Ceramic cooktops are wonderful to cook on and offer many advantages over traditional electric ranges and gas ranges. There are some helpful tips that you should follow for ceramic Cooktop cookware usage to prevent problems on your Cooktop.

Glass Cookware

You should never use glass cookware on ceramic cooktops. Many glass cookware products are sensitive to sudden heat changes and will shatter causing injuries and possible fire from grease. Ceramic cooktops can heat very quickly and glass cookware simply cannot handle this. In addition, the glass handles will heat and cause burns when reaching for them.

Avoid Sliding

When you are in a hurry and fixing up the family meal it can be tempting to slide your pots and pans around on the ceramic Cooktop. You need to actually pick up the pots and pans and then place them where you want them on the ceramic Cooktop. Sliding cookware across and around the surface will cause scratches and slight nicks in the surface area.

Pan Size Selection

It is important to set your cookware pans directly on the burners. Select a burner that matches the pan size the closest. This will enable your pan to cook more evenly and save energy.

In addition, you will decrease your chances of getting burned if your cookware is not smaller than the burner that you have it set on for cooking. You will be less likely to accidently touch the surrounding hot burner, like when a small pan is in the center of a large burner.

Avoid Empty Burners

Ceramic cooktops can become very hot and very quickly. For your safety, it is wise to never just turn on a burner and leave it empty. Always have a pot or pan on the burner as well as turn the burner off when you are done cooking a particular dish.

Avoid Dry Pans

Ceramic Cooktop cookware should never be placed on a hot burner dry. Have your ingredients already measured and ready for your recipe. Before the pan heats up begin adding your ingredients. Pans that are placed on hot burners dry or allowed to boil dry can be damaged or completely ruined.

Even Bottoms

Ceramic Cooktop cookware should have a smooth and even bottom. Cookware that has become warped or scratched on the bottom will not cook as evenly and will often take longer to completely heat up.

Your treasured family recipes can be ruined by using cookware that is warped and scratched. It is better to replace these with new cookware.

Avoid Copper

Copper can heat at high temperatures. Some cookware has copper in the grooves even if it is not a full copper pan. Any cookware with copper in it is likely to melt on Ceramic Cooktop and meld into the Ceramic Cooktop surface. If you are unsure if the cookware contains copper, it is best not to use it all on the ceramic Cooktop surface.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel cookware is excellent for Ceramic Cooktop surfaces. Stainless steel cookware heats evenly and is not prone to warping or scratching when used. You can adjust and control the temperatures without worrying about your food burning. There are even stainless steel cookware pieces available with interior non-stick surfaces.

Word of Caution

Regardless of what Ceramic Cooktop cookware you use for your range, be certain that your range is always in working order. Never ever cook on a ceramic Cooktop that has cracks or is broken. You will want to go out to eat and contact the service department for your Ceramic Cooktop for a repair appointment.

photo by Kai Hendry
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