Customer Care Guide Robert Bosch “It has always been an unbearable thought to me that someone could inspect one of my products and find it inferior in some way. For that reason I have consistently tried to produce products which can withstand the closest scrutiny – products which prove themselves to be superior in every respect.” Robert Bosch 1861-1942, Stuttgart, Germany Customer Care Guide TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S 6 – 11 Ovens 12 – 16 Cooker Hoods 17 – 20 Cooker Hobs 21 – 27 Washing Machines 28 – 32 Dryers 33 – 37 Dishwashers 38 – 40 Refrigerators 41 – 42 Cleaning And Care Collection 43 Customer Service 1 P R O D U C T C AT E G O RY OVENS Be careful of the high heat in the oven after heating. OVENS | 07 TIPS Defrost first It takes longer and uses around 30% more energy to cook a frozen joint of meat than if it was defrosted. Defrost in the fridge in good time. You will save energy and the meat will taste better. Make use of the heat in the oven when it is warming up by putting your prepared dishes into the cold oven. Turn off the oven at just before the end of the cooking time as described in the recipe. Then let the food stand in the oven for 5 – 10 minutes. This will save around 10 – 25% of your electricity. Use warming up and cooling down heat 08 | OVENS Microwave Ovens A microwave oven is more efficient than an ordinary oven because it shortens cooking time considerably. Use a microwave oven if the food lends itself to this type of cooking. Easy Cleaning Pour some rinsing agent into a bowl with water, place in oven and heat up to 100°C for one hour. Burnt-in stains are soaked and can easily be wiped off with a cloth. Be careful of the high heat in the oven after heating. OVENS | 09 Oven Cleaning Methods 1. Built-in Cleaning Systems Pyrolytic Self-cleaning System Eco-clean System Ovens with pyrolytic self- cleaning Bosch’s unique energy-saving system clean itself without any cleaning aid helps you to clean cleaning agent. Dirtier ovens the oven while you bake or roast. require higher pyrolytic cleaning Choose the cleaning level based on levels. Customers can even program the extent of the deposits. the oven to run the cleaning Only selected Bosch ovens are function at a more convenient time fully coated with Eco-clean system, so as to enjoy more time cooking please check with Bosch sales and less time cleaning. assistant for more information. 10 | OVENS 2. Cleaning Agents – K2R Oven Cleaning Gel For all ovens, especially those without built-in cleaning systems, we recommend the use of the K2R Oven Cleaning Gel (Product No.: 00463582). This cleaning gel comes with a handy brush head and is easy to use. How to use the cleaning gel? 1. Apply the gel liberally to the cold surface to be treated. Note, for burnt on deposits, make sure you apply plenty of gel. 2. Leave it on for few hours, or overnight for tough stains. 3. Wipe away the stains with a damp cloth or sponge. OVENS | 11 How does K2R differ from other cleaners? K2R’s unique properties does not pose the risk of emitting fumes when the cleaning agent comes into contact with the fan and the element. Is it possible to put the oven shelf rails into the dishwasher? Yes, shelf rails can be put into the dishwasher. However, take care not to put the telescopic rails in the dishwasher as the salt can damage the roller bearings. Is it possible to cook a main course and desser t at the same time? With all our ovens, it is possible to cook on up to three levels at the same time – without the danger of transferring flavours between the different dishes. 2 P R O D U C T C AT E G O RY COOKER HOODS The shor ter the exhaust hose, the better the extraction power. COOKER HOODS | 13 TIPS Use the cooker hood properly A cooker hood uses around 1½ times more energy at the highest setting than at the lowest. Only use the highest speed for smoke or steam. Clean grease filter The grease filter in a cooker hood must be regularly cleaned – about once a month. A dirty filter means that the extractor fan has to operate at a higher setting to achieve the same effect, and this increases the energy consumption and noise. 