Cookware set

Growing up in the 90s, my family had a coil top electric range. Kitchen clean-up was part of my childhood chores and I remember how difficult it was to clean the stove because food would fall down between the coils and burn. When I finally got my hands on an electric stove with a glass top, it was a revelation! Cleaning a glass top stove is so much easier and food tasted better.

If you own or are planning to own a glass stovetop, it is important that you use the right type of cookware for it. Using the right type will not only ensure that your cooktop will last you a long time but will also help you maintain its elegance.

In this article, we will discuss some of the most frequently asked questions about glass top stoves and all you need to know before you buy a set of cookware that should go with one.

Do Glass Stovetops Scratch Easily?

Even though glass stovetops are usually scratch-resistant, it doesn’t make them impenetrable. Glass stovetops can be easily scratched with the right (or wrong) material. If you want to keep your stovetops looking brand new, here are a few ways to help prevent scratching:

• Pick the pan up off of the stove when you are cooking instead of moving it back and forth.

• Use pans with flat, even bottoms. Stainless steel is the preferred type of cooking pots and pans for glass top stoves.

• Clean the bottom of your pans thoroughly. Any leftover food or grease can cause damage to your stove if you heat it back up again.

• Clean spills as soon as the stovetop is cool and make sure you use cleaners that are specifically designed for glass stovetops.

Can You Break Glass Stovetops?

While it is more common to crack or scratch glass stovetops, they CAN break under some circumstances. For example, if you store glass jars above or near the stove, the jars could fall onto the stove, causing it break.

Users are cautioned not to put hot pans onto a cold stove, as that can cause the stovetop to break. Many people aren’t aware of this until it happens to them, but it is exceedingly common for a glass pan (such as Pyrex) to break when taken directly out of the oven and placed onto the cold stovetop. It can be a dangerous situation, as the glass pan shatters and could potentially cause the glass stovetop to shatter as well.

Whether a glass stovetop has broken or cracked, it can be easily replaced. It could even be covered under the warranty if the stove is a recent purchase.

Cleaning A Glass Stovetop

Due to their dark color, glass stovetops can quickly accumulate dust, pet hair, food crumbs, and other debris. One of the biggest advantages of glass stovetops over their metal coil counterpart is how much easier they are to clean. However, be careful! They might be easy to clean, but Merry Maids recommends using soft microfiber cloths instead of paper towels or scratchy kitchen towels to avoid leaving behind small scratches.

Cleaning the glass stovetop is fairly simple. For small spills or daily cleaning, all you need to do is lightly mist vinegar onto the stove and wipe it with a damp cloth. It is not advisable to use chemicals on the glass stovetop, as the chemical residue will burn off into the air when you cook again.

For harder-to-clean stains, sprinkle a little baking soda onto the glass surface after you have sprayed the vinegar and wipe it down with a damp microfiber cloth.

Types of Cookware for Glass Top Stoves

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is considered to be one of the best cookware types for electric glass top stoves because it is durable and reasonably priced. The smooth, flat bottoms of the stainless steel pans work well with the surface of the glass top stove without causing scratches or other damage.

Many companies put copper or aluminum materials on the bottom of their stainless steel pans to compensate for poor heat conduction, which is one of the downsides of the otherwise highly recommended cookware. Remember to lift your pans instead of moving them around when you are cooking to avoid scratching your stove.

Heavy-weight Aluminum

Whereas stainless steel conducts heat poorly, weighted aluminum pots and pans respond quickly to heat, making them great for frying food in. It also won’t damage your glass stovetop with scratches.

Aluminum doesn’t rust, making it one of the best cookware for glass cooktops if you’re looking to update your kitchen pots and pans. It can, however, corrode when used with acidic and alkaline foods, which is then potentially absorbed into the food. Take that into consideration if you choose these types of pots for your cooking use.

Copper

Copper disperses heat evenly, which makes it a great option for glass top stoves since it can heat up quickly. Food typically won’t burn or overcook in copper pans because the pans cool almost immediately when removed from contact with heat.

