Cooks Essentials 5 Quart Air Fryer Manual

Air Fryer Model: CM16053 FOR HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY

A Note About This Manual

We have inserted headings and paragraphs to facilitate reading. Use the P key to read step by step. In some cases we have modified the wording to make it more descriptive for the Visually Impaired.

Description of Key Layout

Note: The following description of the key layout has been provided by VIP Conduit and any errors are ours and not those of the manufacturer.

The buttons are arranged as follows.
The top row has 5 buttons.
The center button is round and is the Start/Stop button.
The buttons, to the left, adjust temperature by 10 degrees with each press.
The first button to the left is the minus and the second the plus.
The two buttons to the right of the Start/Stop button adjust time
by 1 minute with each press. The first one to the right of the Start/Stop button is the minus and reduces the time by 1 minute.
The last button to the right is the plus button and increases time by 1 minute.

The second row has 6 preset buttons.
Starting from the left they are:
fries, chicken, steak, fish, preheat, and Quick (5).
The Quick button raises the temperature 5 degrees with each press.

Before you begin... It is very important that you read this entire manual making certain that you are totally familiar with its operation and precautions.

Important Safety Precautions

When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed,

• READ AND FOLLOW all instructions carefully. • NEVER Immerse the housing, which contains electrical components and heating elements, in water. Do not rinse under the tap.

• TO AVOID ELECTRICAL SHOCK, do not put liquid of any kind into the main Unit housing containing the electrical components.

• THIS APPLIANCE HAS A POLARIZED PLUG (one blade is wider than the other). To reduce the risk of electric shock, this plug is intended to fit into a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully into the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician. Do not attempt to modify the plug in any way.

• MAKE SURE the appliance is plugged into a wall socket. Always make sure that the plug is inserted into the wall socket properly.

• TO PREVENT FOOD CONTACT with the heating elements, do not overfill the Fry Basket.

• DO NOT cover the air inlet and outlet openings while the Air Fryer is operating. Doing so will prevent even cooking and may damage the Unit or cause it to overheat.

• NEVER POUR oil into the Outer Basket. Fire and personal injury could result.

• WHILE COOKING, the internal temperature of the Unit reaches several hundred degrees F. To avoid personal injury, never place hands inside the Unit unless it is thoroughly cooled down.

• THIS APPLIANCE IS NOT INTENDED FOR use by persons with reduced physical, sensory, or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they are under the supervision of a responsible person or have been given proper instruction in using the appliance. This appliance is not intended for use by children.

• DO NOT use this Unit if the plug, the power cord or the appliance itself is damaged in any way.

• IF THE POWER CORD IS DAMAGED, you must have it replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent, or a similarly qualified person in order to avoid hazard.

• KEEP THE APPLIANCE and its power cord out of the reach of children when it is in operation or in the "cooling down" process.

• KEEP THE POWER CORD away from hot surfaces. Do not plug in the power cord or operate the Unit controls with wet hands.

• NEVER CONNECT THIS APPLIANCE to an external timer switch or separate remote-control system.

• NEVER USE THIS APPLIANCE with an extension cord of any kind.

• DO NOT OPERATE THE APPLIANCE on or near combustible materials such as tablecloths and curtains.

• WHEN COOKING, do not place the appliance against a wall or against other appliances. Leave at least 5 inches free space on the back and sides and above the appliance. Do not place anything on top of the appliance.

• DO NOT USE the Air Fryer for any purpose other than described in this manual.

• NEVER operate the appliance unattended.

To Prevent Burns

• WHEN IN OPERATION, hot steam is released through the air outlet openings. Keep your hands and face at a safe distance

from the air outlet openings.

Also avoid the hot steam and air while removing the Outer Basket and Fry Basket from the appliance.

• THE UNIT'S OUTER SURFACES may become hot during use. The Outer Basket, Fry Basket and the Food Separator Insert will be hot... wear oven mitts when handling hot components or touching hot surfaces.

• SHOULD THE UNIT EMIT BLACK SMOKE, unplug immediately and wait for smoking to stop before removing Outer and Fry Baskets.

Important Safeguards Continued

CAUTION

• Always operate the appliance on a horizontal surface that is level, stable and noncombustible.

• This appliance is intended for normal household use only. It is not intended for use in commercial or retail environments.

• If the Air Fryer is used improperly or for professional or semi-professional purposes or if it is not used according to the instructions in the user manual, the warranty becomes invalid and we will not be held liable for damages.

