Maytag Cooktop - User Manual

This document is a Use and Care Guide for the Maytag Precision Touch Control 500 Electric Smoothtop Range. It provides comprehensive instructions for safe and proper operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of the appliance.

Function Description:

The Maytag Precision Touch Control 500 Electric Smoothtop Range is a cooking appliance designed for both surface cooking and oven baking. It features a glass-ceramic smoothtop surface with multiple heating elements, including dual elements for flexible pan sizing and a warming center. The oven offers various cooking modes such as Bake, Broil, Cook & Hold, Delay Cook & Hold, and Keep Warm. It also includes a self-clean cycle for convenient maintenance and a Sabbath Mode for religious observance. The appliance is equipped with touch controls for precise temperature and time settings, and safety features like an anti-tip device and control lock.

Important Technical Specifications:

Oven Temperature Range: 170°F to 550°F for baking.
Broil Temperature Settings: HI broil (550°F) for normal broiling, LO broil (450°F) for low-temperature broiling.
Keep Warm Temperature Range: 145°F to 190°F.
Self-Clean Cycle Durations: Light Soil (2 hours), Medium Soil (3 hours), Heavy Soil (4 hours).
Timer Range: 1 minute (0:01) up to 99 hours and 59 minutes (99:59).
Delay Time Range: 10 minutes (00:10) to 11 hours, 59 minutes (11:59).
Oven Light: 40-watt appliance bulb.
Automatic Shut-Off: Oven automatically turns off after 12 hours (can be cancelled for 72-hour continuous operation in Sabbath Mode).
Convenience Outlet (Canadian models only): Circuit breaker trips if small appliance exceeds 10 amps.

Usage Features:

Surface Cooking:
- Controls: Infinite choice of heat settings from Low to High, controlled by push-in and turn knobs.
- Dual Elements: Located on the right front and left front, allowing selection between large and small element sizes for different cookware.
- Hot Surface Light: Illuminates when any cooking area is hot and remains on until the area has cooled.
- FlexChoice™ Element (select models): Provides an ultra-low (Warm) heat setting for delicate sauces and keeping foods warm, in addition to normal Low to High settings.
- Warming Center: Keeps hot cooked foods warm, with settings from Min to Max. Recommended for up to one hour (30 minutes for eggs) at 140°-170°F.
- Cookware Recommendations: Flat, smooth-bottom, heavy-gauge pans that are the same size as the element are recommended. Avoid warped, thin-gauge, or oversized pans.
Oven Cooking:
- Bake: Set temperature from 170°F to 550°F. Preheat for 8-15 minutes.
- Broil: HI (550°F) or LO (450°F) settings. Preheat for 3-4 minutes. Keep oven door open about four inches during broiling.
- Cook & Hold: Bakes for a preset time, then automatically holds food warm for one hour at 170°F.
- Delay Cook & Hold: Programs the oven to start baking at a later time and then hold food warm.
- Keep Warm: Maintains food warmth at 145°-190°F.
- Oven Racks: Two racks with lock-stop edges. Rack positions 1-7 are available for different cooking needs, plus an oven bottom position. Multiple rack cooking is supported (e.g., positions 2 and 5, or 3 and 6 for two racks; 2 and 4 for layer cakes).
- Sabbath Mode: Allows continuous oven operation for 72 hours without automatic shut-off. Only the Bake function operates in this mode; other functions and audible beeps are deactivated.
- Clock: 12-hour or 24-hour format. Can be set or recalled.
- Timer: Independent timer function, does not control oven operation.
- Temperature Adjustment: Oven temperature can be adjusted by 5° increments, from -35° to +35°, to calibrate for baking differences.
Safety Features:
- Anti-Tip Device: Must be properly installed to prevent tipping.
- Control Lock: Locks touchpad controls and oven door for safety, cleaning, or to prevent unwanted use.
- Oven Vent: Located below the backguard vent shield. Do not block or place plastics near it.
- Oven Door: Do not place excessive weight on or stand on an open door. Do not force open when locked.
- Fault Codes: BAKE or LOCK flashing indicates an error or problem.

Maintenance Features:

Self-Clean Oven: Uses above-normal temperatures to automatically clean the oven interior. Requires removal of racks, broiler pan, and utensils, and wiping up excess spills before starting. Three soil levels: Light (2 hrs), Medium (3 hrs), Heavy (4 hrs).
Cleaning Procedures:
- General: Turn off appliance and allow parts to cool before cleaning.
- Backguard and Cooktop (Porcelain Enamel): Wash with soapy water, rinse, and dry when cool. Avoid abrasive or caustic cleaners.
- Clock and Control Pad Area: Wipe with a damp cloth and dry. Do not use abrasive cleaners or spray glass cleaner directly.
- Control Knobs: Remove, wash with soapy water, rinse, and dry.
- Cooktop (Glass-Ceramic): Allow to cool. Clean with Cooktop Cleaning Creme* and a damp paper towel. For heavy soils or metal marks, use a "scratchless" scrubber sponge and creme. For burned-on or crusty soils, use a razor blade scraper. Immediately clean melted sugar or plastic. Avoid oven cleaners, chlorine bleach, ammonia, or glass cleaners with ammonia.
- Oven Window and Door (Glass): Wash with soap and water, rinse, and dry. Glass cleaner can be used on a cloth. Avoid abrasive materials.
- Oven Interior: Follow self-clean cycle instructions.
- Oven Racks: Clean with soapy water or cleansing powder for stubborn soil. Wipe with vegetable oil after self-clean cycle if they do not slide smoothly.
- Stainless Steel (select models): Wipe with the grain. Use soapy water, white vinegar/water solution, or Formula 409 Glass and Surface Cleaner* for daily cleaning. For moderate/heavy soil, use Bon Ami*, Smart Cleanser*, or Soft Scrub*. For discoloration, use Cameo Stainless Steel Cleaner*. Avoid chlorine bleach, abrasive, or orange cleaners.
- Storage Drawer, Door Handle, Side Panels (Painted Enamel): Wash with warm soapy water, rinse, and dry when cool. Avoid abrasive or caustic cleaning agents. Wipe up acidic or sugary spills promptly.
Oven Light Bulb Replacement: Disconnect power, allow oven to cool. Remove bulb cover, replace with a 40-watt appliance bulb, and secure the cover.
Leveling Legs: Adjust to ensure the range is level.
Storage Drawer Removal: For cleaning under the range.

The guide emphasizes important safety instructions, child safety, cooking safety, and utensil safety, along with specific warnings for various operations and cleaning tasks. It also includes a troubleshooting section to address common issues.