Before Using the Gas Surface Burners

Read all instructions before using.Even if the top burner flame goes out, gas is still flowing to the burner until the knob is turned to the OFF position. If you smell gas, immediately open a window and ventilate the area for five minutes prior to using the burner. Do not leave the burners on unattended.Use the proper pan size. Do not use pans that are unstable or that can be easily tipped. Select cookware with flat bottoms large enough to cover burner grates. To avoid spillovers, make sure the cookware is large enough to contain the food properly. This will both save cleaning time and prevent hazardous accumulations of food, since heavy spattering or spillovers left on the range can ignite. Use pans with handles that can be easily grasped and remain cool.To avoid discoloration during use, follow the tips in the Maintenance section.Do not operate the burner for an extended period of time without cookware on the grate.The finish on the grate may chip without cookware to absorb the heat.Touching grates before they cool down may cause burns.What to do if you smell gasOpen windows.Do not try to light any appliance.Do not touch any electrical switch.Do not use any phone in your building.Immediately call your gas supplier from a neighbor’s phone. Follow the gas supplier’s instructions.If you cannot reach your gas supplier, call the fire department.Be sure that all surface controls are set in the OFF position prior to supplying gas to the range.Never leave the surface burners unattended at high flame settings. Boilovers may cause smoke and greasy spillovers that may ignite.Always turn the knobs to the LITE position when igniting the top burners and make sure the burners have ignited.Control the top burner flame size so it does not extend beyond the edge of the cookware. Excessive flame is hazardous.Only use dry pot holders. Moist or damp pot holders on hot surfaces may result in burns from steam. Do not let pot holders come near open flames when lifting cookware. Do not use towels or other bulky cloth items. Use a pot holder.If using glass cookware, make sure the cookware is designed for range-top cooking.To prevent burns from ignition of flammable materials and spillage, turn cookware handles toward the side or back of the range without extending them over adjacent burners.Never leave any items on the cooktop. The hot air from the vent may ignite flammable items and will increase pressure in closed containers, which may cause them to burst.Carefully watch foods being fried at a high flame setting.Always heat fat slowly, and watch as it heats.If frying combinations of oils and fats, stir together before heating.Use a deep fat thermometer if possible to prevent fat from heating beyond the smoking point.Use the least possible amount of fat for effective shallow or deep fat frying. Filling the pan with too much fat can cause spillovers when food is added.Do not cook foods directly on an open flame on the cooktop.Do not use a wok on the surface burners if the wok has a round metal ring that is placed over the burner grate to support the wok. This ring acts as a heat trap, which may damage the burner grate and burner head. It may also cause the burner to work improperly. This may cause carbon monoxide levels which are higher than what is allowed by current standards, resulting in a health hazard.Foods for frying should be as dry as possible. Frost or moisture on foods can cause hot fat to bubble up and spill over the sides of the pan.Never try to move a pan of hot fat, especially a deep fryer. Wait until the fat is cool.Do not place plastic items on the cooktop. They may melt if left too close to the vent.Keep all plastics away from the surface burners.To prevent burns, always be sure that the controls for all burners are in the OFF position and all grates are cool before attempting to remove them.If you smell gas, turn off the gas to the range and call a qualified service technician. Never use an open flame to locate a leak.Always turn the knobs to the OFF position before removing cookware.Do not lift the cooktop. Lifting the cooktop can cause damage and improper operation of the range.If the range is located near a window, do not hang long curtains that could blow over the surface burners and catch on fire.Use care when cleaning the cooktop. The pointed metal ends on the electrodes could cause injury.Make sure that all burners are properly placed.Make sure that all grates are properly placed before using the burners.Take care when installing or removing the grates, as the rough edges may cause scratches on the surface of the cooktop.Make sure that the burners and grates are cool before touching them or placing a pot holder, cleaning cloth, or other materials on them.Electric spark igniters from the burners cause a clicking noise. All the spark igniters on the cooktop will activate when igniting just one burner.

Burner Locations

Your gas range cooktop has four or five sealed gas burners, depending on the model. The heads and caps can be assembled and removed for cleaning. Follow the guide below.Medium and large burnersThe medium and large burners are the primary burners for most cooking. These general purpose burners can be turned down from Hi to Lo to suit a wide range of cooking needs.Small burnerThe smallest burner is used for delicate foods such as sauces or foods that require low heat for a long cooking time.Extra large burnerThe extra large burner is the maximum output burner. Like the other four burners, it can be turned down from Hi to Lo for a wide range of cooking applications. This burner is also designed to quickly bring large amounts of liquid to a boil. It can be used with cookware 10 inches or larger in diameter.Oval burnerThe center, oval burner is for use with a griddle or oval pots.

