Aroma ARC-5000SB 20-Cup Digital Rice Cooker User Manual

Aroma ARC-5000SB 20-Cup Digital Rice Cooker

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 fromoutlet 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 anymanner. Contact Aroma customer service for examination, repair or adjustment.
8. The use of accessory attachments not recommended by Aroma Housewaresmay 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 cautionmust be used when moving the appliance containing rice, hot oil 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 andmay cause scalding.
15. Use only with a 120V AC power outlet.

PARTS IDENTIFICATION

1. Lid Release Button
2. Handle
3. Steam Vent
4. Lid
5. Condensation Collector
6. Control Panel
7. Inner Cooking Pot
8. Measuring Cup
9. Serving Spatula
10. Steam Tray
11. Cooking Indicator Light
12. White Rice Indicator Light/White Rice Button
13. Delay Timer Button/Delay Timer Indicator Light
14. Brown Rice Button/Brown Rice Indicator Light
15. Keep-Warm Button/Keep-Warm Indicator Light
16. Steam Button/Steam Indicator Light
17. Power Button
18. Digital Display

USING YOUR RICE COOKER

Before First Use:

1. Read all instructions and important safeguards.
2. Remove all packaging materials and check that all items have been received in good condition.
3. Tear up all plastic bags as they can pose a risk to children.
4. Wash lid, steam vent and accessories in warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
5. Remove the inner cooking 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.

NOTE:

• 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 not equal to one U.S. cup (240 mL).
2. Rinse rice in a separate container until the water becomes relatively clear; drain.
3. Place rinsed rice in the inner cooking pot.
4. Using the measuring cup provided or the water measurement lines located inside the inner cooking pot, add the appropriate amount of water. See the “Rice/Water Measurement Table” on page 6 for suggested rice/water ratios.
5. Making sure that the exterior of the inner cooking pot is clean, dry and free of mdebris; set the inner cooking pot into the rice cooker. Snap the lid closed securely and plug the power cord into a wall outlet.
6. Turn the rice cooker on by pressing the POWER button. Each button’s indicator light will flash in succession and the digital display will show two blue dashes.
7. To begin cooking, press the WHITE RICE or BROWN RICE button, depending upon the type of rice to be cooked. The selected function’s indicator light will illuminate.
8. After approximately 5 seconds, the COOKING INDICATOR LIGHT will illuminate to show that the rice cooker has begun cooking. Once cooking is complete, the rice cooker will automatically switch to “Keep-Warm” mode.
9. The rice cooker will beep to indicate that cooking has completed, and automatically switch to “Keep-Warm” mode. Open the lid and use the serving spatula to stir the rice. This will release excess moisture and give the rice a fluffier texture. Then, close the lid and allow the unit to remain on “Keep-Warm” mod for 5-10 minutes. This will ensure an optimal rice texture and moisture level.
10. The digital display will show how many hours the rice cooker has been on “Keep-Warm” mode.
11. Press the POWER button twice to turn off the rice cooker. If the POWER button is not pressed, the rice cooker will remain in “Keep-Warm” mode. It is not recommended to leave rice on “Keep-Warm” mode for more than 12 hours.

Helpful Hint

To add an extra dimension of flavor to rice, try substituting a favorite variety of meat or vegetable broth or stock. The ratio of broth/stock to rice will be the same as water to rice.

For softer rice, allow rice to soak for 10-20 minutes prior to cooking.

NOTE:

Brown rice requires a much longer cooking cycle than other rice varieties due to the extra bran layers on the grains. The “Brown Rice” function on this rice cooker allows extra time and adjusted heat settings in order to cook the rice properly. If it appears the rice cooker is not heating up immediately on the “Brown Rice” setting, this is due to a low-heat soak cycle that proceeds the cooking cycle to produce better brown rice results.

To avoid a loss of steam and longer cooking times, do not open the lid at any point during the cooking process.

COOKING GUIDE

Inner Pot Water Lines:

The water lines in the inner cooking pot may be used to measure the correct amount of water for rice. Be sure to add the desired amount of rice first. Then fill the inner cooking pot with water to the corresponding line in the inner cooking pot (i.e. 6 cups of uncooked rice would be filled to line 6 in the inner pot). This is a quick and easy way to achieve perfect rice results.

USING YOUR RICE COOKER

To Use Delay Timer:

1. Follow steps 1 through 6 of “To Cook Rice” on page 4.
2. Press the DELAY TIMER button (in 1-hour increments) until the digital display shows the number of hours in which you would like your rice to be finished cooking.
3. Press the POWER button once at any time to cancel your choice and reset.
4. Press WHITE RICE or BROWN RICE button, depending upon the rice being cooked, to begin the delayed cooking cycle.
5. The COOKING INDICATOR LIGHT will illuminate once the rice cooker begins cooking the rice.
6. When cooking has completed, the rice cooker will beep and automatically switch to “Keep-Warm” mode. The digital display will show how many hours the rice cooker has been on “Keep-Warm” mode.
7. Press the POWER button twice to turn off the rice cooker. If the POWER button is not pressed, the rice cooker will remain in “Keep-Warm” mode. It is not recommended to leave rice on “Keep-Warm” mode for more than 12 hours.

NOTE:

The digital display on this unit is for the “Delay Timer” and “Steam” functions only. When using the “White Rice,” “Brown Rice” or “Keep-Warm” functions, the display will show two blue lines.

