Use and Care Guide
®
®
Table of Contents..........2
A Note to You.................2
Cooktop Safety .............3
Getting to Know
Your Cooktop.................5
Using Your
Cooktop..........................6
Caring for Your
Cooktop..........................9
Troubleshooting..........14
Requesting
Assistance
or Service.....................15
Warranty.......................16
1-800-422-1230
Call our Consumer Assistance Center
with questions or comments.
®
KITCHENAID Electric Built-In Cooktop
Models: KECS100 KECS161
3191536
Cooktop 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:
You will be killed or seriously injured
wDANGER
if you don’t follow instructions.
You can be killed or seriously injured
if you don’t follow instructions.
wWARNING
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.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING – To reduce the risk of
fire, electrical shock, injury to persons, or
damage when using the cooktop, follow
basic precautions, including the following:
• User Servicing – Do not repair or
replace any part of the cooktop
unless specifically recommended in
the manual. All other servicing should
be referred to a qualified technician.
• Storage on Cooktop – Flammable
materials should not be stored near
surface units.
• Do Not Use Water on Grease Fires –
Smother fire or flame or use dry
• CAUTION – Do not store items of
interest to children in cabinets above
a cooktop – Children climbing on
the cooktop to reach items could be
seriously injured.
• Proper Installation – Be sure your cook-
top is properly installed and grounded
by a qualified technician.
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.
• Never Use Your Cooktop for Warming
or Heating the Room.
• Do Not Leave Children Alone – Children
should not be left alone or unattended
in area where cooktop is in use. They
should never be allowed to sit or stand
on any part of the cooktop.
• Wear Proper Apparel – Loose-fitting
or hanging garments should never
be worn while using the cooktop.
– SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS –
continued on next page
3
Cooktop Safety
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
• 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 – This cooktop 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.
• 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 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.
For units with ventilating hood –
• Never Leave Surface Units Unattended
at High Heat Settings – Boilover causes
smoking and greasy spillovers that
may ignite.
• Glazed Cooking Utensils – Only certain
types of glass, glass/ceramic, ceramic,
earthenware, or other glazed utensils
are suitable for cooktop service without
breaking due to the sudden change in
temperature.
• Clean Ventilating Hoods Frequently –
Grease should not be allowed to
accumulate on hood or filter.
• When flaming foods under the hood,
turn the fan off. The fan, if operating,
may spread the flame.
– SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS –
4
Getting to Know Your
Cooktop
Model KECS161 (36 inches)
(Model KECS100 not shown)
Model and serial number
plate (inside burner box)
Control panel
Plug-in coil
element with
one-piece
POWER™Burner
coil element
reflector bowl
Control panel
Center rear
control knob
Control knob
collar
Left rear
control knob
Right rear
control knob
E
E
E
E
E
Left front
control knob
Power on
indicator
light
Right front
control knob
5
Using Your Cooktop
wWARNING
Fire Hazard
Turn off all controls when done cooking.
Failure to do so can result in death or fire.
Using the surface cooking area
Push in control knobs before turning them
to a setting. Set them anywhere between HI
and OFF.
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Power on indicator light
The Power on indicator light will glow when
any of the coil element(s) are turned on.
E
E
6
Using your Cooktop
Until you get used to the settings, use the following as a guide. For best results, start
cooking at the high setting; then turn the control knob down to continue cooking.
SETTING
RECOMMENDED USE
• To start food cooking.
HI
• To bring liquid to a boil.
MED-HI or 6-8
MED or 5
• To hold a rapid boil.
• To quickly brown or sear meat.
• To maintain a slow boil.
• To fry poultry or meat.
• To make pudding, sauce, or gravy.
• To stew or steam food.
• To simmer food.
MED-LO or 2-4
LO
• To keep food warm. Set the heat higher or lower within the
LO (or 1) band to keep food at the temperature you want.
• To maintain liquid just below simmer.
• To melt chocolate or butter.
Home canning information
Pan
• Alternate use of the coil elements between
batches or prepare small batches at a time.
