AROMA ARC-900SB 10-Cup Cool-Touch Rice Cooker and Food Steamer Instruction Manual

10-Cup Cool-Touch Rice Cooker & Food Steamer
**Instruction Manual

ARC-900SB
www.AromaCo.com
**

Congratulations on your purchase of the **AROMA**10-Cup Rice Cooker and Food Steamer!

At Aroma we’ve mastered the art of cooking perfect, fluffy rice at the touch of a button, so you don’t have to. In the Aroma rice cooker, cooking terminates automatically and switches to the convenient “Keep-Warm” mode, so you don’t have to watch the clock or worry about overcooking your rice. This versatile appliance also steams vegetables, meats, and fish and it will even cook soups or stock.
Ideal for preparing nutritious, well-balanced meals, steaming locks in food’s natural flavor, moisture and nutrients without the use of added oils or fat. Because we believe that healthy meals should also be convenient, this rice cooker cooks entire meals in one simple step – steaming meat or vegetables as rice cooks- saving time and energy.
This manual contains instructions on using your new rice cooker as well as some additional information about rice. For recipe suggestions or for new home appliance ideas, please visit us online at www.AromaCo.com.

Published By:
Aroma Housewares Co.
6469 Flanders Drive
San Diego, CA 92121
U.S.A.
1-800-276-6286
www.aromaco.com
© 2008 Aroma Housewares Company All rights reserved.

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

Basic safety precautions should always be followed when using electrical appliances, including the following:

1. Important: Read all instructions carefully before first use.
2. Do not touch hot surfaces. Use the handles or knobs.
3. Use only on a level, dry and heat-resistant surface.
4. To protect against electrical shock, do not immerse cord, plug, or the appliance in water or any other liquid.
5. Close supervision is necessary when the appliance is used by or near children.
6. Unplug from outlet when not in use and before cleaning. Allow unit to cool before putting on or taking off parts and before cleaning the appliance.
7. Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug or after the appliance malfunctions or has been damaged in any manner. Contact Aroma customer service for examination, repair or adjustment.
8. The use of accessory attachments not recommended by the appliance manufacturer may result in fire, electrical shock or injury.
9. Do not use outdoors.
10. Do not let cord touch hot surfaces or hang over the edge of a counter or table.
11. Do not place on or near a hot burner or in a heated oven.
12. Do not use the appliance for other than its intended use.
13. Extreme caution must be used when moving the appliance containing hot water or other liquids.
14. Do not touch, cover or obstruct the steam vent on the top of the rice cooker as it is extremely hot and may cause scalding.
15. Use only with a 120V AC power outlet.
16. Always unplug from the base of the wall outlet. Never pull on the cord.
17. The rice cooker should be operated on a separate electrical circuit from other operating appliances. If the electrical circuit is overloaded with other appliances, the appliance may not operate properly.
18. Always make sure the outside of the inner cooking pot is dry prior to use. If the cooking pot is returned to cooker when wet, it may damage or cause the product to malfunction.
19. Use extreme caution when opening the lid during or after cooking. Hot steam will escape and may cause scalding.
20. Rice should not be left in the inner pot with the “Keep-Warm” function on for more than 12 hours.
21. To prevent damage or deformation, do not use the inner pot on a stovetop or burner.
22. To disconnect, turn any control to “Off”, then remove plug from wall outlet.
23. To reduce the risk of electrical shock, cook only in the removable container provided.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

SHORT CORD INSTRUCTIONS

1.  A short power-supply cord is provided to reduce the risks resulting from becoming entangled in or tripping over a longer cord.
2. Longer extension cords are available and may be used if care is exercised in their use.
3. If a longer extension cord is used:
   a. The marked electrical rating of the extension cord should be at least as great as the electrical rating of the appliance.
   b. The longer cord should be arranged so that it will not drape over the countertop or tabletop where it can be pulled by children or tripped over unintentionally.

POLARIZED PLUG

This appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other); follow the instructions below:
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 plugin anyway.
If the supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent, or a similarly qualified person in order to avoid a hazard.

This appliance is for household use only.

PARTS IDENTIFICATION

1. Lid
2. Handle
3. Steam Vent
4. Condensation Collector
5. Indicator Lights
6. Power Switch
7. Nonstick Inner Pot
8. Measuring Cup
9. Rice Paddle
10. Steam Tray

HOW TO USE

Before First Use:

1. Read all instructions and important safeguards.
2. Remove all packaging materials and make sure items are received in good condition.
3. Tear up all plastic bags as they can pose a risk to children.
4. Wash lid and accessories in warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
5. Remove inner pot from rice cooker and clean with warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry thoroughly before returning to cooker.
6. Wipe body clean with a damp cloth.
   • Do not use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads.
   • Do not immerse the rice cooker base, cord or plug in water at any time.

