Which Pans Are Suitable for Ceramic Hobs?
Whether you acquired a ceramic hob with your home or chose one for its sleek appearance, easy-to-clean surface and quick heating time, you need to be aware of some special considerations that come with owning one. Most types of pans can be used on a ceramic hob, but some conduct heat more efficiently than others, and some pose a greater risk of damaging the hob than others do. The decision of what pans to use, though, will largely come down to your personal preference. Does this Spark an idea?
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Pan Types
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According to ceramic hob manufacturer Miele, glass, ceramic and stoneware pans are not suitable for use with a ceramic hob because they are not good enough conductors of heat. Pans made from any type of metal that conducts heat well are generally suitable, with a few exceptions. Aluminum and aluminum-based pans will work with a ceramic hob for your cooking needs, but they have a tendency to leave marks on the hob. These marks can be cleaned up, but the extra maintenance involved is not ideal.
Induction Hobs
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Some types of hobs with a ceramic surface are induction hobs, which transfer heat to a pan with a magnetic induction coil. The pan placed on the hob will heat up, but the ceramic surface itself will not. If you have a ceramic glass hob that heats with induction, you need pans made of a magnetic metal such as steel. Copper and aluminum pans will not heat up because they are not magnetic, making them essentially useless on an induction hob.
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Pan Bases
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Your pans need to have a flat, solid base so that they can sit steadily on the perfectly flat surface of a ceramic hob. Pans that wobble are not only hazardous; they are also inefficient, as heat from the element will escape from underneath them. Bear in mind that some pans have a base that is slightly concave when cold, but flattens when hot. If you already own pans that appear to have this kind of base, test them on your hob and see if they flatten out – if they do, continue to use the pans; otherwise, do not. Avoid using pans that have a ridged base, as they are likely to permanently scratch the ceramic surface. The size of the pan base is another consideration. Don’t use a pan so large that it extends beyond the ceramic hob surface, or one so small that the heating element is not completely covered.
Pan Weight
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Because a ceramic hob resembles glass, you may be worried about cracking it with heavy, solid pans. Remember, the surface is not actually glass and is sturdier than it appears. Heavier, sturdier pans are less likely to become warped over time and will retain their flat bases, which ensures years of efficient, safe cooking on your ceramic hob. On the other hand, you should always lift pans directly up and down on your ceramic hob rather than sliding them, which can cause scratches. This means that you need pans that are light enough to lift safely when filled with food. A large, cast-iron pan, for example, may be too heavy to sensibly use with your ceramic hob. Find pans with a good balance between sturdiness and heaviness.
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References
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