14 | COOKER HOODS For selected models, when the metal grease filters are saturated: “E” appears on the display. Do not clean heavilysaturated metal grease filters at the same time as dishes. When cleaning by hand, soak the grease filters in hot, soapy water. Then scrub off dirt, wash well and leave to dry. The “E” indicator is displayed after the fan is switched off and a signal will sound for 10 seconds. The grease filters should be cleaned immediately. They can be cleaned in a dishwasher. Slight discolouration may occur using this cleaning method. When removing and refitting the metal grease filters, please follow the instructions in the instruction manual. See your user manual for instuctions on cancelling the “E” in the display. COOKER HOODS | 15 For selected models, when the active carbon filter is saturated: “C” appears on the display. The “C” indicator is displayed after the fan is switched off and a signal will sound for 6 seconds. The active carbon filter should be changed immediately. In the course of normal operation (1 to 2 hours a day) the active carbon filter must be replaced about once a year. Please only use filters manufactured by Bosch, as these will ensure the optimum function of your appliance. These filters are available at our Online Store and Customer Service Centre. 16 | COOKER HOODS How to clean extractor hood metal filters? 1. Remove the metal filters from the extractor hood. 2. Spray the filters with the Concentrated Degreaser (Product No.: 00311297) Metal hood filters can be 3. Place the filters in the dishwasher. You washed in a dishwasher. may need to remove the top basket. 4. Only wash with similar items in the dishwasher – eg, baking trays, rather than fine glasses. With its CleanAir module, Bosch cooker hoods are able to absorb unpleasant odour of up to 95% in a energy efficient matter quietly. However, it is recommended to do regular cleaning to ensure optimal You can spray them beforehand with our Degreaser for even better results. functioning of the cooker hoods. 3 P R O D U C T C AT E G O RY COOKER HOBS Cooking with induction. 18 | COOKER HOBS TIPS Using cooling down heat Similar to ovens, radiant cook tops can be turned off towards the end of cooking time described in the recipe. Then, make full use of the cooling down heat to save energy consumption. Heating up water with induction While cooking on induction, water can be boiled simultaneously. An induction cooktop brings two litres of water to boil in just 4.01 minutes. COOKER HOBS | 19 Flame should always be burning evenly When igniting the burner, always have a saucepan in place, hold the knob down for about 5 to 7 seconds after the flame is lit, and before releasing, press the knob again firmly. Safety at all times Closing the burner valve when it is not in use is the best way to ensure safety. Some Bosch gas hob models are installed with the enhanced safety gas valve, in which the safety gas valve system cuts the gas automatically when the flame goes out unexpectedly. Also, for safety reasons, please ensure that the burner’s thermocouple (copper-coloured pin) is kept clean and even. 20 | COOKER HOBS Cleaning the ceramic hob The Maintenance Pack for Ceramic Glass Hob (Product No.: 00311502) is formulated to remove burnt marks without damaging the hob glass surface, giving an attractive shiny finish. Make sure the hob is cold before cleaning it. Cleaning Procedures: 1. Remove any burnt-on food deposits with the scraper. Use the scraper at a shallow angle with smooth strokes, avoid stabbing or chipping at the surface. 2. Pour a small amount of the Maintenance Pack cleaning fluid on the cold hob surface. 3. Clean with a cleaning cloth. 4. Once surface is clean, rinse with a non-metallic and non-abrasive damp cloth or sponge. 5. Dry the hob surface with a dry cloth. Use suitable cooking ware Not all cookware work on an induction hob. The saucepans must be iron-based, magnetic and have a flat base- not dimpled or ridged. The product packaging will usually advise on whether a pan is suitable for induction. 4 P R O D U C T C AT E G O RY WASHING MACHINES Prevent detergent deposits. 22 | WASHING MACHINES TIPS Monthly maintenance cleaning • Washing machines should undergo a 900C maintenance wash every month to avoid limescale and odours. It is recommended to use the “drum clean” or “cotton 900C” program. • To prevent molding of the gasket and formation of odour, always wipe the gasket dry and leave the door slightly ajar to air dry it. • Drain away waste residue via service flap to reduce occurrence of blockage to the drain pump system. WASHING MACHINES | 23 Preventing build-up of bacteria and undissolved detergents 1. Always wash the detergent dispenser after every wash to prevent deposits. i. Pull out, press insert down, remove drawer completely. ii. To remove the insert: press the insert upwards from below with your finger. iii. Clean the detergent dispenser tray and insert with water and a brush and dry it. iv. Fit the insert and lock it in place (push the cylinder onto the guide pin). v. Push in the detergent drawer. Leave the detergent drawer open so that any residual water can evaporate. 