One downside of copper cookware is it can warp easily, which then makes it ineffective for cooking. Polishing your copper pots and pans regularly will keep them looking brand new. It can be a great chore for the kids or a stress-relieving outlet for you!

Titanium

Titanium is the cookware that is the closest to being perfect in every way and it clearly shows that in the price tag.

Titanium cookware is expensive because it is nonreactive, hypoallergenic and heats up quickly and evenly.

Its scratch-resistant coating ensures that the pots and pans will last a long time, which makes it a sound investment if you can afford the initial cost.

Porcelain

Porcelain cookware is effective if it has a flat, thick bottom. However, it is possible for the material to melt and stick to the surface, so be sure not to boil these pans dry.

Cookware Materials to Avoid

Glass

Glass top stoves work best with round, flat bottomed pans and glass pans usually have rounder bottoms.

Glass is also a poor heat conductor, which overall makes it a poor choice in cookware for stoves. As mentioned earlier, placing a hot glass on a cold one is a recipe for disaster too.

Stoneware

As with glass, stoneware doesn’t have the smooth bottom that the recommended pots and pans have. It also is a poor conductor of heat, making your food cook irregularly.

It is well-known that cast-iron products take a lot of time to heat up on the stove, but once it does, it heats evenly and thoroughly. It works great with deep-frying or slow-cooking.

The Cast-Iron Controversy

Cast-iron cookware has been touted as the must-have kitchen accessory for the last few years. But there are as many drawbacks to cast-iron as there are perks.

Cast-iron pans are quite heavy and can potentially break your glass stovetop if dropped or even set down with too much force.

Cast-iron can rust if washed incorrectly and once the pan is damaged, it can damage your stovetop as well.

Many stoves have safety features that automatically shut off the oven or stove when it receives a signal that it is overheating. Cast-iron pans can transfer a significant amount of heat to the cooktop, potentially causing it to shut down from unmanageable temperatures.

While others find cast-iron pans to be the most difficult pan to use there are some who swear by them. If your are the latter and you want to know if you can use cast-iron in your glass cooktop, the answer is YES. Just be sure to take extra caution in handling your pans.

Here is a Youtube video showing how to fry an egg in a cast-iron pan on a glass cooktop.

Top 10 Cookware for Glass Top Stoves

Rachael Ray Cucina Nonstick Cookware Set

Features:

• Hard porcelain enamel
• 12-piece set
• Oven safe

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If you’re looking to add earthy cookware to your kitchen, this product by Rachael Ray is a strong contender.

The various pieces include two skillets, four pots of varying colors and sizes, including a small saucepan and six break-resistant lids. A slotted turner and spoon are also included.

Made with aluminum bottoms and stainless steel handles, the porcelain enamel on the pans is nonstick, making for easier clean-up.

Pros

•  
• Shatter-proof lids
• With different color options
  
  

 

Cons

• Not dishwasher safe

 

Cusinaid Aluminum Pots and Pans Set

Features:

• Impact-bonded stainless steel base & aluminum construction
• 10-piece set
• Dishwasher safe
• Oven safe
• PTFE/PFOA/Lead/Cadium-free

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This copper-colored glass top stove cookware set includes 2 covered saucepans, 2 fry pans, and 2 covered stockpots. Lids are also included.

Each cookware has a nonstick ceramic coating and a double-bottom aluminum bottom for optimum heat conduction.

Pros

• Anti-warping design
• Oil-free cooking
•  

Cons

• The color is not attractive

 

Cooks Standard Stainless Steel Cookware Set

Features:

• 18/10 stainless steel with an aluminum disc
• Oven safe
• Dishwasher safe

 

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Stainless steel is one of the best heat conducting cookware for glass stovetops. This set of 9-pieces includes a universal steamer.

The glass lids allow you to watch the food as it is cooking and decreases your burn risk from lifting up hot lids to check on the food.

The handles are riveted, which keeps them cool to the touch.

