Ellen's Kitchen

ELLEN'S KITCHEN Cook Talk

Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use
Lisa lot3rd1@gmail.com 11/18/05	Hi There! My parents just purchased a new electric range and it has a ceramic cooktop. My mother said that most of their pots and pans will not work on the new range. I thought that I would purchase a set of pots and pans for them that will work on the new ceramic cooktop but I'm not sure what type to get. Any suggestions would be Greatly Appreciated.
ellen 11/18/05	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hi, Lisa, This is one of the commnest discussions of the LONG thread on ceramic cooktops in the cook talk archives. See what size pots your mom/dad use most, and go to an outlet center so you can buy one at a time at a reasonable cost, instead of sets, as several in the set will not be the best diameter for the range.. There are sevral brand names discussed by actual users. Also notice what diameter the burners/coils on the stove are. Then buy ONLY pots and pans with flat smooth pbottoms that make complete contact with the flat top of the stove. If your mam has a favorite cast iron pan with the little ring on the bottom that makes an edge, find her a flat bottom one. If she does not have a flat bottom groiddle, that is a great choice too. They can be anozided, regular or nonstick, as they prefer. Really small pans like 1 quarts saucepans are too small across the bottom to do very well, try to select ones that are very close to the actual size of the burner.
Lisa 11/19/05	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hi Ellen! Thanks for the advice. I greatly appreciate it. I did see a thread with info on the Ceramic Cooktops and I did notice some info on pots and pans but most of it seemed to be on cleaning these surfaces and info on what does not work. Again, Thank You so Very Much for your suggestions. Have a Great Holiday Season! Lisa
Ellen ellensmcneill@msn.com 12/03/05	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I read your forum and have one question. What type of cookware do you recommend? Analon, Calphalon, titanium, or stainless steel? I'm sorry but I'm still confused. I did learn, however, how to keep it clean. Thanks a bunch. Ellen
ellen 12/04/05	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hi, Ellen, I prefer not to use ceramic tops at all; when pressed I often use a pan with a non-stick coating because I do have trouble with the heat control, and it cleans easier. Beyond that, I buy at restaurant supply stores, so several are aluminum varieties, but I use my cast iron and stainless stell with aluminum core pans quite happily, and when I vist my momI like her caphalonhs. I like my enameled cast iron for a Dutch oven.
susan aldridge susanaldridge2000@yahoo.de 12/12/05	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hi from germany, I am sitting here in Saxony, Germany and reading with surprise about all the complaints about glass cooktops and I think what Mary Anne wrote in the thread in July about her Schott glass cooktop being really good must be true. The reason is that in Germany all glass cooktops are made by Schott in Jena, Thuringia, Germany (we have 2 in out kitchan and both were bought in 1992) and we have never had trouble cleaning them. We use soap and water and we hardly ever clean it after use other than wipe a spong over it after it is cool. If something gets big and ugly like boiling over sauces we scrape it with what looks like a glass scraper used to clean paint off windows-but it has the Schott anme on it-but any will do. The Schott Jena glass must be a much higher quality than the run of the mill glasstop material used in the USA. Iwas told that SChott makes all the cooktops in Europe and I had thought they make them for America too-but I guess Corning makes them for America. I use all types of pots, including iron which I brought from America, but the most effective are the multi-ply or tri-ply because the heat is distributed evenly over the whole pot-not just on the bottom. If you ask me there is too much heat concentrated on those sandwich bottoms. In Europe the best brand is Spring from Switzerland (very expensive but once used you never want to use any other), and Berndes has started a new line called Berndes TRICION®, and then Rösle has a new multi ply. Is not All-clad a multi-ply? I have used copper and copper bottom Revereware on my Schott stovetop with no adverse effect, but I can imagine that is you would let the water boil away or you were to put the burner on and forget to put food in the pot, the copper could very well melt- it is a soft metal. So caution is in order for copper. I also use pots which are not the exact size as the burners, but I use multi ply pots mostly (not always). So I would advise to buy products which employ German made glass from Jena, Germany. As Mary Anne said- Schott. Just to add something of interest to make this whole thing more alive to you- I have visited Jena and it is an amazing town because of their highly technical know-how and tradition of Jena glass and Zeiss optical equipment. The houses are painted in wonderful colors and trees growing everywhere in many parks. The people of the town are hightly educated and they are open and friendly and very self confident. They have ancient houses and steep cobble stone lanes and people walking everywhere all times of the day and night-very safe place. Susan in Germany
winnie 12/18/05	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Can I use Le Creuset on the Ceramic cook top?
ellen 12/18/05	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use the flat bottom le creuset is fine, some have a ring on the bottom- they do NOT work.
Cindy cindylg8@msn.com 01/04/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have a thermador glass top stove. My main cookware, which I researched and purchased in '02 when we started with the glass top is Scanpan. There is a heavy disk on the bottom of each pan, and I believe it is made specifically for glass tops, which is why I zeroed in on it after much reading of e-pinions etc. It is non-stick and reliable. I also have some Calphalon which was said to be ok with glass tops. IT IS NOT! When the pans become hot the bottoms "bow" and then you can rock them on the stove. Now you don't have complete contact with the heat. From now on I am going to stick to pans with some sort of a heavy, flat disk on the bottom, because they don't warp with the heat. I have a huge lobster pot with such a bottom, don't know what brand, but it is great on the stove.
Linda hmlm@verizon.net 01/27/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Has anyone had any trouble with their ceramic top range cracking because of hot oil in a pan? I was making pop corn in a well known brand popper, and my ceramic top cracked. One half of the pot was burned and I suspect that it was this hottest part that came into contact with a warmer surface on my stove top. I was told my the manufacturer that this could not happen, but I am not convinced. Please let me know so I can offer them more evidence. I believe the least they should do is put a warning on the box that this type of popper should not be used on a ceramic top range.
ellen 01/28/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Contact the customer service at the popcorn manufacturer's, also.
Carol 02/17/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use How do you clean a stainsteel pan that has turned whiteish from cooking water in it?
cga 04/07/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Re; cleaning ss pan that turned white--did you try full strength white vinegar. If all else fails try a cleanser called 'Barkeeper's Friend' excellent cleanser for ss sink, hard water stains, rust on sinks & tile...sometimes hard to find
cga 04/07/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use RE:calphalon or other anodized alum pans--mine all warped too not heavy-bottomed enough. Does anyone else have experience with "Spring" cookware from Switzerland or Berndes? I have two All-Clad ss pan w/alum core its heavy but not heavy enough-slight warpage after only 1 yr.
lana 04/08/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use i am still confused as to what i need to buy for my kenmore ceramic glass top range it does have the core and as that you can use griddles on it i used a new stainless pan and made a scratch i am cleaning it and it seems less noticable now but now i am afraid to use the cooktop.. this is a 40 inch range that i special ordered and now am wondering if i made a mistake i had a jen air before and wanted something larger.. thanks in advance for the help.. ellen,,wonderful site..thanks for it
lana 04/08/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use i forgot to ask if anyone has canned on theirs. hope that i did not miss something.. not something i thought would be a problem when i bought this range
Noeline 05/13/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hi I have a ceramic top (Ariston). I have purchased Berghoff cookware and find that this is the best cookware for ceramic tops.I do believe that you can but this cookware in USA.I am living in Europe.
ellen 05/13/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Several readers have reported serious problems with canning on ceramic top ranges, one cracked her top using a pan much larger in diameter than the eye/element, others cannot get the larger pans of water to the correct temp. Suggest a high power electric hotplate.
Anna 06/11/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I just got a Whirlpool Ceramic cooktop and I laid a piece of aluminum foil on it and the foil melted. I have tried everything, including a scraper, on it and it is still there. How do I get it off?
ellen 06/13/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Anna, you can try for a replacement under warranty. Nobody who has written me has ever succeeded in getting this off- it actually fuses to the top. Also, do not try to cook on this burner.
Ben 06/26/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I recently purchased a floor model jenn air downdraft with ceramic cooktop from Sears. I would probably try to echange it for something else if we hadn't went through the trouble of running electric. Thought I ruined the top on first attempt at cooking. Pan left a shiny mark with lines you could see from the tiny ridges in bottom of pan. Let it cool and it came off with the ceramic creme cleaner from Sears. Had I known that I would have to be so particular in using it, I would have passed on it. Didn't know I would have to buy new pans and carry a ruler to measure each pan and check for smoothness?? After reading all the comments, I'm still not sure what kind of cookware to use. You would think for the price that it would be more durable. It sure looks nice at the moment though. I should have done my homework first but it was a good deal and had to move fast.
Darcey Gulen 07/01/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Sorry, perhaps I don't know how your site works. I posted a question on 6/24/06 about guardian ware vs. ceramic cooktop and now it's not here. What is the process? Thanks!
ellen 07/03/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hi, Darcy, Occasionally, a server gets involved with a spam attack- that happened to ours- massive- and it was that date. That can mess up incoming messages. If you re-post, I will try to answer.
jane 07/24/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use What kind of pans scratch the surface? I have heard that you can't use either cast iron or aluminum. Is this true?
Kathy 07/24/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Has anyone heard anything about Emeril's line of Stainless? The bottoms are heavy flat disks with a band of copper between the bottom and the bottom of the pan also a light etching of Emeril's signature. I am torn between stainless and non-stick.
ellen 07/28/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Jane, as above, they can be used but have to be perfectly flat on the bottom. Aluminum pots tend to mark the stove tops, too.
sumner 07/29/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use what brand of pots and pans are best for my G.E. glass top oven?
ellen 07/29/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Sumner, as mentioned in the first answer on this thread, there are several threads with pot comments, including this one. Basically you need a completely flat-bottom multi-ply pan with a diameter within one inch of the diameter of burner.
noni 07/30/06	cleaning water stains off a stainles steel sink i have a stainless steel sink in my laundry room and it has what i think are white stains from our hard water..i have tried everythimg to get them off to no avail..any advice?
Brenda 08/08/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have been reading the thread regarding cookware for ceramic stovetops. I have a new frigidaire. Most sites say that Calphalon is OK to use, but I see that a couple of people negate that. What is the real scoop? I can see that getting individual pans are best, but I want to stick with a brank that is good to use and get rid of all my other pans. I guess I wasn't prepared for that. What is the best brand to purchase?
ellen 08/09/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Noni, restaurant supply and janitorial supply stores sell special stainless steel cleaners. Brenda, Tivoli and aubecq are winning these days. Caphalon can warp and not be flat after heating or use.
Darcey 08/12/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hi Ellen! I was on vacation and visted my friend in Germany who has a Ceramic Cooktop. I think I might have my answer, however. It's better to ask an expert. My question was "Will my mother's Guardian Ware aluminum cookware from the '50's work on my ceramic cooktop?" I believer it will. My manual says that aluminum is the best heat conducter. All the pieces have flat surfaces. The only question is, the large skillet. It's bigger than the element ring. I guess it would work anyway. I'm not an "ace" cook. I just want dinner. What do you think? Thanks for your chat room. I've learned a lot!
Karen 08/13/06	Ceramic Cooktops - Canning use After reading all of the information on Ceramic cooktops I've decided not to attempt to do any canning on mine. The problem I have now is that I'm unable to find a hot plate with a burner larger than about 8". Most are 5-6". Will a burner that size be sufficient to keep a large pot of water boiling? Or, can anyone tell me where I might find a hot plate with a larger burner? Thanks for all of the great information! Karen
ellen 08/14/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use You can get a commercial type single hot plate that will do 1500 watts or a double that will put a very large pot across two flat burners. I have seen both on EBay lately. Cookware that is an inch bigger than a ceramic burner is OK.
Brett Mauzy 09/04/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I just purchased a new pot & pan set. Come to find out, it says not recommended for glass top stoves. These are aluminum non-stick pots & pans. Is it true that I shouldn't use them on a glass top? If I do use them will it cause damage to the stove or the pans? Thanks for your insight.
ellen 09/05/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Usually, if the bottoms are perfectly flat, the issue with aluminum pans is they leave some dirty marks on the top which have to be cleaned off. So you have to decide how you feel about the increased cleanup.
Brenda 09/25/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Does anyone know where I can get the Tivoli or Aubecq pans recommended for the ceramic cooktops? Is there a better site than others? I sure wish the dealer had addressed all of these issues. Thanks so much for all your help.
ellen 09/26/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use TJ Maxx has been the main source for these pans.
