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Using Your Cooktop
Characteristics of cookware materials
The pan material affects how fast heat transfers from the surface cooking area through the pan
material and how evenly hea t spreads over the pan bo ttom. 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
ceramic glass • Heats slowly and une venly.
• 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 enamel-on-cast iron • See cast iron and stainless steel.
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.
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