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Cookware tips
USING THE SURFACE COOKING AREAS (CONT.)
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
USING YOUR RANGE
• Select a pan that is about the same size as the
surface cooking area. Cookware should not extend
more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) outside the area.
• For best results and greater energy efficiency,
use only flat-bottomed cookware that makes good
contact with the surface cooking area. Cookware with
rounded, warped, ribbed (such as some porcelain
enamelware), or dented bottoms could cause uneven
heating and poor cooking results.
• Cookware designed with slightly indented bottoms
or small expansion channels can be used.
• Cookware with a non-stick finish has heating
characteristics of the base material.
• Check for rough spots on the bottom of metal or
glass cookware which will scratch the ceramic glass
surface.
• Use flat bottom cookware for best heat conduction
from the surface cooking area to the cookware. Deter-
mine flatness with the ruler test. Place the edge of a
ruler across the bottom of the cookware. Hold it up to
the light. No light should be visible under the ruler.
Rotate the ruler in all directions and look for any light.
• Do not leave empty cookware, or cookware which
has boiled dry, on a hot surface cooking area. The
cookware could overheat, causing damage to the
cookware or the surface cooking area.