Center over
coil element
• 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.
• Keep reflector bowls clean so that they
will always reflect heat well.
Coil element
• Use flat-bottomed canners on all types
of cooktops, especially ceramic glass.
Canners with rippled or ridged bottoms do
not allow good contact with the surface.
• Center the canner over the largest
coil element. Do not extend more than
one inch outside the coil element.
Large diameter canners/pans, if not
centered correctly, trap heat and can
cause damage to the cooktop.
• 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
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 authorized service
company.
• Do not place your canner on two coil
elements 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.
7
Using your Cooktop
Characteristics of cookware materials
The pan material affects how fast heat transfers from the coil element 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
ceramic glass
• Heats slowly and unevenly.
• 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 • See cast iron and stainless steel.
or enamel-on-cast iron
• Heats quickly but unevenly.
Stainless steel
• A core or base of aluminum or copper on the cookware
provides even heating.
• Can be coated with porcelain enamel.
Cookware tips
• Select a pan that is about the same size
as the coil element. Cookware should not
extend more than 1 inch outside the area.
• For best results and greater energy
efficiency, use only flat-bottomed
• Use flat bottom cookware for best heat
conduction from the coil element to the
cookware. Determine flatness with the
ruler test. Place the edge of a ruler across
the bottom of the cookware. Hold it up to
the light. No light should be visible under
the ruler. Rotate the ruler in all directions
and look for any light.
• Do not leave empty cookware, or
cookware that has boiled dry, on a hot
coil element. The cookware could overheat,
causing damage to the cookware or the
coil element.
cookware that makes good contact with
the coil element. Cookware with rounded,
warped, ribbed (such as some porcelain
enamelware), or dented bottoms could
cause uneven heating and poor cooking
results.
• Cookware with non-stick finish has
heating characteristics of the base material.
8
Caring for Your Cooktop
WARNING
Explosion Hazard
Do not store flammable materials such as gasoline near
this appliance.
Doing so can result in death, explosion, or fire.
Coil elements and reflector bowls
Removing
4. Lift out the reflector bowl. See the
“Cleaning chart” later in this section
for cleaning instructions.
1. Make sure all coil elements are off and
cool before removing coil elements and
reflector bowls.
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2. Push in the edge of the coil element,
opposite the receptacle. Then lift it
just enough to clear the reflector bowl.
Replacing
1. Make sure all coil elements are off and
cool before replacing coil elements
and reflector bowls.
O
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3. Pull the coil element straight away
M
H
E
from the receptacle.
D
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9
Caring for your Cooktop
Coil elements and reflector bowls (cont.)
2. Line openings in the reflector bowl up
4. When the terminal is pushed into the
receptacle as far as it will go, push
down the edge of the coil element
opposite the receptacle.
with the coil element receptacle.
NOTE: Reflector bowls reflect heat back
to the cookware on the coil elements.
They also help catch spills. When they are
kept clean, they reflect heat better and
look new longer.
3. Hold the coil element as level as
possible with the terminal just started
into the receptacle. Push the coil
element terminal into the receptacle.
If a reflector bowl changes color, some
of your cookware may not be flat enough,
or some may be too large for the coil ele-
ment. In either case, some of the heat
that is meant to go into or around cook-
ware goes down and heats the reflector
bowl. This extra heat can cause it to
change color.
Control knob collars
Removing
Replacing
1. Turn knobs off and pull upward to
remove. Place index finger inside
center of collar and pull firmly upward
to release.
2. To replace, align pins on underside of
collar with holes on cooktop surface
and press down firmly.
10
Caring for your Cooktop
Cleaning chart
Before cleaning, always make sure all controls are off and the cooktop is cool. Refer
to instuctions on all cleaning products before using them to clean your cooktop.
PART
CLEANING METHOD
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
Soap and water
Dishwasher
Control Knobs
and Collars
• DO NOT use steel wool
or abrasive cleaners.
• Pull knobs straight away
from control panel.
