Hoffen SC-7099-17 Slow Cooker

1. Intended Purpose

Using a slow cooker helps save more nutrients in comparison to traditional cooking methods. Meals prepared in a slow cooker are nutritious, healthy and delicious. The food does not burn and can be left unattended. The slow cooker can be set for the night or before leaving for work and in a few hours' time the meal will be ready and waiting. The appliance is quiet, allowing for all-night cooking. It is cheap in operation. To ensure safe installation and operation of the slow cooker, follow the instructions included in this manual. The appliance is intended for indoor use only; it may not be used for professional purposes.

2. Technical Specification

3. Safety Instructions

1. The device can be used by children older than 8 years old and people with limited physical, sensory or mental capacity, as well as people lacking the necessary experience and knowledge, provided they are under adult supervision or use the device safely, in accordance with the manual and with an understanding of the risks involved. Cleaning and maintenance of the device cannot be performed by children, unless they are 8 years old or older, or are under adult supervision.
2. The appliance can be used by people with limited physical, sensory or mental capacity, as well as people lacking the necessary experience and knowledge, provided they are under adult supervision or use the device safely, in accordance with the manual and with an understanding of the risks involved.
3. Children may not play with the appliance.
4. Keep the appliance and its power cord away from children younger than 8.
5. ? Warning! Risk of burning! During operation, some exterior surfaces may become heated.
6. The appliance cannot be immersed in water for cleaning.
7. To clean the parts which come into contact with food, follow the instructions in section 8 Cleaning and Maintenance.
8. Regularly inspect the power cord for damage. If the power cord is damaged, have it replaced by the manufacturer, authorized customer service or other qualified personnel to prevent any risk of injury.
9. ⚠️ Risk of injury! Use the appliance only for its intended purpose.
10. The heating surfaces of the appliance heat up and retain heat for a long time after cooking.
11. The appliance is intended for household and similar use, such as: - canteen and break room equipment in shops, offices and other workplaces - on farms - hotel, motel and similar facilities - boarding houses.
12. Failure to comply with the instructions and warnings included in the manual may lead to injury.
13. The appliance cannot be used with an external clock or a remote control unit.
14. Before use, read the manual carefully, with particular attention paid to the safety instructions.
15. Before connecting the appliance to a mains outlet, make sure that its voltage matches the voltage parameters of the appliance. The mains outlet must be equipped with a ground prong. The appliance should not be located directly below the mains outlet.
16. To prevent electric shock, never submerge the plug, power cord or the appliance in water or other liquids.
17. Never hang the power cord over a table edge or a sink.
18. Do not use an extension cord. If you are ready to bear the responsibility for doing so, only use an extension cord in good condition, with grounding and suitable for powering the appliance.
19. The power cord should not hang loosely or touch hot surfaces.
20. Keep the appliance away from other hot kitchen equipment such as ovens, electric cookers or gas burners, etc.
21. Never submerge the appliance in water or other liquids.
22. Warning! Hot steam may escape through the steam outlet.
23. Do not cover the steam outlet while the appliance is in use.
24. Never cover the appliance when it's in use or heated.
25. To prevent the risk of fire and electrocution, never expose the appliance to rain or humidity.
26. The appliance is intended for indoor use only.
27. Use the appliance on a flat, stable and dry surface which is resistant to high temperatures.
28. Exercise caution while using the appliance.
29. If the appliance is passed on to another user, it must be accompanied by this manual.
30. To unplug the appliance, never pull the power cord. Instead, hold the power plug and disconnect it from the mains outlet.
31. Should the casing covering the electrical parts become flooded, dry it out completely before further use.
32. Do not use the device if it shows any signs of damage to the power cord or after it has been dropped on the floor.
33. Always unplug the appliance after use and in the case of any malfunction. Both the outlet and the plug should be easily accessible to the user.
34. To prevent electrical shock, do not insert aluminum foil into the appliance.
35. The ambient temperature during the appliance operating time should not be lower than 15°C or higher than 34°C.
36. All cooking must be done with the ceramic pot installed. Do not use the appliance without this part.
37. Keep this manual and, if possible, the packaging.
38. An electronic copy of this manual is available at: infolinia@vershold.com.

