10
BEFORE SETTING SURFACE CONTROLS
The size and type of utensil used, the amount and type
of food being cooked will influence the settings needed
to obtain the best cooking results.
Use quality cookware in good condition
Fig. 2
Set proper burner flame size
For most cooking;
start on the highest setting and then
turn to a lower setting to complete the process. Use the
recommendations below as a guide for determining proper
flame size for various types of cooking (Fig. 2)
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 undercooked. Do
not attempt to deep fat fry too much food at once as the
food will neither brown or cook properly.
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.
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.
*These settings are based for medium-weight metal or
aluminum pans with lids. Settings may vary when using
other types of pans.
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.
CAUTION
Correct flame
setting
Incorrect
flame setting
CAUTION
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.
Fig. 1
NOTE
Cookware material types
The most popular materials available are:
Aluminum -
Excellent heat conductor. Some types of
food will cause it to darken (Anodized aluminum cookware
resists staining & pitting).
Copper -
Excellent heat conductor but discolors easily.
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.
For the best possible
cooking results when using
the cooktop, always use
quality cookware in good
condition. Pans should
have flat bottoms that sit
level on the burner grate.
Before using cookware,
check for flatness by
rotating a ruler across the
bottom of the cookware
(Fig. 1).
Do not place flammable items
such as plastic
wrappings, spoon holders or plastic salt and pepper
shakers 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.
