IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should
always be followed, including the following:
1. Read all instructions before using.
2. Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles or knobs.
The lid handle may get hot while cooking, use of an oven mitt while
handling is advised.
3. To protect against electrical shock, do not immerse cord, plug or
cooking unit in water or other liquid. CAUTION: Never submerge the
heating unit in water or other liquid.
4. Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or near
children.
5. Unplug from outlet when not in use and before cleaning. Allow to
cool before putting on or taking off parts.
6. Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug, or after
the appliance malfunctions or has been damaged in any manner.
Return appliance to the manufacturer (see warranty) for examination,
appliance for other than intended use.
13. Always attach plug to appliance first, then plug cord into wall outlet.
To disconnect, turn control to OFF, then remove plug from wall outlet.
READ AND SAINSTRUCTIONS
14. DO NOT expose empty crockery to high heat. Always ensure there is
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TM
TM
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR VERSAWARE SLOW COOKER
HOW TO USE YOUR VERSAWARE SLOW COOKER (CONT.)
Unplug unit. Remove the detachable cord. CAUTION: Never submerge
heating base in water or other liquid.
stoneware with a non-stick cooking spray, oil or
butter to make clean up easier.
REMOVABLE STONEWARE
3. Unpack detachable cord and plug into the back of
the Heating Base Unit.
• The removable stoneware and lid goes safely into the dishwasher, or
may be washed in hot soapy water. Do not use abrasive cleaning
sponges or compounds – a cloth or non-abrassive sponge will usually
remove the residue. To remove water spots and other stains, use a
non-abrasive cleaner (such as Bon-Ami® Polishing Cleanser) or
vinegar.
4. Always cook with the Lid on when using your stoneware in the slow
cooker Heating Base Unit.
5. Follow recommended cooking times.
6. When using stoneware on stovetop, begin cooking on low heat for
the first couple of minutes to preheat stoneware. Once preheated,
follow recommended temperatures in the recipe.
• The outside base unit may be cleaned with a soft cloth and warm
soapy water. Wipe dry. Do not use abrasive cleaners.
7. Unplug from wall outlet when cooking is done and detach cord
from Heating Base Unit before cleaning.
SLOW COOKING HINTS
• Trim fats and wipe meats well to remove residue. Season with salt and
pepper. Place meat in cooker on top of vegetables.
• For roasts and stews, pour liquid over meat. Use no more liquid than
specified in the recipe. More juices in meats and vegetables are
retained in slow cooking than in conventional cooking.
• Meats generally cook faster than most vegetables in a slow cooker.
Most vegetables should be thinly sliced or placed near the sides or
bottom of the stoneware.
• Use whole leaf herbs and spices for best and truest flavor for all-day
cooking. If ground herbs and spices are used, they should be stirred
in during the last hour of cooking.
8. Do not reheat foods in the slow cooker Heating Base Unit.
9. Do not set heated removable stoneware filled with food on a
finished wood table. Place a hot plate underneath.
10.Removable stoneware and lid are ovenproof, refrigerator and freezer
proof, stovetop proof* and microwave safe.
11.Handles on stoneware will stay cool to the touch when using on a
stove top, however please use pot holders when using in the oven,
microwave or Heating Base Unit.
*CAUTION: When cooking on ceramic or smooth glass cooktop stove,
always place the stoneware in the center of the burner.
To avoid breakage, DO NOT use on stovetop if the bottom of the
stoneware is larger than the burner.
• Always fill the stoneware at least half full to conform to recommended
cooking times. Small quantities may be prepared, but cooking time
will be affected.
NOTE: Due to the unique manufacturing process of the ETCTM
stoneware, you may see variations in the glazed surface. This is normal
and does not affect performance.
• A specific liquid called for in a recipe may be varied if an equal
quantity is substituted, (e.g. substitute a 103⁄
4
ounce can of soup plus
cup beef or
4 ounces of water for a 14 1⁄
2
ounce can of tomatoes OR 1⁄
2
1
chicken broth for ⁄
2
cup of wine, etc.)
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SLOW COOKING HINTS (CONT.)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (CONT.)
• Beans must be softened completely before combining with sugar
and/or acid foods (NOTE: Sugar and acid have a hardening effect on
beans and will prevent softening). Dried beans, especially red kidney
beans, should be boiled before adding to a recipe. Cover the beans
with 3 times their volume of unsalted water and bring to a boil. Boil
Q
A
“How do I thicken the juices or m a ke gra vy?”
Add some quick-cooking tapioca to any recipe when you want to
make a thick gravy. Add the tapioca at the beginning and it will
thicken as it cooks! Or, you may remove the solid foods, leaving
the juices. Prepare a smooth paste of approximately 1⁄
cup flour or
2
10 minutes, reduce heat, cover and allow to simmer 11⁄
hours or
2
1
cornstarch to ⁄ cup water or 4 tablespoons melted butter. Pour
2
until beans are tender. Soaking in water, if desired, should be
completed before boiling. Discard water after soaking or boiling.
mixture into liquid in stoneware and stir well. Turn to HIGH and
when it comes to a boil (about 15 minutes) it’s ready.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q
A
“Ca n I cook a roa st without a dding wa ter?”
Q
“Wha t if the food isn’t done a fter 8 hours…when the recipe
sa ys 8 to 10 hours?”
