Surface Cooking

Selecting Surface Cooking Cookware

Cookware should have flat bottoms that make good contact with the entire surface heating element. Check for flatness by rotating a ruler across the bottom of the cookware (See Figure 1). Be sure to follow the recommendations for using cookware as shown in Figure 2.

Note: The size

and type of cookware used

will influence the setting needed for

best cooking results.

Figure 1

Correctincorrect

V

t

t

o Curved and warped pan

bottoms.

Flat bottom and straight sides.

Tight fitting lids.

Weight of handle does not

tilt pan. Pan is well

® Pan overhangs element by

more than one=half inch.

balanced.

Pan sizes match the amount of food to be

prepared and the size of the surface element.

Made of a material that conducts heat well.

Easy to clean.

Always match pot diameter to element surface

diameter.

o Heavy handle tilts pan.

 

 

 

 

Figure 2

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Cookware Material types

The cookware material determines how evenly and quickly heat is transferred from the surface element to the pan bottom. The most popular materials available are:

ALUMINUM - Excellent heat conductor. Some types of food will cause it to darken (Anodized aluminum cookware resists staining & pitting). If aluminum pans slide across the ceramic glass cooktop, they may leave metal marks which will resemble scratches. Remove these marks immediately.

COPPER - Excellent heat conductor but discolors easily. May leave metal marks on ceramic glass (see Aluminum above).

STAINLESS STEEL - Slow heat conductor with uneven cooking results. Is durable, easy to clean and resists staining.

CAST IRON - A poor heat conductor however will retain heat very well. Cooks evenly once cooking temperature is reached. Not recommended for use on ceramic cooktops.

PORCELAIN=ENAMEL on METAL - Heating characteristics will vary depending on base material. Porcelain-enamel coating must be smooth to avoid scratching ceramic cooktops.

GLASS - Slow heat conductor. Not recommended for ceramic cooktop surfaces because it may scratch the glass.

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Kenmore 790.4660 manual Surface Cooking, Will influence the setting needed for, Correctincorrect