• Always unplug the appliance after use. • Let the appliance cool down for approximately 30 minutes before handling, cleaning or storing.

• Make sure you cook food until reaching safe temperatures for consumption. Remove any crumbs or pieces of leftover food before starting on to your next food item.

• The Air Fryer is equipped with an internal micro switch that automatically shuts down the fan and heating element when the Outer Basket is removed.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH-OFF

The appliance has a built-in timer and will automatically shut down when the countdown reaches zero. You can manually switch the appliance off by pressing the power button one time. The appliance will automatically shut down within 20 seconds.

ELECTRIC POWER'

If the electrical circuit is overloaded with other appliances, your new Unit may not operate properly. It should be operated on a dedicated electrical circuit.

OVERHEATING PROTECTION SYSTEM

Should the inner temperature control system fail, the overheating protection system will be activated and the Unit will not function. Should this happen, unplug the power cord, allow time for the Unit to cool completely before restarting or storing.

This appliance complies with all standards regarding electromagnetic fields (EMF). If handled properly and according to the instructions in this user manual, the appliance is safe to use based on scientific evidence available today.

AIR Fryer Parts

IMPORTANT: Your Air Fryer has been shipped with the components shown below. Check everything carefully before use. If any part is missing or damaged do not use this product and contact shipper using the customer service number located in the back of this owner's manual.

1. Fry Basket

2. Basket Release Button

3. Basket Handle

4. Outer Basket

5. Outer and Fry Basket Assembly

6. Food Separator Insert

7. Air Intake Vent

8. Digital Control

9. Air Outlet Vent

10. Main Unit Housing

CAUTION: Never push Basket Release Button unless Fry Basket and Outer Basket are resting on a level, heat-resistant surface.

When removing Outer Fry Basket, be careful not to press the Basket Handle button. Outer Basket will separate from Fry Basket.

Using The Digital Control Panel

The Start/Stop or Power Button is the round center button in the top row. Once the Outer Basket and Fry Basket are properly placed in the main Unit housing, the Power Button will be illuminated.

Pressing the Power Button one time will set the Unit to a default temperature of 370°F, and the cooking time will be set to 15 minutes. Pressing the Power Button a second time will start the cooking process. Pressing the power button during the cooking cycle will turn the unit off. The blue fan light will continue to spin, for 20 seconds.

The two buttons on the right of the power button are the Timer controls.

The plus and minus buttons enable you to add or decrease cooking time, one minute at a time. (The minus button is next to the power button.) Keeping the button held down will rapidly change the time (1-30 min). ,

The two buttons to the left of the Power button control the temperature. The plus and minus buttons enable you to add or decrease cooking temperature 10 degrees F at a time. Keeping the button held down will rapidly change the temperature. (Remember the first button to the left is the minus button.) Temperature Control range: 170°F — 400°F.

Buttons 6 through 11 - Preset Choices Six presets to choose from including: fries, chicken, steak, fish, preheat (P) and Quick 5 (5). Once selected, the predetermined time and cooking temperature function begins.

Notes: For buttons 6 to 9, you can override the preset function by increasing or decreasing time and temperature manually. For button 10, the preheat function, you cannot override the time or temperature. For button 11, Quick 5, you can adjust the time setting. Each time you press the Quick 5 button, the time will increase in 5-minute intervals.

Time and Temperature This display will keep track of the temperature and remaining cook time. Spinning Fan Display The spinning fan display will appear when the Unit is turned on and for up to 20 seconds after it is turned off.

PRESET BUTTON COOKING CHART

PRESET BUTTON TEMPERATURE

Frozen French Fries 400F 12 Minutes

Chicken (Bone-in Breast and Legs) 360°F 20minutes

Steak (1-inch thick; medium-rare) 400 Degrees 9 Minutes

Fish (1-inch thick) 400°F 10 Minutes Preheat 400 F 3 Minutes

Quick 5 370°F

5 min (5-30 min, 5 min increments)

Cooking with the Air Fryer Without Presets

Once you are familiar with the Air Fryer you may want to experiment with your own recipes. You do not need to select a preset function. Simply choose the time and temperature that suits your personal taste.

Preheating the Air Fryer

You may preheat the Unit for more efficient cooking simply by selecting the Preheat preset button or by manually selecting a cook time of 2 or 3 minutes, and cook at the default or higher temperature. For preheating, you will need to insert the empty Fry Basket and Outer Basket into the Unit housing.

