The Anko Slow Cooker, model KY-502T, is a kitchen appliance designed for slow cooking, offering a convenient way to prepare meals with minimal effort. Its primary function is to cook food at low temperatures over an extended period, making it ideal for tenderizing meats and blending flavors in dishes like stews, soups, and casseroles. The appliance also features a "KEEP WARM" setting, allowing cooked food to be maintained at a serving temperature for an extended duration.
Technical Specifications:
- Model No.: KY-502T
- Voltage: 220-240V~ 50-60Hz
- Power: 315W
- Capacity: 6.5L ceramic pot
Design and Components:
The slow cooker consists of a base unit, a removable ceramic cooking pot, and a glass lid. The base unit houses the heating element and a control panel with an LED display and menu indication lights. The ceramic pot has handles for easy removal, and the glass lid features a lid handle. The control panel includes buttons for "CANCEL," "LOW," "HIGH," "KEEP WARM," "MENU," and "+" and "-" buttons for adjusting settings.
Usage Features:
The slow cooker offers intuitive controls for setting cooking temperature and time.
- Temperature Settings: Users can cycle through "LOW," "HIGH," and "KEEP WARM" settings using the "Menu" button.
- Time Adjustment: Cooking time can be adjusted from 30 minutes to 12 hours in 30-minute segments using the "+" and "-" buttons. This adjustment is available for "LOW" and "HIGH" settings.
- Cooking Process: After setting the desired time, the display flashes, and the cooker begins counting down. Once the cooking time ends, the appliance automatically switches to "KEEP WARM" mode for up to 12 hours before turning off.
- Stopping Operation: The cooking process can be stopped at any time by pressing the "KEEP WARM/CANCEL" button.
- Pre-use Preparation: Before first use, the ceramic pot should be filled with water (not exceeding the MAX level), covered, and heated on the "HIGH" setting for approximately 20 minutes to eliminate any initial odors.
- Food Preparation: For best results, the ceramic pot should be at least half-filled, but never above the "MAX" level. When cooking soups or stews, a 2-inch space should be left between the food and the top of the pot. Vegetables should be placed at the bottom when cooking meat and vegetable combinations.
- Lid Management: Frequent lifting of the lid during cooking can delay the cook time.
- Temperature Shock Prevention: The ceramic pot is sensitive to sudden temperature changes. Cold food should not be added to a hot pot, and some warm water should be added before cooking frozen food.
Hints for Slow Cooking:
- Meat Selection: Less tender, cheaper cuts of meat are often better suited for slow cooking. Browning fatty meats beforehand can enhance flavor and color.
- Herbs and Spices: Whole herbs and spices tend to flavor better in slow cooking.
- Liquid Reduction: Recipes not specifically designed for slow cookers may require a reduction in liquid, as liquids do not boil away as much as in conventional cooking. Excess liquid can be reduced by cooking on "HIGH" with the lid off for an hour, checking every 15 minutes.
- Cooking Times: Most recipes with uncooked meat and vegetables require 6 to 8 hours on "LOW."
- Fat Content: Higher fat content in meat requires less added liquid. Using thick onion slices under high-fat meats can prevent them from sitting in their fat. Excess fat can be skimmed off before serving.
- Uniformity: Foods cut into uniform pieces cook more evenly and quickly.
- Temperature Monitoring: A meat thermometer should be used to ensure meats are cooked to the proper temperature.
- Root Vegetables: Root vegetables require longer cooking times and should be placed at the bottom of the pot with liquid.
- Dairy Products: Fresh dairy products (milk, sour cream, yogurt) should be added just before serving. Evaporated milk or condensed creamed soups can be added at the start of cooking.
- Pasta and Noodles: Rice, noodles, and pasta are not recommended for long cooking periods; they should be cooked separately and added to the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Safety Safeguards:
- Read Instructions: All instructions must be read and understood before operating the appliance.
- Hot Surfaces: Avoid touching hot surfaces; use handles or knobs.
- Electrical Safety: Do not immerse the cord, plugs, or appliance in water or other liquids. The supply cord must be replaced by a qualified electrician if damaged.
- Children: The appliance is not intended for use by children, who should be supervised to ensure they do not play with it.
- Unattended Operation: Do not leave the appliance unattended during use.
- Malfunction: If the appliance malfunctions, turn it off and unplug it immediately; do not attempt repairs.
- Placement: Ensure adequate air space around the appliance. Do not operate near flammable materials. Do not place on or near hot gas/electric burners or in a heated oven.
- Moving: Exercise extreme caution when moving the appliance with hot oil or liquids.
- Ceramic Pot Use: Only cook in the provided ceramic pot. Do not cook in the base unit. The ceramic pot is for use with this appliance only and should never be used on a cooktop.
- Overfilling: Do not overfill the cooking pot beyond the "MAX" level to prevent overflow of boiling liquids.
- Residual Heat: The heating element surface will retain residual heat after use.
- Plasticizer Warning: Use non-plastic coasters or placemats under the appliance to prevent plasticizers from migrating to and damaging counter or table surfaces.
- Electrical Circuit: Operate the slow cooker on a separate electrical circuit from other high-powered appliances to avoid overloading.
- Extension Cords: Do not use an extension cord with this product.
Maintenance Features:
- Cleaning: Always unplug the slow cooker and allow it to cool completely before cleaning. The ceramic pot and tempered glass lid are dishwasher safe. For hand cleaning, wash with warm, soapy water.
- Stuck Food: For stuck food, fill the ceramic pot with warm soapy water and let it soak. A paste of baking soda can be used with a plastic scouring pad.
- Water Spots/Mineral Deposits: Wipe the ceramic pot with distilled white vinegar. For difficult stains, pour a small amount of vinegar into the pot and allow it to soak.
- Base Unit Cleaning: Wipe the interior and exterior of the base unit with a soft, slightly damp cloth or sponge. Do not use abrasive cleansers or scouring pads.
- Damage Prevention: Do not use the ceramic pot or glass lid if chipped, cracked, or severely scratched. Avoid hitting them against hard surfaces. Do not place a hot ceramic pot into cold water or onto a wet surface.
- Storage: Ensure all parts are clean and dry before storing. Store the ceramic pot inside the base unit. Wrap the glass lid in a soft cloth and place it upside down over the ceramic pot for protection. Store the assembled unit in its original box in a clean, dry place. Do not store the slow cooker while it is hot or wet. Keep the power cord loosely coiled.
- Servicing: The appliance contains no user-serviceable parts. Any servicing beyond cleaning must be performed by a qualified appliance repair technician.
Need help?
General
To Next Page