Features of cookware for glass ceramic hobs

Dishes are the main kitchen utensils of the housewife. Their choice depends on many factors - this is the composition of the family, preferences in cooking and the features of the stove in the kitchen.

When visiting a store, a woman is often puzzled by the variety of choices and, as a rule, wonders what kind of cookware can be used on a glass-ceramic stove and which ones are not worth looking at.

Glass ceramic hobs, their capabilities and varieties

Glass ceramics is a relatively new material used in the production of kitchen stoves. Melting glass in a special way gives the surface a very beautiful appearance and special technical characteristics. Thanks to these properties, the hob is resistant to mechanical damage and tolerates temperature changes well.

The glass ceramic surface is very easy to maintain, it is enough to wipe the surface with a cloth with a cleaning agent. Manufacturers do not recommend using cleaning agents with abrasives in the composition, it is better to purchase special compositions for such panels.

Stoves with glass ceramic surfaces are equipped with different types of heating elements: a regular pancake and a double-circuit with an electric heating element, which allow you to adjust the heating diameter depending on the shape of the bottom of the dish. Also, this type of stove uses induction, which allows you to save electrical energy.

The main feature of the stove is the vertical heating of the surface, all the heat is given to the dishes and is not wasted, which significantly saves the housewife's time on preparing meals.

This can be a built-in flat panel or a set with an oven of different volumes from 40 to 80 liters and various functions that make it possible to bake a grill in the oven. Plates with mechanical adjustment or a touch control panel, which is equipped with various additional functions for ease of cooking.

Convenient functions of modern glass ceramic panels

• Thermostats. Allow you to maintain the set temperature and cooking time that are necessary for preparing dishes.
• Heating zone. The adjustment ensures uniform heating of the cookware depending on the size and shape of the bottom.
• Safety system. Eliminates the possibility of accidental switching on of the heating element by blocking it if there are little rascals in the house – this function is especially necessary.
• Automation. Significantly saves time on cooking. On the display you can select the product to be cooked, its weight and the optimal cooking temperature, the stove will give a sound signal when everything is ready.
• Boiling function. The hob automatically reduces the intensity of the heating element when the cookware reaches the boiling temperature, this will protect the panel from “runaway” soup, and the hostess from washing the surface.

Manufacturers offer a wide range of models that can be purchased depending on preferences: the number of burners with different heating elements, complete with an oven and a different set of functions.

How to choose quality cookware for glass ceramics

An electric stove with a ceramic coating is especially demanding in terms of choosing suitable kitchen attributes; despite its reliability and excellent performance, incorrectly selected kitchen utensils can ruin the panel.

Many models of stoves are equipped with compatibility sensors; if you place unsuitable cookware on the surface, it simply will not heat up.

If you used a gas stove before purchasing a ceramic panel, all kitchen utensils will have to be replaced. Glass ceramics require a perfectly flat bottom of pots and pans, and open fire, although slightly, deforms it.

When choosing, follow a few recommendations:

• Purchase products from trusted stores that sell products from major suppliers.
• Pay attention to the markings on the cookware, it should be suitable for the type of your stove and the heating element installed there.
• Self-respecting manufacturers provide a guarantee on their products for at least 24 months, which gives you confidence that you have a quality product in front of you.

Tableware by panel compatibility with utensil material

When buying a new stove, housewives often change pots and pans, and wonder whether it is possible to put ceramic dishes on a ceramic stove?

Depending on what heating elements your stove is equipped with, you need to choose cookware; now manufacturers put compatibility markings on their products, which will help you navigate the variety of types.

The main thing is, if you have a combined model, choose cookware that is compatible with different heating elements. The best choice would be metal cookware that is compatible with induction and electric heating.

Types of cookware by materials for ceramic surfaces

• Stainless steel. Beautiful kitchenware that does not require special care, and the double bottom, which the cookware is equipped with, does not deform, which is important for a ceramic surface. It has excellent heat-conducting characteristics, stainless steel cookware is suitable for any heating elements.
• Aluminum. The product is very light, and thanks to the non-stick coating, you can cook any dishes on it without fear of burning. On ceramics, cookware with a metal bottom and various coatings is used, it can be Teflon, ceramics or enamel. In order to be able to use it on induction, it is equipped with a special magnetic bottom, such cookware will cost a little more than its analogues for conventional stoves.
• Cast iron. Ideal for all types of stoves, but it is heavy and the delicate ceramic coating can be scratched, so you need to be careful when using a large cast iron cauldron to cook pilaf. But the high thermal conductivity of the metal and its resistance to deformation go well with ceramics, and the dishes will cook as quickly as possible.
• Glass. It is acceptable to use glassware on electric heating elements, but it is not suitable for induction. If you like glassware and do not want to give it up, buy models with a built-in magnetic bottom. Glass has low thermal conductivity, and a metal bottom on the product will allow you to cook in a saucepan much faster, and it will also be compatible with induction.
• Ceramics. Not the best choice for your stove. Some types of panels may simply not react to ceramics and not heat it. If you like this material, then buy metal models with a ceramic coating, then it will fit any heating element.
• Enameled. The cookware we have long been accustomed to and love to use. Every housewife will appreciate the beautiful design and safety when preparing and storing ready meals in an enamel saucepan. It is perfect for your stove, but when buying, pay attention to the thickness of the bottom, it should be at least 3 mm, items with a thin bottom, when heated quickly, quickly deform and you will have to abandon their further use.
• Teflon. The cookware is made of metal alloys and coated with Teflon. Often, Teflon models are made of aluminum, which is suitable for electric stoves, and induction heating elements will not heat them.

