General bottom requirements
As you may have already noticed, the bulk of the requirements are placed on the bottom of cookware for ceramic electric stoves. Below you will learn what points you should pay attention to so that the device will serve you for a long time.
The ideal base for vitrified clay pans is smooth and even. Allow no more than 0.6% of the diameter concavity when cold. When heated, the bottom expands slightly and fits tightly to the surface of the slab.
Any irregularities and roughnesses lead to the fact that the heat is poorly transferred to the dishes. The electric stove overheats, which leads to a shorter life span, and the power consumption increases.
Cookware for glass-ceramic cooktops is usually treated with a protective compound that prevents scratches, bends, and indentations.
The thicker the bottom, the better. You’ve probably noticed how quickly thin aluminum pots and pans tend to burn, especially liquids. So you need a thick bottom, which will heat evenly and will not deform because of the high temperature.
Typically, the bottom of ceramic cookware consists of 3-5 layers of different metals: stainless steel, aluminum alloy. This increases durability and improves heat distribution.
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Light glossy surface reflects heat radiation, which increases cooking time and electricity consumption. The bottoms of cookware for vitrified clay should be dark and opaque.
If you are selecting cookware for the electric stove, then note that the diameter of the bottom of the pot (frying pan) must fully correspond to the diameter of the burner. Using kitchen utensils with small bottoms leads to problems. “empty” energy consumption, overheating the electric stove, and the danger of getting burned by touching an exposed hot surface.
Pots and pans with bases that are larger than the diameter of the burner will not heat up completely.
The principle is more lenient with induction pots, because the coil only heats the pot. The bottom should preferably correspond to the diameter of the burner, but it can also be smaller. If you put a large frying pan on a small circle, only part of the bottom will get hot, which will increase the cooking time.
How to choose the right cookware for a glass ceramic stove
In order to take advantage of all the benefits of modern stoves, it is necessary to choose the appropriate equipment, which will save energy and not harm the technique. Cookware for the glass ceramic hob must be undamaged, clean and with a flat bottom.
Today, manufacturers have simplified the selection of cooking utensils. All cookware has markings that indicate the acceptable type of surface for cooking. Icons are printed on the box of kitchen utensils and on the bottom of the products. When buying, you can also consult with experts.
Old cookware is probably not suitable for vitrified clay.
Especially if it has been exposed to fire, which gradually deforms the steel. Even if the bottom looks flat, it is still not worth risking a new technique.
When choosing a proper pot or pan, pay attention to the bottom. It must be flat, level, with no patterns or other irregularities.
If the surface is glass-ceramic, the cookware should have a multi-layer, encapsulated bottom, which consists of 3-7 plates. This design ensures an even distribution of heat, which affects the quality and taste of the food.
The bottom is chosen dark and matte, so that it will reflect the heat as much as possible. It is necessary to pay attention to its thickness to avoid possible deformation.
Wall thickness
The thickness of the walls does not matter. The sides are not in contact with the cooking surface, so the heat does not affect them. Basically, the thickness of the walls depends on the manufacturer, the model of utensils and the needs of the family itself.
Material
Cookware for the glass ceramic stove can be made of different material. A great option is stainless steel. Products are comfortable to use in the kitchen and have a stylish, sleek look.
Glass is compatible with this cooking surface. But when choosing cookware made of this material it should be taken into account that it has poor thermal conductivity. The liquid takes longer to heat up and it takes longer to cook. This has an impact on the amount of energy used.
You can use ceramic cookware, which has a flat, flat bottom, without chips and rims. Fans of colorful options for kitchen equipment should look at the enameled products.
Cookware for induction hobs must be made of ferromagnetic alloys, so check the bottom of the pots. When buying, you can determine the match with a simple magnet.
Features of the glass ceramic hob
Panels with this type of coating refer to electric appliances, equipped with automation and different types of burners. The surface is perfectly smooth, made of special material. ceran, which is resistant to deformation and can withstand high temperatures.
Heat from underbench burners goes vertically, only burners are heated. The rest of the plate remains cool, saving large amounts of energy.
Fiberglass ceramic heats up very quickly and cools down very quickly.
Types of burners are halogen, rapide, ribbon (hi light), induction hobs. Combination stoves are available, which can have different types of burners, such as two halogen and rapide.
Manufacturers equip pans with various useful functions:
- heating;
- autofocus. to determine the diameter of the dishes;
- changing the heating zone;
- automatic shutdown;
- panel lock;
- timer.
The control is touch-sensitive, which is convenient with a large number of different options. Because of the design of the panel, conventional cookware is not always suitable for cooking, so you will have to upgrade the kitchen utensils, buying several pots and pans.
What demands are placed on the material
For conventional stovetop models, it is recommended to use cookware made of sturdy metals. Soft metal products like copper and brass are categorically unsuitable for use on a stove that heats the whole. Because it is impossible to eliminate traces of melting and this will subsequently affect the further performance of the device.
As for the induction models, they independently determine the appropriate cooking utensils. Some modern models simply do not turn on when the wrong cookware is on their surface. These include: glass, aluminum, brass objects.
What cookware to choose for a glass ceramic hob
Many people today, choosing to equip their kitchens with the latest appliances, do not think about what operating conditions should be observed in order to extend its life. In this article we will talk about what should be cookware for a glass ceramic hob. Not every pot can be put on such a hob, so you will have to study this issue in detail and conduct a thorough revision of all kitchen props. What can be kept?