Caution

Never fill the Outer Basket with cooking oil or any other liquid! Fire hazard or personal injury could result.

Unit Features

Digital Air Fryer 6 Preset Programs Timer (1-30 min) with Auto Shut Off 1700 Watts (120v 60hz)

Large Easy-Grip Handle Large 5.3 QT Fry Basket with Non-Stick Coating Dimensions: 15.3"w x 13.7"h x 12.5"d

General Operating Instruction

Before using the Air Fryer for the first time... Remove all packing materials, labels and stickers, then wash the Outer and Fry Basket, and Food Separator Insert with warm soapy water. The Outer and Fry Basket, and Food Separator Insert are also dishwasher safe. Wipe the inside and outside of the cooking Unit with a clean moist cloth. Never wash or submerge the cooking Unit in water. Never fill the Outer Basket with oil... this Unit cooks with hot air only.

Preparing for use

Place the appliance on a stable, level, horizontal and heat resistant surface.

•Place the Fry Basket in the Outer Basket properly. • Slide the Fry Basket into the cooking Unit until it "clicks" into place. Note: The Unit will not work unless the Fry Basket is inserted properly. • Plug the power cord into the 120V, dedicated outlet. NEVER: • Put anything on top of the appliance. that might Cover the air vents on the top and back of the cooking Unit. A Versatile Appliance The Air Fryer is designed to cook a wide variety of your favorite foods. The charts and tables provided within this manual and the Recipe Guide will help you get great results. Please refer to this information for proper time/ temperature settings and proper food quantities.

When removing the Outer Basket you may feel slight resistance. Place your hand on top of the Unit and pull gently on the Outer Basket. CAUTION: WHEN REMOVING OUTER BASKET, BE CAREFUL NOT TO PRESS THE BASKET HANDLE BUTTON. OUTER BASKET WILL SEPARATE FROM FRY BASKET.

WARNING: Wear an oven mitt on the hand you use to hold the Unit in place.

Place the ingredients in the Fry Basket. Note: Never fill the Fry Basket above the recommended amount as this could affect the quality of the end result or interfere with the electric heating coils. Slide the Fry Basket back into the unit until it "clicks" in place, Never use the Outer Basket without the Fry Basket. Caution: During the cooking process, the Outer Basket will become very hot. When you remove it to check on the progress, make sure you have a heat resistant surface nearby to set it down on.

1. When the Fry Basket and food is securely in place, press the Power Button once

2. Select a Preset function or manually set the Temperature and then the Time

3. Press The Power Button once and the Air Fryer will cycle through the cooking process. Note: You may remove the Fry Basket at any time during the process to check the progress. If you wish to preheat the Unit, see the Headding for Preheating Instructions.

Because the rapid hot air technology instantly reheats the air inside the appliance, pulling the Outer Basket briefly out of the appliance during hot air frying barely disturbs the process.

Consult the Charts in this manual or the Recipe Guide to determine the correct settings.

Shaking...

To ensure even cooking, some foods require "shaking" during the cooking process. To do this, simply remove the Outer Basket and Fry Basket from the Unit... gently shake the contents as needed and place back in Unit to continue cooking. For heavier foods, you might want to separate the Fry Basket from the Outer Basket before shaking. To do this, place the assembled Outer Basket and Fry Basket on a heat resistant surface. Press the Release Button and gently lift the Fry Basket. Shake ingredients, place the Fry Basket in the Outer Basket and return it to the Unit to finish cooking.

Caution: The Outer Basket will be hot... wear an oven mitt during this procedure. Never press the release button while shaking Fry Basket.

Tip: Set the Timer to one half the time needed for the recipe and the Timer bell will alert you when it's time to "shake".

When you hear the timer bell, the pre-set preparation time has elapsed. Pull the Outer Basket out of the appliance and place it on a heat resistant surface. To remove ingredients (i.e., fries), place the Fry Basket on a heat resistant-surface, press the Release Button and lift the Fry Basket out of the Outer Basket. Turn the Fry Basket over and let the ingredients fall on a plate. Use nonabrasive utensils to remove larger foods.

Do not turn the Fry Basket upside down with the Outer Basket still attached... excess oil that has collected on the bottom of the Outer Basket will leak onto the food.

When a quantity of food is cooked, the Unit is instantly ready for preparing another batch.

Settings

• The following table will help you select the correct temperature and time for best results. As you become more familiar with the Air Fryer cooking process, you may adjust these settings to suit your own personal tastes.