4. Explanation of Symbols

• ? Please read this manual
• CE The product complies with the applicable directives of the European Union
• ♻️ Instructions for the disposal of electric and electronic devices: see the DISPOSAL section of this manual
• ? The appliance must be unplugged when not in use
• ? Warning! Risk of burns
• ?️ Product approved for contact with food
• ® Trademark indicating that the manufacturer has made a financial contribution to the development and operation of a packaging materials recovery and recycling system
• ? Designation of the packaging material – cardboard

5. Overview

1 Lid

2 Ceramic cooking pot

3 Handle

4 Casing

5 Appliance feet

CONTROL PANEL

6 Cooking at the highest temperature HIGH

7 ON/OFF switch

8 Increase cooking time button ⬆️

9 Decrease cooking time button ⬇️

10 Keep warm setting WARM

11 Cooking at the lowest temperature LOW

12 Cooking at the highest, then lowest temperature AUTO

13 Display

6. Set Contents

• 1 x Slow cooker
• 1 x Lid
• 1 x Ceramic cooking pot
• 1 x User manual

Open the packaging and carefully take out the appliance. Make sure that the set is complete and that its components are undamaged. Check that the plastic parts are intact and that the power cord is undamaged. If any part is damaged or missing, contact the dealer and do not use the product. Keep the package or recycle it in accordance with the local regulations.

⚠️ Caution! For safety, keep the packaging parts (plastic bags, cardboard boxes, Styrofoam etc.) out of children's reach. Risk of suffocation!

7. Use

7.1 Before use

1. Remove the appliance from the packaging and get rid of the plastic wrapping.
2. Unwind the power cord and place the appliance on a dry, flat and stable surface, resistant to high temperatures.
3. New appliances are lightly oiled. To remove any manufacture residues, it is recommended to turn the empty appliance on and heat it at the highest temperature setting for several minutes.
4. Clean all the elements of the appliance, paying particular attention to food contact parts, according to the instructions in section 8 Cleaning and Maintenance.
5. Insert the ceramic cooking pot into the casing.
6. Pour 0.5 liters of safe drinking water to the ceramic cooking pot.
7. Put on the lid.
8. Connect the power cord to a properly grounded outlet.
9. Turn the appliance on by pressing the ON/OFF switch.
10. Use the cooking time buttons ⬆️⬇️ to set the cooking time for at least 01.0 (60 minutes).
11. Press HIGH button until the LED lights up and the appliance starts heating up.
12. Leave the appliance turned on for at least 60 minutes.
13. Turn the appliance off by pressing the ON/OFF switch.
14. Unplug the appliance by removing the plug from the mains outlet.
15. Wait for the appliance to cool down to repeat the process.
16. After the second cleaning, the appliance is ready for use.

Warning! First use of the appliance may produce some smoke and a slight smell. Such harmless occurrences will cease after a short time. In this situation, ensure adequate ventilation of the room.

7.2 Use

1. Always place the appliance on a stable and dry work surface, which is heat resistant. Make sure that the feet are placed correctly on the surface.
2. Place the ingredients in the ceramic cooking pot. Set the pot on the base and cover with the glass lid.
3. Add at least one cup of water to the pot.

Warning! In the case of foodstuffs that require pre-cooking, such as brown rice, pre-cook the ingredients on the stove, in a conventional pan, rather than in the slow cooker.

4. Connect the power plug to a properly grounded outlet.
5. Press the ON/OFF switch until the display shows „00.0”.
6. Set the cooking time by pressing the Increase cooking time ⬆️ or Decrease cooking time ⬇️ buttons.

Warning! 00.1 – means 6 minutes; 01.0 – means 60 minutes (1 hour)

Available time settings: 0 – 14 hours.

7. After setting a required cooking time, select the cooking mode, i.e. high, low or varied temperature cooking by pressing HIGH, LOW, AUTO. A LED over the selected button will light up and the appliance will start cooking.
8. The longest possible cooking time is 14 hours, while the shortest is 6 minutes. To reset the settings, press the ON/OFF switch, until the display shows 00.0.

After cooking, the display shows 666 and the keep warm function is activated. To stop using the appliance, turn it off by pressing the ON/OFF switch twice and unplugging the device from the mains outlet.

Warning! Should the cooking time be increased/decreased during operation, once again select the required cooking temperature mode from HIGH, LOW, AUTO, and make sure that the appropriate LED lights up.

Warning! It is not recommended to remove the lid during cooking. Any such action extends the time it takes to cook. Check if the dish is ready only at the end of its cooking time.

Warning! During cooking, the surfaces of the appliance become heated. It is not recommended to touch the appliance outside the safe zones such as the lid and pot handles or the control panel.