Dee 09/26/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I just bought a Kenmore ceramic cooktop stove. I am using my old Farberware pots and pans and am wondering if they will be OK... or should I buy new ones? They are flat bottom aluminum clad stainless steel...they seem to be working OK so far. I really like this set...they are light and the handles are comfortable for me. I did get a small scratch on the stove and wonder if it can be repaired.
ellen 09/27/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use There is a long thread in the archive on cleaning and maintaining these stove tops- do go read it-
gayle 10/05/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I recently purchased, to my now deep regret, a GE profile ceramic cooktop. I am stunned by the limitations and requirements of this piece of equipment. Cleaning the glass top is a nightmare (I am a messy cook) and only about 50% of my All-Clad cookware works properly. One of the things that attracted me to the cooktop was the bridge element which supposedly accomodates larger pans - I thought this feature would be great with my All-Clad double burner grills, but now I find they are "not recommended for glass/ceramic stove tops." Does anyone have any suggestions specifically regarding double burner grills for ceramic cooking surfaces? I do not think I have ever regretted a purchase more than I regret buying this cooktop. I would love for someone to convince me that I am wrong before I decide to toss the thing out and buy something else. Speaking of something else - can anyone suggest a good alternative electric cooktop (sadly, I do not have access to gas). Help.
linda 10/06/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Is it possible to use aa glass (Pyrex) tea kettle on a smooth top cooktop? It seems to have a flat bottom but I wasn't sure about the glass to glass. They come w/ a metal ring that one uses on a regular metal element.
ellen 10/13/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Gayle, if you have the bridge element, you should try your 2 burner griddle- the recommendation not to use is because of the difficulties with the ceramic tops that do not have the bridge element. I think of cermaic tops as giant, well, sort of crockpots, with the attendant changes in dishes and recipes that are easy to make. You might consider adding a top quality electric hotplate (for wokking, etc) before you just throw it out. Linda, I have used these on a ceramic top- of course you DO NOT use the wire element.
Gayle 10/17/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Thank you, Ellen. I will persevere a while longer before giving up on the cooktop! Thanks also for the very informative forum.
Betsy 10/17/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I've been reading all the responses to the ceramic cooktops. I've had my Kenmore since 2000 and love it. I was scared to death at first, especially when something would boil over. But, with a little softscrub,nylon pad and paper towel, the hardened mess came up. I love my cooktop and would never go back to the old stovetop. I did have to give my Revere pans away because they danced on the stove and bought Analon pans with a flat bottom. They work fine on the stove, it's the pans themselves I don't like. I've only had them for 5 years, and the coating has started chipping off already. I'm very careful with my pans and don't understand how this is happening.
ellen 10/18/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Nonstick pans reallly do wear out faster than others. Do you use only wooden and silicone spoons and scrapers? Even occasional use of hard utensils speads the deterioration o. the coating.
daniel 10/19/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hi Ellen, Someone has offered to give me a glass top stove. My question is whether I can place a pan whose cooking base measures 11" in diameter on a 9" burner. Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
ellen 10/19/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Theoretically, an 11 inch pan can go on a 9 inch burner- maximum size, though. Is it flat?
Betsy 10/21/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I've been very careful with my pans. However, I did find out my older children would soak them for long periods and use metal utensils when I wasn't around to supervise. So, that probably didn't help any. Now my one son is married and is realizing the importance of care and maintenance of pots and pans. He has since apologized for what he might have done to mine.
gayle 10/25/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hi Ellen. I am still searching for a grill/griddle to use with my new (and much despised) GE Profile ceramic cooktop's bridge element. I have a question regarding pan size vis-a-vis burner size: on 7/29/06 your comment indicated that the diameter of the pan should be within 1" of the diameter of the burner. On 10/19/06 you said an 11" pan could possibly be used on a 9" burner. The smallest grill/griddle I have been able to find is 10" x 18" and my cooktop's bridge burners are only @ 7.5 wide. Should I risk using a 10 x 18 inch griddle? Is potentially cracking the glass top the only issue or is there some other danger involved in a poor pan to burner size ratio? Thanks.
ellen 10/25/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I am not an expert on the bridge elements. Suggest you call the GE customer service number in the manual to check. You can fudge just a little with the largest burner- but that is why I said 11" but no larger.
Pat 10/28/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I am about to pull my hair out wondering about cookware on my glass cooktop. I have a 12" Calphalon "Commercial" skillet and it is heavy. My largest burner is 10". Is it safe to use the 12" skillet on the 10" burner. Thanks in advance!!!
Pat 10/28/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Follow-up Question: Bottom of pan is 10" as best I can measure. The top is 12". How do you figure these things. I've been cooking 50 yrs. and now have to learn all over again. lol
ellen 10/28/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Pat if the burner is 10 inches and the pan bottom is 10" and flat, it should be perfect.
maggie 11/01/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Greetings from Boston, I just purchased a Whirlpool smooth top range, just got rid of the electric range, I want to thank all of you with your advice and comments on this new type of stove, it sure did help. I will respond with my comments as i try out my new stove.. Thanks again for all your help ... Maggie
Pat 11/02/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Thanks for the help, Ellen. This is one terrific site!
Liz 11/03/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I wish I had checked your website before I bought our GE Profile glass top range. I absolutely HATE it. I've had more boil-overs in the last month than I've had in 40 years; thought I could do canning on it (salesman said I could)but after a month of trying to cook on it have decided that effort would be fruitless and fraught with anxiety about cracking it. I think the oven bakes hotter and the cooktop cooks less consistently than my old range. I called the appliance store and will be trading it in for a coil top where I can actually see the heat elements, not worry about replacing all my pots & pans.Liz
chew 11/03/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I am way from behind again. Is ceramic cooktops also meant or same as induction cooker? I bought one named 'induction cooker" cheap cooker, and it has a wide piece sort of ceramic flowery motif on its top. It uses on certain pots, flat base, heavy base stainless steel pots.
ellen 11/03/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Liz, you founs out the jard way. Chew, induction hotplates are made from ceramic, but the cooktops we are talking about are NOT what you are thinking of; these have four burners under a glsss/cersmic sheet or tray, and have an electric oven ynderneath. They are used in regular full kitchens as the main stove.
chew 11/05/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use rightto! thank you.
gayle 11/17/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hi Liz. Join the club. I hate my GE profile ceramic cooktop, too. I have had it for a few months now and despise it more every day! I am trying to break it quickly so I can buy something (anything) else - since it's too late for me to return it.
ellen 11/18/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Gayle, maybe you could sell it or get a tax deduction by donating it. They do have some limited use for elders and low vision folks who should not have open elements...
Joan 12/02/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hi, I read your thread, but I have some questions. I am gathering that the reason you cannot use cast iron on the flat top stoves is because they will scratch it, are there any other reasons, will it crack the top? What if you are careful? (I don't mean to be dense) I have been afraid to use my cast iron, as I hear it was a big no-no. Also, I canned applesauce on my stove last year, and it was fine, but now I am concerned having read this thread, is it dangerous? I recieved a whole set of canning materials for Christmas last year and now I am not sure if I should try it again? My most important qeustion is: My Mother-In-Law has a cast iron Krumkaca (spelling?? I am not Norwegian :) maker and she is worried about using it on her new stove. Will it actually damage her stove, or will it just not work correctly?? By the way the device has a round base that is open in the middle and then a griddle-type center that does not touch the element and also flips over. Thank you for any help you can give! This site is great! Joan
Sharon 12/03/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use What an interesting time I've had reading this thread - very good information. I have had my GE ceramic top stove for 10 1/2 years - and have cooked on it with caphalon - my only regret is that I bought non-stick, and it's now deteriorating. I came here to get advise on new stainless cookware, so was glad for the tips. I wanted to add, tho, that I have cooked many many times on my surface with my large (canning size) soup pots that are much larger than the burner surface with no problems at all. I have also used an el-cheapo double burner griddle (made for my coleman cookstove for camping) across 2 side burners for eggs, pancakes, etc many many times and my ceramic is nice, clean, no problems. I, too, am a messy cook; we clean the surface with the ceramic surface cleaner we got when purchasing the stove every month or so; otherwise just soap and water clean up and it's no major effort. I have noticed, however, that I seem to need to use the special cleaner much less than when the stove was new - maybe it seasoned over the years!! :-) Guess I should be glad I haven't cracked the top from reading this tonight; but, I've been very very happy with it - with one exception: can't use my wok on it! So, we just use our coleman campstove to stirfry out on the deck!
ellen 12/04/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Sharon, thank you for your upbeat letter. You have definitely had very good luck. Joan, you can use cast iron on the stove if it has the perfectly flat bottom with no circle/ridge to lift the bottom away from the element. These stoves heat by conduction so the pan has to touch the full burner or it does not heat well, and the burner keeps heating up, which can result in burned food or even eventually blowing the heating elements. The biggest risk is that you will slide the heavy pots and scratch the top- so lift and set them, do not slide. Maybe a good hotplate would be the best accessory for the special pan? The canning issue is two parts- first, the stovecommend keeping the outside edges of the pan within 1 inch of the outside edges of the burner. Second that the kettle reaches and holds the appriate heat. You don't say whether you were using a pressure canner or an open kettle?
Dianna 12/05/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use When I bought my calphalon the calphalon salesperson told me that I could not use the grill pan on my ceramic glasstop stove because it could cause the stovetop to crack. Is this true and why?
ellen 12/05/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use If it is a 2 burner rectangle griddle, the griidle will heat the glass top between the burners at a different rate than the glass over the burners, and the difference causes the crack. If the stove has a bridge element, which is an optional feature that will be mentioned in the instruction book, it is a metal element between two specific burners that equalizes the heat and avids the crack. If it is a large square griddle, it may be because the edges go too far outside the burner, again causing the glass top to heat unevenly and crack.
ellen 12/05/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use PS How lucky you were to get a well-informed, honest salesperson!
Dianna 12/06/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I sincerely appreciate your response and it helps alot. So....it really has nothing to do with the fact that the bottom of the grill pan is not flat?
ellen 12/06/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use If it is not flat, that is an automatic failure, Some griddles are flat...
Laura 12/10/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I'm glad I never knew all about these problems or I never would have bough my GE ceramic top two years ago - which I love! It's easy to clean with the cream cleaner. Mine is pretty much undamaged after being subjected to a wide variety of use, lots of parties and kids cooking. I needed new pans anyway so I bought hard anodized pans at Sam's club and they all work great, and my old favorite wide flat bottomed skillet, which is more than an inch bigger than the burner also works great. I've got some old copperbottomed Revere wear which is still pretty flat, not perfect, and it works fine, too, especially the small saucepans. I guess a broken top would be terrible, but I think a slightly scratched or worn ceramic top still looks and fuctions WAY better than nasty old electric burners. I read this thread to get some hints for buying my mom some pans for Christmas - she uses very old Farberwear stainless and has had few problems, but I don't like the size and the lids.
Marianne Blomqvist 12/10/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I got Scanpan Fusion series. Am I able to use ceramic cook top? Thanks heaps :o)
ellen 12/10/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use hope our readers can help- this is not a familiar pan.
keitra 12/21/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I've bought the Cooks series of pots from JCPenny and I haven't used them yet they are the anodized two ply pot set i used the ruler test they appear to be flat i was reading some of the threads and i still didn't get whether the anodized pans were good pans to use on my GE cooktop i don't want to damage the top and i haven't used the pots yet well we haven't moved into the house yet so i was wondering should i use them before i even open the box i'll bring them back and get something else thanks alot for the help in advance
ellen 12/22/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Anodized does not mark the top nearly as easily as plain aluminum. So if they are flat and smooth you have a good chance of being satisfied.
Darrell 12/24/06	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use In a simple short sentence, can someone tell me of a reasonably priced product that won't warp on my ceramic top? I'm using Kitchenaid and the big pans warp.
Terri 01/09/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have a 30" Frigidaire Ceramic cooktop and tonight it cracked for no apparent reason. I was using a Analon cast aluminum stew pot to make onion rings. (When I use a fry pan, the oil spatters on the white cooktop and makes a mess...I thought I was being pretty smart using a pot with higher sides.) It fits the large burner perfectly, is flat, and I have used it many times before. I had the temp at 5, with 6 being highest. I only used about 1" of oil. When I removed the pan after I was done I found ain irregularly shaped rectangular crack in the middle of the burner with end to end crack(s) radiating to the front and back. I am just sick about this because this is my second cooktop in 3 years. The first one was my fault - damaged by a wayward spice jar. I have since learned my lesson and been so careful. Is this a defect? Coincidentally, Frigidaire sent me an invitation to extend my warranty today. Would this be covered? I saw another person who used hot oil had a similar experience? Is it the pan that's the problem?
ellen 01/09/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I hope you get warranty coverage- please let us know.
Donna 01/20/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Christmas day 2006 my kenmore ceramic built in stove top cracked. My sister and I had two of the biggest burners going. One had a big boiler going with jigs dinner boiling, the other burner had a roaster on it making gravy.(The turkey was removed and never touched the stove top). I called Sears Canada, the warrranty was expired by 6 months. Short of buying a new one (ours cost almost $800.00) they couldn't do anything. I am not pleased. I will never buy another glass top stove. Donna Newfoundland.
Sherrilyn 01/21/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have a new ceramic top Sears range. I want to keep a tea kettle on it and I can't find a teakettle with a flat bottom. My son also told me I shouldn't use porcelain pans. I have looked everywhere for a flat bottomed tea kettle and can't find one. can anyone help?
