Pans for Convection Glass Range Tops

A typical electric convection range features four heating element burners on the ceramic glass cook top. The glass cook top is very convenient, allowing the user to see the heating element through the glass and the smooth surface provides for quick cleanup. You must take care, however, to ensure that the glass top is not scratched or cracked by inappropriate cookware.

Best ones

The best cookware is flat-bottomed pans. Older pans or thin cookware often have slightly rounded bottoms that may crack the glass. Stainless steel is the first choice for cookware. Heavyweight aluminum and titanium cookware with a nonstick finish work well, too.

Acceptable

Cookware with copper bottoms is acceptable choice, but the copper may leave an unsightly residue or permanent stain if not cleaned immediately. Thick-bottomed porcelain and enamel cookware are adequate choices, but this type may soften and melt onto the glass if heated too long or the pans are allowed to boil dry. Porcelain-coated cast iron performs well on low or medium heat settings.

Avoid

Stoneware and cast iron cookware will scratch the glass. These pans may have burrs and rough spots that will ruin the smooth glass surface. Cast iron cookware tends to retain heat which will interfere with the heating element and impair thorough cooking of food.

Considerations

Use appropriately sized cookware large enough to cover the heating element on the glass cook top. Food will not cook evenly in pans too large for the burner, while pans too small pose a fire hazard.