1. Important Safety Instructions
Read these instructions carefully before using the appliance and keep them for future reference. This manual provides important information regarding the safe installation, use, and maintenance of your Whirlpool induction cooktop.
General Safety
- This appliance is intended for household use only.
- Do not operate the appliance with wet hands or bare feet.
- Keep children away from the appliance during operation.
- Ensure proper ventilation around the appliance.
- Do not store flammable materials near the cooktop.
- Always use appropriate cookware for induction hobs.
- Disconnect the appliance from the power supply before any cleaning or maintenance.
Electrical Safety
- The appliance must be earthed in accordance with national and local regulations.
- Ensure the voltage indicated on the rating plate matches your mains supply.
- Do not use extension cords or multiple adapters.
- If the power cable is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent, or similarly qualified persons to avoid a hazard.
2. Setup and Installation
Proper installation is crucial for the safe and efficient operation of your induction cooktop. It is recommended that installation be performed by a qualified technician.
Unpacking
Carefully remove all packaging materials. Inspect the cooktop for any signs of damage. Do not install a damaged appliance. Keep packaging materials out of reach of children.
Placement and Ventilation
The cooktop is designed for built-in installation. Ensure adequate clearance around the appliance for proper ventilation. Refer to the installation diagram for specific dimensions and clearances required for the countertop cutout and surrounding cabinetry.
Electrical Connection
The electrical connection must be made by a qualified electrician. Ensure the power supply is disconnected before connecting the appliance. The cooktop requires a dedicated electrical circuit with appropriate fusing.
Cooktop Dimensions
The Whirlpool WL S6960 BF cooktop has dimensions of 51 cm (depth) x 59 cm (width) x 3 cm (height). The cutout dimensions for installation should be slightly smaller to allow the cooktop to sit flush. Consult the detailed installation guide provided with the product for precise cutout measurements.
Figure 1: Top-down view of the Whirlpool WL S6960 BF induction cooktop, illustrating the layout of the four cooking zones and the central touch control panel. The left side features two flexible zones, while the right side has two standard zones.
3. Operating Instructions
Your Whirlpool induction cooktop features intuitive touch controls and advanced functions for a versatile cooking experience.
Control Panel Overview
The cooktop is equipped with a front-mounted touch control panel. Each cooking zone has an individual slider for precise power adjustment. The interface is designed for ease of use, with controls directly corresponding to their respective cooking zones.
Turning On/Off
- To turn on: Touch the ON/OFF symbol. The indicators will light up.
- To turn off: Touch the ON/OFF symbol again.
Selecting a Cooking Zone and Adjusting Power
- Place suitable cookware on the desired cooking zone.
- Touch the corresponding zone selection symbol.
- Adjust the power level using the individual slider for that zone, from 1 (low) to 9 (high).
Special Cooking Functions
The cooktop offers several innovative functions to enhance your cooking experience:
- FlexiCook: This feature allows you to combine two cooking zones on the left side into a single large zone, ideal for oversized pots, griddle pans, or multiple smaller items.
- Power Management: This function allows you to set the maximum power consumption of the cooktop, preventing electrical overload in your home. Refer to the installation guide for details on setting this feature.
- Booster (3KW): For rapid heating, activate the Booster function. This provides a temporary increase in power to quickly bring liquids to a boil or sear food. The cooktop features a 3KW booster for enhanced performance.
- Flexible Cooking (Automatic Settings): Select a cooking function on the touch display, and the cooktop will automatically adjust the power level for optimal results.
- Melt Function: Ideal for delicate tasks, this function maintains a very low temperature, perfect for melting chocolate, butter, or preparing light sauces without burning.
- Keep Warm Function: Maintains food at a serving temperature without overcooking, useful when preparing multiple dishes.
- Simmer Function: Perfect for slow-cooking recipes, ensuring ingredients remain tender and juicy by maintaining a gentle simmer.
Figure 2: Demonstration of the FlexiCook function, showing a large grill pan spanning two cooking zones on the left side of the cooktop, suitable for cooking multiple items simultaneously.
Figure 3: Another example of FlexiCook in use, with skewers being cooked on a grill pan that utilizes the combined left cooking zones.
Figure 4: A pot with pears simmering on the FlexiCook zone, illustrating the precise temperature control for functions like melting or simmering.
Figure 5: Two pots on the FlexiCook zone, one with pears and another with melted chocolate, demonstrating the versatility for different low-temperature cooking tasks.
Timer Function
The integrated timer allows you to set a cooking duration for individual zones. Once the set time expires, the zone will automatically switch off.
Child Lock
Activate the child lock to prevent accidental operation of the cooktop, ensuring safety in households with children.
Residual Heat Indicator
After a cooking zone is switched off, an indicator will remain lit if the zone is still hot, warning against touching the surface.
4. Care and Maintenance
Regular cleaning and proper care will ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your Whirlpool induction cooktop.
Cleaning the Cooktop Surface
- Always ensure the cooktop is cool and disconnected from the power supply before cleaning.
- For daily cleaning, wipe the glass surface with a soft cloth and warm soapy water. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
- For stubborn stains or burnt-on food, use a specialized ceramic hob cleaner and a non-abrasive sponge.
- Avoid using abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, or harsh chemicals, as these can scratch or damage the glass surface.
- Do not use steam cleaners.
General Care
- Avoid dropping heavy objects on the glass surface, as this can cause cracks or breakage.
- Do not drag cookware across the surface, as this may cause scratches.
- Ensure the bottom of your cookware is clean and dry before placing it on the cooktop.
5. Troubleshooting
If you encounter any issues with your cooktop, refer to the table below for common problems and their solutions. If the problem persists, contact customer support.
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Cooktop does not turn on. | No power supply; child lock activated. | Check circuit breaker; deactivate child lock. |
| Cooking zone not heating. | Incorrect cookware; no cookware detected; power level too low. | Use induction-compatible cookware; ensure cookware is centered; increase power level. |
| Display shows an error code. | Internal fault; overheating. | Turn off the cooktop, wait a few minutes, then restart. If the error persists, contact service. |
| Unusual noises during operation. | Normal operation (fan noise); cookware resonance. | Light humming or clicking is normal. Some cookware may produce slight vibrations; this is not a fault. |
6. Technical Specifications
Detailed specifications for the Whirlpool WL S6960 BF Induction Cooktop.
| Brand | Whirlpool |
| Model Number | WL S6960 BF |
| Type | Built-in Induction Cooktop |
| Color | Black |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 3 cm x 59 cm x 51 cm |
| Weight | 9.4 kg |
| Number of Cooking Zones | 4 |
| Surface Material | Tempered Glass |
| Control Type | Touch (with individual sliders) |
| Energy Source | Electric Wired |
| Special Features | FlexiCook, Power Management, 3KW Booster, Flexible Cooking (Automatic Settings), Melt Function, Keep Warm Function, Simmer Function, Timer, Residual Heat Indicator, Child Lock |
7. Warranty and Support
Your Whirlpool WL S6960 BF Induction Cooktop comes with a manufacturer's warranty. Please refer to the warranty card included with your product for specific terms and conditions, including warranty period and coverage details.
Customer Support
For technical assistance, service requests, or to order spare parts, please contact Whirlpool Customer Service. You can find contact information on the Whirlpool official website or in the documentation provided with your appliance.
When contacting support, please have your model number (WL S6960 BF) and serial number ready. The serial number can typically be found on a label on the underside of the cooktop.