OhNo 01/23/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I've been cooking on my ceramic cooktop for 8 years using a variety of pots. I recently purchased a large Magnalite stock pot and used it for the first time over the weekend. While the food was cooking I removed the lid and set it down on the ceramic cooktop. The heavy lid created a pressure seal between it and the glass and the lid adhered itself to the ceramic cook top and would not release despite attempts to pull it off of the top. I left the lid adhered to the cook top assuming when it cooled off it would give up it's super-glue-like attraction to the ceramic top. I was right, it did....and when it released itself, it cracked the ceramic top all the way across two burners. A replacement top was over $400. I've just returned from the appliance store where I've purchased a regular coil top electric range. My Sunday dinner cost me $700.
Elaine R Morris 01/23/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have a new Frigadaire gallery series glass top range and I hate it. Impossible to keep clean. It is bisque with a snow white top and hardly any of my cookware is usable. Why can you not use corning ware or visions on it?
ellen 01/23/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use It has been an especially bad month for my readers with these ceramic tops! Elaine, read the various visionware threads for why Visionware is not recommended. You might try a white porcelain-coated cookware. Sherrilyn, Le Creuset makes a usable kettle. It costs $38 on sale at Marshalls or the factory outlet.
Stephanie 02/01/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Help!!! I just bought a brand new Ruffoni copper pot lined with tin last night and it won't boil water on my GE radiant heat ceramic cooktop! The stove is only a year old and I had the water on the highest setting for an hour and the water did not come to a boil. I did try my old trusty stainless pot on the SAME burner and the water boiled in 12 minutes flat.The botom of my new copper pot is totally flat and my cooktop is NOT induction-can anybody help me on this?
Stephanie 02/07/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hi Ellen, All the other people who wrote in got answers in a day or two from you & it's been like a week and a half for me-do I get to receive a reply from you too????
ellen 02/11/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Stephanie, I don't have an answer for you on this, and was hoping some other reader might have an idea. The only thing I can suggest is that you contact the manufacturer, and don't give away that old stainless steel friend.
Kay 02/13/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Cracked! at 6 months. If you're like me and leave a pan on the burner now and then(I was gone for only 10 minutes to pick up my son)a ceramic cook top is probably a bad choice. I got a huge crack and a house full of smoke last night!
Ann 02/20/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have been reading about the types of problems associated with glass top cooking...I thought I might purchase a few new pots and pans. I was looking for some suggestions. I decided to keep using the ones I have. I bought Circulon to use on electric coils. Now I am using them on ceramic and have been for the last two years. They do not warp from the heat, which I often keep high, and every so often I use white vinegar and barkeeper to clean them. Thanks for making my decision easier.
Keith 03/17/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Our ceramic top has just cracked - 15 years old. Is there any danger in continuing to use it, or should we replace the stove immediately?
Glenda 03/19/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use We are thinking of purchasing an Electrolux Icon or Diva Induction Cooktop. After reading about radiant heat ceramic cooktops, I'm having second thoughts. Is an induction cooktop as prone to problems (e.g. breakage, difficulty with pots)?
ellen 03/19/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use No, but it is expensive and I wish I had a chance to try one.
Loree 03/21/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Need advice on what type of cookware to purchase for Jenn-Air ceramic top range! I am having problems with the Revereware that I am currently using!
ellen 03/23/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use If you read the various threads, you will see ciculon, caphalon, creuset, tivoli discussed.
Maggie K. 04/21/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hi Ellen, I just purchased the Frigidaire Gallery Series glass cooktop and oven and am looking for a cookware set. I looked at Circulon, Calphalon,and Analon and have read the comments on this page. I would like to get a set for now and add pieces later. So what brand would really be a good choice? I have Revere Ware that is 30 years old, but won't work on the cooktop. I appreciate your suggestion. Thanks.
ellen 04/21/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use All three of these have been used successfully by readers. I would pick the set that has the most pieces that are the same size as your burners- too small or too large don't cook nearly as well on the ceramic burners. REMEMBER you have to clean the OUTSIDES of the pots regularly to keep from soiling the ceramic top.
Maggie K. 04/22/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Ellen, Thanks for the tip. I chose the Circulon Infinite. I felt it may be the best for now. Hope I'm right. Thanks.
Betty 05/01/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use There are so many threads about the proper pots/pans to use. Will someone just "bottom line" this issue and give me the brand that works best? I have read all of this site and at the end---still confused. I understand aluminum is definitely out--and flat bottoms are definitely in. GIVE ME A BRAND NAME AND WHERE TO BUY THEM. THANKS.
Ellen 05/02/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use There is not one brandname. Readers have had success with Tivoli/Abecq (intermittently and currently at Ross. TJ Maxx and Marshalls), Le Creuset, Ciculon, and the flat bottom Lodge cast iron. Some readers have had success with new Revereware, Analon and Caphalon, others have had problems.
Judy 06/05/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have a whirlpool glasdstop range, somehow i have a big black ring around the biggest burner . I would like to know what could have caused this and is there someway to remove it. thank you
Monica 06/07/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I saw that someone was looking to buy an Electrolux, we were looking at an Electrolux also, any good or bad thoughts on this stove top?
ellen 06/08/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Judy, this is often due to either pots dirty on the outside or using a too-big poy on a too hot burner. Monica, let's hope other readers can answer.
Kathy K 06/09/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I'd like to know how Maggie K likes her Frigidaire Gallery Series glass cooktop and oven? I just purchased the same today and now have my doubts if I doing the right thing. I also have Revereware of 27 years. HELP
ellen 06/11/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Good luck! You may need new pans...
Maggie K. 06/20/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Kathy K. I love my Frigidaire Gallery Series cooktop and oven. I also love the Circulon Inifinite cookware I purchased in April. I use ceramabryte for the cooktop to keep it clean and sometimes have to use a little elbow grease to get spills up, which is normal for any cooktop. I handwash my cookware even though it is advertised that it can go in the dishwasher. My old Revereware is in a box in the garage. I may give it to my kids for their apt. at college.
Linda 07/05/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have had my Frigidaire for about almost two years and have had no problems yet. I used T-fal non-stick until Christmas when my husband bought me a set of Cuisinart. I had bought some cheap non-sticks in the summer because my T-fals were about 10 years old and things were starting to stick. I found out real fast not to do that again. Other than that I have been very satisfied. I have not had problems cleaning, just sponge it down and every month or so scrub with the cream cleaner. I have not tried to use my cast iron or my wok because I read that you couldn't. Recently I have been wanting a grill pan, but I wanted one that spanned two burners. I guess (having read some of the e-mails) that that is a no-no. I guess I will have to stick to a one-burner and just go outside when I want to grill a whole meal. I don't really have any questions since your site has answered them. I just thought I would weigh in on the discussion.
Valerie 07/08/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use We just purchased a Frigidaire ceramic top stove with convection oven. I like it, but am concerned after reading all the different comments about these stoves. I have Analon cookware, and my only real complaint about the cookware and the stovetop is that it takes FOREVER to boil water for pasta! Could it be my cookware? The booklets that came with my cookware and the stove both said to put the dark cookware on medium to medium high heat for boiling--never to put it on high. Well, this takes so long! Anyone have any experience with this? Just wondering is it the stove or the Analon. Thanks!
ellen 07/09/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Your complaint about boiling problems is a common one, but it could be worse- some stoves never do heat a large pot of water hot enough to boil spaghetti! And that is with a variety of pots. The Analon is usually pretty satisfactory with these stoves. Have you noticed that it only heats abouve the rings, so you need a pot that is the same diameter or only up to an inch wider than the rings. The reason for the caution about dark cookware, I am told, is that the glass itself gets too hot under it, whci can crack the top. The solutions I can suggest- preheat the water in your microwave or electric kettle; get a single burner hot plate for wokking and boiling.
betty 07/09/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have Tools of the trade stainless pots with copper bottom..the trade name is impressed in the bottom of the pot. Can i use these pots? I have already been told not to use my Vision ware. I need to cook! Help!
ellen 07/09/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Try them. This type of copper-bottom pot uusually works OK.
betty 07/11/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Thanks for the help. I will let you know how I learn to cook all over again.
candace 07/24/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I bought an entire set of Berghoff pots and pans at a home show several years ago. They work GREAT on ceramic cooktops. Only problem is the most used lid broke and I am trying to figure out how to replace it. Hope it easier than I expect. They are not a well known brand here in the states.
ellen 07/24/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Several companies make replacement glass lids that would fit. Take the pan with you to the nearest factory outlet center (or a really good old-fashioned hardware store).
Caroline 08/08/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use You can buy BergHOFF cookware in US. It works great on ceramic tops and sets are about $400.00 so it's not bad. You can contact them thrue the website www.berghoffworldwide.com
Lisa 08/09/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have owned a GE True Temp electric stove with a ceramic cooktop. Bought it in the spring of this year. Cook on it everyday. Use my copper bottomed RevereWare and haven't had any trouble with it. Bought the cookware at Walmart when I had my gas stove. I have used my graniteware roaster on my bridging element to make gravy with no problems. I use the cream once a week to clean any stains, but other than that I used soap and water and wipe it dry with a clean dishtowel or papertowel. It is still shiny and is wonderful. I really love using it and like to clean, sleek look it gives my kitchen. Don't be afraid to use it!!
Kevin 09/05/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use We purchased a Maytag Gemini range with a ceramic top, and are confused as to what kind of cookware we can use on it. We have some cast iron fry pans, that we are hesitant to use for fear of scratching or damaging the top. So we went out and bought some Teflon Lagostina Euro Collection pots and pans but they have a series of little ridges on the bottom and are wondering if these are okay to use. I went through all the posts you have here and am more confused than ever. So what I would like to know, is it ok to use Cast Iron frypans as long as the bottoms are flat? and will the ridges on the Lagostina cookware damage the top?
ellen 09/05/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Yes to the flat bottom cast iron pans, no to the ridges pans. The burners in ceramic top stoves have a thermostatic cut off to keep them from getting too hot which does not work with ridged pans. There are lots of flat bottom pans that work fine, including the revereware mentioned above. If you are near factory outlet mall, it is worth the trip.
Kathi Demski 10/01/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Have spent a long while reading all this and just want to thank you for the info. It is the best place for info on what to use on these cooktops, but I had to go through lots of pages on Google to find it. Thanks again for all the info....now I at least have an idea what to buy.
ROSE D 10/02/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use hi,
ROSE 10/02/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use hi ,i have read your thread,very interesting.now i have had a ge cooktop for ten years and can tell you that i just love it .i have alot of corning ware and visionware but always hesitated to use them on my stove top .would it really hurt or damage anything.after all this time i still hold on to them.ijust learned of this site.iuse magnelite on my stove and farberware and never had any prblems. just curious about the corning and vision wares.thanks
Linda 10/02/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I got a Kenmore ceramic top a week ago today. I found this site and read the posts the night before it was delivered and couldn't sleep I was so nervous about my decision. I have been super careful (am OCD and do EVERYTHING with care!). I didn't attempt to use the stove until I researched and chose a new set of cookware -- Kitchenaid Double-capped stainless steel, which I bought yesterday. Thought I would also get a matching nonstick frying pan. Last night I washed the frying pan and sauted mushrooms -- the FIRST cooking on the stove. Finished and found the pan had scratch the stove! It didn't match my set, but actually has what seems to be very smooth concentric circles of dark on the bottom. I am sick about it -- having things PERFECT is a major deal because of the OCD. Anything I can do about the scratches? Is this stove a terrible choice for me? I have had both gas and electric and cleaning perfectly all of the time is a chore. But I thought my careful cleaning would make this stove easy for me to use.
ellen 10/02/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Rose, the manufacturers do NOT ecommend visionware for these stoves. I don't recommend it at all due to the small but real risk of spontaneous shattering (see the various visionware threads for more info). Linda, those concentic rings are a problem on these stoves. There is a lot of info on cleaning these tops on this site, the truth is it may be hard going for you, given your coping method. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is very widely recommended by readers, as well as being sure the stove top and the outside of the pan are clean before turning it on.
Adela 10/10/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Dear Ellen: Can I use a "PRESTO" pressure cooker or other type of pressure cooker on my ceramic smooth top stove? I appreciate your advice.thank you.
ellen 10/10/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use It is smooth bottom, but some readers have had problems getting them to temp. Do not leave the kitchen while it is cooking.
Doug 10/11/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have a Frigidaire ceramic top stove that is about 6 months old. The other day I was warming up a large pot of Chili on the expandable burner in a brand new ceramic coated stew pot the same size as the burn. When I was about to turn off the burner the cook top cracked. I promptly removed the pot to discover that not only had the top cracked but also melted a 3 inch ring in the center (there was all so ceramic glass on the bottom of the pot). Not only did it ruin the cook top but the brand new stew pot was ruined, after emptying out the pot the metal on the bottom inside was bubbled up. Is this a problem of the wrong kind of pot to use? Or maybe a malfunction...I never thought that I would have to worry about the cook top melting.
ellen 10/11/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use basically this is a glass to glass fusing. The burners are supposed to have a controller which turns down the heat at temp, but this is the most frequent accident that seems to happen- the combo of large pot of cold stuff and these burners seems to drive the thermostat nuts, especially if the pot was stored in the refrigerator. At 6 months, you should still be under warranty, go after them. Do NOT let them tell you it was your fault. In future, consider never turning the burner on above medium high.