Suitable cookware materials for glass-ceramic hobs are stainless steel products with a double bottom, enameled or cast iron cookware, which will fit any model.

Compatibility by other characteristics

• Bottom. It should be thick, without reliefs and bulges with a minimum reflection effect. If your stove has conventional heating elements that are not adjusted to different diameters of cookware, it would be better to purchase a set of kitchen attributes according to the size of the burners. On induction models with a small bottom of a saucepan, less than 14 cm in diameter, it is recommended to use a special overlay on the burner, which ensures contact of the surfaces.
• Volume and size and thickness of the walls. It does not matter, the glass ceramic panel will heat any pan and in a short time.
• Type of lid and handle. The peculiarity of this stove is that it heats only the bottom, so which lid you choose is up to you, the handles are made of heat-resistant plastic, with the exception of cast iron cookware, which is not afraid of any heating elements.

What are the features of heating dishes for glass-ceramic hobs?

A distinctive feature of such hobs is the rapid heating of the burners, which give off heat energy vertically only to the bottom of the dishes. And the rapid cooling of the surface will protect your family and especially small children from burns. If an induction heating element is installed on the stove, it does not heat the surface of the hob, but interacts only with the dishes. This is the safest stove on the market of household appliances.

What cookware should not be used on glass ceramic surfaces

When buying, you need to know: what cookware is suitable for a glass-ceramic hob, and what is absolutely not allowed to be used.

Characteristics of kitchenware that are unacceptable for glass ceramics.

• A dirty and rusty bottom surface that will leave stains and scratches on the glass ceramics. Stains can still be dealt with, but scratches are a violation of the integrity of the surface, on which cracks may appear.
• Pure soft alloys without non-stick coating, aluminum and copper frying pans or pots interact with the surface when heated and leave stains on it that cannot be removed, and your hob will lose its beautiful appearance forever.
• Kitchenware with a deformed or embossed bottom and products with engraving on the bottom. The surface should be as smooth as possible, matte or dark in color, then you will ensure better interaction between the hob and the cookware, this is a significant saving of electricity and time on cooking.
• Kitchen utensils with walls that flare upwards, such as a wok, are unacceptable. A small bottom, in relation to the area and volume of the entire surface of the pan, will not heat the food.

What problems can arise from the wrong choice of kitchen attributes for the electric panel

First of all, due to the rapid heating of the surface, the bottom of unsuitable cookware quickly deforms, and this threatens you with the throwing out of your favorite saucepan and overheating of the heating element. Repairing such equipment is a very expensive procedure. When using soft alloys, you will forever leave sloppy stains on the surface that cannot be removed. Due to the use of very heavy and massive kitchen utensils, the likelihood of cracks and chips in the coating increases, such plates can be used, but they will not serve you for a long time.

Useful tips for the care and use of glass ceramic cookware

In order for the cookware to prepare tasty and healthy dishes and please you with its appearance, it is necessary to properly care for it.

Some tips that may be useful to the housewife.

• When purchasing new dishes, they must be thoroughly washed with a mild detergent and dried before use.
• Keep your kitchen utensils clean, this is especially important for the glass ceramic hob coating.
• Do not use abrasive cleaners that scratch the surface. Products with a non-stick coating are especially sensitive to abrasives, scratches form on the surface and such cookware can no longer be used for cooking. The stainless steel pan will become dull and lose its shiny surface.
• When cleaning surfaces, it is better to use folk remedies for care. Baking soda and mustard powder, which are also suitable for your hob, cope well with cleaning almost all dirt.
• Do not leave empty dishes on the stove, overheating is dangerous not only for your saucepan, but also for the stove. It is desirable that the saucepan be filled with products to 2/3 of the volume.
• Avoid placing a wet bottom of a pot or frying pan on a hot burner; ceramics are a durable coating, but such contact can cause microcracks, which will reduce the service life of the hob.

By choosing the right kitchen accessories in the store, you will be able to use your favorite pots for a long time and will not damage the beautiful surface of the glass-ceramic panel.

VIDEO: How to care for a glass ceramic hob.