5 Star Chef Portable Induction Cooktop Questions & Answers

Plug in switch on. Press the on button

The answer is on the web. You are not using magnetic cookware.

And you must have the cookware on the device before switching on

I do not know why you would need a manual. These devices are as common as dishwater and you can buy them anywhere. The important points: * Induction -- must use magnetic cookware * Only two basic controls: Power and Time * Ignore any other functions - they dont work properly.

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I'm at a zero loss as to what a bloody dishwasher has to do with the question? Manuals are handy for specifying what to do in the even of troubleshooting, maintaining the device and specs of said device.

If you haven't got the slightest idea why that is relevant, then it's probably best to keep quiet in future.

Not all devices are the same and not all are maintained the same, thus having a user manual for your device to make sure you know all yhere is to know about it and how to look after it ISN'T a bad thing.

P.s. Not all dishwashers are the same... As a result, having a manual to tell you how to use, maintain and how to troubleshoot isn't a bad thing, since again, all devices are different!

For me it means the unit has over-heated. The manual says I could get an E8 .. but I only get E9s. The manual says just to let it cool down .. and maybe clean out the air ducts in the unlikely case that that they have become blocked.

I get it when I run the unit on high settings such as a rapid boil or a wok (I mostly run it on either 400 for cooking or 300 for keeping warm).

Googling "induction hotplate igbt" and IGBT is just one of the electronic components making up the unit.

Thanks.....Only thing is that I won't be able to do high temp cooking???

No suitable magnetic pot

Magnetic? Might you know where to download the handbook? I now have an E1 error code on the other side as well - thanks!

I have a copy but this site doesn't allow me to send it .. and the PDF is messy so I can't just cut and paste the text. The following is hacked .. (summary .. E0 means the plate has overheated and needs to cool. I just turn the power switch off then on. E1 means you've knocked the pan off centre so just move it back to the middle.)

Error code: E0 Fault Detector: Main PCB at fault Condition/Problem: No heating indicator light. Possible cause/Solution: – The cooker is overheated internally. - Check air vent is not obstructed or dirty. See if the fan is running properly.

Error code: E1 Fault Detector: Utensil not placed Condition/Problem: No heating indicator light. Cooking stopped after 1 min. Possible cause/Solution: – Ensure that cooking utensil is placed correctly in centre of ceramic surface.

The 5 Star Chef Portable Induction Cooktop has only a single “hotplate” (see inset image) so yours must be a different model. But a general observation based on mine …. The (LCD) display is made up of bars that click on and off to show different values (mostly numbers). If all the bars are lit up at once it looks like an “8”, if the middle bar is not lit up then it looks like a “0”.

When it is first powered up, but the ON button hasn’t been pressed, only the middle bar is displayed so it appears as “----“. So your device isn’t actually showing “8888”, it’s in overload and has every bar lit up.

So your device hotplate is locked on full and your display is also locked on full.

If it were me, I’d junk it and buy another. 240 volts is not something to play with yourself and the cost of the single burner model is less than the cost of paying someone to look at it.

Mine is a dual burner, so not the little cheap one. For some reason the left one turns itself on and off. It’s only been installed (it sits inside a cutaway in an open bench top) for 12 months but I bought it a couple of year ago and had it in storage. Just wanted to know what the code meant as it’s not in the manual.

It's usually just oil so the same way you would clean a window that's been splashed. Any general purpose surface cleaner spray and paper towel works for me (not window/glass spray as that isn't strong enough to dissolve the oil).

If you get something particularly nasty, spray and leave to soak and soften then use a nylon scrubber.

Obviously avoid anything harsh like steel wool or a metal scraper as you are dealing with glass for the top and plastic for the control panel.

Oh .. and never use any powder or paste "cleaner" as these are abrasive and will eventually mark the surface.

Just the same as any other glass top stove plate

When you first turn it on it starts up (on mine) at "1800" (watts of power) .. or flat out. Press the "-" button to the left of the digital display to lower it in steps to a minimum of 300 (watts). I find cooking eggs requires switching between 400 and 300. 400 is a bit high while 300 is a bit low.

Note that it isn't a consistent/continuous heat. It cycles on and off at 1000 watts to "average" the required 400 or 300 so you'll see the contents bubbling for a few seconds when the heat is on then subsiding for a few seconds while it is off.