Doug 10/11/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Ellen, thanks for your quick response & advice. The service man just left the house about an hour ago saying that it was our fault (saying the top only melts when there is food under the pot). Which doesn't make sense since food at times boils over onto the top. I have been calling Frigidaire and have been given the, the system is down call back later, run-around. Also, I only had the burner on 4, 8 being the highest. Another thing that perplexes me is that the food was already up to temp when it happened. Once again thanks for the advice!!
ellen 10/11/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Keep on them , Doug, the repair costs hundreds, so it is worth your time. It is not true that the top only cracks if there is food on the surface. Several readers have had fusion accidents like this, one with an enamel teakettle of water! The crack was just the last straw, it had been working up to it throughout the heating cycle. How long did it take to heat, and was it straight out of the refrigerator in that same pot?
Doug 10/12/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Yes it was straight out of the refrigerator to the range. It took about 20 minutes to warm-up. We got them to cover the cooktop, but only as a one-time "goodwill gesture". This worries me though, what if there is actually something wrong with the thermostat or elec. that caused this to happen (as the tech never tested anything on the range, just a visual inspection). I spoke to the service-tech yesterday afternoon. He was not sure of the cause of it so he called Frigidaire's tech-line, and that was what they told him was the cause. This seems like a conflict of interest to me.
ellen 10/12/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I suspect the cold heavy pan caused the thermostat to allow the burner to way overheat- you know, kept applying more and more heat because the pan bottom didin't "feel" the right temp to the thermostat- probably nothing wrong with the thermostat, but I would not ever use a refrigerated heavy pan on it any more.
Mary 11/06/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have Lustre Craft Cookware. Two of my favorite cooking pans have 5 1/2 in contact with the stove. I am considering purchasing a ceramicglass top cooktop where the smallest burner is 6 1/2 inches and another 7 inches. Can I use the 5 1/2 in pan on the 6 1/2 in burner? What is the rule if the pan and the burner are not the same size. Should the pan be bigger or the burner?
ellen 11/06/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use The pan should never be more than 1 inch bigger than the burner, to avoid overheating and cracking the glass top. Smaller just wastes some heat- be sure not to turn the burner above medium high with a small pan on it, or it may overheat the top.
vern 11/09/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have a ceramic cook top and was looking at t-fal pans,but not sure if they will work. they say thet are hard enamal.
ellen 11/09/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Some readers have written that they use them and like them, just watch sizes compared to your burners.
vern 11/10/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Thank you for your quick response
Amy 11/12/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I just bought the Whirlpool Accubake ceramic top stove and I am afraid to cook on it. I am afraid of marking it up. I fried bacon the other morning, and can't get the grease mark off the other burner that it popped on.
ellen 11/12/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Read the several threads about these cook tops and learn how to clean them. Use a spatter guard. Clean the outside bottom of your pots, too.
Kathy 11/16/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use What do people do to cook a large pot of chili for 30 people? The pot needed is very large. I have a new JennAir cooktop, and it cracked the first time that I used it.
ellen 11/16/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Yep. You buy a good, wide base electric hotplate for the chili pot, or cook it in a roasting pan in the oven. You CANNOT put an extra large pot on these tops at high heat without risking cracking the top.
Barb 11/22/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I just bought my first ceramic cooktop, top of the line, Sears Elite and you guys have me wondering if I have made a $1900 mistake. I also just purchased new KitchenAid Gourmet Distinctions pots, which say on the box, recommended for induction ranges. The book that came with the range specifically recommends that you not use Visions, or any glass pots and that you not use enamel pots. It does say to make sure you use flat bottomed pans. Has anyone used these KitchenAid pots yet and if so how do you like them?
sallymac 12/03/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Is anyone here interested in Berghoff cookware? I have done some research and love the Tulip set but especially love the Cosmo set. The cheapest I found for 1 Cosmo set was $600 (on Amazon). HOWEVER....I don't know how we could work this but www.promopeddler.com has the Cosmo set for $350.80. The only catch is the minimum order is 25 sets. If 24 other people were interested in getting a set we would all save about $250 each!!
Dana 12/08/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use We use Circulon Elite cookware and it works great on our ceramic cooktop!
Donna Perchard 12/13/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use We have a Kenmore white ceramic glass cooktop. We take extra care to clean the bottoms of all pans, but still, after cooking, their is a multitude of brown marks on burners. These cannot be splatter marks because the whole burner has them! They are a devil to clean (even with Sears cleaner). Could it be the pans? They are quite new but not flat on bottom. Thanks for your quick reply.
ellen 12/13/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Not flat is always a big problem on these stoves. Are the spots in any kind of pattern?
Susan 12/26/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Dana, Thank you so much for your post that you are using Circulon Elite cookware. I am about to remodel my kitchen and have my new KitchenAid ceramic cooktop sitting in my garage along with my new Circulon Elite cookware waiting for installation. I was beginning to worry as I read this complete thread and starting to think I should take my new cooktop and the pots back! I am actually getting a sick feeling in my stomach because I so wanted this cooktop. Before reading this thread, I had only heard great things about ceramic cooktops. I really want to move forward with my plan and probably will, I just hope I am not making a mistake. My best friend has had hers (Sears) for 8 or 9 years and has had none of the problems mentioned above. Anyway, Dana, thanks again. I now feel I haven't made a mistake with my cookware. Ellen, what about a large stock pot to cook corn on the cob? My husbands favorite summer side dish and we cook a lot of it. My old stock pot that we have used for years is a very heavy material maybe cast alum, not sure but thick and heavy with smooth bottom. It has "Guardian Service" imprinted on the bottom, many many years old. Do you think this pot will be ok to boil the water for corn on the cob? Thanks all of you for all the info
ellen 12/26/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use The thing you MUST do is match the burner and pan, the pan diameter should be no more than 1 inch larger than the burner diameter, that is about 1/2 inch on each side. Also, with the large pans it is imperative to keep the heat no more than medium high. So you will have to see if your curent pan qualifies, size-wise, and how long it takes to heat the required amount of water. It is not something the ceramic tops do particuarly well. You may decide to get a single burner electric hot plate for your corn adventures.
marie 12/28/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Is there a way to make popcorn on a ceramic cooktop? What type of pan can be used?
ellen 12/29/07	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use You can try this with a medium high heat, use a burner that is the same size as the pan bottom. Heat the oil with 2-3 kernels, when they pop add the rest.
Maggie K. 01/08/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have written to you before, have a Frigidaire Gallery Series ceramic stove and oven, and use Circulon Infinite cookware. Now I have been looking for a small pan that will cook just one egg. My 8 inch pan is too big for just one egg and I have seen a couple of extra small pans. I am unsure of purchasing one of these pans as the bottoms are either rigid, or dark enamal. I know these bottoms may damage the cooktop. So, do you have any ideas or know of a brand that has a one-egg fry pan that is safe to use? I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.
ellen 01/09/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Look at the low end stores for a small pan that is not enamel or dark- or have you considered just using a 1 quart saucepan- they are smaller across the bottom, and nothing says they can't be used as frying pans?
Maggie K 01/09/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Good thought on the 1 qt saucepan, hadn't thought of that. I'll keep an eye out for one that I think will work. Thanks :)
ellen 01/13/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use We just received a post on another ceramic cooktop thread from a reader who got these for Christmas and found they scratched her new top. Do, be SURE that they are thoroughly washed inside and out before using and do not slide them, or any pots, on these cooktops.
ellen 01/13/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use PS. George, I removed your original post because I don't permit any public sarcastic critical personal remarks on my board. If you want to rant, you can write me at the address below (bottom of the page) but as my mom used to say, "play nice" in my sand box.
Eileen 01/15/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have a new Whirlpool black ceramic cook top and Calphalon Essential anodized aluminum cookware. Is this set appropriate for use on the cook top. Also, there are a couple of raised stains & scratches on the cook top. Can these be removed? Thank you.
ellen 01/16/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Please be sure to clean the outside of the pans well before using them, and make sure they are flat on the bottom (you can use a ruler to check). Then just try them- it is a good idea to keep the heat at medium high or lower on these burners.
Eileen 01/18/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hi all, What is the best type of pot to use on a Whirlpool black ceramic cooktop? I have Calphalon Essential annodized pots, but they slide around when I stir or flip? Are there pots made especially for this cooktop? Thank you.
Cheryl Pippin 01/22/08	Ceramic Cooktops - repair I purchased a Jenn Air radiant cooktop and love it. I dropped a pan lid on it (accidently). I fell from the potrack above and cracked a corner of the glass. Can this be repaired?
ellen 01/23/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Eileen, you have one of the recommended types, you will just have to hold on to them, I guess (to stop the sliding). Cheryl, Nobody does these repairs officially, they just do replacement of the whole top (250-1000, depending on types). On a non-cooking edge like this you might consider heat resisitant automotive engine epoxy, just to smooth out the edge; but start saving to replace the top. replace the top
Harold Harris 01/25/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hi! We have a sears stove with SC top. We have Two extreme black spots on our stove top, of course on the largest burners. We have SS with aluminum clad and copper bottom. I know on one dark spot was caused from to little water in steaming pan. This caused a burned spot and now have two. I have used 2 1/2 bottles of burner cleaner and the black spots just keep getting shiner and shiner, any suggestion?? Harold.
ellen 01/26/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Sorry, Harold, but these burns ae usually on the underside of the top, which must be removed to attempt to clean, a MAJOR undertaking.
Tina 02/01/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Recently I purchased a Kitchenaid ceramic cooktop from Sears. After cooking on it for over 2 hours on an aluminum pot, I noticed residue on the cooktop but couldn't remove it with the cooktop cream from Sears. As it was under warranty, Sears sent a technician to resolve the issue. He recommended using a razorblade/scraper to remove the residue and it worked. However, he also recommended purchasing copper sheeting from Hobby Lobby to place as a barrier between the cooktop and the pots and pans. Any spills or stains from the pot will go onto the copper sheet. I'm quite skeptical about this. The copper sheet is thin so I'm afraid of it melting onto the cooktop or worst adhering to the bottom of the pot. Is this sound advice from the Sears technician? Thanks.
Jean Stone 02/03/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use We recently moved into a house with a new Frigidaire ceramic glass top range and have just received a complete set of beautiful Rachael Ray Blue Porcelain Nonstick Cookware. Can these be used on the ceramic glass top?
ellen 02/03/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Not familiar with these pans. Porcelain enamel works fine on some tops, not well at all on others. If they are completely flat, and the right size for the burners, you could try them. However, if left to boil dry on the top, the porcelain can literally fuse to the top, so don't do that.
Bernice 02/04/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use This is a great chat site and a great thread. I also was nervous about my ceramic cook top, and I still say "all you have to do is walk in front of it, and you'll have to clean it!" But I'm getting better at it. And I never turn on a burner higher than medium. I agree with the cooking pasta comments. In fact, if you do a lot of stuff that requires high hear, I don't think ceramic is for you. My favorite piece of cookware pan is a stainless steel "All-Clad" fry pan. I never turn a burner higher than medium.
betsy 02/04/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use We have a never installed cooktop that we are not going to install. We are willing to sell it VERY reasonably. It is a Kitchenaid and I will email you details if interested. Ellen, if this type of posting is not allowed, just let me know when/if you have to delete it. We have just decided to not install it and it was purchased over a year ago from a Sears so we have the book, but no warranty now, so it will be CHEAP!! BRAND NEW>
betsy 02/05/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Update- the Model from above post is Kitchenaid KECC506BL and we did purchase a 5 yr warranty that will expire May 20, 2011 and is transferrable at Sears. I have the certificate. email me at bdyounger@comcast.net if interested. It lists for 749.00 . Would be happy to get 350. + shipping for it. It is brand new,never installed with all literature, warranty.
ellen 02/08/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Betsy, because a scammer did a reader dirty a while back, I just suggest that my readers ask sellers to list on EBay as a buy it now, this provides some protection for both buyer and seller.
betsy 02/09/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use OK, It is on EBAY now for even LESS!!! GO LOOK ANYBODY FOR A DEAL !!! THANKS ELLEN FOR YOUR REPLY!!YOU HAVE A 1st CLASS SITE!!
