Before Setting Oven Controls
About the Ceramic Glass Cooktop
The ceramic cooktop has radiant surface elements located below the surface of the glass. The design of the ceramic cooktop outlines the area of the surface element underneath. Be sure to match the pan size with the diameter of the element outline on the cooktop. Heat is transferred up through the surface of the cooktop to the cookware. Only flat- bottomed cookware should be used.
The type and size of cookware, the number of surface elements in use and their settings, are all factors that will affect the amount of heat that will spread to areas beyond the surface elements. The areas surrounding the elements may become hot enough to cause burns.
Single Radiant Surface
Control
About the Radiant Surface Elements
The element temperature rises gradually and evenly. As the temperature rises, the element will glow red. To maintain the selected setting, the element will cycle ON and OFF. The heating element retains enough heat to provide a uniform and consistent heat during the off cycle.
For efficient cooking, turn OFF the element several minutes before cooking is complete. This will allow residual heat to complete the cooking process.
NOTE: Please read detailed instructions for ceramic glass cooktop cleaning in the General Care & Cleaning and Before You Call checklist sections of this Use & Care Manual.
Element On & Hot Surface Indicator Lights
Your range is equipped with two different types of radiant surface control indicator lights that will glow on your range— the Element On indicator light and the Hot Surface indicator light (See illustration at left).
The Element On indicator light located on the control panel will glow when a surface element is turned ON. A quick glance at this indicator light after cooking is an easy check to be sure ALL surface controls are turned OFF. The Hot Surface indicator light located on the control panel will glow when any surface cooking area heats up and will REMAIN ON until the glass cooktop has cooled to a MODERATE level.
NOTE: Radiant elements have a limiter that allows the element to cycle ON and OFF, even at the HI setting. This helps to prevent damage to the ceramic smoothtop. Cycling at the HI setting is normal and will occur more often if the cookware is too small for the radiant element or if the cookware bottom is not flat.
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 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). 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.
GLASS - Slow heat conductor. Not recommended for ceramic cooktop surfaces because it may scratch the glass.
7
