E3 appears on the display and the cooker stops heating during a pressure or slow cook cycle.

Safety first: Unplug the cooker and allow it to cool. Do not open the lid if the unit is still under pressure; wait until the float valve drops and pressure is released.

• 1. Check liquid level: Open the lid once safe and inspect the contents. Ensure there is at least the minimum liquid level recommended in the Chefman manual (typically 1–2 cups for pressure cooking).
• 2. Clean the inner pot and heating plate: Remove any burnt-on food from the bottom of the inner pot. Wipe the heating plate and central sensor area with a soft, dry cloth to remove residue.
• 3. Verify pot contact: Ensure the inner pot is not warped and sits flat on the heating plate. A warped pot can cause hot spots and trigger E3.
• 4. Reset thermal protection: Some Chefman models use a manual-reset thermostat or thermal fuse mounted to the heating plate. With the unit unplugged and bottom cover removed, look for a small round thermostat with a reset button. Press gently if present. If a thermal fuse is open (no continuity), it must be replaced.
• 5. Test with water only: After cleaning and reassembly, add 2 cups of water and run a short cooking cycle. If E3 does not reappear, the issue was likely due to low liquid or scorching.

If E3 recurs even with adequate liquid and a clean pot, the thermostat or control board may be faulty and should be inspected by a technician.