12
Cookware
IMPORTANT:
Do not leave empty cookware on a hot surface
cooking area, element, or surface burner.
Ideal cookware should have a flat bottom, straight sides, and a
well-fitting lid, and the material should be of medium-to-heavy
thickness.
Rough finishes may scratch the cooktop or coils. Aluminum
and copper may be used as a core or base in cookware.
However, when used as a base, they can leave permanent
marks on the surfaces.
Cookware material is a factor in how quickly and evenly heat
is transferred which affects cooking results. A nonstick finish
has the same characteristics as its base material. For example,
aluminum cookware with a nonstick finish will take on the
properties of aluminum.
Cookware with nonstick surfaces should not be used under
the broiler.
Check for flatness by placing the straight edge of a ruler across
the bottom of the cookware. While you rotate the ruler, no space
or light should be visible between it and the cookware.
Use the following chart as a guide for cookware material
characteristics.
Cookware
Characteristics
Aluminum
■
Heats quickly and evenly.
■
Suitable for all types of cooking.
■
Medium or heavy thickness is best for
most cooking tasks.
■
May leave aluminum residues
which may be diminished if cleaned
immediately after cooking.
Cast iron
■
Heats slowly and evenly.
■
Good for browning and frying.
■
Maintains heat for slow cooking.
■
Rough edges or burrs may scratch the
cooktop.
Ceramic or
ceramic glass
■
Follow manufacturer’s instructions.
■
Heats slowly, but unevenly.
■
Ideal results on low-to-medium heat
settings.
■
May scratch the cooktop.
Cookware
Characteristics
Copper
■
Heats very quickly and evenly.
■
May leave copper residues which may
be diminished if cleaned immediately
after cooking.
■
Can leave a permanent stain or bond
to the cooktop if overheated.
Earthenware
■
Follow manufacturer’s instructions.
■
Use on low heat settings.
■
May scratch the cooktop.
Porcelain
enamel-on-steel
or cast iron
■
See stainless steel or cast iron.
■
Porcelain enamel bakeware without the
metal base may bond to the cooktop if
overheated.
Stainless steel
■
Heats quickly but unevenly.
■
A core or base of aluminum or copper
on stainless steel provides even
heating.
Use flat-bottomed cookware for best cooking results and energy
efficiency. The cookware should be about the same size as
the cooking area outlined on the cooktop or the coil element.
Cookware should not extend more than 1/2" (1.3 cm) beyond
the surface cooking area or element.
Home Canning
Canning can be performed on a glass smooth top cooking
surface or traditional coil element cooktop. When canning for
long periods, alternate the use of surface cooking areas or
elements between batches. This allows time for the most recently
used areas to cool.
■
Center the canner on the largest surface cooking area or
element. On electric cooktops, canners should not extend
more than 1/2" (1.3 cm) beyond the surface cooking area or
element.
■
Do not place canner on 2 surface cooking areas or elements
at the same time.
■
On ceramic glass models, use only flat-bottomed canners to
avoid damage to the cooktop and elements.
■
For more information, contact your local agricultural
extension office or refer to published home canning guides.
Companies that manufacture home canning products can
also offer assistance.
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