24 | WASHING MACHINES 2. Use suitable washing temperature. • Washing temperature of 300C reduces germs significantly. Do you know that most of the time, washing temperatures of 300C is sufficient to reduce germs by a factor of 1000? Where appropriate, you can choose to save energy at just 300C washing temperature. • Other than using the appropriate temperature, never overload the machine. This will prevent bacteria accumulation and formation of odour in the appliance and clean laundry. WASHING MACHINES | 25 Caring for the hardware Always handle the hardware with care to maximize the operating efficiency of the washing machine. • Avoid exerting too much force when pulling the door handles. If there is difficulty in opening the door handles, push the door to relock before you re-open it. • Clothes should be lifted out instead of being dragged along the gasket. Sharp items on clothings (eg, zipper) may tear the gasket. • Resting heavy wet loads on the opened door may bend the hinges, resulting in abrasions between door and front panel. Optimal load for best washing performance Perfect washing starts from perfect dosing and proper washing load. A full washing load, which is equivalent to filling the whole drum, is fine when it comes to daily washing. However, for curtains, towels and heavy draps, we recommend ¾ loading for best washing performance. 26 | WASHING MACHINES Emergency release In the event of a sudden power cut, the washing machine door can be opened using the emergency release to remove the laundry. How to use the emergency release: 1. Turn the programme selector to OFF and pull out the main plugs. 2. Drain away the detergent solution. 3. Pull the emergency release downwards with a tool and release. Washing machine door can then be opened. (Please refer to installation manual for more information on the emergency release) Scalding prevention tips • Do not reach into the drum if the washing machine is still rotating. • Do not open the washing machine door if water can be seen through the glass. • After each wash, give a little time for the laundry to cool before removing. WASHING MACHINES | 27 Removing transpor t bolts before using the washer Before using the appliance for the first time, remove and retain all the transport bolts. When transporting the appliance subsequently, reinstall these bolts to the washing machine to prevent damage when transporting. Descale Regularly The Descaler for Washing Machine (Product No.: 311506) gives great results in removing odour and the harmful limescale that are formed especially in hard water areas. Descale every three months for maximum results. Cleaning procedures: 1. Empty the contents of the Descaler Box into the washing machine drum (without laundry). 2. Run the “60°C coloured laundry” programme without pre-wash. 3. Run the programme one more time for thorough cleaning and removal of limescale and odour. 5 P R O D U C T C AT E G O RY DRYERS Always empty the container after each drying cycle. DRYERS | 29 TIPS Regular maintenance ensures your dryer runs perfectly for many years and produces top results. This helps to retain appliance’s full energy efficiency too. Always clean the condenser in your condenser dryer 3 to 4 times a year Steps to cleaning the condenser: 1. Unlock and open the maintenance cover at the bottom of the unit next to the vent. 2. Move both locking levers toward each other and pull out the condenser. 3. Clean the condenser in warm water and drain completely. 4. Reinsert the condenser into the dryer and lock both levers. 5. Close the maintenance cover. 30 | DRYERS Empty the condensed water container after each drying cycle Pour away the condensation in the container after using the tumble dryer. Before the next drying cycle, always push the container back until it clicks into place. Always clean the (lint) filter after each drying cycle Steps to cleaning the filter: 1. Open the door, remove the filter and fold open. 2. Remove the fluff (by wiping the filter with your hand). 