Using the Gas Surface Burners

Match the size of the cooktop burner or element to the size of the cookware in use. Using a large element for a small pan wastes heating energy, and the exposed surface of the element is a burn or fire hazard.Be sure that all of the surface burners and grates are placed in the correct positions.Place cookware on the grate.Push the control knob in and turn to the LITE position to light the burner.The electric spark ignition system makes a clicking noise.Turn the control knob to control the flame size.Do not attempt to disassemble or clean around any burner while another burner is on. All the spark igniters on the cooktop will activate when igniting just one burner. An electric shock may result causing you to knock over hot cookware.

Setting the Flame Size

Watch the flame, not the knob, as you reduce heat. Match the flame size on a gas burner to the cookware being used for fastest heating.Never let the flames extend up the sides of the cookware.The flames on the surface burners may burn yellow in the presence of high humidity, such as a rainy day or a nearby humidifier.After LP gas conversion, flames can be bigger than normal when you put a pot on the surface burner.

Using the Proper Cookware

AluminumMedium-weight cookware is recommended because it heats quickly and evenly. Most foods brown evenly in an aluminum skillet. Use saucepans with tight fitting lids when cooking with minimum amounts of water.Cast-IronIf heated slowly, most skillets will give satisfactory results.Stainless SteelThis metal alone has poor heating properties and is usually combined with copper, aluminum or other metals for improved heat distribution. Combination metal skillets work satisfactorily if they are used with medium heat as the manufacturer recommends.EnamelwareUnder some conditions, the enamel of this cookware may melt. Follow cookware manufacturer’s recommendations for cooking methods.GlassThere are two types of glass cookware, those for oven use only and those for top-of-range cooking.Heatproof Glass CeramicCan be used for either surface or oven cooking. It conducts heat very slowly and cools very slowly. Check cookware manufacturer’s directions to be sure it can be used on gas ranges.Match the size of the cookware to the amount of food being cooked to save energy when heating. Heating 1/2 quart of water requires more energy in a 3-quart pot than in a 1-quart pot.

Using a Wok

If using a wok, use a 14-inch or smaller flat-bottomed wok. Make sure that the wok bottom sits flat on the grate.Do not use a wok support ring. Placing the ring over the burner or grate may cause the burner to work improperly, resulting in carbon monoxide levels above allowable standards. This can be hazardous to your health.

Using Stove-Top Grills

Do not place stove-top grills on the burner.Do not use stove top grills on the surface burners. Using a stove top grill on the surface burner will cause incomplete combustion and can result in exposure to carbon monoxide levels above allowable current standards. This can be a health hazard.

Using the Griddle

This feature is only available on some models.The non-stick coated griddle provides an extra-large cooking surface for meats, pancakes or other food usually prepared in a frying pan or skillet.Avoid cooking extremely greasy foods as grease spillover can occur.The griddle can become hot when surrounding burners are in use.Do not overheat the griddle. This can damage the non stick coating.Do not use metal utensils that can damage the griddle surface. Do not use the griddle as a cutting board.Do not place or store items on the griddle.It is normal for the griddle to become discolored over time.The griddle can only be used with the center burner. The griddle must be properly placed on the center grate, as shown.Do not remove the center grate when using the griddle.Do not remove the griddle plate until the cooktop grates, surfaces and griddle plate have completely cooled.The griddle plate on the cooktop may become very hot when using the cooktop, oven or broiler systems. Always use oven mitts when placing or removing the griddle plate.FrontPreheat the griddle according to the guide below and adjust for the desired setting.Type of Food : Warming TortillasCook Setting: HIType of Food : PancakesPreheat Conditions: HI 10 min.Cook Setting: HIType of Food : HamburgersPreheat Conditions: HI 10 min.Cook Setting: HIType of Food : Fried EggsPreheat Conditions: HI 5 min.Cook Setting: HIType of Food : BaconPreheat Conditions: HI 10 min.Cook Setting: HIType of Food : Breakfast Sausage LinksPreheat Conditions: HI 10 min.Cook Setting: HIType of Food : Hot SandwichesPreheat Conditions: HI 10 min.Cook Setting: HIAfter cooking on the griddle for an extended period, adjust the griddle temperature settings as the griddle retains heat.