This document describes the BELLA Pro Series 8 QT. Multi Cooker, a versatile kitchen appliance designed for multifunctional one-pot cooking. It combines the capabilities of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, sauté pan, and steamer, offering 10 digital one-touch functions to simplify meal preparation.
The multi cooker is designed to cook meals up to 70% faster than conventional methods, quickly reaching temperature and maintaining even cooking temperature and pressure for juicy and flavorful results. It features a non-stick cooking pot, which allows for sautéing and browning foods with less fat, adding color and rich flavors before slow or pressure cooking.
Function Description
The BELLA Pro Series Multi Cooker offers a range of cooking functions, each with preset times and temperatures to ensure optimal results:
-
Pressure Cook Functions (8 presets): This mode is ideal for quickly cooking a variety of dishes. The lid locks securely, and pressure builds inside the pot, significantly reducing cooking times.
- Rice/Risotto: Designed for preparing light and fluffy rice or effortless risotto. The manual includes a rice cooking chart for various types of rice (white, brown, basmati, wild, black, Arborio, long, and short grains) and recommended water quantities. It's important not to use this function for instant rice.
- Soup/Broth: For making soups and broths.
- Meat/Stew: For cooking meats and stews, ensuring they are tender and flavorful.
- Egg: Effortlessly prepares perfect hard-cooked eggs. The manual suggests arranging 12 to 18 eggs in the stainless steel steam tray with 1 cup of water.
- Steam: Used for steaming fresh or frozen vegetables, as well as fresh fish and shellfish. It preserves vitamins and minerals and retains natural colors. The manual advises peeling or scrubbing vegetables well and keeping in mind that hard vegetables hold their shape better with the peel intact. Vegetables can be cooked whole or chopped, with larger pieces requiring longer cooking times. Quick-cooking vegetables like zucchini, asparagus, and broccoli are best steamed rather than pressure-cooked to avoid overcooking.
- Desserts: Can be used to cook super easy cakes, pies, cheesecakes, and more. Unlike other pressure cook functions, the DESSERTS function does not advance to a WARM cycle; the unit releases steam naturally and then turns itself OFF.
- Poultry: For cooking chicken and other poultry dishes.
- Multigrain: Simplifies cooking various grains such as barley, farro, kamut, millet, steel-cut oats, and quinoa without supervision. The manual suggests starting with a 2:1 water-to-grain ratio and testing for doneness at the end of the suggested cook time, adding more water and continuing cooking if necessary.
-
Sauté: This function allows users to brown or sear food directly in the removable cooking pot before other cooking methods. It's crucial to use this function with the lid removed. Browning adds richness and flavor to pressure-cooked or slow-cooked foods. The manual recommends patting food dry, cutting it into small, uniform pieces, and sautéing in small batches to avoid crowding the pot. Non-metal, plastic, or wooden utensils should be used to avoid scratching the non-stick surface.
-
Slow Cook: This function allows for cooking for up to 12 hours, similar to a covered pot on a stovetop but with added safety features. The lid can be removed during slow cooking to check on food, stir contents, or add ingredients. If the lid is removed, the unit will beep and display an "E0" error until the lid is replaced and locked.
-
Delay Start: This feature allows users to set a future cook time, delaying the start of the cooking process from 1 minute up to 2 hours. It is important not to use this function with perishable foods that may spoil if left out at room temperature.
-
Warm Cycle: At the end of most pre-programmed cook times (except DESSERTS), the unit automatically advances to a 4-hour WARM cycle, after which it turns itself OFF.
Usage Features
- Control Panel: The multi cooker features a digital control panel with a time display and +/- TIME buttons for adjusting cooking times. Each function has a corresponding indicator light.
- Lid and Locking Mechanism: The lid is designed with a safety locking mechanism. When cooking under pressure, the lid is locked and cannot be opened until the pressure has dropped. To open, the lid handle should be firmly grasped and rotated clockwise to the "unlock" position. The lid handle and base handle align perfectly when the lid is locked.
- Pressure Release Valve: This valve regulates pressure inside the multi cooker. It should always be in the PRESSURE position during cooking. After cooking, it is turned to the PRESSURE RELEASE position to release steam before opening the lid. Users are cautioned to keep hands and face clear of the valve when releasing pressure, as hot steam and water may be emitted.
- Safety Valve: This valve pops up when the unit is under pressure.
- Condensation Tray: A removable tray collects condensation, which should be emptied and cleaned after each use.
- Removable Cooking Pot: The non-stick cooking pot is removable for easy cleaning and should sit flat on the heating plate for proper contact.
- Power Cord: The appliance uses a grounded 3-prong plug and a short, detachable power-supply cord to reduce risks of entanglement or tripping. An extension cord should not be used.
- Capacity: The removable cooking pot should not be filled more than 2/3 full when cooking vegetables or whole pieces of meat, and no more than 1/2 full when pressure cooking foods that expand (rice, dried beans, grains, legumes). At least 1 cup (8 oz.) of liquid should be added when pressure cooking.
- Error Display: The multi cooker is equipped with safety features that shut down the unit and display an error signal (e.g., "E0") if an abnormal condition is encountered, such as an incorrectly locked lid or attempting to sauté with the lid attached.
Maintenance Features
- Cleaning:
- Before first use, all packaging materials, labels, and tags should be removed. The non-stick cooking pot, aluminum cover, gasket, rice measuring cup, and spatula should be washed in warm soapy water, rinsed, and dried thoroughly.
- After each use, the lid and cover should be cleaned with a paper towel or kitchen cloth. A small brush or cotton swab can be used for detailed cleaning.
- The removable cooking pot, gasket, aluminum cover, steam rack, and spatula are dishwasher-safe.
- The pressure indicator valve should be removed from the lid, rinsed well, and replaced.
- The condensation tray should be gently pulled downwards to remove, emptied, rinsed, and replaced after each use.
- The base unit should be wiped clean with a damp soft cloth or sponge, ensuring no liquid enters the base.
- The heating plate must be kept free of dirt, food, or residue for optimal performance and should be wiped with a soft, damp cloth and dried thoroughly if necessary.
- Lid Disassembly and Assembly: The manual provides detailed instructions for disassembling and reassembling the lid for cleaning, including removing the aluminum cover and gasket.
- Gasket Inspection: The gasket must always be properly positioned on the underside of the lid and should be checked periodically to ensure it is clean, flexible, and not cracked or torn. A damaged gasket means the appliance should not be used.
- Storage:
- Before storing, the unit should be unplugged and allowed to cool completely. All parts must be clean and dry.
- The detachable power cord, rice measuring cup, and spatula can be stored in the cooking pot.
- To prevent aromas, molds, and off-flavors, the multi cooker should never be stored with the lid locked in place. Instead, it should be stored with the lid resting upside-down on the removable cooking pot.
- Store the multi cooker in its original box or covered, in a cool, dry place.
- General Precautions: Harsh chemical detergents, scouring pads, or powders should not be used on any parts or components. The appliance contains no user-serviceable parts other than those requiring cleaning; any other servicing should be performed by a qualified appliance repair technician.
General
To Next Page