To Cook Rice:

1. Using the measuring cup provided, measure out the desired amount of rice. One full, level cup of uncooked rice will yield 2 cups of cooked rice. The measuring cup provided adheres to rice industry standards (180mL) and is equal to roughly ¾ of a standard U.S. cup (240mL).

2. Rinse rice in a separate container until the water becomes relatively clear.

3. Place rinsed rice in the inner pot.

4. Using the measuring cup provided or the water measurement lines located inside the inner pot, add the appropriate amount of water. For added convenience, a “Rice/Water Measurement” chart is located on page 7 of this instruction manual.

5. For softer rice, allow the rice to soak for 10-20 minutes.

6. Making sure that the exterior of the inner pot is clean, dry, and free of debris, set the inner pot in the rice cooker. Place the lid over the top and plug the power cord into a wall outlet.
   NOTE: To avoid loss of steam and longer cooking times, do not open the lid at any point during the cooking process.

7. Press down on the power switch. The “Cook” light will illuminate. When the rice is finished, the unit will automatically switch to “Keep-Warm” mode and the “Warm” light will illuminate.

8. After cooking, allow rice to stand for 5-10 minutes without removing lid. This will ensure that rice is cooked thoroughly.

9. The rice cooker will remain in “Keep-Warm” mode until it is unplugged. Be sure to unplug the cord from the wall outlet when not in use.

CAUTION:
It is important that the outside surface of the inner pot is completely clean and dry before it is placed into the rice cooker. Water, food or other substances on the pot will come into contact with the heating element and may cause damage to the cooker.

HOW TO USE

To Cook Soups and Stews:

1.  Add ingredients to inner pot and place pot in rice cooker.
2. Press down on the power switch. The “Cook” light will illuminate.
3. Allow soup to cook until ready, stirring often.
4. When soup is finished cooking, lift up the power switch to use the “keep warm” mode. The “Warm” light will illuminate.
5. Rice cooker will remain in “Keep-Warm” mode until it is unplugged. Be sure to unplug the unit from the wall outlet when it is not in use.

To Steam Food:

1. When steaming only, add the appropriate amount of water to the inner pot according to the food to be cooked. Convenient steaming guides have been provided on pages 8 and 9 for reference.
2. Place food into the steam tray. Smaller foods may be placed in a heat-proof dish and then placed into the steam tray.
3. Making sure that the outside surface of the inner pot is completely clean and dry, set the inner pot into the body of the rice cooker then place the steam tray onto the inner pot. Place the lid over the top and plug the power cord into a wall outlet.
4. Press down on the power switch. The “Cook” light will illuminate.
5. When steaming is complete, the unit will automatically switch to “Keep-Warm” mode. We recommend keeping food on “Keep-Warm” mode no longer than 5-10 minutes to avoid overcooking.
6. The rice cooker will remain on “Keep-Warm” mode until it is unplugged. Be sure to unplug the cord from the wall outlet when not in use.

HELPFUL HINTS:

1. Rinse rice before placing into the inner pot to remove excess bran and starch. This will help reduce browning and sticking to the bottom of the pot.
2. If you have experienced any sticking with the type of rice you are using, try adding a light coating of vegetable oil or nonstick spray to the bottom of the inner pot before adding rice.
3. The chart on page 7 is only a general measuring guide. As there are many different kinds of rice available (see “About Rice” on page 12), rice/water measurements may vary slightly.

HOW TO USE

To Steam Food And Cook Rice Simultaneously:
One of the most convenient features of this rice cooker is the ability to both cook rice and steam food simultaneously, ideal for creating delicious all-in-one meals.

1. Place the desired amount of rice and appropriate amount of water into the inner pot. See “To Cook Rice” on page 4 for details. Do not attempt to cook more than 5 cups (uncooked) of rice if trying to use the steam tray simultaneously. The steam tray will not fit properly once rice cooks.
2. Place the inner pot into the unit and begin to cook the rice.
3. Refer to the steaming guides for vegetables ( page 8 ) or meat ( page 9 ) for hints and approximate steaming times. It is best to insert the food to be steamed toward the end of the rice cooking cycle so that your meal is fresh and warm all at once.
4. Place your choice of vegetables or meat into the steam tray. Open the lid, using caution as steam escaping will be extremely hot , and place the steam tray into the rice cooker.
5. Close the lid and allow the cooker to resume cooking.
6. Once food has been steamed for the appropriate time open the lid. Use caution when opening lid as steam escaping will be extremely hot. Remove the steam tray and check food to be sure it has been thoroughly cooked. Exercise caution when removing the steam tray, as it will be hot.
7. Close the lid of the rice cooker and allow rice to continue to cook until done. When the rice is ready it will automatically switch to “Keep-Warm” mode.
8. The rice cooker will remain on “Keep-Warm” mode until it is unplugged. Be sure to unplug the cord from the wall outlet when not in use.