3. Close the filter, insert it again and close the door. 4. Remove fluff from the door and the area around it. Very dirty or blocked filters should be rinsed under warm water, and then dried thoroughly. DRYERS | 31 Cleaning the moisture sensors The dryer is fitted with stainless steel moisture sensors. Located next to the lint filter, the sensors (2 bars) measure the level of moisture in the laundry. After a long period of operation, a fine layer of limescale may form on the sensors. For optimal performance, the sensor should be cleaned once a month, wiped with a soft cloth and a little white vinegar. To avoid risk of explosion, never use solvents or highly flammable liquids for cleaning Incorrect cleaning methods will damage the dryer. The Don’t’s include: • Do not spray with a pressure washer. • Do not use scouring agents or all-purpose cleaners. • Do not use steam-cleaners. 32 | DRYERS Knowing your fabrics Different fabrics types have different degree of sensitivity. To retain the laundry’s original look for long period of time, separate laundry accordingly when tumble drying. Rule of thumb: Cottons to heavy load, drapes to light load, and synthetics separately. Other than observing the textile manufacturer’s care instructions, there is the right drying program for every garment: Garment To take note Knitted fabrics Avoid “Extra Dry” program as they tend to shrink slightly the first time they are tumbled dry Delicate laundry (Tights, Best placed in laundry nets and dried at low scarfs and fine fabrics) temperatures Wool finish Remove from drum without delay once program is finished Starched laundry Not always suitable for dryers as starch leaves behind a coating that adversely affects drying operation 6 P R O D U C T C AT E G O RY DISH WASHERS Load dishes correctly so that water can run off freely. 34 | DISHWASHERS TIPS Proper dish placement To ensure thorough cleaning of the dishes, load and sort the dishes according to the user manual. This allows thorough cleaning of the dishes as the water will then be able to run off freely. General rules: • Place larger items on bottom rack, with cups, glasses and less soiled items on the top rack. • Avoid over packing to prevent tableware from being scratched or chipped. • Carefully place sharp knives horizontally in the upper rack. • Ensure long-handled utensils do not obstruct the spray arms so that the spray arms can rotate freely without hindrance. • Remove any remaining food to avoid clogging the filter and spray arms. DISHWASHERS | 35 Preventing mold formation When water or dirt builds up on the seal, it can cause mould, which is difficult to get rid of. Hence, after each dishwasher cycle, turn off the machine to allow dishes to cool and dry for around 10 minutes. Periodically inspect the condition of the door seal A loose or broken seal should be immediately replaced as it can lead to unwanted leaks. Best drying result Other than loading dishes correctly for water to run off freely, use the ‘Finish Cleaning Tablet’ and regularly add ‘Finish Rinse Aid’. The cleaning tablets removes grease and stains while the rinse aid prevents water marks on you dishes. For even better drying results, select the “extra” or “super” dry options. 36 | DISHWASHERS Removing orange stains on plastics To remove food stains, such as those caused by curry and tomato, scrap the dishes before loading them and use a pre-rinse cycle. Bleach back to original colour by placing them under strong sunlight. Regular cleaning (1-2) months to remove grease and limescale Dishwasher Care Bottle (Product No.: 00311304) is specially formulated to ensure excellent dishwashing results. Cleaning procedures: 1. Empty your dishwasher. Do not unscrew the bottle cap, but remove the protective seal on the top of the bottle. 2. Turn the bottle upside down and securely place into the cutlery basket. If your dishwasher does not have a cutlery basket, place the bottle securely in the bottom rack- the sticker can be used to assist holding it more securely. 