Cuisinart CGG-888 User Manual - Page 24

CARE AND MAINTENANCE IGNITOR In order to prevent cracking of the burner's ceramic ignitor surfaces, never allow hard objects to the strike the ceramic ignitor. This will cause the burners to malfunction. Care should be taken when inserting or removing the griddle plate and accessories into or from the griddle. If hard objects fall onto the ceramic ignitor, it is likely to crack the ceramic. Damage resulting from failure to follow these steps is not covered under the warranty. GRIDDLE SEASONING Let's Talk About Seasoning In this case we are not talking about salt and pepper. We are talking about the process of conditioning your griddle surface for optimal performance and longevity. Seasoning your griddle will help create a non-stick surface for cooking while also protecting it from any rust. It's worth the effort. When you receive your griddle it will already have a thin layer of oil applied. We do this to protect from rust in shipping and storing, but it's going to need a little more work to perfect it. First Seasoning • This is the most important one so let's get this right. You'll want to start by using some soapy water and a towel or paper towels to wash off the shipping oil. Use additional water to wash the soap from the griddle surface. Dry the surface with a towel or paper towels. This gives you a fresh and clean start. • Next, you'll want to select your oil. We believe that flax seed oil is going to give you the best results, but feel free to use Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Vegetable Oil or Soy Oil. • Now we can season. In this process you'll be using high heat to bond the oil to the surface. Using a paper towel rub a thin coat of oil on the entire surface of the griddle. Then turn your griddle on high. The oil will eventually begin to smoke which is good. Leave it on high until the smoke stops. That means you passed the smoke point. • Finally, you'll want to cool the surface and repeat the process above 2 - 3 times until you get a smooth black surface on the griddle. If the griddle surface is hot you can use tongs or other protective gear to protect your hands while oiling. • Once you've completed this process you'll have the perfect griddling surface to get cooking on! NOTE: When seasoning your cooktop, make sure the oil is in a thin, even layer. Do not allow oil to puddle or leave any heavy streaks on the surface, as this can lead to a gummy cooktop. After extended use, you may notice that some of your seasoning is wearing off. This is normal and can be fixed by cleaning the cooktop and repeating the seasoning process 2-3 times. Preheating Instructions Food cooks faster with a preheated cooking surface. By preheating your griddle cooking surface to about 300° F, you can start cooking immediately and properly. To preheat your griddle cooking surface, leave the lid on the griddle plate and turn the gas control knobs to a medium heat for approximately 8- 10 minutes. Using protective gloves, remove the lid from the cooking surface. WARNING: Make sure to use protective gloves as griddle lid and body will be warm to the touch. For convenience, the lid is designed to hook onto the right side of the grease tray. We recommended positioning the lid towards the side or back of your griddle while cooking. NOTE: Avoid placing the lid hook directly on or near the grease cup. 24