Getting the Most Out of Your Cooktop
Cooktop Cooking Guide | Cookware Selection Guide |
Boiling Water
Time to boil can vary greatly depending on environmental conditions. Try the following tips to decrease boil time:
•Use a lid.
•Use a pan that is appropriately sized for the amount of water and the size of the element.
•Select a pan with a flat base (See “Cookware Selection Guide” in the next column for details).
•Choose a
•Make sure that the pan is positioned so that the entire base is in contact with the element.
•Start with water that is already warm.
•Boil the smallest amount of water necessary. Smaller volumes will boil faster than larger volumes.
Recommended Settings
Use this chart as a guide for heat settings. A range of heat settings are listed because the actual setting depends on:
•type and quality of pan (See “Selecting Cookware”),
•type, quantity and temperature of the food,
•element used and
•the cook’s preference.
The Heat Settings recommended are based on a 240 volt power source. If your cooktop is connected to 208 volts, the same heat settings apply but foods may take a little longer to finish cooking.
Table 1: Cooking Guide
Uses | Heat Settings | |
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Bringing water to boil | 9 - High | |
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Pan frying, sautéing, browning | - | |
meat, deep fat frying |
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Most frying, eggs, pancakes, | - Med | |
slow boil |
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Simmering, finish cooking, | - Med Low | |
covered foods, steaming |
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Melting butter and chocolate | 1 - Low | |
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Cookware Characteristics
Pan selection directly affects cooking speed and uniformity. For best results select pans with flat bases. When a pan is hot, the base (pan bottom) should rest evenly on the surface without wobbling (rocking). Flat,
To Test the Flatness of Your Pans
Turn the pan upside down on the countertop and place a ruler flat against the bottom of the pan. The bottom of the pan and the straight edge of the ruler should be flush against each other.
Another simple test to
determine even heat distribution across the cookware bottom is to
place 1” (25.4 mm) of water in the pan. Bring the water
to a boil and observe the location of the bubbles as
the water starts to boil. Good, flat cookware will have an even distribution of bubbles over the bottom surface area.
Matching Diameters – The base of the pan should cover or match the diameter of the element being used. Pans may overhang the element area by 1" (25.4 mm) all around.
Tight Fitting Lids – A lid shortens cooking/boiling time by holding heat inside the pot.
Cookware Tips
•Use of pots and pans with rounded (either concave or convex) warped or dented bottoms should be avoided.
•Make sure the bottom of the pot or pan being used is clean and dry.
•Use pots and pans with thick, smooth metal bottoms.
•Do not slide metal pots across the cooktop. Pans may leave marks which need to be removed immediately. See Care and Cleaning Section.
•Do not use glass pans as they may scratch the surface.
Specialty Pans
Specialty pans such as griddles, roasters, pressure cookers, woks, water bath canners and pressure canners
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