3. Choose a programme of at least 650C (for eg. The normal programme or intensive) and let it run until completion. DISHWASHERS | 37 Use specially formulated washing tablets or detergent Using regular liquid dish detergent will severely hamper the wash cycle as oversudsing may occur. Only use washing tablets or detergents that are specially formulated for dishwashers. Recommended dishwashing products Bosch recommends Finish dishwashing products for the best cleaning and drying results. Finish boasts a wide array of products formulated specially for optimal performance in various environments. Finish Product Features Finish Power Powder Dishwashing powder that breaks down and removes even the most stubborn dried-on food residues and difficult stains. Finish Double Action Contains powerful enzymes that breaks down Tablets tough stuck-on food and detergent to wash away all residues, leaving a brilliant shine on dishes. Finish Rinse Aids Specially formulated to ensure crockery, cutlery and glassware are rinsed and dried thoroughly, leaving them spotless. 7 P R O D U C T C AT E G O RY REFRIGERATORS Never clean shelves and containers in the dishwasher. The par ts may warp. REFRIGERATORS | 39 Cleaning the refrigerator Do not use abrasive or acidic agents, as well as abrasive sponges as these will corrode the metallic surfaces of the refrigerators. Sprinkling rubber gaskets with lime powder keeps the rubber gaskets in good condition. This ensures the refrigerator door closes tightly. If the door opens after the cleaning process, dry the rubber gaskets carefully with a hair dryer. Energy-saving holiday mode Switch the refrigerator to its energy- saving holiday mode when going away for a long time. This prevents the lifespan of the appliance from being affected. At this setting, the temperature of the refrigerator will be automatically switched to 140C. Do not store any food in the refrigerator compartment during this setting. 40 | REFRIGERATORS TIPS Inexpensive deodorants for odour-free refrigerator Natural deodorants, such as a slice of white bread, a vanilla pod, a dry tea bag or baking powder can help to eliminate bad odours in the refrigerator. Energy-saving tips • Allowing the warm/hot food/drinks to cool before placing them in the refrigerator • Thaw frozen products by placing them in the refrigerator compartment early. This adds to the cooling effect of the refrigerator. • Open the refrigerator as briefly as possible to prevent fluctuations of internal temperature Power failure / malfunction In such an event, place ice blockers directly on frozen foods in the top compartment of the refrigerator to slow down the thawing effect. C L EANIN G AN D CARE COLL E CT I O N | 41 Cleaning and Care Collection Cleaning and caring for your appliances is crucial to maintaining optimum performance and keeps your appliances looking good. Our cleaning and care collection undergoes stringent test and quality checks. They are developed to complement your appliances, to tackle the toughest cleaning job and to keep your appliances in top shape. 42 | C L EAN I N G A ND CA RE COLLEC T ION Product category Recommended products Product code Price Microwave Oven K2R Oven Cleaning Gel 00463582 $15 Cooker Hoods Concentrated Degreaser 00311297 $40 Cooker Hobs Maintenance Pack for 00311502 $55 Ceramic Glass Hob Washing Machine Rapid Descaler 00311506 $30 Dishwasher Dishwasher Care Bottle 00311304 $25 Finish Power Powder Available at Finish Double Action Tablets leading Finish Rinse Aid supermarkets Refrigerators Varies according to the type of refrigerator Available at : • Online: http://www.bosch-home.com.sg/store • Customer Service Centre: Block 4012, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, #01-01 Techplace 1 Singapore 569628 Operating hours: Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5.30pm Tel: 6751 5000 Service you can depend on. Fast, expert and reliable – your partner for life. Our Customer Service is here to help you with your appliances. We can assist with the following: • Arrange a service repair appointment by our qualified engineer • Locate and buy replacement spare parts and accessories • Repair of small appliances at Customer Service Centre Workshop You can also visit our website for frequently asked questions. Customer Care Hotline 6751 5000 Bosch Online Store www.bosch-home.com.sg/store Customer Service Centre Blk 4012 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10 #01-01 Techplace 1 Singapore 569628 We also offer the following services on our webpage: 1. Downloading instruction manuals 2. Product Tips 3. Registration of product warranty at Operating Hours Mon to Fri: 8.30am to 5.30pm MyAccount All prices and information are correct at time of printing and subject to change without prior notice.