Susan 02/09/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Update. I posted on 12/26 that I was remodeling my kitchen and had a ceramic cook top waiting in my garage to be installed and was getting really nervous reading all the bad things that can happen etc. I have been using it now for 2 weeks and I love it! I have used my old favorites such as cast iron, and have had zero problems. I even used my favorite huge (too big for any burner)frying pan that is uneven on the bottom and it worked just fine. Yes, it takes a little time to clean it with the cream, but it is worth it and you don't have to use it but just every other week or so according to my installer. I had cautioned my husband so much that he was afraid to use it and now agrees with me that we should have gotten one long ago. It's beautiful, cooks fast, and easy daily clean up. Also love the new pots I bought, hard anodized, for it (so easy to clean). I followed everyone's advise on this site such as move anything stored above it that might fall on it and break it. Cheryl, sorry you didn't find this site before you dropped that lid from above on yours. I would sure not have a pot rack hanging above a ceramic cook top! Anyway, Ellen, thanks for a great site. It helped me tremendously in my research for my cook top and pots. By the way, my cook top is KitchenAid 36" Architect Series II, Black with touch activate controls (no knobs). Highly recommend it
Claudia Thorvilson 02/17/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Can I use a glass tea kettle on a ceramic cooktop? What type of tea kettle works best on a ceramic cooktop?
ellen 02/18/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Yes, as long as it is flat and not Visionware, but it will not heat very fast. You can use and flat bottom teakettle, but I strongly recommend a separate cordless kettle for smoothtop owners- one thing the smooth tops don't do very well, is boil water.
Linda 02/19/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use We just bought a GE black ceramic smooth top range. I think we made a mistake, but we have it so are going to use it. I've seen pots with flat disk bottoms, but in the middle is a signature or name of the manufacturer -- does this make the pot unusable on a smooth top? Should the bottom attract a magnet? I have a wonderful large pot; the sides attract the magnet but the bottom doesn't. Can I use this? Linda
ellen 02/19/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use No, the signature does not make it unusable, as the very large majority of the pot bottom is still in contact with the stove. Your big pot will work only if it is withing 1 inch of the size of the largest burner; if it is bigger than that, the top won't heat it quickly or evenly. It is not the magnet thing that matters here, but the size of the pot.
Anita 02/20/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Ellen you state "one thing the smooth tops don't do very well, is boil water." Can you not cook pasta on a glass top? We eat a lot of pasta and this would be a real deciding point on whether we purchase a glass top stove. That and boiling water for tea which is a daily occurance here. Is it that you can't get a boil or that you shouldn't be doing that activity on the stove?
ellen 02/23/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Many cooks find heating large pots of water, such as for pasta, rather tough on these tops. First of all, the bottom of the pot must be perfectly flat (notice how many pasta pots have a ring or rim?)and should not be more than 1 inch larger than the diameter of the burner, to prevent overheating the burner as it attempts to heat the pot, and eventually possibly cracking the top as it heats unevenly outside the coil; second, it is safer to keep these burners at medium high or lower, as the self regulating heaters are sometimes erratic on high, again, risking cracking. Some of the smooth tops never do bring a very large pot of water to a boil! I can't state too strongly, if you are considering a glass top, cook on one for a week before you decide. Rent a vacation home, swap with someone who has one; something. Some people like them; many find them a big disappointment.
jane 02/24/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Unhappy me! I have had a KitchenAid ceramic top range since 2002 and have generally been pleased with it. I have always wanted a double burner griddle and purchased a Circulon Elite 10" X 18" double burner griddle recently. I thought I'd better do some research on the Internet before using it after I read the SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CERAMIC/GLASS STOVETOPS section of the USE & CARE INFORMATION literature on the inside (!) of the wrapper around the griddle. Of course, I was unable to read this information until after I had made the purchase and the wrapper could not be removed without damaging it before purchase. The instructions basically said to follow the stovetop manufacturers instructions. The KitchenAid manual advises the use of cookware about the same size as the surface cooking area; not to extend more than 1 in. outside the area. As my KitchenAid model apparently does not have a "bridge element" (at least, I cannot find mention of it in the manual), I have learned fr om this excellent, highly informative website that I had better not use the griddle. However, I wonder if ceramic cooktops can be retrofitted with a "bridge element"? Does anyone have knowledge of this? If not, I guess the griddle pan will make a nice gift for someone who does not cook using a ceramic cooktop without a bridge element! While I'm posting, I will offer my opinion on ceramic cooktop vs. gas for readers who may be trying to decide between the two types of cooktops. I have owned only electric ranges; before purchasing my present KitchenAid ceramic slide-in range in 2002, I had owned a series of radiant ring electric stoves (regular, old-fashioned electric stoves). While I was very enthusiastic about my ceramic cooktop before I purchased it, my enthusiasm has not remained at my pre-purchase level after the initial 'honeymoon' phase wore off. Although, I do not 'hate' my ceramic cooktop as some others have mentioned in posts, I would not purchase another one; I woul d go for natural gas next time as, from what I have been told by others and from my research, I think I would be happier with better control over temperature with gas than with ceramic cooktop. However, the purchase was made only six years ago and the price was substantial so, unless a very pricey repair pops up, the range will not be replaced any time soon. Didn't think I would be so long-winded -- bottom line, does anyone know if a ceramic cooktop range can be retrofitted with a "bridge element" to satisfy the griddler in me? Excellent site, Ellen!
Ana 02/25/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I just purchased a home with a Whirlpool flat top stove. It looks like someone has taken an SOS pad to it. It there any way to make the white dry area, shiny and dark again?
ellen 02/25/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Oh, Ana, this is a mess. Consider a good second hand range- it will probably cost less than replacing the glass top, which is what you have to plan on to fix this.
ellen 02/25/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use In some states, you have the legal right you have this fixed/replaced at the previous owner's expense. You might want to check this out.
Tammy 02/29/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have a Whirlpool dark glass top and I just bought the Rachel Ray's Hard Anodized cookware (Orange Handles), I haven't used it yet but was wondering if it's safe to use? After reading a couple of negative opinions about how Hard Anodized cookware can stick/adhere to the surface of the glass top! Has anyone experienced this? These pans are flat. HELP! I'm not sure if I can keep the pans or should I return them? Any help would be appreciated. Many Thanks
ellen 03/02/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Pans only melt in if they overheat. Keep the heat at or below medium high to help avoid this.
carol killeen 03/05/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Help. Just purchased a new Kenmore electric rang with ceramic top. I have all clad cookware and don't know if I can use it. Also, pans spin on stove when stirring. Is this normal? Do you need to constantly hold down pots/pans while stirring? Doesn't seem right. carol
ellen 03/06/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use If the all clad are the flat bottom ones that is OK, but the spin suggests they are warped and thus will not heat evenly and also will cause the burners to overheat. Yes, do hold them if they spin, the spinning can seriously scratch the top.
Eileen 03/06/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use My pots spin, too. They're Calphalon Kitchen essential anodized pots, brand new, not warped and they spin. Are there any pots that do not spin??
ellen 03/06/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use This is interesting, the spinning pot question is a brand new one for me. Any cooks or scientists out there with ideas. I can't help thinking that the spinning means the pots aren't sitting flat on the burner...
Eileen 03/07/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use The pots seem to be flat. The bottom is shiny, the cooktop is shiny, so when I stir, the pots will move. I have to hold on tight!
tj 03/19/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use for nonstick cookware, do I use nylon, silicone or wood cooking tools. Which ones are good to use? Which ones DO NOT retain smell of foods after cooking? Which ones are easy to clean and look nice the next time you are ready to cook? Please HELP! before I buy a whole bunch useless cooking tools! What is the best stirfry cooking spatula for a nonstick wok?
ellen 03/20/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Silicone.
Eileen 03/21/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Does anyone have pots that don't slip and slide on a ceramic cooktop (my cooktop is Whirlpool)?
Kedni 03/25/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I think I have read all there is to read and I can't find an answer to this question. How can I tell if my current cookware is aluminum of stainless steel? That is without testing it on my new ceramic cooktop?
Maggie K. 03/30/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I check this site once in awhile and I read the comments on the spinning pots. So I took note if my pots spin when I stir, and they really don't do that too much. When I have to stir something like chili or stew, I hold onto the handle. But for noodles in water, no. I use Circulon Infinite and love it. I also read the comments about boiling water. I don't have a problem with water boiling, no matter how big the pot. Must be it's the bottom of the cookware I have that is stainless steel with aluminum layer inside and is flat and has good contact with the stove. I also make sure I use it on the correct size burner. Ellen, I kept in mind all the suggestions you gave when I was looking for cookware about a year ago. Flat bottom, use correct size burner, and clean the outside as well as the inside of the pots and pans. I chose Curculon Infinite because it has the flat silver bottom, and is also hard anodized. Easy to clean, easy to store, just put a piece of paper towel between each pan. I also changed the utensils to silicone for cooking. Thanks Ellen. :)
GinaE 04/03/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Well, the KitchenAid cooktop is being installed as I write. My relatives have always loved theirs, accepting responsibility when they have spills not cleaned properly, etc. I had never heard them say they couldn't boil water. My mother and aunt used their old, new, iron and whatever they have on their stoves. No complaints. Am I in for trouble I had never heard before? I get the tips--proper sized pan, etc, but really what is all the fuss? I guess I will write and let you know when I try to boil water after the installers leave...
Cosette 04/03/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use My ceramic surface range was installed this past Monday & I have yet to cook anything on it yet for fear of scratching or cracking with my cookware. I have a set of cookware similar to Caphelon but a different brand. The no-stick kind. I was worried before but now I'm scared to death to cook on it! I love my convection oven. Guess I'll just have to take the plunge & hope for the best. On the up side both my sisters have had ceramic surface cooktops for years & have never mention a problem. I've enjoyed all of the information your site provides. Thanks!
Patrice 04/03/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have a set of cusinart pots and I would like to know how do I clean the bottom from discoloration.
ellen 04/04/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Use a restaurant quality pot and pan degreaser, from a restaurant store or Home Depot.
GinaE 04/13/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Loving the new ceramic cooktop. I use my old pans, which are stainless anodized with great success. Had a spillover and just moved the pan to another burn after wiping it off. Cleaned spillage after the first burner cooled--no problems. I am loving every minute of this cooktop--greatly improved over the old coil cooktop. I boil in an old, aluminum tea kettle and tested the boil time: full it took 8 minutes to boil. Usually not full, though, and it boils in 2 minutes...Plus, this cooktop is 36 inches and I can actually use more than 2 burners at a time without crowding. Haven't gotten a griddle for the bridge unit though. Looking forward to that.
Ann T. 04/22/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I once attempted to use a heavy-bottom copper pan on my glass top, and the pan just never got hot, then when I raised the temperature, the pan was stuck to the glass -- Scary! I was able to remove the pan and there was no damage to the stovetop, but all of my French copper is now stored in the garage. I would not have purchased the stove had I known this, because recipes seem to work better when you use copper.
Pam 04/30/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have a frigidaire glass top and I would like to know what you think the best cookware to use?
ellen 05/01/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Pam, if you read through this thread, you will see that I do not recommend a specific brand, though some of my readers do. I DO say, nothing with a copper bottom, no Visionware; must be flat, smooth bottoms, no rings or ridges; no larger diameter than 1 inch more than your burner. Many readers like Tivoli or Aubecq. With these stove tops you MUST clean the outside as well as the inside of the pot and rinse well, every time you use them. Many manufacturers do not recommend non-stick or enamel pans with these burners.
Jennifer 05/01/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use This thread is interesting. I have had a glass top for 3 years and I have used my copper-bottom pots without trouble. I have canned in a huge pot without trouble, though it does seem to take a while to come to a boil. Mine looks a mess after I cook, but it comes clean with the cleaner. I use cast iron all the time and even had one drop 3 ft. onto the stove-top and with no damage. I have done all this on several different glass top stoves. My question is this: the black metal pots (I don't know the brand) have a warning not to use them on glass-tops stoves. I am imagining that they are only one layer. Why is this a problem? Since I have broken all the other rules, I am wondering if this one could be broken too! Thanks for the thread and the help.
ellen 05/02/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I don't know. If they are enamel, it may be a type which cannot tolerate the occasional extraordinary heating up these tops dowhen they get confused. Or maybe the bottoms are not perfectly flat. In any case, given the track record of these tops, if the cookware says specifically not to use it, I would not- unless, of course, you LIKE the idea of a fused pot-stove metal sculpture...
Grace 05/02/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use We purchased a Kitchenaid glass cooktop stove when we remodelled our kitchen last fall. I had seen Healthcraft cookware demonstrated at the county fair and have purchased it. It is designed to be used at lower tempertaures and is five ply surgical steel with something sandwiched in between to hold the heat. The sides and covers also hold the heat. It is very expensive but will last a lifetime and works well on ceramic top stoves.
Maggie K. 05/04/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hi Ellen, I have a question. I just bought an 8" T'fal, color collection (blueberry) omlet pan. It has this 'thermo-spot' indicator when the pan is hot enough to cook food, says it's suitable for all heat sources except induction, ok for gas, coil/solid electric, ceramic, and halogen. It's silver, blue and black on the bottom, and sits steadily on the stove top, so the bottom is flat. So, is it actually ok to use on my white Frigedaire Gallery Series glass stove top? What do you think? Hate to think I could ruin my stove top because I used this pan. I appreciate your advice.
ellen 05/04/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Theoretically, as long as the top is ceramic and NOT induction, you will be fine. It sounds cute. Let us know how it does.