NOTE:
It is possible to steam at any point during the rice cooking cycle. However, it is recommended that you steam during the end of the cycle so that steamed food does not grow cold or become soggy before the rice is ready.

CAUTION:

• Open the lid only when necessary.
• If cooking pot is returned to cooker when wet it will damage this product, causing it to malfunction.

COOKING GUIDE

• Due to the extra water needed to cook brown rice, the maximum amount of brown rice that may be cooked at one time is 8 cups.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• Brown rice, wild rice and rice mixes vary in their make-up. Some variations may require longer cooking times and/or additional water in order to achieve optimum results. Refer to the individual package instructions for cooking suggestions.
• The measuring cup included adheres to rice industry standards (180mL) and is not equal to one U.S. cup. The chart above refers to cups of rice/water according to the measuring cup provided.
• Do not place more than 10 cups of uncooked rice (8 cups if brown rice) into this appliance at one time. The maximum capacity of this unit is 10 cups of uncooked rice (8 cups if brown rice) which yields 20 cups of cooked rice (16 cups brown rice).

COOKING GUIDE

VEGETABLE STEAMING CHART:

NOTE: The times above are cooking times once water has reached a boil. Time needed to reach boiling will vary depending upon the amount of water used.

HELPFUL HINTS:

1. Since most vegetables only absorb a small amount of water, there is no need to increase the amount of water with a larger serving of vegetables.
2. Whenever possible, keep the lid closed during the entire steaming process. Opening the lid causes a loss of heat and steam, resulting in a slower cooking time. If you find it necessary to open the lid, you may want to add a small amount of water to help restore the cooking time.
3. Altitude, humidity, and outside temperature will affect cooking times.
4. The steaming chart is for reference only. Actual cooking time may vary.

COOKING GUIDE

MEAT STEAMING CHART:

NOTE :  The times above are cooking times once water has reached a boil. Time needed to reach boiling will vary depending upon the amount of water used.

HELPFUL HINTS:

1. Steaming times may vary depending upon the cut of meat being used.
2. To ensure meat tastes its best, and to prevent possible illness, check that meat is completely cooked prior to serving. If it is not, simply place more water in the inner pot and repeat the cooking process until the meat is adequately cooked.

HOW TO CLEAN

Always unplug unit and allow to cool completely before cleaning.

To Clean Exterior Body and Inner Rice Pot:

1. Remove the inner cooking pot. Wash it in warm, soapy water using a nylon sponge or dishcloth.
2. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
3. Wipe the body of the rice cooker clean with a damp cloth.

To Clean the Underside of the Lid: (See Diagram 1)
The underside of the lid should be cleaned after every use.

1. Detach the inner lid from the shaft by gently tugging it outward. Soak briefly.
2. Wipe the underside of the lid with a warm, damp cloth.
3. Dry with a soft, dry cloth.
4. Install the inner lid to the outer lid by pressing the inner lid over the inner lid shaft. After installing the inner lid, the small side of the inner lid seal should face you with the outer lid open. If the inner lid is inserted improperly, the outer lid will not close.

CAUTION:
Never clean the appliance while the cooker is still hot.

To Clean Heating Plate: (See Diagram 2)
The heating plate should be cleaned after every use.

1. Wipe the heating plate with a warm, damp cloth.
2. Dry with a soft, dry cloth.
3. Rice grains or other dried materials may stick to the heating plate. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 until the heating plate is completely clean to ensure full contact between the inner pot and the heating plate. Otherwise, the appliance will not close properly and may overheat.

• Do not use harsh abrasive cleaners or products that are not considered safe to use on non-stick coatings.
• This appliance is NOT dishwasher safe. Inner pot and accessories are NOT dishwasher safe.
• Always make sure the outside of the inner pot is dry prior to use. If inner cooking pot is returned when wet, it may damage this product, causing it to malfunction.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Because rice variations differ in their make-up, results may vary depending upon the type of rice being used (see About Rice on page 12). Below are some troubleshooting tips to help you achieve the desired consistency.

**ABOUT RICE

**

Courtesy of the USA Rice Federations

For recipes and rice information visit the USA Rice Federation online at www.usarice.com/consumer.

Rice is the perfect foundation for today’s healthier eating. It is a nutrient- dense complex carbohydrate that supplies energy, fiber, essential vitamins and minerals, and beneficial antioxidants. Rice combines well with other healthy foods such as vegetables, fruits, meat, seafood, poultry, beans, and soy foods.

