Can Cast Iron Pans Be Used On Glasstop Stoves? Mistakes to Avoid in 2023

Cast iron pans are a great option for cooking because you can use them on any stovetop. Cast iron cookware is heavy, so people often ask can cast iron pans to be used on a glass-top stove. Cast iron is made from high-quality iron, allowing it to cook healthily on almost any surface, including glass. When used properly, cast-iron cookware on ceramic-glass stoves and cooktops won’t scratch the pan or the cooking surface. As cast iron is heavy, so be careful while setting it down on the stove and always lift it to move it rather than letting it slide.

Read this guide to learn how to use cast-iron cookware on a ceramic glass-top stove.

What is the Allure of a Glass Cooktop?

The smooth surface of a glass stove top is one of its main selling points because it reduces the time and effort required to clean the stove after use.

As it is flat, no crevices exist between the coils for food to fall through. In addition to its numerous benefits, a top glass stove has a level surface that facilitates the induction of heat throughout the entire cooking surface.

Medium-to-heavy, flat-bottomed pots and pans are ideal for use on a glass-top stove. The most common material for cookware is stainless steel, but copper and aluminum are also rather common.

What about Cast Iron cookware? Is it The Right Pan For Your Glass Top Stoves

You can use most cast iron cookware on a glass cooktop, but always with precautions. Be sure not to slide the cookware as it will make a scratching noise, and remember that cast iron heats slowly yet retains heat for a long time. 

Cast-iron pots and skillets are perfect for getting a variety of dishes from the pan to the oven. It gives you more versatility, durability, and convenience than other types of cookware would. Some of how cast iron improves cooking in all aspects are listed below:

• If Properly Maintained, A Cast Iron Pan Can Last A Lifetime

Cast-iron skillets like Lodge are naturally non-stick, and while nothing rivals Teflon for convenience, the seasoning process creates a smooth surface without chemicals.

• Retains The Heat 

Cast iron  not only warms up rapidly, but it also retains that heat for even cooking throughout.

• Perfect for Browning 

Victoria cast iron skillet has the excellent searing ability and adds rich browning to a wide range of meals.

So, What Factors Can You Not Overlook While Using Cast Iron Pans On Glass Tops?

You can use cast iron cookware if you follow the guidelines for using cast iron cookware on glass cooktops. Cast-iron cookware necessitates special handling when used on glass cooktops. The specifics are as follows:

• Cast-Iron Pans’ Relative Heaviness

Cast iron pans readily scratches and damages the glass top of stoves. It is primarily because cast iron pans are notoriously hefty. Adding the ingredients will make the pot even heavier if you’re making soup or stew. And that’s a lot of loads for the glass stove top to bear.

Naturally, glass cooktops can support a lot of pressure. But if you even lightly drop that cast iron pan on the surface when lifting it, the stovetop might easily break, permanently destroying your top glass stove that now requires a new installation.

• Inconsistent Surface on Cast Iron Pans

The finest cookware for top glass stoves has a flat bottom to disperse the heat uniformly throughout the bottom area of the pan.

Cast iron pans typically feature uneven surfaces, such as burrs and rough patches, on the bottom rather than a flawlessly smooth surface. It can easily scratch the glass top, often leaving behind deep scratches that might cause staining on the stove surface.

• The Size of Cast Iron Pots and Pans

The size of cast iron cookware is another reason why manufacturers of glass stove tops advise against using it. Most cast-iron pans and skillets are too big to fit on our stovetop.

The most efficient way to use a glass stove top is with cookware that is no more than an inch larger in diameter than the burner. Too much space between the bottom of the pan and the heat source means food may take longer to cook in a cast iron pan.

Cast iron cookware is known for its durability, but its huge size can cause heating elements to overheat and burn out when used for prolonged periods.

• The Cast Iron Surface Finish

Cast iron cookware has an uneven, not smooth, surface finish. The combination of an uneven base and this rough surface can cause the glass top to scratch very quickly. Yet, if you buy cast iron enameled with porcelain, the pan’s surface will be smooth and uniform.

How To Protect Your Glass Cooktops While Using Cast Iron Pans?

Please ensure the cast-iron pan’s bottom is dry and clean before using it. When moving cookware from one heating source to another, don’t scratch or damage the surface by slipping or dropping the item. Here’s how to use cast iron safely on a glass-top stove without scratching the surface.