• Because the rapid hot air technology instantly reheats the air inside the appliance, pulling the Fry Basket briefly out of the appliance during hot air frying barely disturbs the process.

Tips • Foods that are smaller in size usually require a slightly shorter cooking time than larger ones. • Large quantities of food only require a slightly longer cooking time than smaller quantities. • "Shaking" smaller sized foods halfway through the cooking process, assures that all the pieces are evenly fried.

• Adding a bit of vegetable oil to fresh potatoes is suggested for a crispier result. When adding a little oil, do so just before cooking.

• Snacks normally cooked in an oven can also be cooked in the Air Fryer.

• Use pre-made dough to prepare filled snacks quickly and easily. Pre-made dough also requires a shorter cooking time than homemade dough.

• Place a baking tin or oven dish in the Fry Basket when baking a cake or quiche. A tin or dish is also suggested when cooking fragile or filled foods.

• Use the Food Separator Insert to cook two foods at the same time, while keeping them separated.

• You can use the Air Fryer to reheat foods. Simply set the temperature to 300°F for up to 10 minutes.

SHAKING — COOKING CHART

Thin frozen fries 2 1/2 - 5 cups 10 to 12 Minutes at 400 degrees F.

Thick frozen fries 2 1/2 - 5 cups 10 to 14 Minutes at 400 Degrees F

Homemade fries 2 1/2 to 6 cups 12 to 18 Minutes at 400 DegreesF Add 1/2 Tbsp. oil

Homemade potato wedges 2 1/2 to 6 cups 18 to 25 Minutes at 360 Degrees F Add 1/2 Tbsp.Oil

Homemade potato cubes 2 1/2 to 6 cups 14 to 20Minutes at 360 Degrees F Add 1/2 Tbsp. oil

Steak 1/4 to 2 lbs 8 to 12 Minutes at 400Degrees F

Hamburger 1/4 to 1.1 lb 7 to 14 Minutes at 360 Degrees F

Frozen chicken nuggets 1/2 to 2 lbs 12 to 16 Minutes at 400 Degrees F Use oven - ready

Mozzarella sticks 1/2 to 2 lbs 8 to 14 Minutes at 360 Degrees F Use oven - ready

Stuffed vegetables 1/2 to 2 lbs 10 to 15Minutes at 320 Degrees F

The table above will help you choose the basic settings for the ingredients selected. *Add 3 minutes to cooking time when starting with a cold appliance. Note: Keep in mind that these settings are indications. As ingredients differ in origin, size, shape and brand, we cannot guarantee the best settings for your ingredients.

Cleaning and Storage

Cleaning

Clean the Air Fryer after each use. The Outer Basket, Fry Basket and Food Separator Insert are coated with a special non-stick surface. Never use abrasive cleaning materials or utensils on these surfaces.

1. Remove the power cord from the wall socket and be certain the appliance is thoroughly cooled before cleaning. Note: Separating the Outer Basket from the Fry Basket will allow them to cool quicker.

2. Wipe the outside of the appliance with a warm moist cloth and mild detergent.

3. Clean the Outer Basket, Fry Basket and Food Separator Insert with hot water, a mild detergent and a nonabrasive sponge. Note: The Outer Basket, Fry Basket and Food Separator Insert are dishwasher-safe.

Tip: Should Outer Basket and Fry Basket contain difficult to remove food particles, leave the Fry Basket and Outer Basket assembled, fill with hot soapy water and soak for 10 minutes.

4. Clean the inside of the appliance with hot water, a mild detergent and a nonabrasive sponge.

5. If necessary, remove unwanted food residue from the heating element with a cleaning brush.

Storage

1. Unplug the appliance and let it cool down thoroughly.

2. Make sure all components are clean and dry.

3. Place the appliance in a clean, dry place.

Environment Dispose of all unwanted appliances according to local environmental regulations. Preserve the planet.

PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE SOLUTION

Important Note About This Section

Since OCR Scanners have difficulty with tables, it was necessary to leave out some of this section. We were simply unable to reassemble everything so that it made sense.

Problem: The unit does not work. Possible cause: The unit is not plugged in or you have not turned it on.

Solution: Make sure the unit is plugged in and press the power button.

Problem: Food not cooked.
Possible cause: The Fry Basket is overloaded.
Solutions: Use smaller batches for more even frying. The temperature is set too low. Use the Temperature + button to raise the temperature and continue cooking.