Nearly 88% of rice consumed in the U.S. is grown in the U.S. Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Missouri produce high-quality varieties of short, medium, and long-grain rice as well as specialty rices including jasmine, basmati, arborio, red aromatic and black japonica, among others.

There are many different varieties of rice available in the market. Your Aroma® Rice Cooker can cook any type perfectly every time. The following are the  commonly available varieties of rice and their characteristics:

Long Grain Rice
This rice has a long, slender kernel three to four times longer than its width. Due to its starch composition, cooked grains are more separate, light, and fluffy compared to medium or short-grain rice. The majority of white rice is enriched to restore nutrients lost during processing. Great for entrees and side dishes – rice bowls, stir-fries, salads, and pilafs.

Medium Grain Rice
When compared to long-grain rice, medium-grain rice has a shorter, wider kernel that is two to three times longer than its width. Cooked grains are more moist and tender than long grains, and have a greater tendency to cling together. Great for entrees, sushi, risotto, and rice puddings.

Short Grain Rice
Short grain rice has a short, plump, almost round kernel. Cooked grains are soft and cling together, yet remain separate and are somewhat chewy, with a slight springiness to the bite. Great for sushi, Asian dishes, and desserts.

Brown Rice
Brown rice is a 100% whole grain food that fits the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendation to increase daily intake of whole grains. Brown rice contains the nutrient-dense bran and inner germ layer where many beneficial compounds are found. Brown rice is available in short, medium, and long grain varieties and can be used interchangeably with enriched white rice.
Wild Rice
Wild rice is an aquatic grass grown in Minnesota and California and is a frequent addition to long-grain rice pilafs and rice mixes. Its unique flavor, texture, and rich dark color provide a delicious accent to rice dishes. Wild rice also makes a wonderful stuffing for poultry when cooked with broth and mixed with your favorite dried fruits.

ABOUT RICE Courtesy of the USA Rice Federations

For recipes and rice information visit the USA Rice Federation online at www.usarice.com/consumer.

Did You Know?

• Rice is the primary dietary staple for more than half of the world’s population.
• U.S. grown rice is the standard for excellence and accounts for nearly 88% of the rice consumed in America. It is grown and harvested by local farmers in five south-central states and California.
• Rice contains no sodium, cholesterol, trans fats or gluten, and has only a trace of fat. One half-cup of rice contains about 100 calories.
• Research shows that people who eat rice have healthier diets than non-rice eaters and eat more like the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations.
• Whole grains like brown rice help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, and aid in weight management.
• Brown rice is a 100% whole grain. One cup of whole-grain brown rice provides two of the three recommended daily servings of whole grains.
• Eating rice triggers the production of serotonin in the brain, a chemical that helps regulate and improve mood.
• September is National Rice Month- promoting awareness of the versatility and the value of U.S. grown rice.

MORE TIPS FROM AROMA

• For chicken or beef flavored rice, add 2 cubes of chicken or beef bouillon to the water for before beginning the cooking process.
• Remember that old rice loses moisture and requires more water to cook, so always use fresh rice…it makes a difference!
• Leftover rice doesn’t have to be thrown away – it works great for fried rice, soups, or broths.
• Remember to let rice cool before storing it in the refrigerator. This will help to eliminate excess condensation.
• When reheating rice, add 2 tablespoons of water for each cup of rice and reheat using your Aroma rice cooker.
• When cooking rice, remember not to open the lid as a lot of the necessary moisture will escape and slow down the cooking process.
• Raw brown rice should be stored it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh – it requires a temperature of 55º or less.
• For white rice and other varieties, store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to keep fresh for longer.
  For more tips, recipe ideas, product information, and more visit us online at www.Aromaco.com.

LIMITED WARRANTY

Aroma Housewares Company warrants this product free from defects in material and workmanship for one year from provable date of purchase in the continental United States.

Within this warranty period, Aroma Housewares Company will repair or replace, at its option, defective parts at no charge, provided the product is returned, freight prepaid with proof of purchase, and U.S. $12.00 for shipping and handling charges payable to Aroma Housewares Company. Before returning an item, please call the toll-free number below for a return authorization number. Allow 2-4 weeks for return shipping.

This warranty does not cover improper installation, misuse, abuse, or neglect on the part of the owner. Warranty is also invalid in any case that the product is taken apart or serviced by an unauthorized service station.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, which may vary from state to state, and does not cover areas outside the United States.

AROMA HOUSEWARES COMPANY
6469 Flanders Drive
San Diego, California 92121
1-800-276-6286
M-F, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Pacific Time
Website: www.aromaco.com

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