Maggie K. 05/10/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use OK, I have used this pan and it works great. I just keep the temp at 6.5, which is hot enough to cook an egg just right. The pan heats quickly, which works well for a quick fried egg in the morning. Thank Ellen
JACQUELINE G 05/21/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use HI Ellen, I just purchased an LG ceramic cooktop convection range. After reading all of this negative description I am afraid to even put it on. Sorry I still did not understand what pots and pans to buy to replace my flat bottom alluminum- stainless steel sets. Can I use the Dutch oven by CREUSET? I hope that I did not throw out $1800 dollars. I cannot imagine cooking shrimp scampi and not shaking the frying pan around after adding the wine! Hate to admit this but I have the feeling this purchase was a bad mistake. Should I try to return it? PlEASE ADVISE- thanks a million!
ellen 05/21/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Yes it is a big change. For example you have to hold the pan still and stir the shrimps for scampi. If your stainless and aluminum pans are truly flat- that is, they don't curve or warp even as they heat up- they can be used on these tops. Just be VERY sure you never cook them dry, especially the aluminum, as these will literally get hotter and hotter till they melt. If you have never cooked on one, do please try to use it before you unpack your LG. If you have not unpacked it, the dealer may be willing to trade it in.
Jane D 05/22/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have a new Kenmore ceramic top range and would like to know if I can safely use my Corning Ware saucepans? I used to use them on my old wire element range but put a wire rack under them.
ellen 05/23/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Several of the manufacturers specifically say do not use these pans on the tops.
Cosette 05/29/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Great News! I've now had my new ceramic/convection stove for almost 2 months & I absolutely love it. I was so afraid to use it after reading the threads here but it has been a joy. The information here was very informative & has saved me from making many costly mistakes. I have a set of old caphelon type cookware that works perfectly on the ceramic top. Thanks Ellen for having this thread.
Grace 06/06/08	how can I remobe aluminum foli stuck on ceramic I have been trying everything. I put a piece of aluminum foil on top of my ceramic stove to prevent dripppings from cooking and the foil got stucked onto the ceramic. Is there a way that I can remove the alumimun foil? Please help I am very saddened by this mistake.
ellen 06/06/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use This is fused and probably can't be removed, foil and plastic are the deadly enemies of these tops. A reader had success by turning the burner to the lowest possible heat and after warming the stuck on material, VERY CAREFULLY scraping with a new razor blade, taking great care not to dig or gouge.
Natalie 06/21/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have a Granite Ware stock pot that says right on the label, "Don't use with glass cooktops" Will somebody please tell me why that is? I can't seem to find an answer! ASAP -Thanks
ellen 06/21/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use It does not trigger the sensor/thermostat in the burner correctly, the burner keeps heating up and the enamel melts and fuses to the glass top. Believe the label.
Lynn 07/04/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Is TFal Expert Cookware okay to use on a glass top stove?
ellen 07/04/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Not one we have heard either way about. Check first with the manufacturer.
bill 07/07/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Cleaning our glass-top with razor (caked spillage) and a chip of glass came out. Is it safe to use?
ellen 07/07/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Yes, but start saving for a replacement top or stove, and if it is over/ near a burner, switch to using other burners to prolong its life.
Alli 07/12/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Thanks for the great advice on this thread. We just purchased a Bosch 7252 smoothtop range today at a Sears outlet store. Going out soon to get some new cookware. Sitram is what I'd love to get but can't find it around where I live. Will probably pick up a few pieces of Anolon instead for now.
Alli 07/15/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I picked up two pieces of Anolon over the weekend. Found one at Ross and one at TJ Maxx at very reasonable prices. They performed very well and we were pleased. We had been using our wedding gift Farberware for the last 26 years - time for an update! Anyway, there is Anolon Ovation, Anolon Professional and Anolon Advanced out there. What is the difference? Is it just a styling difference? I went to the Anolon website but there is no comparison given. I'm thinking that the Anolon Ovation and Professional might be older versions? Does anyone know?
vern 07/20/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Ellen, have to hand it to gal. I bought new pans for my ceramic cooktop. They don't spin and they boil water almost as fast my old electric stove. Flat bottom pans will not spin. I bought a set of food network pans at kohls and it was the best decision i could have made. Thanks again, vern
Santara 08/09/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hi, Started following these posts last summer when we first started redoing the kitchen. After reading so many negative posts I almost did not buy my glass top range, but I did anyway. However because of all the negative comments I did purchase a 5 year extended warranty. I got my new Kenmore range last October. Bought new Kitchen Aide pots to go with it. Have not had any trouble so far. Water boils fast, fast, fast. Not sure why others have trouble. In fact the first time I went to make an egg, the pot burned black it got so hot so fast. However a brillo pad brought the pan back to new. I usually wipe the glass top down with a damp cloth after cooking, takes 10 seconds. Periodically if it gets a bit harder to wipe I use the cream that came with it (about once a month) and that makes clean up easy again. I would buy the same stove again in a heartbeat. Cooks great, looks great and clean-up is a breeze. There must be somebody else out there who really loves their new electric ceramic stove. I will mention that I did buy a high end stove and wonder if the glass tops are the same on the lesser priced models.
Karen 09/15/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use We moved into our home 2 years ago and it came with a ceramic glass range. At least, I think it is since it's flat. Are all "flat" range tops ceramic glass or is there some other sort of top? I haven't really done research on ranges and have only had electric and gas (my favorite) depending on the military base house we were given up until now. On to my questions..... Do Le Creuset dutch ovens work on a ceramic top as long as they don't exceed the heating circle more than 1 inch? Also, I would really like to have All Clad pots and pans - are these reccomended? Finally, I have a cast iron pan that fits in the heating circle. It does sit flat on the heating element, but has an indent ring around the bottom. Is an indent ring a problem or just the raised bottoma s problem? Oh, and if the top gets scratched, is this a hasardous issue (you never know if somethign might leach out sort of thing) or simply asthetic? The top has random "dots" on the burner area and much of them have rubbed off. I feel so bad now, I've not used care these past 2 years with my range and I see now I should be. Thanks so much. Karen
ellen 09/15/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use It is primarily aesthetic. You can use Le Creuset in the right sizes, just don't boil them dry. Many readers like all clad. Cast iron pans with the ring on the bottom DO NOT work on these stoves.
Carol 09/17/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I recently bought a new Bosch electric convection premium range with a ceramic glass surface. I'm scared to death to use it! I understand that I need to use flat-bottomed pot & pans, but I cannot find Tivoli and Aubecq which seems to be the one people are happy with. There was also a mention of Berghoff, Sitram and Analon. I am so confused about which ones to buy. (Is the Iittala brand a good choice? In Australia the Bosch dealers were offering a free set of this cookware when buying a Bosch convection range.)
ellen 09/18/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Carol, if they were giving away Iittala, a brand I am not familiar with, with the range, use it. These just require more vigilance than most people are used to. Since it is what you have, you might as well get used to it. Keep the outsides as well as the insides of the pots very clean, and lift, don't slide, them.
Carol 09/18/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Thanks, Ellen! The funny thing is, I called Bosch U.S.A., and the won't recommend any particular brand. They just say,: flat bottoms, keep clean and don't slide. I'm sure it will be fine. Thanks, again! (I'm in Cleveland, OH...not Australia)
Cheryl 09/23/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Is it still okay to use porcelain enamel tea kettle by Kitchen Aid on Kenmore ceramic stovetop in spite of Kitchen Aid's special recommendation for ceramic stovetops? Yes, it says about overheating or letting it boil to dry,and it also says to use low to medium heat. So, it may imply that it is okay to heat water in the porcelain enamel tea kettle on the ceramic stovetop. The manufacturer's recommendation is not the strict probihiton to use porcelain enamel tea kettle on ceramic stovetops as long as the medium heat is used, even though it may take longer time to reach the boiling point. And what about using the SiimerMat heat diffuser beneath the porcelain enamel tea kettle on the ceramic stovetops. The SimmerMat is said to be ok on ceramic. Thank you.
ellen 09/24/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I keep saying over and over, no diffusers on these tops. It interferes with the thermostat control. Are you willing to risk it?
Cheryl 09/24/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hi, again. Understood about the heat diffusers. I would not want to risk, so that is why I was checking. I did not visit the topic under heat diffusers. Anyway, to see how it would go, I put two cups of water into my new Porcelain Enamel tea kettle and used the ceramic stovetop's nbr 8. The recommendation says use over medium heat. And I timed to see how many minutes to reach the boiling point. It was about 6 minutes and then i lifted the kettle and placed it on the pot holder. So it should work fine in my case, so I guess I am thus assured. I would make sure that I remain near the stove until the water is boiling. And after I am done, I pour out the remaining water thus the warm kettle help dry up faster...Thank you for taking time.
DAVID KAISER 10/03/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Whom it concerns: I have noticed many peoples that have problem finding cooking equiptment designed for glass top stoves and induction tops, we market them for the last 8 years and many thousands of users are more than please with the product.It is designed for regular,glass top and induction stoves. Manufactured and designed in Germany. If interested go to www.davidkaiser.net David Kaiser Titanium 2000+ www.davidkaiser.net www. david@davidkaiser.net
Brad 10/03/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Thanks David. You can count me in as one of the thousands of satisfied customers. I don't know what's going on with some of your ranges, but it seems to me that there must be some kind of inferior(not genuine)type of glass being used on some of these stoves. As I previously mentioned, I've got a Frigidaire smoothtop that sees daily use. My top is made by Euro-Kera in France. I've NEVER had a problem with staining, scratching or heat control. I regularly use the cleaning cream, and make sure that my pots and pans are all clean and dry before placing them on the cooking zone. Following this regimen has kept my range in showroom like condition, day in and out. For what it's worth, this range has outperformed many a stove that I've cooked on over the years--including a $6000 Viking "professional" range that turned out to be the biggest disaster I ever had the misfortune of cooking on. I'll NEVER go back to gas after using a ceramic cooktop... The difference surprised even me.
Natalie 10/05/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hi Ellen, I'm hoping you can help me. I've searched the internet over and can't find an answer to my question. I have a GE ceramic cooktop. Tonight while cooking applesauce, some of it spilled over. I didn't get it cleaned up immediately, so when I went to clean it, it was really stuck on. I tried the Ceramabryte first, then my blade tool. I thought I was scraping the food off, but I actually scraped the top coating off. It is right over the burner, and it is a strip about .5" wide by 3" long. If I continue to use the burner, will it be detrimental to my cooktop? How important is that coating?
ellen 10/06/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use This is a new one. If the top is not scratched or cracked, possible starting a crack, you are probably OK. Next time you have stuck on, let it sit overnight under a windex saturated rag before you work on it, And be sure the OUTSIDE of that pot is spotless before you use it on the stove again.
elaine 10/08/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use We have a new GE electric glass cooktop. I'd like to set my coffee mug (or glass Melita coffee pot) on the burner after it's turned off, just to keep the coffee warm, but I'm afraid the burner is too hot. I used to do this on our old coil burner, just putting a wire ring under my mug (or pot). However, the owner's manual for the glass cooktop says not to use these wire rings. What can I use to safely insulate my mug (or pot) from the intense heat?
ellen 10/08/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Not an option on this stove- mug is way to small for these burners, wire rings and diffusers not safe.
lyndsey 10/15/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use i am interested to find out if anyone knows the answe to Allis question about the anolon ovation and anolon professional, they both look the same to me too and i wonder if there is some difference before i buy them.
Marie 11/06/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have a Whirlpool ceramic top stove and use a stainless steel tea kettle with a rather thin, not flat bottom. I believe this teapot is the culprit in leaving a black discolored circle on the burner. It seems even to be some sort of film and will not come off. We do heat our water on high, so do you think it's the high heat or the type of bottom on the teapot causing the problem? We have no problem boiling water on our cooktop. Another question, and something I saw mentioned on this site: Do these cooktops become harder to clean over time?
ellen 11/06/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use When you use a not-flat pan, the stove keeps heating up even hotter than usual since it is making poor contact. We suggest that you NOT use heat above medium high if you want cleaning ease, so you can see that this is indeed a recipe for cleaning problems. Yes, they do get harder to clean. I suspect the smooth top layer either wears or gets microscopically rough after lots of cooking and cleaning and there you go; trouble.