7.3 Tips for cooking in the slow cooker

1. Products recommended for slow cooking: meat, legumes such as beans, peas, lentils; other vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, kohlrabi, etc. The slow cooker is ideal for cooking one-pot dishes, soups and stews.
2. Products not recommended for slow cooking: fish, seafood, pasta, or dairy because it can disintegrate or coagulate. Such products should only be added at the end of the cooking process.
3. Cooking in the slow cooker should take at least 30 minutes.
4. Slow cooking preserves moisture. To reduce the amount of liquid, remove the lid at the end of cooking, press LOW and set the timer for another 30-45 minutes.
5. The lid is not a tight seal. If you don't want to lose heat or prolong the cooking time for another 10 minutes, refrain from removing the lid to check on the dish.
6. To cook soup, leave 5 cm of free space between the rim of the ceramic cooking pot and the level of products filling the pot.
7. Many recipes require all-day cooking. Prepare the products in the morning and place them in the ceramic cooking pot and select LOW, HIGH or AUTO setting.
8. Most recipes for slow cooking meats and vegetables require cooking times of 8-10 hours at LOW, 4-6 hours at HIGH or 5-7 hours at AUTO.
9. Never use frozen products for slow cooking. Always defrost them before adding then to the pot.

Warning! The slow cooker is not suitable for frying. To fry products, use a separate frying pan.

10. Finely diced food takes less time to cook. It may require a few attempts to find the cooking time matching the user's tastes and requirements.
11. Vegetables usually require more time to cook than meat, therefore it is recommended to place them on the bottom layer of the slow cooker and the ceramic cooking pot.
12. Before ending the slow cooking process, turn the appliance off without removing the lid. The heat in the ceramic cooking pot will be maintained for the subsequent 30 minutes. To maintain the temperature for longer, press LOW.
13. Many meat dishes, such as stew or roulade, require searing before cooking. This ensures a better tasting and looking final product.
14. Before you start cooking, remove excess fat from the meat, as the low slow cooker temperature prevents natural fat rendering.
15. If the slow cooker holds too much liquid, take off the lid at the end of cooking and press HIGH to reduce the liquid.
16. Legumes should be soaked overnight to greatly reduce cooking time.
17. The cooking time for dried fruits is difficult to predict, as it depends on their level of dryness.
18. The water used for soaking vegetables cannot be used for cooking in the appliance.
19. To combine beans with other vegetables, such as carrots or potatoes, it is recommended to pre-cook beans and leave them overnight. This way, the cooking times of the vegetable mixture will be similar.
20. Beans and hard vegetables, such as carrots and potatoes, must be completely immersed in water during cooking.
21. For best results, fill the ceramic cooking pot with water to mid point.
22. The ceramic cooking pot must hold at least 1 and at most 3 liters of cooked products, liquids included.

Warning! Red beans contain a particularly high concentration of dangerous protein which can only be eliminated during normal cooking over boiling water.

Warning! Red beans should be cooked over boiling water for at least 10 minutes; only afterwards red beans can be cooked in a slow cooker until tender.

23. Frozen products should be defrosted prior to cooking. Temperatures in the slow cooker are too low to ensure proper cooking of frozen foodstuffs.

7.4 Cooking times

The cooking times provided in the table below are reference values. The actual cooking times depend on: - dice size and product freshness - amount of food in the ceramic cooking pot - personal preferences of the user

Tips: - it is recommended that all products are cut to the same size. - vegetables should be trimmed and diced / quartered - prick sausages to prevent them from exploding - be very careful when cooking meat, poultry in particular, in order to prevent food poisoning.

7.5 Keep warm function

This function is turned on automatically, after the appliance finishes cooking according to a selected program.

To turn it off, press the ON/OFF switch.

The keep warm function can be turned on manually by pressing the WARM button. The activation of the keep warm function is indicated by a lit LED over the WARM button.

The keep warm function is turned on when the appliance is in use and has not been switched off.

The appliance works in two cycles: work-pause, etc.

The temperature is maintained at the level of 60 – 100°C

8. Cleaning and Maintenance

8.1 General rules

Correct and regular cleaning will improve the safety and extend the lifespan of the appliance.

⚠️ Caution! To avoid electrical shock, turn the appliance off, unplug it from the mains outlet and leave it to cool down before cleaning and maintenance.

a) Wipe the casing with a dry cloth.

b) Clean the removable ceramic cooking pot in warm water with a mild detergent. Leave to dry.

Warning! Do not use any strong chemical, alkaline, abrasive or disinfecting agents for cleaning the appliance as they could damage its surface.

