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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & TROUBLESHOOTING 

How much soil should I put in my trays? 

You should fill each tray 1/2 to 3/4 full with sterile potting soil.  Make sure the soil is well moistened, but not overly muddy or 
soupy. See Resources page 24 for some brands we have found to be high quality soils.  For seeds with a shorter life cycle 
like pea shoots, radishes, wheatgrass (1-2 weeks), 1/2 full is adequate.  For seeds with longer life cycles such as basil, ore-
gano, arugula, etc., fill trays 2/3 to 3/4 full. 
 

Why should the seeds be covered with soil at the beginning? 

Most seeds like a little darkness while they emerge from their shells. For the best results, sprinkle them with a fine layer of 
sifted soil, just enough to cover the seeds.  Usually 1 to 1-1/2 cups of sifted soil works.  The sifted soil spreads easily and 
provides a nice blanket over the seeds for germination so that more seeds sprout and at the same rate. 
 

I ran out of mats and I need to plant now. Is there anything I can do? 

In a pinch, place a thick paper towel in the growing flat, and then add the potting soil. The paper towel will keep most dirt and 
debris from flowing into the reservoir, while allowing the tray to drain.  Two paper towels fit nicely into a 10” x 20” garden flat. 
They cannot be used for hydroponic growing, as there is not enough thickness or weight for the roots to grab. 
 

When should I use nutrients?

 

If you are growing in potting soil, nutrients are not necessary for the first 2-3 weeks—usually the duration of a single growing 
cycle. Beyond that, the soil will get depleted and you will need to add nutrients. If growing hydoponically, you will need to add 
nutrients from the beginning, since hydroponic media are sterile and contain no nutrients. The cabinet will display total dis-
solved solids (TDS) of the water in the reservoir on the home screen.  Note the TDS when you first fill the reservoir and try to 
maintain a TDS of 100-250 above that number throughout the growing cycle.  As nutrients are added, TDS tends to rise. Too 
many total dissolved solids with affect growth and health of the micros. Add 2-3 ounces of nutrients at a time, wait 15 
minutes for the TDS to adjust. If TDS gets 250 points above the starting number, empty the reservoir and replace with fresh 
water. Add nutrients to the fresh water. 
 

Is the GardenChef pre-programmed?

 

Yes, the GardenChef is pre-programmed for many seeds with a default for soil growing.  There are a few empty positions 
open in the menu for adding more seeds and you can erase and replace items in the seed menu.  You can also designate 
your favorite seeds for frequently used cycles.  All of the seed programs are adjustable for light and watering schedules. 
 

How often should maintenance be done?

 

The cabinet requires frequent monitoring and care.  It should be inspected thoroughly and cleaned at least once a month. 
The filter needs to be changed regularly. Maintenance may vary with your usage, depending on the number and types of 
plants, nutrients, TDS build-up and growing medium (soil vs. hydroponic).  Please refer to maintenance and cleaning proce-
dures in this manual. 
 

Does the water reservoir keep itself filled?

 

Yes.  If your GardenChef has been plumbed and hooked up to municipal water supply, then it is pre-programmed to add 
water and top off as needed. You can also drain and fill the reservoir using the recycle feature in the program. 
 

What do I do if the reservoir won’t fill or recycle?

 

Check to ensure that the connection on your city water and drain is open and free of blockage.  Check for kinks in the tubing. 
The pump may need to be primed.  See instructions in this manual for priming the pump. 
 

What if there is no water flowing to a zone?

 

Make sure not more than two zones are being watered at a time.  Only two zones can be watered at one time, so watering 
schedules for each zone will be staggered an hour apart, if they are programmed to water at the same time.  Check the pro-
grammed schedule to ensure it is not programmed to be OFF.  If still no watering, access the reservoir and insure that the 
pump is on and primed. 
 

What if there is a weak/no water supply to the drawers during a watering cycle?

 

It’s likely that the screen over the filter is clogged with debris and needs to be cleaned or the filter needs to be replaced.  See 
maintenance and cleaning instructions on page 19. 
 

What if the drawers are not draining properly?

 

Check the drain holes at the back of the drawers and clear them if they are blocked. 

Summary of Contents for GardenChef GC11

Page 1: ...TIONS OF THE MAIN RESERVOIR SCREEN 13 PLANTING GROWING 14 GROWING GUIDE 15 16 GROWING TIPS 16 CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE 17 18 PERIODIC MAINTENANCE 19 REPLACING THE LIGHTS 20 SANITATION AND FOOD SAFETY...

Page 2: ...h drawer will accommodate two standard 10 x 20 flats with 5 or 7 greenhouse domes for sprouting Includes one set of growing trays and 5 domes CONTROLS Touchscreen digital con trols Automated system pr...

Page 3: ...t your dealer immediately 3 CONCEALED DAMAGE If damage is unnoticed until the merchandise is unpacked notify the transportation company or carrier immediately and then file a CONCEALED DAMAGE claim wi...

Page 4: ...roperly or if it has been damaged or dropped Do not immerse cord or plug in water keep cord away from heated surfaces and do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter 8 DO NOT cover or block any...

