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Using and Caring for Your Cooktop
Home canning information
The large diameter of most water-bath or
pressure canners combined with high heat
settings for long periods of time can cause
damage to the cooktop.
The pan material affects how fast heat transfers from the surface cooking area through the pan
material and how evenly heat spreads over the pan bottom. Choose pans that provide the
best cooking results.
Aluminum
• Heats quickly and evenly.
• Use for all types of cooking.
• Medium or heavy thickness is best for most cooking.
• Used as a core or base in cookware to provide even heating.
Cast iron
• Heats slowly and evenly.
• Good for browning and frying.
• Maintains heat for slow cooking.
• Can be coated with porcelain enamel.
Ceramic or
ceramic glass
• Heats slowly and unevenly.
• Use on low to medium settings.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions.
Copper
• Heats very quickly and evenly.
• Used as a core or base in cookware to provide even heating.
Earthenware
• Can be used for cooktop cooking if recommended by the
manufacturer.
• Use on low settings.
Porcelain enamel-on-steel
or enamel-on-cast iron
• See cast iron and stainless steel.
Stainless steel
• Heats quickly but unevenly.
• A core or base of aluminum or copper on the cookware
provides even heating.
• Can be coated with porcelain enamel.
Characteristics of cookware materials
To protect your range:
• Center the canner over the surface burner.
Do not extend more than 1 inch (2.5 cm)
outside the burner area.
• Do not place your canner on two surface
burners at the same time.
• Start with hot water, cover with a lid and
bring to a boil; then reduce heat to main-
tain a boil or required pressure levels in a
pressure canner.
•
Refer to your canner manual for specific
instructions.
•
For up-to-date information on canning,
contact your local U.S. Government
Agricultural Department Extension Office or
companies who manufacture home canning
products. In Canada, contact Agriculture
Canada.
Using the right cookware makes a
big difference
• The pan should have a flat bottom, straight
sides, and a well-fitting lid.
• Choose medium to heavy gauge
(thickness) cookware.
• The pan material (metal or glass) affects
how quickly and evenly the pan heats.
• When using glass or ceramic cookware,
check to make sure it is suitable for use on
surface burners.
Cookware tips
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