Some shape of beauty moves away the pall . . . When John Keats penned that phrase, the glasstop stove's attributes flowed from his hand. No other appliance has done more to redefine the American kitchen. Its elegant, uncluttered presence inspires creation of exquisite cuisine in a place that has never looked as fresh. But no matter how eye-catching, the highly polished glasstop range hides an ugly secret. Within its beauty lie untold needs. Those in the market for a new glass cooktop range should know before they make the purchase that it is a high maintenance appliance.
Family Lifestyle
If small children or young teens are in the home, carefully consider if a glass top stove is right for them. The stove can seriously burn or injure youngsters if they play with the controls. If something heavy falls on the stovetop, the glass will likely break or sustain damage. To avoid possible electric shock, the stovetop cannot be used while it is broken or cracked. Teenagers might burn grease and food onto the glass that will be hard or impossible to clean off.
Family Pet
If the family has a bird, someone in the house must always remember to relocate the bird when the stove is self-cleaning. The fumes from the oven can kill the bird.
Current Cookware
Most current cookware won't meet the cooktop stove's requirements. Almost any of the older cookware will scratch and nick the stovetop surface or heat and cook unevenly. Grease build-up on old cookware, such as skillets will transfer to and stain the cooktop glass. Prepare to purchase new cookware recommended for use on smoothtop stoves.
The manufacturers' Recommendations
The manufacturer's disclaimers and user manuals are unavailable until after the stove has been purchased and installed. The use and care guide is not available at the place of purchase and is tough to locate on the internet. After delivery and installation, look for the hermetically sealed use and care guide in the oven. It holds a litany of do not and never cautions.
- Do not use glass pans. They can scratch the surface.
- Do not let spills remain on the cooking area long. They burn onto the glass.
- Do not slide cookware across a hot surface as scratch marks may be left.
- Do not spill sugar, salt, or fat on the cooking area.
- Do not use a small pan on a large heating element.
- Do not use woks, rippled bottoms, and/or oversized canners and griddles.
- Do not use foil or foil containers.
- Do not let plastic, sugar, or foods with high sugar content melt onto the hot cook top.
- Never place a trivet or wok ring between the surface and pan. These can scar the surface.
- Never slide metal pans across the surface.
- Never use a soiled dishcloth or sponge to clean the stovetop surface.
- Never let a pan boil dry.
- Never use the cook top as a work surface or cutting board.
- Never cook food directly on the surface.
- Never use chlorine bleach or ammonia to clean the stove.
- Never use abrasive cleansing powders or scouring pads.
- Never let unsupervised children use the appliance for any reason.
- Never use a dish towel as a potholder as it may trail across a hot element and ignite.
- Never wear loose clothing or long sleeves while cooking as they may catch fire.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
The above list is lengthy although not comprehensive. Owning a smoothtop stove requires making some necessary cooking and attitude adjustments. But aside from all the cooktop range's choosiness, its presence is absolutely mesmerizing.
Ernestine Hill - Tina Hill
Join the Conversation