Characteristics of cookware materials

Using Your Cooktop

Using the surface units (cont.)

Characteristics of cookware materials

The pan material affects how fast heat transfers from the surface cooking area through the pan material and how evenly heat spreads over the pan bottom. Choose pans that provide the best cooking results.

Aluminum	• Heats quickly and evenly.
	• Use for all types of cooking.
	• Medium or heavy thickness is best for most cooking.
	• Used as a core or base in cookware to provide even heating.
Cast iron	• Heats slowly and evenly.
	• Good for browning and frying.
	• Maintains heat for slow cooking.
	• Can be coated with porcelain enamel.
Ceramic or	• Heats slowly and unevenly.
ceramic glass	• Use on low to medium settings.
	• Follow manufacturer’s instructions.
Copper	• Heats very quickly and evenly.
	• Used as a core or base in cookware to provide even heating.
Earthenware	• Can be used for cooktop cooking if recommended by the
	manufacturer.
	• Use on low settings.
Porcelain enamel-on-steel or	• See cast iron and stainless steel.
enamel-on-cast iron

Stainless steel	• Heats quickly but unevenly.
	• A core or base of aluminum or copper on the cookware provides
	even heating.
	• Can be coated with porcelain enamel.

Using the ceramic glass cooktop

Cooking on the ceramic glass cooktop is similar to cooking on coil elements. There are, however, a few

differences:

• The surface unit will glow red when the element is turned on. You will see the element cycling on and off –

even on the HI setting – to help the area stay at

the temperature setting you chose.

•Do not cook foods directly on the cooktop.

•Do not cook popcorn that comes in prepackaged aluminum containers on the cooktop. The container could leave aluminum marks on the cooktop that cannot be removed completely.

•Make sure the bottoms of pots and pans are clean and dry before using them. Food and water particles left on the bottoms can leave deposits on the cooktop when it is heated.

•Lift pots and pans onto and off of the cooktop. Sliding pots and pans on the cooktop could leave marks that are difficult to remove or could leave permanent marks.

•Dropping a heavy or hard object on the cooktop could crack it. Be careful when using heavy skillets and large pots. Do not store jars or cans above the cooktop.

•Do not use the cooktop as a cutting board.

•Do not allow anything that could melt, such as plastic or aluminum foil, to come in contact with the cooktop while it is hot.

•Sugary spills and soils can cause pitting. See “Cleaning the cooktop and control panel” in the “Caring for Your Cooktop” section for more information.

•Wiping off the cooktop before and after each use will help keep the surface free from stains and give you the most even heating. See “Cleaning the cook- top and control panel” in the “Caring for Your Cooktop” section for care and cleaning suggestions.