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11
Before Setting Surface Controls
Using Proper Cookware
Do not place flammable items such as plastic
salt and pepper shakers, spoon holders or plastic wrappings on
the cooktop when it is in use. These items could melt or ignite.
Potholders, towels or wooden spoons could catch fire if placed
too close to the range cooktop.
Important:
Do not place aluminum foil, or any material that can melt on the
range cooktop. If these items melt they may damage the
cooktop.
Important:
The size and type of utensil used, and the amount and type of
food being cooked will influence the burner flame setting
needed for best cooking results.
Cookware Material Types
The cookware material determines how evenly and quickly heat
is transferred from the surface element to the pan bottom. The
most popular materials available are:
Aluminum - Excellent heat conductor. Some types of food will
cause it to darken (Anodized aluminum cookware resists staining
and pitting).
Copper - Excellent heat conductor but discolors easily (See
Aluminum).
Stainless - Slow heat conductor with uneven cooking results. Is
durable, easy to clean and resists staining.
Cast Iron - A slow heat conductor however will retain heat very
well. Cooks evenly once cooking temperature is reached.
Porcelain-enamel on metal - Heating characteristics will vary
depending on base material.
Glass - Slow heat conductor.
Setting Proper Burner Flame Size
Never extend the flame beyond the outer edge
of the cooking utensil. A higher flame wastes energy, and
increases your risk of being burned by the flame.
The color of the flame is the key to proper burner adjustment. A
good flame is clear, blue and hardly visible in a well-lighted
room. Each cone of flame should be steady and sharp. Adjust or
clean burner if flame is yellow-orange.
For most cooking: start on the highest setting and then turn to a
lower setting to complete the process. Use the recommendations
in Table 1 as a guide for determining proper flame size for
various types of cooking.)
For deep fat frying: use a thermometer and adjust the surface
knob accordingly. If the fat is too cool, the food will absorb the
fat and be greasy. If the fat is too hot, the food will brown so
quickly that the center will be under cooked. Do not attempt to
deep fat fry too much food at once as the food will neither
brown or cook properly.
For best cooking results, cook-
ware should have flat bottoms
that rest level on the surface
burner grate. Before using
cookware, check for flatness by
rotating a ruler across the bot-
tom of the cookware (See
Figure 9).
Figure 9: Testing cookware
Figure 10: Correct and incorrect flame settings
Table 1: Flame size recommendations
Flame Size* Type of Cooking
High flame Start most foods; bring water to a boil;
pan broiling
Medium flame Maintain a slow boil; thicken sauces;
gravies; steaming
Low flame Keep foods cooking; poach; stewing
*These settings are based for medium-weight metal or
aluminum pans with lids. Settings may vary when using
cookware made from different materials.
correct
flame setting
incorrect
flame setting