To Steam Food:

1. Add the desired amount of water to the inner cooking pot. A convenient steaming guide has been included on page 10 for vegetables and page 11 for meat.
2. Place food to be steamed onto the steam tray.
3. Place the steam tray inside the rice cooker and close the lid, snapping it closed securely.
4. Press the STEAM button. The digital display will show a flashing “10” representing ten minutes of steam time. Each additional press of the steam button will increase the steaming time by one minute. The steam time will cycle up to 30 minutes, after which it will cycle back to five minutes.
5. Press the POWER button once at any time to cancel your choice and reset.
6. Once the desired time has been reached, the rice cooker will beep to indicate it is setting at the selected time. It will beep once more and the numberdisplayed will stop flashing and the COOKING INDICATOR LIGHT will illuminate to indicate the steam function has begun.
7. The digital display will begin to count down in one minute increments from the time selected once the water in the rice cooker has reached a boil.
8. After the selected time has passed, the rice cooker will be beep to indicate it is done and automatically switch to “Keep-Warm” mode.
9. The digital display will show how many hours the rice cooker has been on “Keep-Warm” mode.
10. Press the POWER button twice to turn off the rice cooker. If the POWER button is not pressed, the rice cooker will remain in “Keep-Warm” mode. It is not recommended to leave rice on “Keep-Warm” mode for more than 12 hours.

HELPFUL HINTS:

Smaller foods may be placed on a heat-proof dish and then placed into the steam tray.

CAUTION:

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

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.
2. Place the inner cooking pot into the unit and begin to cook the rice.
3. Refer to the steaming guides for vegetables (page 10) or meat (page 11) 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. See the “Rice/Water Measurement Table” included on Page 6 for approximate rice cooking times.
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 securely and allow the rice cooker to resume cooking.
6. Once food has been steamed for the appropriate time open the lid. Use caution when opening the 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 well, as it will be hot.
7. If the rice has not finished cooking, close the lid of the rice cooker and allow rice to continue to cook until done. Once the rice is finished, the rice cooker will beep and automatically switch to “Keep-Warm” mode.
8. The digital display will show how many hours the rice cooker has been on “Keep-Warm” mode.
9. Press the POWER button twice to turn off the rice cooker. If the POWER button is not pressed, the rice cooker will remain in  “Keep-Warm” mode. It is not recommended to leave rice on “Keep-Warm” mode for more than 12 hours.

NOTE

Do not attempt to cook more than 8 cups (uncooked) of rice if steaming and cooking rice simultaneously. The steam tray will not fit.

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.

To Cook Soups, Stews and Chilis:

1. Add ingredients to inner pot.
2. Making sure that the exterior of the inner pot is clean, dry and free of debris; set the inner pot into the rice cooker. Close the lid and plug the power cord into a wall outlet.
3. Press the WHITE RICE button. The white rice indicator light will illuminate. Roughly 5 seconds after pressing the WHITE RICE button, the COOKING INDICATOR LIGHT will illuminate to show the rice cooker has begun cooking.
4. Allow soup/stew/chili to cook until ready, stirring often.
5. When soup/stew/chili is finished cooking, press the KEEP-WARM button. The cooker will then switch to “Keep-Warm” mode.
6. Press the POWER button twice to turn off the rice cooker. If the POWER button is not pressed, the rice cooker will remain in “Keep-Warm” mode.

HOW TO CLEAN

Always unplug unit and allow to cool completely before cleaning.

1. Remove the inner cooking pot. Wash it in warm, soapy water using a sponge or dishcloth.
2. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
3. Repeat process with steam tray and other provided accessories.
4. Wipe the underside of the lid with a warm, damp cloth. Dry with a soft cloth.
5. Wipe the body of the rice cooker and the underside of the lid clean with a damp cloth.
6. Empty out the condensation collector into a sink after each use. Remove by pressing on the arrow marked “PUSH”. Attach before next use.
7. To clean the steam vent (clean after each use):

• Pull out the steam vent as shown in “Diagram 1.”
• Empty and wash the steam vent in warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly.
• Dry the steam vent with a soft cloth.
• Reinsert the steam vent for next use.

HELPFUL HINT:

• For even faster cleanup, the inner cooking pot, serving spatula, measuring cup and condensation collector can be washed in the dishwasher!

NOTE:

• Do not use harsh abrasive cleaners, scouring pads or products that are not considered safe to use on nonstick coatings.
• Always make sure the outside of the inner pot is dry prior to use. If the inner cooking pot is returned to the rice cooker when wet, it may damage this product, causing it to malfunction.
• Any other servicing should be performed by Aroma Housewares Company.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Because rice varieties may vary in their make-up, results may differ. Below are some troubleshooting tips to help you achieve the desired consistency.

Rice is too dry/hard after cooking.

If your rice is dry or hard/chewy when the rice cooker switches to “Keep-Warm” mode, additional water and cooking time will soften the rice. Depending on how dry your rice is, add ½ to 1 cup of water and stir through. Close the lid and press the WHITE RICE button. When rice cooker switches to “Keep-Warm” mode, open the lid and stir the rice to check the consistency. Repeat as necessary until rice is soft and moist.

Rice is too moist/soggy after cooking.

If your rice is still too wet or soggy when the rice cooker switches to “Keep-Warm” mode, use the serving spatula to stir the rice. This will redistribute the bottom (moistest) part of the rice as well as release excess moisture. Close the lid and allow to remain on “Keep-Warm” mode for 10-30 minutes as needed, opening the lid and stirring periodically to release excess moisture.

Contact Information

1-800-276-6286

M-F, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Pacific Time

Website: www.AromaCo.com

For more Manuals by Aroma, visit ManualsLibraryy

Aroma ARC-5000SB 20-Cup Digital Rice Cooker-FAQs