Panasonic Automatic Rice Cooker/Steamer

Safety Precautions

To prevent accidents or injury to users, other people, and damage to property, please follow the instructions below.

The rust prevention paper located between the pan and the cast heater must be removed before using.

[Warning]: Indicates hazard that may cause death or severe injury.

[Caution]: Indicates hazard that may cause human injuries or property damage.

Classification of instructions uses the following symbols:

• [Prohibited] symbols mean prohibition.
• [Required] symbols mean requirement that must be followed.

General Warnings and Precautions

• [Prohibited] Plug in tightly. (Improper plugging may cause electric shock or fire due to heat generation.)

• [Prohibited] Do not use a damaged plug or warped outlet.

• [Prohibited] Do not plug or unplug the appliance with wet hands. (It may result in electric shock.)

• [Prohibited] Do not use wet hands.

• [Prohibited] Do not place your hands or face over or near the steam vent. [Prohibited] Do not touch. (It may cause burning injuries.)

• [Prohibited] Do not damage the power cord or the power plug. Prohibited actions include: disassembling, bringing near hot surfaces, bending, twisting, pulling, placing heavy objects on top, or tying up in a bundle. (Damaged power cord could result in electric shock or fire.) If the supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent, or similarly qualified persons to avoid a hazard.

• [Required] Clean the power plug regularly. (A soiled power plug may cause insufficient insulation due to moisture, and may result in fire.) Unplug the power plug and wipe with a clean cloth.

• [Prohibited] Do not operate the appliance with a damaged power cord or power plug. (It may result in electric shock or fire.)

• Make sure the voltage supplied to the appliance is the same as your local supply (220V AC only). (It may cause electric shock or fire.)

• This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety. Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance. (It may cause a burn or injury.)

• [Prohibited] Do not use the appliance if the power cord or power plug is damaged or the power plug is loosely connected to the power outlet. (It may result in electric shock or fire due to short circuit.)

Additional Warnings

• [Prohibited] Do not immerse the appliance in water or other liquid. (It may result in electric shock.) If water leaks inside, consult a service center.

• [Prohibited] Do not attempt to disassemble or repair parts yourself. (It may result in electric shock or fire.) The appliance must be repaired only by an authorized service center.

• [Prohibited] Do not wet. [Prohibited] Do not disassemble.

• [Prohibited] Do not operate the appliance near water or fire. (It may result in electric shock or fire.)

• The appliance becomes hot when in use, especially the lid and pan. [Prohibited] Do not directly touch them with your hands. (It may result in burning injuries.)

• Make sure the appliance is completely cool before touching or cleaning it. (To avoid burning injuries.)

• [Prohibited] Do not open the lid while cooking. (It may cause burning injuries.)

• Be sure to grasp the power plug itself to disconnect it. Do not pull the power cord. (Also firmly grasp the appliance body before unplugging it.) (It may result in electric shock or electrocution.)

• [Prohibited] Do not place the appliance on an unstable surface or on a carpet, electric carpet, tablecloths (ethylene plastic) or other object that cannot resist high temperature. (It may be overturned during use and result in fire.)

• [Prohibited] Do not substitute the pan with other container. (It may result in higher temperature and burning injuries.)

• [Prohibited] Do not place the appliance near a wall or furniture. (The steam may result in color changes or deformation of nearby objects.) Watch out for the steam coming out of the appliance.

• Heating elements retain residual heat after use. Please allow the appliance to cool down before cleaning it. (Touching hot elements may cause a burn.)

• Always disconnect the appliance from the power supply outlet before taking the pan out or when the appliance is not in use. [Unplug symbol] (It may result in electric shock.)

• [Prohibited] Do not expose the power plug to steam and do not let water spill on the connector of the power plug. Do not expose the power plug to steam when it is plugged in. (It may cause a fire caused by short circuit.) When using a cabinet with a sliding table, use the appliance where the power plug cannot be exposed to steam.

Usage Precautions

Avoiding damages to the appliance

• [Prohibited] Do not cover the lid with a cloth. The lid may become deformed, cracked, or discolored and result in malfunction.

• [Prohibited] Do not place the appliance in direct sunlight.

• [Prohibited] Do not use the pan with other appliances.

• Always keep the outside bottom of the pan and the cast heater clean and dry. (See diagram showing 'Foreign matter', 'Cast heater', 'Thermostat'.) It may result in malfunction.

Avoiding damages to the pan

• [Prohibited] Do not leave the rice scoop or any other objects inside the pan.

• The pan should be cleaned immediately after cooking with seasonings or condiments.

• [Prohibited] Do not use the pan as mixing utility.

• [Prohibited] Do not use metal utensils that can scratch or crack the pan. The coated surface of the pan will gradually wear away, so use with care.

