIN and MAX settings. Adjust the setting according to type and size of cookware, the type and amount of food, and whether cookware lids are on or off. (See “Cookware tips” section.)

NOTE: All other elements can be used for normal operation whether ACCUSIMMER is in use or not.

	ACCUSIMMER	OFF
NORMAL	MIN
BURNER	LO	HI
	2	8
	3	7
	4	6
		5

MAX

8

1"

USING YOUR RANGE

USING THE SURFACE COOKING AREAS (CONT.)

Home canning information

To protect your range:

• Use flat-bottomed canners on all types of cooktops, especially ceramic

glass. Canners with rippled or ridged bottoms do not allow good

1" contact with the surface.

					• Center the canner
					over the largest surface
					cooking area. Do not
					extend more than one
	Surface		Pan
					inch outside the surface
	cooking area
					cooking area. Large

diameter canners/pans, if not centered correctly, trap heat and can cause damage to the cooktop.

•Do not place your canner on two surface cooking areas at the same time.

•The type of material the canner is made of determines the length of heating time. Refer to the “Characteristics of cookware materials” chart later in this section for more information.

•When canning for long periods of time, allow elements and the surrounding surfaces to cool down.

•Alternate use of the surface cooking areas between batches or prepare small batches at a time.

•Start with hot water, cover with a lid, and bring to a boil; then reduce heat to maintain a boil or required pressure levels in a pressure canner.

•On coil element models, keep your reflector bowls clean so that they will always reflect heat well.

•For up-to-date information on canning, contact your local U.S. Government Agricultural Department Extension Office or companies who manufacture home canning products.

Optional canning kit

(Coil element models)

Most water-bath or pressure canners have large diameters. If you do canning with them at high heat settings for long periods of time, you can shorten the life of regular coil elements. This can also damage the cooktop. If you plan to use the cooktop for canning, we recommend the installation of a Canning Kit. Order the kit

(Part No. 242905) from your dealer or designated service company.

continued on next page

9

USING YOUR RANGE

USING THE SURFACE COOKING AREAS (CONT.)

Cookware tips

	• Select a pan that is about the same size as the	• Check for rough spots on the bottom of metal or
	surface cooking area. Cookware should not ex-	glass cookware which will scratch the ceramic glass
	tend more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) outside the area.	surface.
	• For best results and greater energy	• Use flat bottom cookware for best heat conduc-
	efficiency, use only flat-bottomed cookware that	tion from the surface cooking area to the cookware.
	makes good contact with the surface cooking	Determine flatness with the ruler test. Place the
	area. Cookware with rounded, warped, ribbed	edge of a ruler across the bottom of the cookware.
	(such as some porcelain enamelware), or dented	Hold it up to the light. No light should be visible
	bottoms could cause uneven heating and poor	under the ruler. Rotate the ruler in all directions and
	cooking results.	look for any light.
	• Cookware designed with slightly indented bot-	• Do not leave empty cookware, or cookware which
	toms or small expansion channels can be used.	has boiled dry, on a hot surface cooking area. The
	• Cookware with a non-stick finish has heating	cookware could overheat, causing damage to the
		cookware or the surface cooking area.
	characteristics of the base material.

CHARACTERISTICS OF COOKWARE MATERIALS

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

Aluminum	• Heats quickly and evenly.
	• Use for all types of cooking.
	• Medium or heavy thickness is best for most cooking.
	• Used as a core or base in cookware to provide even heating.
Cast iron	• Heats slowly and evenly.
	• Good for browning and frying.
	• Maintains heat for slow cooking.
	• Can be coated with porcelain enamel.
Ceramic or	• Heats slowly and unevenly.
ceramic glass	• Use on low to medium settings.
	• Follow manufacturer’s instructions.
Copper	• Heats very quickly and evenly.
	• Used as a core or base in cookware to provide even heating.
Earthenware	• Can be used for cooktop cooking if recommended by the
	manufacturer.
	• Use on low settings.
Porcelain enamel-on-steel or	• See cast iron and stainless steel.
enamel-on-cast iron
Stainless steel	• Heats quickly but unevenly.
	• A core or base of aluminum or copper on the cookware provides
	even heating.
	• Can be coated with porcelain enamel.

10

HOT SURFACE

USING YOUR RANGE

USING THE SURFACE COOKING AREAS (CONT.)

Using the ceramic glass cooktop

(Models RF386PXG and RF388LXG)

Cooking on the ceramic glass cooktop is similar to cooking on coil elements. There are, however, a few differences:

• The surface cooking area will glow red when the element is turned on. You will see the element cycling on and off – even on the HI setting – to help the

area stay at the temperature setting you chose.

•Do not cook foods directly on the cooktop.

•Do not cook popcorn that comes in prepackaged aluminum containers on the cooktop. The container could leave aluminum marks on the cooktop that cannot be removed completely.

•Make sure the bottoms of pots and pans are clean and dry before using them. Food and water particles left on the bottoms can leave deposits on the cooktop when it is heated.

•Lift pots and pans onto and off of the cooktop. Sliding pots and pans on the cooktop could leave marks that are difficult to remove or could leave permanent marks.

•Dropping a heavy or hard object on the cooktop could crack it. Be careful when using heavy skillets and large pots. Do not store jars or cans above the cooktop.

•Do not use the cooktop as a cutting board.

•Do not allow anything that could melt, such as plastic or aluminum foil, to come in contact with the cooktop while it is hot.

•Sugary spills and soils can cause pitting. See “Cleaning the ceramic glass cooktop” in the “Caring for Your Range” section for care and cleaning suggestions.

•Wiping off the cooktop before and after each use will help keep the surface free from stains and give you the most even heating. See “Cleaning the ceramic glass cooktop” in the “Caring for Your Range” section for care and cleaning suggestions.

Hot surface indicator lights

(Models RF386PXG and RF388LXG)

One of the Hot Surface Indicator Lights on the cooktop will glow when a surface cooking area becomes too hot to touch. The Indicator Light will continue to glow as long as the surface cooking area is too hot to touch, even after it is turned off.

11

USING YOUR RANGE

USING THE OVEN

Positioning racks and pans

Place the oven racks where you need them before turning on the oven.

•To move a rack, pull it out to the stop position, raise the front edge and lift it out.

•Be sure the rack(s) is level.

•Use pot holders or oven mitts to protect your hands if rack(s) must be moved while the oven is hot.

•For best performance, cook on one rack. Place the rack so the top of the food will be centered in the oven.

•When cooking with two racks, arrange the racks on the 2nd and 4th rack guides. Two sheets of cookies may be baked if sheets are switched at approximately three quarters of the total bake time. Increase baking time, if necessary.

•For best results allow 2 inches of space around

each pan and between pans and oven walls. Hot air must circulate around the pans in the oven for even heat to reach all parts of the oven. This results in better baking.

Where to place pans:

WHEN YOU HAVE	PLACE
1 pan	In center of the oven rack.
2 pans	Side by side or slightly
	staggered.
3 or 4 pans	In opposite corners on
	each oven rack. Stagger
	pans so no pan is directly
	over another.

Rack placement for specific foods:

FOOD	RACK POSITION
Frozen pies, large	1st or 2nd rack
roasts, turkeys, angel	guide from bottom
food cakes
Bundt cakes, most	2nd rack guide
quick breads, yeast	from bottom
breads, casseroles,
meats
Cookies, biscuits,	2nd or 3rd rack
muffins, cakes,	guide from bottom
nonfrozen pies

NOTE: For information on where to place your rack when broiling, see “Broiling guidelines” later in this section.

12