A glass top stove will add a touch of beauty and modernity to your kitchen. They may endure indefinitely if properly cared for. As a result, you must choose the ideal cookware set that does not mar the gleaming surface of the glass top stove. Make sure you follow the guidelines in selecting the cookware for the glass stove. There are many materials available in the market that you think can be used with glass top stoves but in reality, every material has to be optimized accordingly either by preseasoning or by coating with another metal to be compatible with the glass top stove. This article answers all of your questions about selecting the best cookware for glass top stoves.
Glass top stoves utilize electricity to create heat. These are usually categorized as either induction or electric. They are not only gorgeous, sleek, and elegant, but they are also easy to clean as compared to other kinds of stoves. Remember that the main material used in making glass top stoves is glass or ceramic, which is prone to scratches so it has to be handled with care. Buying the proper kind of cookware that goes smoothly on the glass top stoves is crucial to avoid any kind of damage. The cookware that is best for glass top stoves should be composed of a non-scratching material with a wide, flat, and smooth bottom. You should always avoid glass, stoneware, ceramic, or cast iron cookware due to their heaviness and coarser bottoms. Here we are mentioning some cookware materials that will be best for glass top stoves. Let’s dive into the research.
What is a Glass top stove?
The glass top stove is made of glass-ceramic which looks like glass. There are two main types of glass top stove available in the market, electric or induction with both operating on electricity. The glass ones are often referred to as a radiant cooktop because of radiant heating coils below the glass-ceramic surface. The induction glass top stove on the other hand works through electromagnetic induction. When it is turned on, the coil under the glass-ceramic surface generates an electromagnetic field. In addition to these two, there is a halogen glass top stove that uses halogen bulbs, and then there are semi-halogen ones that use both halogen bulbs and metal coils. All of these glass top stoves cook in the same manner only they have their own characteristics and price points.
What to Look for When Cooking on a Glass Top Stove
No one can deny that a glass top stove is more fashionable than the traditional cooktops, it does necessitate extra care to avoid scratching and discoloration. Cleaning this one is also not the same as cleaning the traditional ones. And, to maintain this glass top stove looking good, the homemaker must be diligent with cooktop cleaning and upkeep. You will notice this stovetop will add an additional punch to your kitchen, especially if you haven’t changed your kitchen gear in a long time. Before you invest in this superstar for your kitchen, here’s a rundown of the things you should look for to make your life easier with a glass top stove.
- Always use a suitable kind of cookware on a glass top stove to avoid damage and to ensure that your food cooks evenly.
- To decrease the danger of scratching, avoid sliding heavy cookware on the stove; instead, raise and shift to another section of the cooktop.
- Glass top stoves may look like they are very durable and strong but they can get damaged if something too heavy is placed on them. You will find them to support the weight for the moment but when the stovetop will be heated it will crack because at this point glass expands so avoid setting heavy objects on the glass top stove.
- If ever food or oil or anything spills clean it immediately with a smooth wet washcloth and then dry it after. Especially when you are cooking with sweet ingredients, avoid spilling. A sugary compound can stain the cooktop, producing yellowish spots that are difficult to clean. The stains are even more visible on the light-colored glass top stove so clean up any spills as soon as possible.
- Cooking utensils should not be placed on a hot stove. Food on these utensils might leave scorch marks on the stove, requiring additional time to clean.
- Never ever try to use ammonia, metal pads, or any other abrasive cleanser that can cause scratches, instead use a soft sponge or towel and cream cleaning solutions designed specifically for glass top stove.
- Clean the bottoms of your cookware thoroughly. Grease buildup on the cookware bottoms can leave markings on the glass top stove. Although you can remove them by cleaning the cooktop but they are generally quite difficult to remove.
Whilst you may need to wipe it more frequently and exercise caution when using a glass top stove, you will appreciate it more often, and the extra care will be well worth it.
What to look for when buying Cookware for Glass Stoves:
There is suitable cookware for every dish, similarly, there is also the correct kind of cookware for your stove. The finest glass top stove pans have smooth, flat bottoms and are composed of materials that will not damage your stovetop. Because glass top stoves are potentially breakable, so use pans that are easy to maneuver. One of the most essential things you can do to care for a glass top stove is to use safe cookware. Here we are mentioning some of the attributes that you should look for while buying cookware for glass top stoves. Make sure the cookware is lightweight, has smooth flat bottoms, and is made up of material that has the best heat conducting capabilities. Cast iron cookware should not be used on a glass top stove because their bottoms are often quite rough, and any motion of the pot on the stove can leave scratches. Stoneware and ceramic cookware usually have unpolished and coarse bottoms which can also damage the glass top stove. Pans or skillets with rounded edge bottoms should not be used. When it comes to equal distribution of heat, cookware that rests flat on the stove performs better. So, opt for such kinds of cookware.
