West Bend 84496 6-Quart Programmable Crockery Cooker

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the West Bend 84496 6-Quart Programmable Crockery Cooker. This appliance is designed to simplify meal preparation by slow cooking a variety of dishes. Please read this manual thoroughly before initial use to ensure safe and efficient operation. Keep these instructions for future reference.

Important Safeguards

When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and/or injury to persons, including the following:

• Read all instructions before operating the appliance.
• Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles or knobs.
• To protect against electrical shock, do not immerse the base unit, cord, or plug in water or other liquids.
• Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or near children.
• Unplug from outlet when not in use and before cleaning. Allow to cool before putting on or taking off parts.
• Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug, or after the appliance malfunctions or has been damaged in any manner.
• The use of accessory attachments not recommended by the appliance manufacturer may cause injuries.
• Do not use outdoors.
• Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter, or touch hot surfaces.
• Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or in a heated oven.
• Extreme caution must be used when moving an appliance containing hot oil or other hot liquids.
• Always attach plug to appliance first, then plug cord into the wall outlet. To disconnect, turn any control to “off,” then remove plug from wall outlet.
• Do not use appliance for other than intended use.

Parts and Features

Image: West Bend 84496 6-Quart Programmable Crockery Cooker, showing the main unit with the crock and lid.

• 6-Quart Removable Crock: The ceramic cooking vessel, which also doubles as a serving dish.
• Glass Cover: Transparent lid to monitor cooking progress.
• Heating Base: The main unit containing the heating element and control panel.
• Stay-Cool Side Handles: For safe transportation of the unit.
• Control Panel: Features touch controls for programming and temperature settings.

Setup

1. Unpacking: Carefully remove all packaging materials and any promotional labels from the cooker.
2. Initial Cleaning: Before first use, wash the removable crock and glass cover in warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely. Wipe the exterior of the heating base with a damp cloth. Do not immerse the heating base in water.
3. Placement: Place the cooker on a flat, stable, heat-resistant surface, away from walls or cabinets to allow for proper ventilation. Ensure the power cord is not dangling where it can be pulled or tripped over.

Operating Instructions

General Operation

1. Place the removable crock into the heating base.
2. Add your ingredients to the crock. Do not overfill; leave at least one inch of space from the rim.
3. Place the glass cover securely on the crock.
4. Plug the power cord into a standard electrical outlet.

Cooking Modes

The cooker offers two primary cooking modes: Simple and Programmable.

• Simple Mode: Select a temperature setting (High, Low, or Keep Warm) without setting a specific cooking time. The cooker will maintain the selected temperature until manually turned off.
• Programmable Mode: Allows you to set a specific cooking duration from 4 to 12 hours. After the set time expires, the cooker will automatically switch to the Keep Warm setting.

Temperature Settings

• High: For faster cooking, typically 2-4 hours.
• Low: For slower cooking, typically 6-8 hours.
• Keep Warm: Maintains food at a serving temperature after cooking is complete. Do not use this setting for cooking raw food.

Timed Cook Option and Auto Shut-off

• When using the programmable mode, you can set the cooking time between 4 and 12 hours.
• After the programmed cooking time finishes, the unit automatically switches to the Keep Warm setting.
• The cooker features an auto shut-off function that activates after 20 hours of continuous operation (including Keep Warm time) for safety.

Care and Maintenance

• Always unplug the cooker and allow it to cool completely before cleaning.
• The removable crock and glass cover are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. Alternatively, wash them in warm, soapy water, rinse, and dry thoroughly.
• Wipe the exterior of the heating base with a soft, damp cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads, as they may scratch the surface.
• Never immerse the heating base, cord, or plug in water or any other liquid.
• Ensure all parts are completely dry before storing or next use.

Troubleshooting

• Cooker does not turn on:
  • Ensure the power cord is securely plugged into a working electrical outlet.
  • Check if the outlet is functional by plugging in another appliance.
• Food not cooking properly:
  • Verify that the correct temperature setting (High or Low) has been selected.
  • Ensure the lid is properly seated on the crock to retain heat.
  • Avoid frequently lifting the lid, as this releases heat and extends cooking time.
• Food is burning on the bottom:
  • Reduce the cooking time or switch to a lower temperature setting if possible.
  • Ensure there is sufficient liquid in the recipe.

If the problem persists after attempting these troubleshooting steps, please contact customer support.

Specifications

Warranty and Support

This West Bend 84496 6-Quart Programmable Crockery Cooker comes with a 1-year limited warranty from the date of purchase. This warranty covers manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship under normal household use.

The warranty does not cover damage resulting from misuse, abuse, accident, commercial use, or unauthorized modification of the product. Please retain your purchase receipt as proof of purchase for any warranty claims.

For warranty service or technical support, please contact West Bend customer service. Contact information can typically be found on the manufacturer's official website or on the product packaging.