• [Prohibited] Do not tap or rub the inner surface of the pan. Clean only with a sponge. (Do not use scouring pad.)

Cooking Rice

Follow these steps for cooking rice:

1. Select good rice: Choose glossy, unbroken grains.

2. Measure rice: Use the provided measuring cup (approx. 180 mL).

3. Rinse the rice: Rinse the rice in a separate bowl until the water becomes relatively clear. Do not rinse the rice in the provided pan. (See diagrams for correct and incorrect rinsing.)

4. Adjust water level: Wash and rinse the rice with drinking water. When hot water is used, rice may discolor or become soggy. Add water according to the scales shown on the inner pan. (Example: To cook 2 cups of rice, add water up to the '2' graduation. See diagram of water level indicator scale.) Adjust water quantity to personal taste. Soaking rice for at least 30 minutes can improve cooking results.

5. Prepare the pan: Wipe the surface of the pan before use. If it is wet, it may cause noise. Foreign matter between the pan and cast heater may damage the unit.

6. Place the pan into the body: Make sure the pan is directly in contact with the cast heater by turning it slightly from right to left until it settles properly. (See diagram of seating the pan.)

7. Close the lid firmly: If the lid is not securely closed, cooking will be affected. [Prohibited] Do not open the lid when in use. (See diagram of closing the lid.)

8. Plug in and press the switch: The light indicating "COOK" will turn on, and cooking will start immediately. [Prohibited] Do not plug in the unit until you are ready to cook, otherwise, rice may be ruined. If the pan is not in the unit, cooking will not begin. (See diagram of plugging in and pressing the switch.)

9. Keep Warm function: When rice is cooked, the switch moves up to the "WARM" position, and the "WARM" light turns on. This indicates the warming function is active. The warming function continues until the unit is unplugged.

10. Steaming after cooking: After the switch pops up, leave the lid closed for at least 15 minutes to steam the rice. Then, mix the rice well using the supplied scoop to allow water vapor to escape. (See diagram of mixing rice.)

11. Unplug the unit: Unplug the unit when finished. (See diagram of unplugging the unit.)

How to Steam Foods

Follow these steps for steaming foods:

1. Add water and steaming basket: Add water into the pan and place the steaming basket on the pan. Slightly turn or adjust the steaming basket to the left and right until it fits onto the ribs at the edge of the pan. (See diagram of water and basket placement.)

   If cooking rice at the same time, do not cook beyond the following capacities:

   Capacity	Rice (cups)
   1.0 L	3
   1.8 L	4

2. Place pan and add food: Place the pan into the body and add foods (place in a dish if required). (See diagram of food in dish within basket.)

   Before use, wipe the surface of the pan. If it is wet, it may cause noise during steaming. Any foreign matter between the pan and cast heater may damage the unit.

3. Close the lid firmly: If the lid is not securely closed, steaming will be affected. [Prohibited] Do not open the lid when in use. (See diagram of closing the lid.)

4. Plug in and press switch: The light indicating "COOK" will turn on, and steaming will start immediately. [Prohibited] Do not plug in until ready to steam. If the pan is not in the unit, steaming will not begin. (See diagram of plugging in and pressing the switch.)

5. Manual steaming time: The unit will automatically switch to "WARM" when water in the pan has completely evaporated. When food is cooked, steaming can be canceled by unplugging the unit. (See diagram showing COOK and WARM indicators.)

6. Unplug: Unplug the unit. The warming function continues until the unit is unplugged. (See diagram of unplugging.)

7. Remove food: Remove foods, then the steaming basket, and finally pour out remaining water. Be careful of the hot water in the pan. (See diagram of removing food and basket.)

How to Clean

Unplug before cleaning. Check for and remove any dirt on the power plug and power cord immediately. Do not use benzine or thinner for wiping or cleaning.

• Pan / Lid: Soak the pan and lid in warm water and wash with a sponge. Do not use scrubbers. (See diagram indicating Pan/Lid.)

• Body: Wipe with a damp cloth. Do not immerse the body in water. (See diagram indicating Body.)

• Cast Heater: If foreign matter is stuck on the cast heater, lightly polish it off using fine sandpaper (approx. #600) or steel wool. Then wipe with a damp cloth.

• Accessories: (Measuring Cup, Scoop, Steaming Basket) Always wash with dishwashing liquid and sponge after use.

Troubleshooting

Check for equipment failure according to the following items:

Note on strange sounds: Popping sounds are caused when water trapped between the pan and cast heater evaporates. This can cause damage to the pan and cast heater.

For no power: Check circuit breaker. If circuit breaker is ok, unplug the rice cooker from the wall socket, then take the rice cooker to the nearest authorized service center.

Specifications