(And if you're new at this you need to have a steel pan, aluminium doesn't work with induction).

Hi thank you it has different selelctions like boil braise etc on it do I selelct one of them when I turn on I have to select one of the items and a number comes up I tried using the "-" but dont seem to make the temp to go down I know I may no sense but I will ender to try your advice I need a step instruction I think hahaha Thank you Marshall

Hi Marshall I did as you said and I worked it out thanks heaps so silly of me just easy Thanks again cheers

Debbie, I assume you’ve now bought your steel pots. I use it as the equivalent of a standard gas or electric hot plate, but running solely on the output from the solar panels. So just the power settings, which is the way it starts up. I reduce the default to 400 to boil/fry, 1200 for Wok and 300 for full-absorption rice (although that requires around double the normal time). Being able to set it to maintain a rolling boil of 100 degrees would be useful – but it doesn’t do that.

Note that these are “average” power settings with the device cycling on/off. Trial and error suggests that it has two actual physical power settings at around 1000 watts and 1800 watts. At 1000 or below it draws an actual 1000 watts. At anything above that it draws 1800 watts.

Thank ou

Stove tops do not have a maximum temperature. My Chef Induction heats my wok until it is red hot (probably about 600 - 700 degrees celcius). Other pans reach only 300 - 350. Sorry, your question does not make sense. There are so many factors involved.

Hi Wilbur. Thanks for the reply. I ask because some brands for 2000w cookers mention a max of 240c and others (Devanti) say 270c. I bought a $49 kmart one which allows displaying between watts or temp. eg max temp shows as 2000w or 240c. I'll see how that goes but my main concern is to use it for stir frying (but not at restaurant levels!! :-)

Actually you're both right - you've conflated two functions. As a straight "burner" the induction heater causes the pan to heat - it doesn't heat itself. However as a (nominally) "smart" appliance it has three different mechanisms, only one of which is this straight "burner". Depending on which "Rice" Toast" etc button you press it can also switch into timer mode or into temperature mode. Pressing buttons at random and "Cake" and "Toast" switch it into temperature mode - with the maximum setting of 270 degrees centigrade.

Of course not It is probably aluminium. You need to test your pots and pans with a magnet, (eg fridge magnet). Only magnetic metal will work on an induction stove. All new products will have a sign on the packaging as to whether it is induction compatible or not. Take it back to the store and buy a induction compatible product.

As per DrWilburHughes ... I use the El Cheapo pots from KMart as the steel ones are nothing but steel (no copper plating or similar). Just make sure they aren't aluminium as that is extremely popular in the mid price range and physics says that you can't induce heat in aluminium - so the cooker won't recognise the (non) feedback.

Thank you, I will check out KMart. Cheers.

one with a magnetic base. Test with a fridge magnet.

Dear Dennis, This problem is not with the cooker but with the switch on the wall. Without power, the cooktop will not show any lights, although it may take 10 seconds or so for lights to switch off. If they stay on there is probably a dangerous problem with the wall switch. Note that most 2 burner units need a 15 amp outlet, and some people connect them to a 10 amp circuit and this is illegal and dangerous. Even licensed electricians have been known to do this as it is expensive to install a separate circuit. Get a reliable electrician to check it all.

Either a faulty unit, or the utensil you are using is only partially magnetic (some stainless steel types will not work on these cooktops as they are not or only partially magnetic.)

used induction cookware

Error. Usually you are not using the correct type of cooking pot or pan. It must be magnetic. Test with a refrigerator magnet. Or you may be switching on the unit with no cooking implement on the top.

Plug in. Switch on. Set the temperature. Start. What is the problem?

If it is the same as Eurolab Induction Cooker Model D1-39296(ZC -739A) E8 error Code says "Top plate overheated . Disconnect from power supply and allow to cool before reconnecting."

E8 means overheating. This can happen when trying to fry with just oil and the oil is smoking! Switch off, remove the pan, and wait a minute for the top of the cooktop to cool down. The unit does not produce heat but is sensitive to conductive heat from cooking implements.

E1 means there is no utensil placed on cooker or E1 error means incorrect cookware/non-induction-ready cookware. Use a magnet to test if the desired cookware is induction-ready. Place the magnet against the bottom of the cookware to see if it sticks or not. If it sticks, it’s induction-ready. If not, it is not induction-ready and can’t be used on the induction cooktop.