The Russell Hobbs 7L Slow Cooker, model RHSC7, is a kitchen appliance designed for slow cooking various dishes. It features a 7-liter capacity, making it suitable for preparing meals for large families or gatherings, serving approximately 8 to 12 people depending on the recipe. The slow cooker operates with a 2-year warranty, ensuring reliability and customer support.
Function Description:
The primary function of this appliance is to cook food slowly at a consistent, low temperature over an extended period. This method of cooking is ideal for tenderizing tougher cuts of meat, developing rich flavors in stews and soups, and preparing dishes with minimal supervision. The slow cooker is controlled by a 4-position dial, offering different heat settings to accommodate various recipes and cooking times. It is designed for household use only and is not intended for commercial or industrial applications.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Capacity: 7 Liters
- Control Dial: 4-position (OFF, LOW, HIGH, WARM)
- Lid: Tempered glass lid assembly with a lid knob
- Cooking Base: The main housing that contains the heating element
- Ceramic Bowl: Removable inner pot for cooking
- Handles: Cool touch handles for safe handling
- Power: Operates on standard electrical power, requiring connection to a power outlet protected by a residual current device (RCD) for added safety.
- Warranty: 2 years
Usage Features:
- Control Dial Settings:
- OFF: Turns the slow cooker off.
- LOW: Cooks at a low power setting, typically used for longer cooking times (8-10 hours) or for less tender cuts of meat.
- HIGH: Cooks at maximum power, similar to a covered pot on a stovetop. Foods will cook in about half the time required for the LOW setting. Users should be mindful that additional liquid may be required as foods can boil on HIGH, and the food should not dry out.
- WARM: Designed to keep cooked foods at a food-safe serving temperature after the cooking process is complete. It is explicitly stated that this setting should not be used to cook or reheat food, and foods should not be kept on WARM for more than 4 hours.
- Food Preparation:
- Meat and vegetables can be browned or sautéed in a separate pan before being added to the ceramic bowl to enhance flavor.
- Frozen food should be completely thawed before adding to the ceramic bowl.
- Dried peas and beans (excluding lentils) require soaking for 8 hours (or overnight) and must be boiled for at least 10 minutes before being added to the slow cooker, as they are poisonous if eaten raw or undercooked. Lentils do not require overnight soaking.
- Root vegetables (potatoes, carrots, onions) take longer to cook than meat and should be cut into 5mm slices, sticks, or dice, and optionally sautéed gently for 2-3 minutes before adding.
- Dried vegetables must be immersed in the cooking liquid.
- When cooking with rice, at least 150ml of cooking liquid per 100g of rice is recommended.
- Pasta is generally not suitable for slow cooking as it can become too soft; if a recipe requires pasta, it should be stirred in 30-40 minutes before the end of the cooking time.
- Cooking Guidelines:
- Food should be cut into similar sized pieces for even cooking.
- The ceramic bowl should not be filled more than ¾ full to allow for expansion during cooking.
- The slow cooker should be placed on a stable, level, heat-resistant surface, out of reach of children.
- The lid should be kept closed during cooking. Removing the lid frequently can add 15-20 minutes to the cooking time.
- Cool liquids should be preheated before adding to the ceramic bowl to avoid cracking, or added in small amounts to the middle of the food, away from the sides.
- Safety Precautions:
- The cooking base should not be immersed in water or any liquid.
- The appliance should not be used in a bathroom, near water, or outdoors.
- Surfaces can become very hot during operation and remain hot for some time after switching off.
- Steam escaping around the lid area can cause scalding.
- Internal surfaces should not be touched until the slow cooker has fully cooled.
- The slow cooker should not be used to reheat already cooked food.
- The appliance is not a toy and should be kept away from children.
- The power cord should not overhang and should be kept away from hotplates, cook-tops, and burners.
- The slow cooker should be unplugged when not in use, before moving, and before cleaning.
- Do not operate with a damaged cord/plug or if the appliance has malfunctioned.
- Do not cover the slow cooker or place anything on top of it while in use.
- Do not use near or below curtains or other combustible materials.
- Do not place a hot ceramic bowl on a cold surface or in cold water, or cold water into a hot ceramic bowl, as it may crack.
- The tempered glass lid, while durable, can shatter if shocked or bumped.
- Only use accessories or attachments supplied specifically for use with this slow cooker.
- Do not connect to an external timer or remote control system.
Maintenance Features:
- Cleaning:
- Before cleaning, unplug the slow cooker and allow it to cool completely.
- Remove the lid and ceramic bowl using oven gloves and place them on a heatproof surface.
- Fill the ceramic bowl with warm water immediately after use to prevent food debris from baking on, making cleaning easier.
- The lid and ceramic bowl can be washed in hot soapy water using a cloth or sponge, then rinsed and dried thoroughly. They are also dishwasher safe.
- Do not use a scouring pad on the ceramic bowl or lid.
- The exterior of the ceramic bowl should not be soaked in water as it is porous and can crack when heated.
- All other surfaces (internal and external) of the cooking base should be wiped with a damp cloth and mild household detergent if necessary, then dried thoroughly.
- Do not immerse the body of the slow cooker in water or any other liquid.
- Avoid harsh or abrasive cleaners.
- Storage:
- Ensure the appliance is thoroughly dry before storing.
- The power cord should be loosely coiled, not wrapped tightly around the appliance.
- Placing the lid upside-down on the ceramic bowl can help save space.
- Ceramic Bowl 'Crazing': After some use, the glaze on the ceramic bowl may develop a network of small cracks, known as 'crazing'. This is superficial and not a cause for concern.
- No User Serviceable Parts: If the power cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer or a similarly qualified person to avoid hazards. The appliance should not be operated with a damaged cord/plug or after malfunction.
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