Problem: Food is not fried evenly. Possible Cause: Some foods need to be "shaken"During the cooking process. Solution: See Heading on shaking.

Problem: Outer Basket won't slide. Possible Cause: Fry Basket is overloaded. Solution: Do not fill the Fry Basket above the Max level, or Fry Basket is not placed in Outer Basket correctly. Gently push Fry Basket into Outer Basket until it "clicks".

Problem: White smoke. Possible Cause: Too much oil being used. Foods heavy with oil will caus dripping into the Outter Basket, Outter Basket has residue from previous cooking. Solution: Clean Outter Basket between each use, Oil in the outter basket will smoke, but has no affect on the unit or food.

Problem: Fries are not crispy. Possible Cause: Fries have too much water or wrong type of potatoes being used. Solution: Use fresh firm potatoes and pat dry carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I prepare foods other than fried dishes with my Air Fryer? You can prepare a variety of dishes including steaks, chops, burgers and baked goods. See the Air Fryer Recipe Guide.

2. Is the Air Fryer good for making or reheating soups and sauces? Never cook or reheat liquids in the Air Fryer.

3. Is it possible to shut off the Unit at any time? Press the Power button once or remove the Outer Basket.

4. What do I do if the Unit shuts down while cooking? As a safety feature the Air Fryer has an auto shut off device that prevents damage and overheating. Remove the Outer Basket and set it on a heat resistant surface. Allow the Unit to cool down. Remove the power cord from the outlet. Restart with the Power button.

5. Does the Unit need time to heat up? If you are cooking from a "cold start," add 3 minutes to the cook time to compensate.

6. Can I check the food during the cooking process? You can remove the Outer Basket at any time while cooking is in progress. During this time you can "shake" the contents in the Fry Basket if needed to ensure even cooking.

7. Is the Air Fryer dishwasher safe? Only the Fry Basket, Outer Basket and Food Separator Insert are dishwasher safe. The Unit itself containing the heating coil and electronics should never be submersed in liquid of any kind or cleaned with anything more than a hot moist cloth or nonabrasive sponge with a small amount of mild detergent.

8. What happens if the Unit still does not work after I have tried all the troubleshooting suggestions? Never attempt a home repair. Contact the manufacturer and follow the procedures set forth by the warranty. Failure to do so could render your warranty null and void.

General Operating Instructions

Place the ingredients in the Fry Basket. Note: Never fill the Fry Basket above the recommended amount as this could affect the quality of the end result or interfere with the electric heating coils. Slide the Fry Basket back into the unit until it "clicks" in place, Never use the Outer Basket without the Fry Basket. Caution: During the cooking process, the Outer Basket will become very hot. When you remove it to check on the progress, make sure you have a heat resistant surface nearby to set it down on.

1. When the Fry Basket and food is securely in place, press the Power Button once

2. Select a Preset function or manually set the Temperature and then the Time

3. Press The Power Button once and the Air Fryer will cycle through the cooking process. Note: You may remove the Fry Basket at any time during the process to check the progress. If you wish to preheat the Unit, see instructions in the Pre Heating Headding. Because the rapid hot air technology instantly reheats the air inside the appliance, pulling the Outer Basket briefly out of the appliance during hot air frying barely disturbs the process.

Consult the Charts in this manual or the Recipe Guide to determine the correct settings.

Shaking...

To ensure even cooking, some foods require "shaking" during the cooking process. To do this, simply remove the Outer Basket and Fry Basket from the Unit... gently shake the contents as needed and place back in Unit to continue cooking. For heavier foods, you might want to separate the Fry Basket from the Outer Basket before shaking. To do this, place the assembled Outer Basket and Fry Basket on a heat resistant surface. Press the Release Button and gently lift the Fry Basket. Shake ingredients, place the Fry Basket in the Outer Basket and return it to the Unit to finish cooking.

Caution: The Outer Basket will be hot... wear an oven mitt during this procedure. Never press the release button while shaking Fry Basket.

Tip: Set the Timer to one half of the time needed for the recipe and the Timer bell will alert you when it's time to "shake".

When you hear the timer bell, the pre-set preparation time has elapsed. Pull the Outer Basket out of the appliance and place it on a heat resistant surface.

To remove ingredients (i.e., fries), place the Fry Basket on a heat resistant-surface, press the Release Button and lift the Fry Basket out of the Outer Basket. Turn the Fry Basket over and let the ingredients fall on a plate. Use nonabrasive utensils to remove larger foods.


Created on ... November 01, 2016