::::::::: CARE AND USE OF PARTNERS’ COOKWARE ::::::::::

Congratulations on your Smartware/Perma-Life cookware purchase.

Your one-time investment can provide a lifetime of healthy food preparation opportunities for yourself and your family… you have made a smart choice.

There are helpful hints for care and use of our cookware.

Please read and follow all instructions before using your cookware.

:: Important Hints for Healthy Cooking

1. The diameter of the range top cooking unit should correspond to that of the cookware piece you are using. If cooking on a gas range, the flame should not extend up the sides of the utensil.

2. Always select the appropriate size cookware for the recipe you are preparing. Best results are obtained when the cookware is filled to one half (when cooking rice) to two-thirds capacity.

3. CAUTION: High heat settings on some range burners will reach temperatures that are unnecessary for cooking. Lengthy exposure of cookware to “high” heat setting will cause aluminum in cookware to melt, particularly if cookware is empty, near empty, or allowed to boil dry. To prevent personal injury or property damage resulting from melted aluminum:

• DO NOT pre-heat empty cookware on “high” heat.
• NEVER leave unattended cookware on “high” heat setting.
• If melting occurs, TURN OFF HEAT BUT DO NOT MOVE COOKWARE UNTIL IT COOLS.

4. Please refer to all the Care & Use tips found in this literature, but also feel free to write us about any challenges you may be having. We would also appreciate knowing how you like your Smartware/ Perma-Life cookware. You can write us at:

PARTNERS for Health and Home, Corp.

Home of Smartware/Perma-Life cookware

4160 Wilshire Blvd. , Los Angeles , CA 90010

1-888-600-8000

:: Caring for Your Cookware

Before using for the first time, wash each piece of your new Smartware/Perma-Life cookware in hot soapy water to which ½ cup of vinegar has been added. Use a sponge or dishcloth to remove any manufacturing oil. Rinse with hot water. Dry promptly to prevent water spots from forming on the stainless steel.

To maintain the attractive appearance and cooking efficiency of your cookware it is important that it be cleaned after each use. Food films left on the cooking surface will cause the cookware to discolor when reheated.

Always let the cookware cool completely. Use a sponge, dishcloth, nylon net or plastic pad to clean your cookware. DO NOT USE A METAL SCOURING PAD OR HARSH SCOURING POWDER, OR A CLEANER THAT CONTAINS CHLORINE BLEACH as they will harm the stainless steel. The following cleaners are recommended: Kleen King®, Bon Ami®, or Cameo® Aluminum and Stainless Cleaner.

In the dishwasher, carefully place the cookware onto the dishwasher rack so it does not touch other objects/dishes to prevent scratching. ALWAYS USE A CHLORINE-FREE DETERGENT (such as Electra sol™ Tabs) with a rinse agent to help prevent spotting.

THE DISHWASHER WILL NOT REMOVE HEAT OR FOOD STAINS. Use a non-abrasive cleaner for stain removal. We recommend hand washing for best results.

:: Removing Heat & Mineral Stains

 Golden brown or blue heat stains may result from over-heating, or white stains may occur from minerals present in food or water. Though unattractive, they are harmless and can be removed easily by doing the following: Make a paste by using a small amount of water and one of the recommended non-abrasive cleaners listed above. Apply paste suing moistened paper toweling, and rug lightly in a circular motion. After scouring, wash utensil in hot soapy water, rinse and dry.

:: Handle & Knob Care

If the cover knob of your cookware loosens, simply tighten suing a clockwise motion. If handles become loose, sue a screwdriver to tighten.

If blisters form on the handle near the connection, the heat settings that you are using are too high. Never use a flame that overlaps the bottom of the cookware piece you using.

Should replacements parts become necessary, contact us at the address on the front of this literature.

:: Using your Smartware/Perma-Life Cookware in the Oven

Your cookware can be used in the oven at PRE-HEATED temperatures up to 350° F/ 180°C. Using your cookware in an oven that exceeds these temperatures, or in an oven when the broiler unit is on, will damage the handles and cover knobs. Before placing utensils in the oven, make certain oven is completely preheated to the desired temperature.

NEVER PLACE COOKWARE IN A MICROWAVE OVEN!

:: Important Tips when Using Salt

Although stainless steel is very durable, it is not indestructible. Pitting may result if un dissolved salt is allowed to remain in the bottom of your cookware. This pitting takes the form of small holes or white spots. These spots will not affect the cooking performance of your cookware, nor are they a failure in the metal or workmanship.

