August 30, 2019
BY ELLIOTT BELL
Glass top stoves are actually made of glass-ceramic, which is made in the same way as glass, but with the addition of a nucleating agent that effectively creates a crystalline structure (the molecules of pure glass are arranged in a random structure, which causes them to easily break).
After rounds of heat treatment, glass-ceramic has the appearance of glass but is much stronger, has a low coefficient of thermal expansion (which means it doesn't react quickly to temperature changes), and is no longer translucent.
Glass top stoves are usually either electric or induction. While both run on electricity rather than as a conventional gas stove, the difference is in the way they use the electricity. Electric stoves are the older of the two and are often referred to as radiant cooktops, after the radiant heating coils placed below the glass-ceramic surface. When an electric stove it turned on, the coils basically heat up and radiate up to the cooktop, which in turn, heats up the cookware.
Induction stove tops, on the other hand, work through electromagnetic induction. When turned on, the coil under the glass-ceramic surface generates an electromagnetic field, similar to that in a microwave. While the actual coil and cooktop themselves don’t get hot, any magnetic cookware placed on top of the surface will react to the electric currents and effectively heat up.
Each type of glass top stove has its own characteristics (electric is less heat efficient) and price points (induction is more expensive). But no matter which one you’re cooking on, all glass top stoves should be properly cared for in order to maintain their sleek surface.
The ideal cookware for glass top stoves are ones that have a smooth surface and are not too heavy.
When cooking on a shiny glass top stove, not just any type of cookware will do. One wrong thud or clank of the wrong material, and the smooth surface can be easily scratched. For this reason, the ideal cookware material for a glass top stove is stainless steel. This popular cookware metal is durable, hard-wearing, and offers just enough weight to remain stable yet not so much as to damage the delicate glass surface.
Aluminum or copper are also suitable, and popular for their amazing heat conducting capabilities. However, they have been known to leave residue behind on glass cooking surfaces and are, therefore, best used as core layers under a stainless steel exterior. This combination of metals makes for superior cookware that is gentle on all cooktops.
The materials that don’t work well on glass top stoves are cast iron, stoneware, and other glass or ceramic cookware. These are typically rough and can very easily cause scratches, especially when dragged across the smooth surface while full of food. Cast iron, in particular, takes a while to heat up and then holds on to this high heat for a fairly long time — this sustained high temperature can cause the entire cooktop to overheat and potentially turn off.
Induction top stoves, in particular, only work with magnetic cookware. Magnetic cookware includes those made of ferrous metals (metals that contains iron), such as cast iron and carbon steel. There are also certain types of magnetic stainless steel — namely 18/0 or 420 stainless steel — that are ferritic and function as the base layer of high-quality induction cookware.
Other cookware materials, such as aluminum, copper, or glass, will not work very well on induction cooktops. There are some “all-metal” induction models that work with a wider range of cookware, but these are still not common in most home kitchens.
Furthermore, it’s best to use pots or pans with a wide, stable base. As glass cooktops have to be in direct contact with the cookware in order to actually transfer heat, it may be hard to get all the food to cook evenly on a small surface area or with cookware that is uneven due to warping. You want a pan that sits flat on the glass stove and has a wide enough contact area for the food to spread out and properly cook over the heat.
It’s best to look for a pan with a wide, flat bottom when cooking on electric or induction stoves, as heat only gets transferred to the part in contact with the stovetop.
Whether you’re looking for a starter set or complete collection, Misen offers a range of essential cookware to suit your needs. Our 5 PC Starter Cookware Set includes a 10-inch skillet, a 3-quart sauté, and a 3-quart saucier (all with lids). Our 9 PC Essentials Cookware Set includes a 10-inch skillet, a 12-inch skillet, a 3-quart sauté, a 3-quart saucier, and an 8-quart stockpot (all with lids). And our 12 PC Complete Cookware Set has a 10-inch skillet, a 12-inch skillet, a 3-quart sauté, a 6-quart rondeau, a 2-quart saucier, a 3-quart saucier, and an 8-quart stockpot (all with lids).
All Misen cookware is made from five layers of stainless steel and aluminum, for superior heat conduction. They feature stay-cool handles that are riveted to the base, are dishwasher safe, and are guaranteed compatible with gas, electric, and induction cooktops.
If you’re not ready to cook with stainless steel then Misen also offers a great nonstick cookware option that is both easy to cook with and 100% electric and induction compatible.
If you’re cooking on a glass top stove, you need the right cookware for it. This means the right material that won’t damage the surface, and the perfect silhouette to make the most of the contact-only heating style.
For the best cookware that does both these things, opt for a high-quality stainless steel piece with a wide, flat-bottom base. Not only are these pieces perfect for both electric and induction glass stovetops, they’re also easy to use, easy to clean, and can last a lifetime.
