What Cookware Not To Use On Your Glass-Top Stove?

Are you a proud owner of a sleek and modern glass-top stove? You must know how important it is to choose the right cookware to avoid damaging its surface. While glass-top stoves offer several advantages, they require special care and attention regarding cookware selection. 

Using the wrong type of cookware can lead to scratches and cracks on your glass stove and cause safety hazards. So, if you’re wondering what kind of cookware can’t be used on a glass-top stove, you’ve come to the right place!

Glass top stoves are incompatible with cast iron, stoneware, or ceramic or glass cookware. When dragged across a smooth surface laden with food, their rough surface can easily produce scratches on your favourite glass top stoves.

In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most common types of cookware incompatible with glass-top stoves and why you should avoid using them. So, let’s dive in!

What Pans Can You Not Use On Glass-Top Stoves?

Glass top stoves are popular because they are sleek and easy to clean. But not all pots and pans can be used on glass-top stoves. Here, we’ve enlisted certain types of pans you should avoid using on glass-top stoves to prevent damage to the stove and ensure safe cooking.

Ceramic or Stoneware Pans:

Ceramic and stoneware pans are popular for baking and serving food because they retain heat well. However, it would help if you didn’t use them on a glass-top range.

Reason To Not Use Stoneware On A Glass-Top Stove

These materials can easily scratch the surface of the glass and leave marks that are difficult to remove.

Copper Pans:

Copper is widely used in kitchenware because of its high thermal conductivity. But copper pans are not suitable for use on glass-top stoves. 

Reason To Not Use Copper Pans On A Glass-Top Stove

Copper is a soft metal that can leave scratches and scuff marks on the glass surface. Additionally, copper can react with the glass and cause discolouration.

Glass Pans:

Glass pans are popular for baking and cooking in the oven because they are transparent and allow you to see the food as it cooks. Unfortunately, glass pans are not recommended for use on glass-top stoves. 

Reason To Not Use Glassware On A Glass-Top Stove

Glass is a poor conductor of heat and can cause hot spots on the glass surface, leading to cracking or shattering.

Woks:

For stir-frying and deep-frying, nothing beats a genuine Chinese wok. However, it would help if you didn’t use woks on a glass cooktop.

Reason To Not Use The Woks On A Glass-Top Stove

Woks are typically round-bottomed, which can cause stability issues on a flat glass surface. The wok’s unique form and weight make it unsuitable for fragile glass surfaces.

Read More: Best Cookwares for Glass Cooktops

Glass-Top Stoves Are Safe For Cast Iron or Not?

It is safe if the cast iron is entirely covered by porcelain enamel. Cast iron cookware that isn’t fully coated in smooth porcelain enamel should be used cautiously, as it can scratch the glass ceramic hob. 

When used properly, cast-iron cookware on glass top stoves won’t scratch the pan or the cooking surface. Cast iron is heavy; always lift it to move it rather than letting it slide.

How To Properly Use Cast Iron Cookware On Your Glass Top Stove?

Browning, frying, and slow cooking are possible in a cast-iron skillet on a glass stovetop because of the material’s poor heat conduction and high heat retention. Cast iron is much heavier than ceramic and aluminum, so be careful when using it on a glass cooktop. Think about the following when cooking with cast iron on a glass-top stove.

• Leftover food and dirt can lead to burned-on problems, so always wash and dry your cookware before using it on your glass cooktop.
• Cast iron pans can be more time-consuming to heat up and cool down than other cookware, so plan accordingly. 
• Cast iron is a heavy material, so be careful when placing it on your cooking surface by lifting it instead of dragging it. 
• It is quickly taking the cast iron off the glass surface and setting it on a cooling rack or trivet after cooking that is recommended to prevent scorching scars.

Mistakes To Avoid While Using Cast Iron Cookware On A Glass-Top Stove

• DO NOT drag or shake cookware on a glass hob; this can scratch the pan and the hob, ruining your cookout. It is especially important when using cast iron. Instead, stir the food in the pan using a spoon or spatula.
• Do not leave cast iron on a glass cooktop to cool, as it increases the likelihood of scorch marks appearing on both the pan and the cooktop.
• Cast iron cookware is quite heavy and sturdy; this extra weight may cause damage and shatter the glass-top stove if caution is not taken.
• Never drop your cast iron skillet onto the hob; gently set it down.

FAQs

Is there any difference between a ceramic cooktop and a glass-top stove?

Ceramic cooktops, often known as glass cooktops, are flat, smooth stovetop surfaces made of tempered ceramic glass and heated by metal coils hidden beneath the surface. They frequently appear in 240-volt electric ranges or on freestanding cooktops installed into countertops.

Can you use ceramic cookware on a glass-top stove?

The rough surface of true ceramic cookware is unsafe for use on glass-top stoves. Most ceramic-labeled products today use metal with a silicone coating to generate a nonstick surface.

Can I use a cast-iron skillet with a round bottom on a glass-top range?

Cast iron cookware with a flat bottom is ideal for glass stove tops because it allows for equal heating of the pan’s cooking surface.

Can you use any pot or pan on a glass-top stove?

It would help if you didn’t drag anything across a glass stove top since it will harm the surface. To aid with this, avoid using excessively heavy cookware (like a cast iron pot) so you don’t have to drag your pots and pans on your glass-top stove.

Can you use regular pans on a glass-top stove?

You’ll need specialized cookware if your glass hob features induction burners. Follow this procedure to ensure compatibility: A pan is safe if a magnet adheres to its base.

Conclusion

Choosing the right cookware for a glass-top stove is crucial for both the safety of your stovetop and the quality of your cooking. Avoid cast iron, stoneware, and ceramic that can easily scratch or damage the glass surface. 

Instead, opt for smooth-bottomed stainless steel or aluminum cookware, which distribute heat evenly and perfectly cooked food. The advantage of a glass-top stove is that it can be used for many years with the correct equipment.