How to Cook on a Ceramic Glass Cooktop

Keep potholders and oven mitts handy, for your cooktop's sake.

Cooking on a ceramic glass cooktop is similar to cooking on most other types of ranges. The biggest difference is that glass ceramic cooktops are more easily scratched than traditional gas or electric coil cooktops. Therefore, you must take care when using sharp or potentially damaging cooking implements with or near these surfaces. Cast iron, in particular, can be dangerous due to its weight. This holds true whether or not your cast iron cookware is enamel-coated.

Things You'll Need

• Potholders

Instructions

1. Read the instruction manual for your ceramic glass cooktop, as the manufacturer may have specific advice about how to use and care for it.

2. Place your pots and pans gently on the cooktop surface whenever you are using them. If your cooking method utilizes lifting a pan to flip its contents, such as when sauteeing, make sure to set the pan down gently.

3. Use potholders when picking up or adjusting pots and pans on your ceramic glass cooktop, even if those pots and pans are not on an active burner. Residual heat conducted through the cooktop may make pot and pan handles hot to the touch.

4. Allow extra time for your desired cooking temperature to be reached, as well as extra time for the ceramic glass cooktop to cool after you turn the heat off. According to Dr. Leona K. Hawks, Housing and Equipment Specialist with the Utah State University Cooperative Extension, the residual heat these cooktops retain is so great, you may be able to use it to continue cooking your food for the last few minutes of cook time.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow your ceramic glass cooktop to cool to room temperature before wiping it clean. These cooktops are comparatively easy to clean, because their surface is smooth and does not contain many nooks and crannies for food spills to accumulate. However, because they retain heat so well, they can also burn you if you do not allow adequate time for them to cool off.

• Avoid temperature shock when using your ceramic glass cooktop. Never place extremely hot pans, such as those that have just come out of a hot oven, on a cold cooktop. This extreme temperature change could cause your ceramic glass cooktop to crack or break.

References

• "The Professional Chef (Eighth Edition)"; Culinary Institute of America; 2006
• Utah State University Cooperative Extension: Cooktops and Cookware