GE JBC17, Use And Care & Installation Manual

14

SURFACE COOKWARE TIPS

(Glass Cooktop models only—continued)

How to Check Pan Performance

Use of correct cookware can affect the cooking
performance and cleaning of your cooktop. 
The correct cookware reduces the temperature of 
the cooktop surface and minimizes the chance of
spillovers burning onto the cooktop.

You must use pans with perfectly flat bottoms.
Some pans may have curved or rounded bottoms or
may be warped. If you are unsure of the flatness of
your pans you may do this quick test. 

Turn your pan upside
down on the countertop,
place a ruler flat against
the pan surface. The
bottom of the pan and the
straight edge of the ruler
should fit flush against each other all the way across. 
Turn the ruler a full 360 degrees, checking for any
space between the ruler and the bottom of the pan.

Pans with rounded, curved, ridged or warped
bottoms are not recommended.

Another simple test to determine even heat distribution
across the cookware bottom is to put one inch of water
in the pan. Bring the water to a boil and observe the
location of bubbles as the water starts to boil. Good
flat cookware will have an even distribution of bubbles
over the bottom surface area of the pan. Bubbles
localized in only a portion of the bottom indicate
uneven contact of the pan to the surface unit, uneven
heat transfer or an unsuitable pan.

Use pans that match the diameter of the surface 
unit. Cooking performance will not be as good if the
cookware is either smaller or larger than the surface unit.

• Place only dry pans on the 

surface units. Do not place 
lids on the surface units,
particularly wet lids.

• We recommend that you use 

only a flat-bottomed wok.
They are available at your
local retail store. The bottom of the wok should 
have the same diameter as the surface unit to insure
proper contact.

• Do not use woks that have 

support rings. This type of
wok will not heat on glass
cooktops.

• Some special cooking procedures require specific

cookware such as pressure cookers, deep fat fryers,
etc. All cookware must have flat bottoms and be the
correct size. 

SPECIAL CAUTIONS FOR GLASS COOKTOPS

• Never cook

directly on the
glass. Always use
cookware.

• Always place the

pan in the center
of the surface unit
you are cooking on.

• Do not use the

surface as a
cutting board.

• Do not slide

cookware
across the
cooktop
because it can
scratch the
glass—the
glass is scratch
resistant, not
scratch proof.

• Don’t store heavy

items above the
cooktop. If they
drop onto the
cooktop, they can
cause damage.

DROPPING

DRAGGING

DRAGGING

CUTTING

OFF CENTER

SURFACE 

COOKING

SURFACE 

COOKING