Place water in bottom of 3 qt (of you put your finger in the water should come up to the first place your finger bends, the joint) Place the culinary basket in the 3qt and cut potatoes from Saladmast machine directly into culinary basket. Then take just the basket to the sink and rinse the potatoes by squeezing them in your hand while running water over them (this removes the starch). Then place them on your stovetop and set temp for med-high(6 or 7). When cooking a starch this will always be the temp you start. Let the piece click solidly for 1 minute ( only with starches do you not turn it down right away) then turn to low (the actual word low or 1) Cook for 20-25 min depending on how many potatoes you are using. If more than 3 go for longer time. When you are done, if making mashed, dump the water from the 3qt and dump potatoes in the bottom. Then add seasoning and stir vigorously until mashed.