Glass cooktops are among the most popular designs for ease of cleaning and overall convenience. The substance in these ranges is constructed of a special material that can withstand temperatures in excess of 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.
The radiant heat type of glass cooktop uses about 20 percent radiant heat and 80 percent conducted heat. For this reason, it is extremely important to choose the correct type of cookware for your range.
Without regard to the brand name of any particular cookware, the most important design element of the cookware you choose is that it must have a flat bottom. Not just mostly flat, but extremely flat. The best way to test for flatness is the ruler test. Take a standard 12 inch ruler and place the edge of it across the pan at the center. When you do this, look closely to see if there are any areas of light showing under the ruler. It is also acceptable to have a slight concave toward the center of the pan.
Another way to test if your pan is flat, is to place it on your glass cooktop and add one half cup water to it. Heat the water to boiling and check to see that the water heats and boils uniformly across the entire pan.
The best performing pots and pans for a glass top is one with a stainless steel bottom. Pans with copper or aluminum bottoms will transfer heat very well, but the soft metal will tend to mark up the specially designed glass. Ironically glass cookware is the least desirable type of material to use on a glass cooktop and is not recommended.
Whether you have a basic set of pots and pans from your major retail outlet or a designer set you received as a wedding gift, the name on the pans is not as important as the style, design, and material you use with your glass cooktop.