Characteristics of glass ceramic cooktop
This is a kind of electric stove with a smooth and smooth surface, made of a material called “zeran” a combined mixture of ceramic and glass. Composition withstands high temperatures and impacts from heavy objects, such as pots and pans.
Modern glass ceramic hobs have their own special features:
- Boiling. When the cookware reaches boiling point, the burner power is automatically reduced. Excellent function that prevents “escaped” borscht and the need to clean the surface after such a small disaster.
- Automatic control mode. The product, its weight and the optimum temperature are the parameters you set on the display, saving you time. When all is cooked, the system beeps and stops the operation.
- Safety. To prevent accidental activation of the heating element, a lock mode is used. This is important if there are small children in the house.
- Heating. Modern glass ceramic hobs only heat up where the cookware stands. It is impossible to burn yourself. They provide uniform heating all over the bottom and walls of dishes with different diameters.
- The presence of thermostats. During cooking, they maintain the set temperature.
- Timer with automatic shutoff. This function can be used on a single plate or on several plates at the same time. Some stoves have a timer on all sides.
What can happen when you choose the wrong cookware
Improper choices can lead to a number of problems:
- Electricity consumption will increase many times, if the bottom of the pan is not tight to the burner. You will have to spend a lot of time to cook the food, because the heating will be slow and uneven.
- Roughness, scratches on cookware can lead to serious damage to the unit, up to cracks on the cooktop.
- Too large diameter cookware will not allow the dish to cook evenly, too small diameter will not allow the device to work, the stove simply will not turn on.
- Cookware made of materials without magnetic properties is not suitable for stoves with induction coils, the stove will not work.
- Resistant glass containers have low thermal conductivity, which means that cooking will take too long.
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What cookware should not be used
Using the wrong cookware can lead to mechanical damage to the surface, overheating of the heating element, or deformation of the container being used. It is not recommended for glass ceramic hobs:
- Cookware previously used in gas cooking. This is because the base of the container becomes deformed after frequent contact with the normal cooking surface.
- Old cookware with an uneven, rough or damaged bottom. Containers with welded seams are also forbidden for use.
- Containers with inscriptions, punched-out grooves and images.
- Cookware with a small diameter. The diameter of the base must correspond to the diameter of the cooking zone. If it is significantly smaller, there is a risk that the burner will overheat or break.
- Empty pans. Especially not to leave enamelled cookware on the hob. Forgetting it on the burner will lead to significant damage to the heating element, up to its failure.
- Heavy, heavy and bulky cookware. Its frequent or careless use is one of the most common causes of cracks, scratches, chips, significantly reducing the life of the appliance.
- Cookware with a small base and expansive walls. These will not heat up well and will not perform their functions.
- Ceramic cookware, because it does not conduct heat well.
Copper, brass and aluminum cookware is not recommended for use on the glass ceramic hob. Induction will not heat them, but on other types of hobs pots without additional ceramic or teflon coating can leave hard-to-remove marks, and quickly deformed.
Cookware that can be used
Cookware for vitrified clay is often recommended to choose depending on the type of heating element installed. To household appliances with installed coil fit heat-resistant utensils with a flat bottom, without scratches. There is a ban on the use of copper and aluminum cookware; heat-resistant glassware is not recommended. If your stove is equipped with an induction element, then you need to choose special cookware with a magnetic base.
To simplify the task of choosing the right cookware, modern models are equipped with a special sensor that informs you of the correct choice.
The size of the cookware is becoming less and less important on modern models. Dual-circuit burners can be adjusted to the desired diameter of heating. Recently, there have been some models with unusual burner shapes, such as oval-shaped burners.
The glass ceramic cookware material is still important. For example, stainless steel pots and pans are suitable for vitrified clay stoves with standard burners. You can buy a set with a special designation, in the process of cooking to select products from the set, which will match the diameter of the burner.
Stainless steel cookware is hardwearing, durable, long-lasting. Sets are available in various shapes, but they do not feature a variety of color schemes. The main advantage of this type of products is easy care.
Aluminum cookware has a good thermal conductivity, so it will also work for a glass surface with conventional burners. The main disadvantage of such pans. the lack of perfectly flat bottom and quickly appearing scratches. Damaged cookware has a negative effect on the capabilities of the stove. On glass ceramic cookware is easily deformed and quickly becomes unusable.
Without proper care, these utensils are vulnerable.
Enamelled cookware is distinguished by its good look, and it can also be matched with the style of the kitchen design. The main criterion is the same. a perfectly flat bottom, no chips. The enamel gets damaged very quickly, and damaged items cannot be used anymore. Items reinforced with Teflon or ceramic coating will be stronger. The material has good thermal conductivity, products can be used in the home for a long time.
Will a Cast Iron Pan Scratch Your Glass Cooktop?
Flat-bottomed cast-iron cookware is also ideal for vitrified clay. For example, a cast-iron frying pan with a maximally flat bottom will have thick walls. This kind of cookware retains heat longer and cooks food more efficiently.
The main requirement for glassware is a perfectly flat bottom, preferably of the multi-layer type.
Heat-resistant glass has a number of disadvantages, so it is not recommended as an ideal option for vitrified clay. One of the weighty arguments. the loss of thermal conductivity.
For example, at the top and bottom it can be stainless steel, and in the middle. aluminum. “Sandwich” bottoms made of stainless steel will heat up faster than usual. Stainless steel does not have very good thermal conductivity parameters. Added materials must be firmly connected, so pay attention to the quality of the products. Uneven areas of the connecting seam quickly form soot. Check the bottom of the existing dishes with an ordinary magnet.
Any magnetic alloys are suitable for induction-type burners.