Katie 11/26/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving to you! Eat a little turkey. Eat a little stuffing. Eat a little pumpkin pie! Drink a little vino. Drink a little beer. Drink a little eggnog, too! Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving to you!
ellen 11/26/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Always great to have the turkey get the last word! Happy Thanksgiving to you, too.
kitley2001 12/02/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Ellen...I have been reading all night. We have purchased a GE black smoothtop cooktop. As per the booklet that came with it, I purchased new cookware. I bought Paderno, made in Canada. The store said they are good, and the cookware box says good for ceramic. I read your comments about ridges. Mine have very close tiny rings that you can see but not really feel. Will they damage the cooktop? I have used them several times on our old electric burner stove as the cooktop is not installed yet. getting scared here, as the pots were expensive. they are stainless steel.
ellen 12/03/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Kitley, I am sorry but I am not familiar with this brand. If the cookware says safe for ceramic tops, it probably is; otherwise they would not risk the liability. Save the box.
kitley2001 12/03/08	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Ellen...thanks so much...I would not have thought to save the box. What a wonderful forum you have here.
Pam 01/05/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I too have Paderno with the rings and I was thinking I would have to change to my other smoothbottom pots. I may contact Paderno about this.
pam 01/05/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Ellen, I have been looking at induction hot plates - they too have a ceramic glass cover - ?what happens to this if the glass cracks ?can it still be used ?would it be dangerous, etc.
Sue 01/05/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use is there a safe grill pan to use on my Jenn-Air glass cooktop. Sandra Lee was using one on her show today.
ellen 01/05/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Pam, induction tops don't have the same history. Sue, as long as the BOTTOM is completely flat, the top can have any kind of pattern.
randy 01/11/09	Magnalite Cookware Warranty Does anyone happen to know where to go or who to call to return magnalite cookware which has a lifetime warranty. I have had them for 15 years and not the coating is starting to come off in the food. I've searched on line and find nothing. I purchased them at Macys and they cant help. Thanks.
Karen 01/13/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Magnalite THE ORIGINAL MAGNALITE IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE -- Peter Pike, President of American Culinary Corp., states he purchased the Magnalite and Wagner brands and original molds, and is the only source for parts that fit the original Magnalite pans. There apparently exists a dispute between American Culinary and World Kitchen (formerly Corningware) regarding the use of the Magnalite brand name. World Kitchen has been manufacturing some cast aluminum pans in China under the brand name of Magnalite (which look like the original Magnalite but are of different materials and sizes). These are currently available at many WalMart, Sam's Club and Corning factory outlet stores at discount prices. Also available directly from World Kitchen at full price by calling 800-999-3436. Magnalite parts from World Kitchen do NOT fit the original Magnalite made in the USA.
Barb 01/16/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have a Kenmore smoothtop for about a month. Finding pans has been a hassle. I have emeril pro clad and a few calphalon pieces. They all spin. You have to hold on to them. My top scratched from the emeril pan because of small sharp burrs. Cleaning the top has been easy, though. the sales person told me to wipe up spills while I cook instead of waiting until it cools I have been doing that and it's been okay. Sometimes when my pans spin, it looks like it has left a bunch of scratches, but they come off when I use the special cleaner from Sears. My biggest complaint is that the beveled edge on my stove gets as hot as the elements. I've burned myself several times.
ellen 01/16/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use The spin is probably from a slight warp from previous use of the pans. Spinning indicates that the pan is not making full contact with the element, which slows down the cooking. Keep the elements at or below mid-high, not on high, for best results. If the beveled edge gets hot, that is not safe and may indicate a defect. Get with the service department.
Barb 01/17/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Well, the pans did spin the very first time I used them. I bought all new and with the exception of the Caphalon, they all slide around.
Barb 01/17/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Well, the pans did spin the very first time I used them. I bought all new and with the exception of the Caphalon, they all slide around.
Elizabeth 01/21/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Could anyone comment on All-Clad vs. Cuisinart stainless steel with aluminum core pots? Thank you.
Karen 01/22/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Elizabeth...I have had my Maytag cooktop since '05 and I need only to replace one item in my potpourri of cookware, which includes stainless, cast iron and LeCreuset. It is a larger pot 6qt, which spins like a top. Til reading this thread I thought this was only an annoyance as it took forever for water to boil etc. I have read and researched and asked endlessly and have reached the conclusion that All Clad is just too fussy to bother with. My sister has a Calphalon set and hates it. I am ordering the Cuisinart Stainless (Chef Classic series/very moderately priced) from Amazon and will let you know if I manage to warp it right off the bat. I have been known to break all of the rules for 'hot pots'...hence the warps.
Barb 01/22/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Karen, I keep thinking that if the pan is heavy enough, it shouldn't spin. Isn't LeCreuset enameled cast iron? I am very confused about using cast iron on glasstop stoves. Some people do, some don't. I have a few pieces of enameled cast iron, but the bottom has the name stamped in it so it isn't completely flat. I would like to use it because it is only a year old, but think it might be too risky. Which set of Calphalon does your sister have?
ellen 01/22/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use If it is just the name, you can try it.
Elizabeth 01/22/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Thanks, Karen. When you say All Clad is too fussy, do you mean because scorching it warps the bottom? I was thinking of getting Cuisinart Multiclad Pro, which has the aluminum sandwiched between stainless, like All Clad, but for less than 1/2 the price. Do you think all multi-layered pots are more fussy in general? My old Farberware, which has aluminum sandwiched between stainless on the bottom only, has been abused by me for decades, yet the bottoms have never warped. I will be interested to hear how your Chef Classic pot does.
Karen 01/23/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Barb & Elizabeth - I am going to respond to you both at the same time as some of my answers will overlap. Over the years I have come to prefer certain pots and pans for specific things that I cook. The rest were just really utilitarian, and others within the same sets went unused and were eventually passed along to others. I have to admit that until reading this thread, I was totally unaware of any of the 'dangers' of improper cookware, only the aggravation of the warped spinning pots. I have used virtually everything on my stove and luckily have yet to have a problem (again, one spinning pot aside). I haven't noticed any heating problems, or over heating, so guess I have been lucky. I have two traditional cast iron pieces that I use fairly frequently (skillet and dutch oven), and fortunately both have smooth flat bottoms. I have a enameled cast iron LeCreuset Dutch Oven which I use for things like bean soup or corned beef (something where I want a reliably steady, continuous, simmering heat). I have 1 1/2qt enameled cast iron (has a ring on the bottom!!)which I rarely use for soft-boiled eggs for my husband, and sometimes long cooking rice. I have a large non-stick wok type skillet which does have several rings (close together) on the bottom, which I have used a good deal. Also, a little tfal omelette/egg type skillet. The rest are good old Farberware and the copper bottom Revere Ware saucepans etc. in various sizes. Like you Elizabeth, I also have abused this cookware, and they are still perfect. If you have a set of that, I don't know why you would switch, except to treat yourself. After a family get together, I somehow ended up with someone elses 'Duncan Hines' 18/10 Stainless 6qt Dutch Oven. Besides a natural slightly raised center, it is warped to beat the band. That is what I am replacing. I need it to make big pots of veggie soup, boil pasta, maybe steam some crabs. Do I need a $350 pot to do this? I don't think so. That is what I meant when I said I had concluded that All Clad was fussy. I'm sorry if I added to your confusion over your choices. I think I feel it is just an over-glorified version of many other reputably manufactured brands. Maybe I should have said 'prissy'. I have a friend with some of the pieces and she spends more effort caring for them than cooking with them. I always tease her that she can do my car when she's finished with her pots! Barb, I will have to check with my sister this weekend on the exact style of Calphalon she has, but it is one of the dark anodized styles where you have to be cautious with the utensils you use in it etc.. For instance, she hates that if she boils potatoes, then she can't mash them in the same pot, and so forth. Just a new learning curve I guess, but also a bit inconvenient. I don't know that I will stop using the few pots that maybe I shouldn't, but will just be more aware. I am also guilty of high heat usage. Preheating an empty pan before adding oil etc. Just how I learned things. I was afraid of not being able to clean my cooktop, or breaking it when I first got it, but it is the best household decision I ever made. It is so easy to clean and looks new all of the time. Unlike the old-fashioned electric coil style where I was constantly buying new burner pans. As soon as the first thing boiled over, they were nasty looking, even when you wiped them out each night. One other thing I recently learned (from a tv show I was just flipping past!)was that you DON'T remove a hot lid from a pot and set it on the stovetop. It creates a vacumn/suction and can break the top! I always do this figuring it could better handle the heat than the counter-top. But, once I thought about how difficult it is to get a lid off of a pot that has cooled, it seemed so obvious. Glad I didn't have to learn that one the hard way. I just ordered the Cuisinart pot today Elizabeth, and will surely let you know my thoughts on it. It was actually $6 less today than yesterday, so glad I got sidetracked! Chef's Catalog gives you a very good close-up of the pot. Amazon prices are much better...also no shipping or tax. Karen :-)
Barb 01/23/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Karen, Yes I understand about the frustration of not being able to mash potatoes in the Calphalon nonstick. I transfer the potatoes to a pan I can't use on the stovetop, mash them, then put them back in the Calphalon and warm them up. a bit of a hassle. I don't blame you for not wanting to spen an arm and a leg for pans. Let me know how the Cuisanart works out. TJ Maxx just got in several pieces of this.
Elizabeth 01/24/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Thanks, Karen. One clarification for anyone thinking of buying Farberware: My old Farberware works fine on the ceramic stovetop, but my newer Farberware has a large, deeply embossed logo in the bottom and this doesn't work fine at all. These pots cause the burner cycle on and off when I am just trying to boil water.
Barb 01/24/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Elizabeth, funny you mentioned the cycling on and off of the stovetop. Mine does that no matter what pan I am using. The salesman at Sears told me that they all do that. They are programmed to do that so they don't go over a certain temperature, I think. It did drive me crazy when I was making a roast on the stovetop, trying to get it at a certain temp. I finally gave up, and the roast turned out fine.
Shirley 01/25/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I was told not to use cast iron pans or any copper bottom pans on glasstop stoves. I was told that the cast iron can damage the cooktop, and the copper bottom can make a permanent black ring on the cook surface. I'm getting a new kitchen and am planning to replace my stove with a cooktop surface. My stove now is a Maytag and has a black ring and black marks that I can't get off. I don't have any cast iron,I gave them away years ago-too heavy, and now with my arthritis I'm glad I did. I do have a lot of Paul Revere copper bottomed pans. Do you think they caused the black marks on my glass cooking surface? Is it dangerous to use them? Should I get rid of them?
ellen 01/26/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Lots of ceramic top cooks use revere ware. To avoid stains, you have to jeep the bottoms really clean, don't slide them. and keep at med high or below, and don't boil dry.
Karen 01/26/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Elizabeth/Barb...received the Cuisinart Chef's Classic pot this afternoon. It is smooth and flat and fits perfectly within my burner element. I filled it with tap water (mine is very cold)and put on Med/High heat :-( with the lid on . It began to heat very quickly, but did cycle on and off as you both were discussing (I see in my manual that that is normal, as Barb indicated). I don't recall that ever happening before, so as a test, a way into the heating I did put the heat up to 'High' briefly and the cycling stopped. That may be likely why I have never noticed that before, as I generally heat on High, then cut back til it holds a simmer. I returned the temp to Med. High and it still boiled the full pot fairly quickly and held a simmer perfectly once reduced. I suppose the benefit of the Multi-Clad version is just that it wraps up the side somewhat and would distribute the heat more quickly/evenly throughout. For my purposes here, the wrapped sides are unnecessary. I did read that the cookware recommends not using High heat, but because of burning food (getting too hot)...not an issue with boiling liquid, I would assume. Basically most all stainless cookware has aluminum encapsulated in the base, so far as I know. This pot has a visibly good sized disc on the bottom. Previously, I had heard the only problems of ceramic cooktops were that you couldn't use cast iron and that they were hard to clean...both of which were debunked by my salesperson & now experience. Also, IF your pots weren't flat, they would spin... not that they may cause harm. I admit to having never read my stove's instruction manual, other than cleaning instructions, until tonight, and definitely none for cookware. As much good info as there is on this site, I am almost sorry I read it. I am now fretting over everything I do. Who would have thought at the age of 58 I would need to learn how to use pots & pans! Best to you both...Karen :-)
Diane 01/30/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use To somewhat protect my glass cooktop from falling items, I put a black wire cooling rack over each side. Not infallible, but at least a buffer that is inflammable and unobtrusive.
Barb 01/30/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Karen, congrats on your pans! I'm glad they are working for you. I'll have to go down to TJ Maxx and take a closer look at the Cuisinart pans they have. The spinning thing still puzzles me. The pans are new, flat, pass the ruler test, but still I have to hang on to them while stirring etc. I laughed when you said you wish you hadn't read the manual. I just read in my manual that you shouldn't let the racks bump up against the glass on the door because it can cause a ( I can't remember what it is called exactly) some type of weak place on the glass. that weak spot can then crack and cause the glass on the door to break ( or explode, as I have read). They certainly do not make things like they used to, do they? Diane, Do you put the racks right on top of the glass stovetop? Over the elements?