•
•
• Wash, rinse and dry with
soft cloth.
Soap and water
Mild liquid cleaner
Spray glass cleaner
Exterior Surfaces*
(excluding control panel)
• DO NOT use abrasive or
harsh cleaners like
chlorine bleach, ammonia
or oven cleaners.
•
•
•
• Wash, rinse and dry with
soft cloth.
Non-abrasive plastic
scrubbing pad
•
• Gently clean around the
model and serial plate;
too much scrubbing could
remove the numbers.
Coil Elements
• DO NOT clean or immerse
in water. Spatters and
spills will burn off.
Chrome reflector bowls*
Light to moderate soil
• Wash, rinse and dry with
soft cloth.
Soap and water
Non-abrasive plastic
scrubbing pad
•
•
•
Dishwasher
Solution of 1/2 cup
ammonia to 1 gallon water
Non-abrasive plastic
scrubbing pad
Mild abrasive powdered
cleanser or commercial
oven cleaner
•
•
• Soak bowls for 20
minutes, then scrub with
plastic pad.
Heavy to burned-on soils
•
•
•
*When the cooktop is cool, remove all spills and clean. Food spills containing acids, such as
vinegar and tomato, may affect the finish.
11
Caring for your Cooktop
Stainless steel surfaces
Cleaning Stainless Steel Surfaces
• Do not use steel wool or soap-filled scouring pads.
• Rub in the direction of the grain line to avoid marring the surface.
• Always wipe dry to avoid water marks.
• If commercial cleaners are used, follow label directions. If product contains chlorine
(bleach), rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. Chlorine is a corrosive
substance.
CLEANING AGENT
HOW TO USE
Liquid detergent and water,
all-purpose cleaner
Wipe with damp cloth or sponge,
then rinse with clean water and
wipe dry.
Routine cleaning
and fingerprints
Mild abrasive cleanser or
stainless steel cleaners
Rub in the direction of the grain
lines with a damp cloth or sponge
and cleaner. Rinse thoroughly.
Repeat if necessary.
Stubborn stains
and baked-on
residue
Swab or wipe with cloth. Rinse
with water and dry.
Vinegar
Hard water spots
12
Caring for your Cooktop
Cleaning the area under the cooktop
1. Remove all elements and reflector
5. After cleaning, lift cooktop slightly to
disengage support rod, then lower
front to countertop level. Reach into
left and right rear element opening
areas and press Posi-lock button to
disengage. This will return back of
cooktop to countertop level.
bowls.
2. Place hands under left and right rear
element opening areas and lift
(approx. 3⁄8”). When you hear a click,
the Posi-lock button is correctly
engaged.
Posi-lock button
3. To open, grip the left and right front
element openings and lift. The support
rod will swing forward. Pull the rod
until it rests at the front edge of the
burner box.
4. Wipe surface under the cooktop with
warm, soapy water. Use a nonabra-
sive, soap-filled plastic scrubbing pad
on heavily soiled areas.
13
Troubleshooting
You can solve many common cooktop problems easily, saving you the cost of a possible
service call. Try the suggestions below to see if you can solve your problem without outside
help. If the suggestions do not work, see “Requesting Assistance or Service” on page 15.
PROBLEM
POSSIBLE CAUSE
SOLUTION
Nothing will
operate
The unit is not wired into
a live circuit with proper
voltage.
Wire the unit into a live circuit with
proper voltage. (See Installation
Instructions.)
A household fuse has blown
or a circuit breaker has
tripped.
Replace household fuse or reset
circuit breaker.
The coil
element(s) will
not operate
A household fuse has blown
or a circuit breaker has
tripped.
Replace household fuse or reset
circuit breaker.
You have not plugged in
coil elements all the way.
Turn control knobs to OFF and plug
coil elements in all the way. (See
“Replacing” on page 9.)
You are not setting the control Push control knobs in before turning
knobs correctly. to a setting.
Control knob(s) You are not pushing in before Push control knob(s) in before turning
will not turn
turning.
to a setting.