Warning! Never submerge the appliance casing in water or other liquids.

9. Repair

The appliance contains no user-serviceable parts. Do not attempt to repair the appliance on your own. Always have the appliance repaired by a professional. If the power cord is damaged, have it replaced by the manufacturer, authorized customer service or other qualified personnel.

10. Troubleshooting

11. Storage and Transport

1. Clean the appliance as instructed above and leave to dry. It is recommended that the appliance be stored in its original packaging.
2. Always store the appliance in a dry and well-ventilated room, away from the reach of children.
3. During transportation, protect the appliance against vibration and shock.

12. Disposal

The packaging materials are 100% recyclable and are marked with a recycling symbol. The packaging should be recycled in accordance with local regulations. The packaging materials should be kept away from children, as these materials could pose a hazard.

Correct disposal of the appliance:

1. According to the WEEE Directive (2012/19/EU), the crossed-out wheelie bin symbol (shown on the side) is used to label all electric and electronic devices requiring segregation.
2. After the end of its useful lifetime, this product may not be disposed of as normal municipal waste – instead, it must be turned over to an electrical and electronic equipment collection and recycling point. That is indicated by the crossed-out wheelie bin symbol placed on the product itself, in the user manual or on the packaging.
3. The materials incorporated in the appliance can be recycled in accordance with their relevant markings. Thanks to recycling, re-use of materials or other forms of utilizing used equipment, you make a significant contribution to the protection of our natural environment.
4. Information on the nearest waste electrical and electronic equipment collection location can be obtained from local government authorities or from the vendor of the appliance.

13. CE Declaration

This appliance has been designed, manufactured and marketed in accordance with the requirements of the Low Voltage Directive and the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive. Therefore, the product has been marked with the CE mark and a declaration of conformity has been issued for it, which is made available to market regulators.

14. Warranty

Should you have any questions or issues related to product operation, contact us at: infolinia@vershold.com or contact us by phone: +48 667 090 903

Your opinion is important to us. Evaluate our product at: www.vershold.com/opinie

Warranty and post-warranty customer service provided by:

QUADRA-NET Sp. z o.o.

ul. Dziadoszańska 10, 61-248 Poznań, Poland

phone no. 61/853 44 44

mobile no. 664 44 88 00

e-mail: infolinia@quadra-net.com

URL: www.quadra-net.pl

Manufacturer (Warrantor)

VERSHOLD POLAND Sp. z o.o. (formerly: Vershold Polska Spółka z ograniczoną odpowiedzialnością S.K.A.)

ul. Łopuszańska 32, 02-220 Warsaw, Poland

Made in China

Warranty Terms and Conditions

1. The Warrantor of this product grants a 36-month warranty valid from the purchase date, subject to presenting a properly filled-out warranty card. Under this Warranty, the product shall be, at the Warrantor's discretion:
   • a) repaired free-of-charge by the Warrantor, provided that any disassembled, damaged or faulty parts of the product, in the interest of the Client's safety, shall become the property of the Warrantor,
   • b) exchanged for a new product at the place of purchase; as a result, the damaged or faulty product shall become the property of the Warrantor,
   • c) subject to return with a refund of the purchase price; as a result, the damaged or faulty product shall become the property of the Warrantor.
2. A faulty/damaged product means a product failing to provide the features described in the User Manual due to intrinsic properties of the device.
3. The Beneficiary under the warranty shall deliver the appliance to the Customer Service Point at a given store in order to submit a complaint about the appliance. When exercising your warranty rights, present proof of purchase (receipt, invoice) and describe the defect in as much detail as possible, including in particular external manifestations.
4. A warranty card without a stamp, purchase data and a signature of the vendor is invalid.
5. The warranty excludes products with physical damage other than that caused by the manufacturer or distributor, including specifically any damage resulting from incorrect usage or force majeure.
6. The warranty does not cover products whose protective seal has been removed, unless such a removal was done by an authorized service technician.
7. The authorized repair facility shall make every effort to complete the repair within 21 days. This deadline may be extended to 1 month, should the repair require a purchase of replacement parts which are not accessible onsite.
8. It is recommended that the entire product be turned over upon submission of a complaint, so as to facilitate service operations.
9. This warranty for the sold consumer product does not exclude, restrict or suspend any rights of the Buyer stemming from warranty regulations covering defects in goods sold pursuant to the Civil Code of 23 April 1964 (Journal of Laws Dz.U.2014.121).
10. The warranty shall be applicable within the territory of the Republic of Poland.