The best cookware for glass top stoves:
Considering their smooth surfaces are elegant and simple to maintain, glass top stoves are a popular and reliable choice. They cook well, but they have restrictions that other types of stoves do not. They can only heat surfaces that directly touch the stovetops, which is a restriction. On non-metallic surfaces, the glass top surface is unable to transmit heat. These stovetops are made in a way to endure frequent and severe temperature fluctuations but they are still prone to scraping and, in extreme cases, shattering, so it is critical to be careful of the sort of cookware you use. Cookware for glass top stoves is offered in a wide range of materials. Here we are mentioning some material that works best on a glass top stove.
Stainless Steel cookware:
has low reactivity but high strength. When it is mixed with other materials like copper or aluminum cores it made one hell of cookware with better conductivity and equal heat distribution. That is how they become one of the best cookware to use on a glass top stove.
Aluminum cookware:
Aluminum cookware is famous because of its lightweight, has good heat conductivity, and is frequently available at a reasonable price. Aluminum cookware is generally anodized, to avoid corrosion. The ultimate result is a smooth, long-lasting surface that is resistant to acidic foods. It may be used with a range of culinary tools without getting scratched due to its top-notch resilience. To enhance heat conductivity, aluminum is cladded with high-end stainless-steel cookware.
Copper cookware:
Copper cookware like aluminum cookware enables uniform cooking due to its greater heat conductivity. While unpolished copper pots have a lovely vintage aesthetic, copper is responsive when it comes into touch with alkaline and acidic foods, which can change the appearance and texture of your meal. However, the stainless steel-coated copper cookware doesn’t react with acidic food.
Titanium cookware:
Titanium cookware is becoming increasingly popular due to its strength and lighter volume. It has the same strength as stainless steel and is unlikely to rust. However, many items on the market are not made from pure titanium. Cookware which is made of aluminum with its cooking surface coated with titanium is perfect to use on a glass top stove
Carbon steel:
Carbon steel is a lightweight variant of cast iron that is also smoother, making it an excellent choice for your glass top stove. Once seasoned, it’s virtually nonstick, making it ideal for searing or sautéing. It responds to temperature fluctuations, but keep in mind that you’ll need to re-season it from time to time.
Can I use an iron skillet on a glass-top stove?
Cast-iron skillets are hefty and glass top stoves are quite fragile, and it is, after all, constructed of glass. But we can say that cast iron can be used on a glass top stove, how? Investing in a new sleek coated cast iron will immediately reduce the possibility of scratching the surface of your glass top stove. Modern cast iron cookware is usually pre-seasoned, which means the exterior surface is smooth and suitable to use on a glass top stove. While using cast iron cookware, set it securely on the glass cooktop in a single smooth stroke. If you start moving it once you’ve started cooking, you will risk damaging the surface of the glass. You can also purchase a heat diffuser for your glass top stove. Heat diffusers distribute heat uniformly across the bottom of cookware plus act as a cushion between the cookware and the glass stovetop.
FAQ
How do you clean a glass stovetop?
1. After the glass top stove has cooled, gently spray it with vinegar.
2. Sprinkle the baking soda
3. Soak a clean towel in hot water, wringing away any extra liquid.
4. Cover glass stovetop with this
5. Set aside for 10 to 15 minutes.
6. Use a microfiber cloth.
Is it ever okay to use cast iron on a glass stovetop?
No, it is not okay because Cast iron cookware is heavy, not very smooth and they absorb heat slowly. Cast iron cookware is compatible with glass top stoves only when it is coated with smooth porcelain enamel.
Is there any way to remove scratches from a glass stovetop?
Yes, by making a paste of water and baking soda. Dampen a soft sponge or cloth and apply the paste carefully to the scratched areas of the glass top stove. Clean it with a fresh cloth.
How much weight can a glass stovetop hold?
Glass top stove can handle weight up to 50lbs
Popular types of cookware for Glass Top stoves
Anodized aluminum, copper, titanium, and stainless steel cookware are the most preferred materials for glass top stoves.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Cookware for Glass-Top Stoves
You should consider buying cookware that distributes heat evenly, have metal handles that stay cool, a flat bottom made of high-quality material, and lids made of tempered glass.
Conclusion
Glass top stoves are the new era in cooking. They have a luxury sleek glass design that can give a minimal vibe to your kitchen and are also awesome in their work. They are delicate and that is why they need optimized cookware so that the glass top surface won’t get damaged. For this purpose, we have mentioned some of the materials that work great with glass top stoves. Just be gentle in handling your stove and choose a cookware set that is intended to perform well on a glass top stove surface.