Cooking
results are
not what
The cooktop is not level.
Level cooktop. (See Installation
Instructions. Also, see "Cleaning the
area under the cooktop," page 13,
number 5).
you expected
The pan used is not the
correct type or size.
Refer to a reliable cookbook for
recommended pan type and size.
Cookware does not fit the
coil element being used.
Pan should be the same size or
slightly larger than the coil element
being used.
14
Requesting Assistance or
Service
Before calling for assistance or service, please check the “Troubleshooting Guide” section. It
may save you the cost of a service call. If you still need help, follow these instructions.
If you need assistance or service
Call the KitchenAid Consumer
Assistance Center toll
free: 1-800-422-1230.
• Use and maintenance procedures.
• Accessory and repair parts sales.
• Specialized customer assistance
(Spanish speaking, hearing impaired,
limited vision, etc.).
Our consultants are
available to assist you.
• Referrals to local dealers, service
companies, and repair parts distributors.
When calling:
Please know the purchase date and the
complete model and serial number of your
appliance (see the “A Note to You” section).
This information will help us to better
respond to your request.
KitchenAid service technicians are
trained to fulfill the product warranty and
provide after-warranty service, anywhere
in the United States.
To locate the authorized KitchenAid
service company in your area, you can
also look in your telephone directory
Yellow Pages.
Our consultants provide assistance with:
• Features and specifications on our full line
of appliances.
• Installation information.
If you need replacement parts
every new KITCHENAID® appliance. To
locate factory authorized replacement parts
in your area, call our Consumer Assistance
Center telephone number or your nearest
authorized service center.
If you need to order replacement parts,
we recommend that you only use factory
authorized parts. These parts will fit right
and work right, because they are made
with the same precision used to build
For further assistance
Please include a daytime phone number in
your correspondence.
If you need further assistance, you can
write to KitchenAid with any questions or
concerns at:
KitchenAid Brand Home Appliances
Consumer Assistance Center
c/o Correspondence Dept.
2000 North M-63
Benton Harbor, MI 49022-2692
15
Electric Cooktop
Warranty
LENGTH OF
WARRANTY:
KITCHENAID
WILL PAY FOR:
KITCHENAID
WILL NOT PAY FOR:
Replacement parts and
repair labor costs to
A. Service calls to:
ONE-YEAR
FULL
WARRANTY
FROM
DATE OF
PURCHASE
1. Correct the installation of the cooktop.
2. Instruct you how to use the cooktop.
3. Replace house fuses or correct
house wiring.
correct defects in materials
or workmanship. Service
must be provided by an
authorized KitchenAid
servicing outlet.
4. Correct house plumbing.
B. Repairs when cooktop is used in other
than normal home use.
SECOND-
THROUGH
FIFTH-YEAR
LIMITED
WARRANTY
FROM
Replacement parts for any
electric element to correct
defects in materials or
workmanship.
C. Damage resulting from accident, alter-
ation, misuse, abuse, fire, flood, acts of
God, improper installation, or installation
not in accordance with local electrical
or plumbing codes.
D. Any labor costs during the limited
DATE OF
PURCHASE
warranties.
E. Replacement parts or repair labor
costs for units operated outside the
United States.
F. Pickup and delivery. This product is
designed to be repaired in the home.
G.Repairs to parts or systems resulting
from unauthorized modifications made to
the appliance.
8/98
KITCHENAID DOES NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
incidental or consequential damages, so this exclusion or limitation may not apply to you.
This warranty gives specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from
state to state.
Outside the United States, a different warranty may apply. For details, please contact
your authorized KitchenAid dealer.
If you need assistance or service, first see the “Troubleshooting” section of this book. After
checking “Troubleshooting,” additional help can be found by checking the “Requesting
Assistance or Service” section. In the U.S.A., call our Consumer Assistance Center at
1-800-422-1230.
3191536
9/98
Printed in U.S.A.
© 1998 KitchenAid
® Trademark/TM Trademark of KitchenAid, U.S.A.
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