How to Buy Cookware for a Ceramic Glass Cooktop

Ceramic glass cooktops are better looking than traditional cooktops and are much simpler to clean. However, you can't just use your old cookware and expect to get the best results. Using cookware which is too light-duty or which is warped on the bottom will waste energy and cause food to cook unevenly. Using the wrong type of cookware could even result in damage to your ceramic glass cooktop.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Look for heavy-gauge pans with a perfectly flat, smooth bottom. Test the bottom of any pan you plan to purchase by placing a ruler against the surface. Turn the ruler around a full 360 degrees. If there are gaps anywhere between the ruler and the bottom of the pan, the pan is not acceptable for use with your cooktop.

2. Measure the size of your burners. Check this against the size of the cookware. The base of any cookware which you buy should be no more than one inch larger or smaller than the burner it is intended for. Check lids to ensure that they fit tightly in their pans. Check the handles to make sure that they're firmly attached to the pans.

3. Shop for stainless steel or cast iron cookware. Avoid purchasing light-gauge cookware such as aluminum. Also avoid purchasing glass, ceramic, earthenware and glazed cookware for your cooktop. These types of cookware often cannot withstand the sudden temperature changes caused by ceramic glass cooktops, and may crack or break with normal use. Also avoid copper cookware, which can melt and fuse with the material of the cooktop.

4. Check your cooktop's user manual for any other specific recommendations made by the manufacturer. Purchase cookware for your cooktop and save the receipt.

5. Place one pan on a burner. Place one inch of water in the pan and turn the burner on high heat. Watch the bubbles which appear. If they look evenly distributed, your pan is heating evenly If the bubbles appear clustered in one spot and are missing from the rest of the pan, the cookware should be returned to the store for a refund.

Tips & Warnings

• If purchasing a wok, get one with a flat bottom rather than a ring bottom.
• Buy new cookware if possible, as used cookware is more likely to be warped. It's also harder to know what materials are in used cookware.
• Check the packaging to see if the cookware is specifically recommended for glass ceramic cooktops.
• Never heat a burner without placing a pan on top.
• Do not allow pans to boil dry on the cooktop.
• Never leave pans unattended while they are heating.
• Read your cooktop's user manual thoroughly before operating it.