Yes – if cooked on LOW. We recommend a small amount of water
because the gravies are especially tasty. The more fat or
“marbling” the meat has, the less liquid you need. The liquid is
needed to properly soften and cook vegetables.
A
This is due to voltage variations which are commonplace
everywhere; due to altitude or even extreme humidity. The slight
fluctuations in power do not have a noticeable effect on most
appliances; however, it can slightly alter the cooking times. Allow
plenty of time, and remember, it is practically impossible to
overcook. You will learn through experience whether to decrease
or increase cooking times.
GUIDE TO ADAPTING YOUR OWN RECIPES WHEN SLOW COOKING
This guide is designed to help you adapt recipes to the VersaWareTM slow
cooker — your own favorites and prized recipes collected from friends,
food companies, newspapers and magazines. Our aim is to save
preparation time with fewer steps and dishes…and to keep cooking
simple. In most cases, all ingredients can go into your slow cooker in the
beginning and can cook all day. Many preparatory steps are unnecessary
when using the VersaWareTM slow cooker. A few hints:
Q
A
“Must the Versa Wa reTM slow cooker be covered? Is it
necessa ry to stir?”
Cook with the lid on when using stoneware in the slow cooker
Heating Base Unit. Significant amounts of heat escape whenever
the lid is removed; therefore the cooking time must be extended.
It is not necessary to stir while cooking on LOW heat. While using
HIGH heat for short periods, occasional stirring improves the
distribution of flavors. Never remove lid during the first 2 hours
when baking breads or cakes.
• Allow sufficient cooking time.
• Cook with lid on when using the stoneware in the slow cooker
Heating Base Unit.
• Do not add as much water as some recipes indicate.
• Remember — liquids don’t “boil away” as in conventional cooking.
Usually you’ll have more liquid at the end of cooking instead of less.
• When cooking with your slow cooker Heating Base Unit, many times,
it's "one-step" cooking. Steps in recipes may be deleted. Add
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GUIDE TO ADAPTING YOUR OWN RECIPES (CONT.)
GUIDE TO ADAPTING YOUR OWN RECIPES (CONT.)
ingredients to the stoneware at one time and cook 8 to 12 hours
(add any liquid last).
• Vegetables do not overcook as they do when cooked in your oven or
boiled. Therefore, everything can go into the VersaWareTM slow
cooker at one time. EXCEPTION: Milk, sour cream or cream should
be added during last hour of cooking.
thinner soup is desired, add more liquid at serving time. If milk-based
recipes have no other liquid for initial cooking, add 1 or 2 cups water.
Then during last hour of cooking, stir in milk or cream as called for.
The VersaWareTM slow cooker is perfect for so many of your favorite
foods. Use the recipes in the "Art of Slow Cooking" Cookbook included
with this product, then adapt your favorite recipes or select a variety of
new cuts or dishes to try.
TIME GUIDE
Most uncooked meat and vegetable combinations will require at least 8
hours on LOW.
PASTA AND RICE
If recipe calls for cooking noodles, macaroni, etc., cook on rangetop
before cooking in your slow cooker Heating Base Unit. Don’t overcook
— just until slightly tender. If cooked rice is called for, stir in with other
1
1
4
4
ingredients; add ⁄ cup extra liquid per ⁄ cup of raw rice. Use long grain
converted rice for best results in all-day cooking.
LIQUIDS
Use less in slow cooking — usually about half the recommended
amount. One cup of liquid is enough for any recipe unless it contains
rice or pasta.
HERBS AND SPICES
Leaf or whole herbs and spices are preferred, but their flavor power may
increase — use half the recommended amount. If you use ground herbs
and spices, add during last hour of cooking.
MILK
Milk, cream and sour cream tend to break down during extended
cooking. When possible add during last hour of cooking. Condensed
soups may be substituted for milk, etc., and can cook for extended
times.
SOUPS
Some soup recipes call for 2 to 3 quarts of water. Add other soup
ingredients to VersaWareTM slow cooker; then add water only to cover. If
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LIMITED TWO-YEAR WARRANTY
Rival® warrants this product to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for two(2) year from date of
original purchase. If you have a claim under this warranty please follow these procedures:
1) Within the first 45 days from date of original purchase, defective product should be returned to original
place of purchase for replacement (with proof-of-purchase).
2) Within the first 12 months from date of purchase Rival will repair or replace (at no charge) the defective
product if it is delivered freight prepaid during that period to an authorized service station. To obtain warranty
service visit:
www.rivalproducts.com
Or, you may write to Rival c/o The Holmes Group, attention: Consumer Returns, 32B Spur Drive, El Paso, TX
79906. Proof of purchase is required when requesting warranty service - SAVE YOUR SALES RECEIPT. This
warranty is extended only to the original purchaser and does not apply to commercial use, unreasonable use,
or to damage to the product (not resulting from defect or malfunction) while in the possession of the
consumer. Rival disclaims all responsibility for consequential, incidental, or commercial losses caused
by the use of this product. Some states do not allow this exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential losses, so the foregoing disclaimer may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal
rights, and you may also have other legal rights which vary from state to state.
©2003, Rival
A Division of The Holmes Group
Printed in China
428-1099
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