Page 5: ...eptacle CAUTION Electrical Shock Hazard IMPORTANT Power cord is 10 long IMPORTANT Not under warranty WARNING Risk of personal injury Due to varying water quality in different municipalities make sure...

Page 6: ...and side panels for service and mainte nance INSTALLATION AND STARTUP Installation procedures must be performed by a qualified technician with full knowledge of all applicable electrical and plumbing...

Page 7: ...a number pad will appear Enter 1551 then Note when the cabinet sits for long periods of time or it is turned off and then on again it will automatically revert to locked mode You will have to use the...

Page 8: ...or and gently wash the pH probe in the water and dry with a clean cloth water 5 Gently swish the probe in the cup containing pH buffer 4 Continue to swish the probe and follow instructions in step 6 4...

Page 9: ...ervoir 1 Remove the lower grow drawer s to access the reservoir Fig 1 2 Locate the TDS sensor probe on the left side of the reservoir Fig 2 Fig 2 TDS sensor black 6 To enter the TDS calibration screen...

Page 10: ...ould be in the OPEN position and water should be flowing downwards into the reservoir 2 From the HOME screen select ZONE 8 if you have a GC42 ZONE 4 if you have a GC41 ZONE 2 if you have a GC12 or ZON...

Page 11: ...OUR SEED MENU The cabinet comes with pre set cycles for growing a variety of plants It can also be pro grammed to set up the zones for special seeds or changing the lighting and watering cycles for ea...

Page 12: ...ally depending on your hydroponic growing media i e perlite mats etc You may also change the duration of the watering cycle anywhere between 1 and 10 minutes Press the and buttons to increase or decre...

Page 13: ...GROWING CYCLE On the HOME screen select a seed for the zone you have just planted Fig 1 and you will enter the screen with the settings for that zone Fig 2 Press the START CYCLE button and a cycle wi...

Page 14: ...ds and spread evenly with shaker spoon or cup see Growing Guide p 15 Sprinkle just enough sifted soil over the seeds to cover them About 1 to 1 5 cups If the sifted soil is dry you can moisten it with...

Page 15: ...oli flavor Kholrabi 28 1 2 4 days 7 14 days 1 every 4 days Mild sweet Komatsuna 28 1 2 4 days 10 14 days 1 every 4 days Cabbage mustard mildly sweet Lemon Balm 34 1 2 3 5 days 14 days 1 every 4 days L...

Page 16: ...ing Chart is a good starting point for growing in soil We recommend beginners start with growing in soil as it is easier and plants take naturally to growing in soil Use commercially produced potting...

Page 17: ...ble check If you are sure press YES 6 The cabinet will start to drain the reservoir This may take up to 30 minutes Once the reservoir has been drained wipe off any dirt with a clean rag 7 Add your pre...

Page 18: ...itor the interior of the cabinet including the reservoir during the growing cycle and clean at the first sign of mold or build up of organic matter Do not use any chemically damaging or toxic cleaning...

Page 19: ...of the circulation pump the pump is the smaller blue cylinder 2 Rinse the cap 3 Place the cap back onto the pump If the water flow to your growing drawers is inade quate during a watering cycle check...

Page 20: ...ck over the notch in the back of the cabinet push up the front until it clears the front of the diffuser frame pull forward and drop into place Push up and back over notch in back of cabinet then let...

Page 21: ...servoir Clean Seed You may choose to clean and sanitize your seed prior to growing It is not necessary with microgreens and reputable suppliers test their seed for contamination But if you want to tak...

Page 22: ...wait 15 minutes for the TDS to adjust If TDS gets 250 points above the starting number empty the reservoir and replace with fresh water Add nutrients to the fresh water Is the GardenChef pre programme...

Page 23: ...oo densely they will clump together especially if they re mucilaginous When they sprout a few of the seedlings will push the rest of them up into the air suspending the roots and possibly bringing dir...

Page 24: ...onic growing media Seeds purchase from reputable supplier Sifter to sift dry soil to cover seeds for germination Plant food for hydroponic growing or seeds with longer growing cycles Seeds with shorte...

Page 25: ...nt food Miracle Gro Jungle Juice General Hydroponics Flora Series Fox Farm Gringo Rasta Bush Doctor and Hydroponic Trio TDS reader Milwaukee Plastic tub for mixing and sifting soil Rubbermaid Growing...

Page 26: ...c pump 12VDC 18614 0118 water filter housing 18614 0121 water filter cartridge 4 7 8 5 micons 18615 0174 replacement seal 4 3 8 4 5 8 5 3 8 18615 0166 3 8 bulkhead tube fitting Part Number Description...

Page 27: ...Using unauthorized parts may cause serious injury or damage to the cabinet Replacement parts should be installed by a qualified service technician Contact Carter Hoffmann with your model and serial nu...

Page 28: ...MANN to be defective CARTER HOFFMANN neither makes nor assumes and does not authorize any other person to make or assume any obligation or liability in connection with its products other than that cov...

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