Kind of Pots Recommended for Glass Topped Ranges

Stainless Steel

• Medium- or heavy-gauge stainless steel pots are highly recommended for use on glass top ranges. Stainless steel has the lowest heat conductivity of metals commonly used to make cookware. It heats up slowly but holds the heat longer after it does heat up. Stainless steel pans with a copper or aluminum disc sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel on the bottom are ideal. The copper or aluminum heats up more quickly while the stainless steel layer on the bottom protects the glass top burner. All-Clad and Cuisinart brands are recommended by the Cookware Manufacturers Association. Carbon steel pots may also be used on glass top ranges. However, make sure the bottom of the pan is flat, smooth and free of defects or burrs to avoid scratching the glass.

Aluminum and Copper

• Heavy-gauge aluminum and copper pots are recommended for use on glass top ranges. Aluminum’s heat conductivity is second only to copper. Both aluminum and copper heat evenly, providing a uniform cooking surface without cool spots. Copper, having the highest heat conductivity of all metals used for cookware, heats up very quickly. Caution should be exercised when using copper pots. If allowed to boil dry or sit empty on a hot burner, copper pans can cause a permanent residue stain on the glass. Analon, Calphalon, Circulon, Regal and Renaissance brand aluminum pans are recommended by the Cookware Manufacturers Association. Ceramic titanium-coated aluminum pans may also be used on glass top ranges. Aluminum and copper pans can occasionally leave a light residue on the glass that looks like scratches. This residue can be cleaned off as long as it is done immediately.

Cast Iron

• Cast iron and porcelain coated cast iron pans may be used on glass top ranges as long as they do not have the raised ring on the bottom. Make sure the bottom of the pan is completely smooth. The heaviness of cast iron also poses a hazard. If the pan is dropped accidentally, it can easily break the glass top. Cast iron has the same heat conductivity level as stainless steel. However, very hot iron pans transfer the heat back onto the heating element. This confuses the heat sensor, causing it to shut down the element to avoid over-heating.

Porcelain Enamel

• Porcelain enamel pots can be used and generally work quite well on glass top ranges as long as the pan bottom is thick and flat. However, such pans must never be allowed to boil dry or sit empty on a hot burner. If the porcelain enamel gets too hot, it can fuse to the glass.

Ceramic, Glass and Stoneware

• Ceramic, glass and stoneware pots are not recommended for use on glass top ranges. Glass and ceramic have very low heat conductivity, causing slow, uneven heating. Stoneware also does not heat well on glass top ranges. Glass top ranges are easily scratched by ceramic, glass and stoneware pots.