• Rise, Don’t Just Slip Down!

You’ll need to lift the pan rather than slide it if you want to continue using your beloved cast-iron skillet on your sleek new glass-top range.

• Don’t Let The Pan Slip Out Of Your Hands.

Cast iron, as indicated before, becomes very heavy when full of food, making the pan more likely to be dropped. Be cautious about using both hands when lifting heavy objects, and position them gently in one spot to avoid scratching the surface.

• Make sure that you clean your cast iron before using it

Cast-iron cookware requires additional washing before being placed on a glass-top stove.

Cast iron pans are the worst for retaining oil and tiny bits of burned-on food compared to other cooking surfaces. It implies that the top glass surface is at risk of becoming stained or smudged if you use a cast-iron pan for cooking, as the oil and food deposits in the pan will begin to carbonize and burn at high temperatures.

It’s common for these stains to be stubborn on a glass countertop. Cast iron can cause damage to your stovetop, so be sure to wash it properly after each use and before you use it again.

• Applying a Heat Diffuser

Using a heat diffuser when cooking on a glass-top stove is an excellent way to use your trusty cast-iron skillet.

A heat diffuser’s intended function is to disperse heat evenly across a pan’s base. Metal heat diffusers are strong enough to keep your glass stove top safe from the weight and abrasiveness of cast-iron skillets. Heat diffusers can be considered a layer of insulation between the bottom of your pan and the cold metal of your burner.

Heat diffusers are inexpensive and can be found at any home improvement or kitchen store. You may heat your cast-iron skillet by placing the diffuser on your glass stovetop over an element and turning the heat to medium.

Watch out that the diffuser doesn’t get pushed away from the heating element by the pan’s weight. If you’ve ever worried about scratching your stove top while using a cast-iron pan, your worries are over.

How To Get Rid Of Stains Of Cast Iron Pans On Glass-Top Stoves?

Maintaining your stove’s pristine condition includes doing what you can to prevent scratches and dents from cast-iron pan use. One can use the below methods to clean their top glass stove thoroughly.

• Manufactures Guide

Please find out how to clean your glass stove top by reading the manual that came with it.

• Cleaning With Chemicals

Take care with the amount of chemical cleaner you use on the stovetop. Use a clean cloth dampened with warm water to wipe down surfaces after using cleaning products to remove as much of the potentially dangerous chemical residue as possible.

• Cleaning By Clothes 

If you drop something hot onto a glass surface while cooking, use a moist cloth to wipe it up before it burns rapidly.

• Use Soft Scouring Pad Instead Of Harsh One

Cleaning products that are too abrasive or harsh could scratch the surface, so don’t use them. Use a soft scouring pad or brush to avoid scratching or damaging your stove top while removing burnt food.

What pans should not be used on a glass-top stove?

Cooking utensils made of cast iron, stoneware, or any other glass or ceramic type are not advised for use on glass top stoves. Their rough surface can easily produce scratches when dragged across a smooth surface loaded with food. Yet, a cast-iron pan can be used, provided the necessary precautions are taken.

How do you protect a glass cooktop from cast iron?

As its name implies, a heat diffuser works to disperse heat evenly across the base of a cooking vessel. The heavyweight and rough bottoms of cast iron pans can crack your glass stove top, but a heat diffuser made from robust metal can help prevent this from happening.

What type of cookware is best for glass-top stoves?

• Stainless steel: 

Stainless steel is a robust and smooth material ideal for use on a glass stove top.

• Enameled cast iron cookware:

While cast iron cookware has a rough base, enamel assists in covering and smoothing it.

• Ceramic cookware:

Ceramic cookware is perfect for use on all types of cooktops..

Can I use Lodge cast iron on the glass top stove?

You can use the lodge on various heat sources, even stoves with glass tops. Handle carefully on the hob, don’t let it slide, and always take it off after cooking.

Conclusion

You can use most cookware safely on a glass-top stove if care is taken to avoid scratching or chipping the surface. Use caution while placing cast-iron skillets and other heavy cookware on the surface to prevent cracks and other damage.

I hope after reading this article, You can now use your cast-iron skillets safely on your glass-top stove.

Which cookware do you prefer for your glass cooktops? Leave your comment.