The Fagor LUX Multi-Cooker is a versatile kitchen appliance designed to simplify various cooking tasks, offering a wide range of functions from steaming and simmering to pressure cooking and slow cooking. Its user-friendly electronic controls make setting recipe times straightforward, and convenient features like TIME DELAY and KEEP WARM settings provide flexibility for busy schedules.
Function Description
The Fagor LUX Multi-Cooker is capable of performing multiple cooking functions, including:
- Pressure Cooking (HIGH and LOW): This program allows food to cook significantly faster, reducing cooking time by up to 70% compared to traditional methods. It operates at two pressure settings: HIGH (9 psi) for tougher meats and vegetables, and LOW (5 psi) for delicate foods like tender vegetables and certain types of fish. A minimum of 1 cup (8 oz.) of liquid is required for pressure cooking. The unit builds pressure, indicated by flashing lights, and then beeps when full pressure is reached, at which point the cook time begins to count down. The floating valve in the lid rises when pressure is achieved.
- Slow Cooking (HIGH and LOW): Ideal for pot roasts, soups, and stews, this function cooks food slowly for up to 10 hours at temperatures of 190°F (LOW) or 212°F (HIGH). Slow cooking helps retain maximum flavor and tenderness. The pressure regulator knob should be set to "STEAM" when using this function.
- Yogurt Program: This function is specifically designed for making traditional homemade yogurt and Greek yogurt. It requires milk and a plain store-bought yogurt with live active cultures or a starter yogurt. The process involves heating milk to 180-185°F (using the SLOW COOK LOW function), cooling it to lukewarm (100-110°F), stirring in the starter, and then incubating it for a preset time of 8 hours, adjustable up to 24 hours. The preparation time influences the yogurt's tartness.
- White Rice: This function cooks white rice to perfection using low pressure, with a preset time of 10 minutes. It ensures fluffy and delicious rice by maintaining optimal cooking temperatures.
- Brown Rice: Utilizing high pressure, this function cooks various types of brown rice in a preset time of 20 minutes, preserving its richness and nutrients through a specialized cooking cycle.
- Risotto: This function uses high pressure with a preset time of 6 minutes to create gourmet risotto dishes, ensuring precise temperature control for the perfect blend of timing and taste. It often involves an initial sauté step.
- Brown Function: Used to sear food like meat or poultry, this function helps seal in flavor and juice, giving food a golden brown exterior before pressure cooking or slow cooking. It operates at high heat, and the lid should remain off during this process.
- Sauté Function: Similar to browning, this function is used for cooking small pieces of food with very little oil at high heat before other cooking functions. The lid should remain off during sautéing.
- Simmer Function: This technique is used for making soups, stocks, sauces, and other entrees that require cooking just below the boiling point. The lid remains off during simmering.
- Steam Function: Designed for steaming delicate foods such as vegetables and fish. It requires adding 1-2 cups of water to the cooking pot and using a steamer basket (sold separately). The pressure regulating knob should be set to "STEAM."
- Keep Warm Function: This program can reheat food or keep cooked food warm for up to 12 hours. It automatically activates after pressure cooking, rice cooking, or slow cooking programs conclude. The pressure regulating knob should be set to "STEAM" for this function.
- Time Delay Function: This feature allows users to delay the start of a cooking process for up to 6 hours. It is applicable to Pressure Cook (HIGH/LOW), Slow Cook (HIGH/LOW), White Rice, Brown Rice, and Risotto functions. The delay time can be adjusted in 30-minute increments.
Usage Features
The Fagor LUX Multi-Cooker is designed with several features to enhance ease of use and safety:
- Control Panel: An intuitive electronic control panel with various program buttons (PRESSURE COOK, SLOW COOK, YOGURT, WHITE RICE, BROWN RICE, RISOTTO, BROWN, SAUTÉ, SIMMER, STEAM, KEEP WARM, TIME DELAY, START/STOP) and plus/minus buttons for adjusting time. Indicator lights (HIGH/LOW) blink during pressure/temperature building and turn solid red once the proper conditions are met.