When using salt to season, follow these suggestions:

1. Add salt only after cookware has reached cooking temperatures.

2. When adding salt to water or other liquids, first bring the liquid to boil, add salt, and then stir completely to dissolve the salt. ( For example, when preparing spaghetti or noodles, bring water to a boil before adding salt)

3. Do not allow acidic foods, or foods seasoned with salt to remain in your cookware for long periods of time.

:: Forming the Water Seal and Using Vapor Valve® Whistle

 The covers are designed to form a seal when cooking on a low heat. Begin cooking on medium heat- your Vapor Valve® Smart Whistle will alert you when the proper cooking temperature has been reached. Once the whistle sounds, close the valve and reduce the temperature to a low setting.

:: Three basic rules for forming the water seal :

1. If steam escapes from around cover, heat setting is too high- REDUCE HEAT SETTING

2. If you cannot spin the cover freely while the cover is resting on the utensil, heat setting is too low- INCREASE HEAT SETTING SLIGHTLY

3. If the cover spins freely- YOU ARE COOKING AT THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE!

:: Locked on Cover

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PRY THE COVER OFF! If this happens, simply turn the whistle valve to the open position or reheat the utensil over medium to low heat until the cover loosens.

:: Keep it Covered!

Lifting the cover means breaking the water seal. Cooking time will be lengthened considerably each time this happens. If food is not completely cooked, replace cover as quickly as possible, and turn heat up to medium for about a minute to re-form the water seal. Reset to low and continue cooking.

:: Preheating Your Cookware

When preheating is recommended in recipes ( most often for meats and foods that stick), preheat the pan over medium low heat for 3 to 5 minutes then test for readiness by sprinkling a few drops of water on the cooking surface. If the water scatters or “dances” the pan is hot enough to place the food into it.

Due to the quality construction of your Smartware/Perma-Life cookware, low to medium heat settings are recommended for most of your cooking needs. Higher heat settings should be used only when necessary; such as when bringing a quantity of cooking liquid to a boil. You can cook frozen meat in Smartware/Perma-Life cookware, however, the cooking time must be lengthened accordingly.

:: Minimum Moisture Cooking

Although your Smartware/Perma-Life cookware van be used for all types of cooking, it is specially designed to use the Minimum Moisture Method (also known as “waterless” cooking). It is a unique way of cooking foods at medium and low temperatures in their own natural moisture-requiring little or NO water, fats or oils! Foods cooked this way retain moisture and valuable vitamins and mineral as they literally baste in their own natural juices.

:: Cooking Foods with Natural Fats

Once fully pre-heated, place your meat in the pan. The meat will stick to the pan at first. As soon as it browns and juices are released, it will loosen. Sear one side, then turn and brown the other. This technique can be used when preparing foods with natural fats, such as chicken, steaks, chops, beef roasts, hamburger, and other meats that have not been coated with flour or breading.

:: Frying Foods Without Natural Fats

Always preheat pans. When frying foods without natural fats, it is often necessary to add a small amount of fat or oil. Examples of such foods are eggs, fish, potatoes, liver, breaded, floured or battered foods, and some types of beef, such as round steak. If these foods have a tendency to stick after oil has been added, check for the following:

Was utensil preheated for 3-5 minutes? Was utensil clean before using? Is your stove level? OR, are you using too HIGH HEAT?

Follow these guidelines for frying meats with the addition of fats or oils:

1. Always add oil, shortening, butter, or margarine to your pan BEFORE PREHEATING AND NEVER COVER THE PAN WHEN PREHEATING WITH OIL.

Normally, enough oil to cover the flat cooking surface is sufficient.

2. NEVER leave empty cookware unattended on range unit, and do not preheat empty utensil longer than necessary.

3. Add food and brown or fry to desired doneness. Do not attempt to turn food before it releases itself. If cooking oil or grease begins to smoke, reduce heat to low for the remainder of the cooking period. If necessary, cookware may be covered after heat is reduced.

:: Fresh Vegetables & Fruits

Fresh vegetables and fruits contain enough natural moisture to cook with minimum water. Simply place vegetables in the pan and cover with cold water for a moment, then drain. The moisture that clings to the food is sufficient for minimum moisture cooking. Do not pre-heat pans when cooking vegetables. The pan should be filled to at least 2/3 capacity. Begin cooking over medium heat. When water seal forms, reduce heat to low. Vegetables should be cooked just until tender and still colorful. Do not overcook vegetables.

Frozen vegetables do not require thawing, but, if necessary, separate into pieces. Do not add water. Cover and cook over medium heat until vapor escapes and cover is hot to touch. Reduce heat to low.

Note: Vegetables that lack sufficient moisture require ¼ cup or less of water for cooking. Adding water is necessary for preparing soups and rice, dried cereals, dried fruits, and dried vegetables.