Karen 02/05/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hey Barb....I'm still very satisfied w/my pot and may add one other as result. I have used it only for liquids (pasta, soup etc.) but may try using it for a pot roast instead of the cast iron dutch oven (it's a lot lighter!). I am hesitant only in that I would be browning the meat at higher temps, then adding the liquids to a hot pot. Probably a good recipe for warping. I think I will warm the liquid in the microwave 1st though. Speaking of manuals and the ruler test. My manual also suggests trying 1" of water in the pot. Place on burner and turn to HIGH. Watch formation of bubbles on the bottom. Uniform is good, uneven means hot spots. Then maybe you should try the ruler on the cooktop...lol. Funny, I never once thought of something falling onto the cooktop. I have only occasional/good glassware in the cabinets overhead. Of course the microwave is mounted above, but I'm pretty sure even racks wouldn't help if that gave way! Did you ever find something that worked for you?
mary caskie 03/16/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I bought a granite stew pot and on the label it said not to use on glass (ceramic tops) Why is this and is it dangerous to the food that could make you ill. On the label it also says porcelain on steel. I'm afraid to use it not knowing, Granite Ware is a registered trademark of Columbian Home Products but their customer service didn't know anything about the product. Can you advise me by email. Thanks
ellen 03/17/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Some granite ware is relatively light weight. It can warp, and it can also heat unevenly, to the point of fusing to the cooktop permamnently if it goes dry or burnt. If it says don't use it on glass tops, don't.
Dianne H. 03/21/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I just bought a galss ceramic cooktop stove from Sears. After reading these messages, I am afraid to use the cooktop. I have lagostina renaissance 1901 pots. Will they be okay for using on the cooktop?
ellen 03/21/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Not familiar with these pots. Put an inch of water in a pot you want to check and put it on high heat. If it bubbles evenly, all around, as it heats up, it is flat and heating correctly. If it has non bubbling areas it is not heating evenly and probably not good for that top.
ellen 03/21/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Online these look like a flatbottom, stainless clad with aluminum core, just be sure the bottoms are thoroughly cleaned (with these cook tops, you MUST clean the outside of your pots) and give it a try. Remember it is recommended NOT to heat above medium high on these tops.
Dianne H. 03/21/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Thanks. Also, can I use the old corningware on the cooktop? Can I use my roastpan to make graby on the cooktop? Tjhe roastpan is blue metal with white flecks. Appreciate any answers to these questions as well.
ellen 03/21/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use corningware, no. Roaster, no unless the bottom is completely flat, which most are not.
Susie 03/22/09	Ceramic Cooktops - damaged or cracked My ceramic top stove started to crack on the large burner. It spiraled out like a break in a car windshield. What causes this to happen to a cook top? Nothing was dropped on it and I do not have expensive cookware.
Deborah 04/24/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Ceramic Cooktops-damage We bought a Fridgidare ceramic cooktop range 2 years ago. Up until now, I was very happy with it. Very easy to clean; just had to adjust to the temp variations. My problem is, on one of the burners, it appears it is pitted. The area is aprox. 2"x1". I have no idea what happened. I use all of the burners when I cook, as I cook large meals frequently. What has happened? Why on one burner and not on the others? I use revereware and stainless cookware with the heavy clad, flat bottoms.
ellen 04/24/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Usually this is either a spill or a spot on the bottom of the pot that causes pitting when heated between the burner and the pot. Sugar is the biggest offender. Sorry that it is so unfixable.
GLORIA BELIINER 04/28/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Dear Ellen, Thank you for this detailed site regarding ceramic cooktops. You answered almost all my questions. I need guidance if deglazing a roasting pan on my ceramic cooktop is advisable since the pan is much larger than any of my burners and I do not have a bridge burner to accommodate me. I would appreciate your imput.
ellen 04/28/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Nope. It is a mighty inconvenience, eh? A good single burner electric hot plate is useful if you have one of these tops.
Gloria C 05/16/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I just got my new Frigidaire ceramic cooktop stove delivered today and I found this site to learn about cooking on such a range. Needless to say I did not do my research before purchasing it. I thought it looked so sleek and updated since my old stove is the original that came with our house, about 26 yrs old, the coil type, which by the way worked perfectly well for me with a few minor repairs throughout the years. Now I'm finding out all the do's and don'ts about this type of range. I've reading on all the proper types of pot/pans to use, but nobody has addressed the question of using clay pots, such as the Mexican type. Since the primay rule is to use flat bottom pots/pans, I guess clay pots are out which usually have very uneven bottoms. However, if I were to find a flat bottom pot, is it safe to use it on the ceramic cooktop? Thanks to all for all the interesting info.
ellen 05/16/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use As long as it is not induction type which requires metal, you can try the flat bottom clay pot. Also a good electric hot late may be an option.
AK 05/17/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have a ceramic cooktop, I have Wolf Gang Puck stainless steel pans, they leave brown looking markingson the top like it is burnt and now my cooktop is starting to not look flat, is it because of the pan? I been skimming through and Im confused on what kind of pans to use, can you put it in laymans terms, Im a first timer in the kitchen area :0) sorry.
ellen 05/18/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use The marks are probably because the bottoms/ outsides are not completely cleaned each time they are used. Are you cleaning the pans and the surface well after each use? The basic deal is simply very clean, very flat bottoms, preferably not copper bottem.
Non Cooker 05/23/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use why cant i use a pressure cooker on a flat top stove?
ellen 05/24/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use It depends on the stove; some say specifically not to. Some just heat unevenly enough (because of the way the rheostats work) that they don't keep the pressure even, so you don't get as good results, which is actually unsafe for pressure canning. A few readers have used them on flat tops and are satisfied with the results.
carol 06/07/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I am coming into this discussion late in the game and this may be old news. When we remodeled out kitchen two years ago, we put in a Kenmore Elite black ceramic induction cooktop. Because we needed flat bottomed, magnetic cookware, there were less options at the time. What I found and like very much is the Circulon Elite line(non stick)and Belgique Tools of the Trade(stainless steel. I was happy to find that Belgique had a wok which works very well on the ceramic cooktop. We have had no problems with either of those cookware lines. I haven't found the cooktop hard to clean. I do wipe after cooking and use the "CookTop Magic Wipes" as well. You can use a single one more than once.
Frustrated 07/15/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Recently we decided to change our previous teflon-cover cookware to a more healthy model. So, we decided to go into Cast Iron, completely covered with enamel cookware. Last week we bought a new electric range, with radiant, ceramic cooktop. Can we use our Cast Iron-Enamel cookware on this ceramic cooktop? I will appreciate your prompt response. Thank you!
ellen 07/16/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Check your new owners manual; the tops differ by brand. Be aware that tyhe issue of fusing the pot to the top permanently is increased if you cook above medium high, heat an empty pan, or let a pan cook dry on one of these tops.
Judy Cavender 08/08/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have a Bosch glass top stove. I have pressure cookers that I do use on it. The pressure cookers are Kuhn-Rikon.
Rita 09/01/09	Ceramic Cooktops - types of pots & pans to use Just bought new Calphalon (Simply Calphalon - non stick) pots and pans for my new (not even installed) Kenmore ceramic cooktop with radiant (not induction) elements. Since never used, will these spin??? Can't tell from the threads if I should return them for something else.
ellen 09/01/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use If they spin (and you can check this before use, so they can be returned if necessary), it means they are not really flat, and so, not so good for this type range. Several readers have been perfectly satisfied with the caphalon pans. Hope you have used one of these before and have only careful cooks in your house. If you have cans or other heavy things in the cabinets above the stove top, move them.
oboedeb 09/12/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Is Le Creuset still made w/o enamel on the bottom exterior of the pan? I have some older pieces, and I would think the lack of enamel on the bottom would be better for my new glass cooktop than if they have enamel on the bottom. I think I have seen mostly with enamel on the bottom now.
oboedeb 09/12/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Oh, and another question...How flat is flat? I am used to measuring things in millimeters (and fractions thereof), so when I look at cookware with the ruler test, almost none of it looks perfectly flat to me. The best is my old Le Creuset. I looked at the highly touted Berndes and Scanpan brand new in the store, and they didn't look perfectly flat, they were slightly concave. Sometimes I test with a slip of paper under the bottom on a flat surface, and as I pull the paper out from various points around the circumference, the pull is noticeably varied. How flat is flat enough?
ellen 09/12/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use The further from perfectly flat, the less even heating, and the greater chance for burning food, etc, it's up to you. Check the Le Creuset site for pan descriptions. Pans that have ever been overheated tend to warp and be uneven, which is why you often end up buying new pans for your new cook top.
oboedeb 09/13/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use So, when looking for new pans in the store, I should look for as flat as I can find, and not expect them to be perfectly flat? Maybe I will call the manufacturer (if I can get a number) and ask about this. If I get some kind of answer, I'll report back.
ellen 09/14/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use They should at least start out perfectly flat...
oboedeb 09/15/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use OK, I spoke to a rep at both Berndes America and Nordic ware, and they both say the pans flatten out as they heat. I tried a NW that I had, and it was a bit slide-y, but as it warmed, sure enough it stayed in place much better. Berndes website and packaging also shows this in a picture diagram. My new (unused yet) Berndes pans have a slight concavity on the bottom, the gap is maybe a millimeter in the center. The Nordic ware is somewhat more uneven. So that's the report, for what it's worth.
ellen 09/15/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Thanks for the diligent effort.
Jan 09/30/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Oh Boy! Like many, I also just bought a new ceramic top along with new pots, including new roasting pan for deglazing and making my gravy. I assumed I could use two burners to gently heat for gravy. After reading these excellent posts, please tell me this will be possible- on lowest heat setting??? PUHLEZE
ellen 09/30/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I can't make reassuring noises about using two burners unless there is a bridge element; it really can crack the cooktop. Two burner hot plates aren't too expensive...
Jan 09/30/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Wow- you are quick and efficient! Buying a hotplate! Much appreciated. So, I gather it's a hot and cold dilemma, which makes me think of one more scenario. Is it OK to take a hot casserole dish out of the oven and set it on a "cold" area of the stove? Cheers
ellen 09/30/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use The manufacturers actually say no. People do it all the time, anyway. Now there is a silicon hot pad which can also be a potholder, about $7 each. I just keep two on the counter, good for picking up with or setting down on. It has helped my tendency to scorch the counter. It would work fine with a smooth top.
Jan 10/01/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Thanks again- added to my shopping list :-)
Marcy 10/15/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I have used and abused cermaic cooktops for about 15 yrs (two different homes).My last one is about to be replaced, mainly because we are remodeling the kitchen.It is made from CERAN by whirlpool(not manufactured anymore to my knowledge).I have used all types of different pots on it and never had any problems cooking or cleaning.I have a large family and everybody has cooked and spilled on it. My new one will be a GE something.it will be interesting how it will hold up to the old cheapy.By the way: I finsih the cleaning with a wipe of WD-40.
Bob 10/18/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I recently bought a whirlpool as a demo very great price. Well I have read this entire thread and no one has mentioned the K that is in the top right hand corner of some of the cook tops.I have a sears in my local hometown and the sales man (40 years working there) said the k is a better cooktop. My wife loves the convention oven. Again if you do your homework and maintain the product and clean after and buy proper cookware I do not see any problems. Its like any other product if you take care of it it will take care of you, By the way the food she has been baking (convection oven) is Great....Thanks Ellen and everyone for all the info.
Marcy 10/22/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use I went to TJ MAx.They had many of the cookware previously mentiond.I liked Cuisinart but Amazon offers a much better deal for the whole set.(free shipping too)
John Cole 10/30/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hi Ellen, This is not for publication [unless you want to]. We are about to buy a ceramic cooktop and have found your site to be invaluable as we are just babes in the wood when it comes down to what kind of cookware to use, etc. Many thanks, John and Marilynn Cole, Melbourne, Australia.
Arya 10/30/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Hello Ellen, and thanks in advance for the advice. 1. Is "Earth Pan" cookware with sand flow, and "GreenPan" with thermolon, both a anodized aluminum pan, flat based, and good for my kenmore 9641 electric smoothtop cooktop? Target sells both, but Earth Pan is not available in their stores. Any suggestion for a store? If these two models are not a good fit for the ceramic top, what are your recommendations? Thanks
Diane 11/12/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Re using cooling racks for protection: yes, I put them right on any of the glass tops - NOT while they're hot, however. Recently a heavy bottle of olive oil slipped from my hand and harmlessly bounced off the rack. Can't imagine what it would have done to the cook-top! The racks have slightly padded non-scratch "feet". A friend gave me a glass cutting-board/hot pad that I have over the griddle covers. It will break before the glass covers do. It's much easier to wash than all the metal edges on the cooktop sections. Still only have one perfect pan for cooking, tho' - it's a pressure cooker with a nice, thick flat bottom by Presto. Oh, also a small Emeril saute pan.
ellen 11/12/09	Ceramic Cooktops - type of pots & pans to use Arya, Cook's Illustrated, one of my favorite magazines, gives all the "green pans" mediocre ratings as cookware. Beyond that, see these threads and take your choice.

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