- Pressure Regulating Knob: This knob has "Pressure" and "Steam" positions. It must be set to "Pressure" for pressure cooking and rice functions, and to "Steam" for releasing pressure, steaming, slow cooking, and keep warm functions.
- Self-Locking Pin: Ensures the lid is properly aligned and closed, locking automatically. The lid cannot be opened while the unit is pressurized.
- Cool-Touch Handles: Designed for safe handling and opening of the lid, even when the cooker is hot.
- Floating Valve: A safety feature that controls internal pressure by allowing excess pressure to be released. It rises when pressure is built and drops when pressure is released.
- Safety Pressure Valve: An independent safety mechanism that releases excess pressure during pressure cooking.
- Anti-Blocking Case: A removable component that protects the pressure regulator knob and can be pulled up for cleaning.
- Condensation Reservoir: Collects excess condensation during cooking and can be removed for emptying.
- Removable Cooking Pot: A ceramic pot with a non-stick coating, which is dishwasher safe (though hand washing is recommended). All ingredients should be placed in this pot.
- Stationary Pot: The outer pot that houses the removable cooking pot; it cannot be removed and should never be used for cooking directly.
- Silicone Gasket: Creates an airtight seal essential for pressure cooking. It should be checked for tears or cracks before use.
- Lid Operation: The lid is placed by aligning a protruding pin with the condensation cup (unlocked symbol) and turning counterclockwise until it locks into place with an audible click.
- Pressure Release Methods:
- Quick Release: Turning the pressure regulator knob to "STEAM" to immediately release pressure. Caution is advised due to hot steam and potential liquid droplets.
- Natural Release: Allowing pressure to drop naturally over several minutes, which continues cooking the food. This method is beneficial for certain recipes like risotto.
- Overfilling Prevention: The pot should not be filled more than 2/3 full, and only 1/2 full for foods that expand or tend to foam/froth (e.g., rice, dried vegetables, applesauce, cranberries, oatmeal, split peas, noodles/pasta, rhubarb) to prevent clogging the vent pipe.
Maintenance Features
Proper cleaning and maintenance are crucial for the longevity and optimal performance of the Fagor LUX Multi-Cooker:
- Cool Down Before Cleaning: Always unplug the unit and allow it to cool completely before cleaning.
- Removable Cooking Pot: This is the only dishwasher-safe part. It should be washed thoroughly with warm soapy water after every use or if it has not been used for an extended period.
- Outer Housing: Wipe the stainless steel outer housing with a clean, damp cloth. Never submerge the outer housing, plug, or power cable in water or any other liquid to avoid electric shock.
- Condensation Reservoir: Remove by pulling it down, wash with warm soapy water, rinse, dry thoroughly, and push back into place.
- Silicone Gasket: Grip and pull up the silicone gasket from the lid to remove. Wash with warm soapy water, rinse, and dry thoroughly. Replace by positioning it inside the lid's edge, ensuring the groove in the center aligns around the metal ring on the inner edge of the lid. Periodically check for cleanliness, flexibility, cracks, or tears. If damaged, contact Fagor Customer Service for a replacement.
- Pressure Regulator Knob Cleaning: After the unit has cooled and the lid is removed, gently push down and turn the knob counterclockwise past "STEAM" to the "CLEAN" setting. Lift it off the lid. Check for and remove any particle build-up in the holes, then clean under running water. To reattach, align the "CLEAN" dot with the white dot on the lid, push down, and turn clockwise until it clicks into place.
- Anti-Locking Case and Floating Valve: Turn the lid over, pull out the anti-locking case, and use a brush or toothpick to check for and remove any food or foreign particles lodged in the floating valve. Replace the anti-locking case by pressing it down.
- Heating Element and Temperature Sensor Area: The bottom of the cooker, under the removable cooking pot, where the temperature sensor and heating pad are located, must be cleaned after each use with a soft damp cloth and dried thoroughly.
- Abrasive Cleaners: Never use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads on any parts of the multi-cooker.
- Professional Repair: Only qualified experts should repair or perform maintenance work using authentic FAGOR replacement and accessory parts. Users should not attempt to disassemble or repair the unit themselves.
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