Pros

• Universal steamer
• Even heat distribution
• Safe for ovens up to 500 degrees F.

Cons

• Only 9 pieces for the price

 

Cuisinart Conical Hard Anodized Cookware Set

Features:

• Hard anodized aluminum constriction
• Oven safe
• Lifetime warranty

 

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This cookware set has hard anodized bottoms, giving it the highest quality heat distribution.

2 skillets, 2 saucepans, a skillet and a stockpot with a steamer insert are included in the set, plus lids.

The non-stick surface is reinforced for easy clean-up.

Pros

• Anodized bottoms for even heat distribution
• Glass lids
• Steamer insert
• Great price

 

Cons

• Can’t be cleaned in the dishwasher or it loses some non-stick function.

 

ELO Skyline Stainless Steel Kitchen Induction Cookware

Features:

• Polished 18/10 stainless steel
• Oven safe
• Dishwasher safe

 

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This 10-piece cookware set is made by the leading kitchen equipment company in Germany. Their high-quality products come at an affordable price.

The stainless steel is a great heat conductor that gives even heat distribution.

The lids come with steam holes and are transparent.

Pros

• The price
• Ventilated lids
• Stainless steel bottoms

 

Cons

• Flimsy construction

 

Utopia Kitchen Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

Features:

• Oven safe
• 12.5-inch skillet

 

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Despite the controversy, cast iron skillets are still considered one of the best pans for glass cooktops. All cast iron pans are a bit on the pricey side, but they are meant to last an entire lifetime.

This skillet is pre-seasoned, meaning you can use it right out of the box. There is a bit of a ritual involving non-seasoned cast iron pans that play a big part in the controversy of whether the pans are worth it.

Cast iron pans should be washed with warm, soapy water instead of placed in the dishwasher.

Pros

• Pre-seasoned
• Keeps food warm longer
• Increases iron intake

 

Cons

• Take longer to heat up than regular cookware

 

Anolon Advanced Hard-Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set

Features:

• Hard-anodized construction
• 11-piece set
• Oven safe

 

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2 saucepans, 2 skillets, a stockpot, a sauté pan and a shallow grill pan are included in this cookware set. The lids are shatterproof.

The anodized material is twice as hard as stainless steel and provides full heat distribution.

Pros

• Shatterproof lids
• Durable material

 

Cons

• Needs to be hand-washed
• Price

 

Paula Deen Signature Collection Porcelain Nonstick Cookware Set

Features:

• Oven safe
• Dishwasher safe

 

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This cookware set is the most attractive of the bunch with unique red speckles on each of the pans.

Aside from 2 saucepans, a stockpot, and 2 skillets, the set also comes with a 5-piece measuring spoon set and lids. Quite a lot of cookware for a very low price.

Pros

• Touch of color
• Great price
• Includes measuring spoon

 

Cons

• Needs to be hand-washed
• Price

 

T-fal Color Luxe Hard Titanium Nonstick Thermo-Spot Cookware Set

Features:

• Oven safe
• Dishwasher safe

 

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The color on these pots and pans will update your traditional kitchen to a modern one.

Riveted handles provide comfort and safety.

Pros

• Thermo-spot heat indicator for preheating
• Purple color
• Price

 

Cons

• Needs to be hand-washed
• Price

 

 

Vremi Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set

Features:

•  
• Dishwasher safe

 

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This yellow cookware set will brighten up any kitchen!

Included are 2 dutch oven pots, a casserole pot, 2 frying pans, and lids.

The cookware is coated in ceramic for even cooking.

Pros

• Yellow color
• Price
• Dutch oven pots

 

Cons

• Needs to be hand-washed
• Price

 

 

Top Pick – What is the Best Cookware for Glass Top Stoves

Cuisinart 62I-11 Conical Hard Anodized Cookware Set, Medium, Black

This cookware set has unsurpassed heat distribution and riveted handles for extra comfort.

The lids have stainless steel rims to lock in flavor.

This set is a bit pricier than the other similar sets, but the promise of an even cook makes it worth it.

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