Ceramic glass cooktop testing?

Question

I'm in a new house, and the cook is getting frustrated with our new cooktop. Water takes a long time to boil and when it finally does, there is no way to simmer as it is now too hot. Is this normal behavior? How can I test the stove for normal operation?

Answer 1

A reason for this may be your pots and pans. A glass cooktop works best with flat bottomed pans. This gives better heat transfer into the pan from the cooktop.

Take a straightedge, and place it against the bottom of your pans. If they are deeply dished or they are warped, then you may need a new set of pans.

Answer 2

I had the exact same experience after my wife bought a glass top stove for our kitchen. I had many pots boil over and burn the first year and I hated the beast. It took some experience and practice to get a feel for how the glass stove performs. I eventually learned how to anticipate something coming to a boil and turning down the heat early enough to avoid a problem, though it still happens at times. Simmering a covered pot takes a far lower setting than you would naturally think if you have are used to a gas stove.

It is not like a gas stove where you can turn down the heat and immediately see a change. The glass stove tops take a little longer to get up to temperature and then retains heat for some time after you turn down the setting. I think this is normal behavior.

I agree with woodchips' advice about checking the bottom of your cookware for flatness. The more surface area in direct contact with the glass the better it will work.

Answer 3

I have the same question. It has taken an hour on hi for my pot of water to finally boil on this glasstop stove. I'm used to an electric stove with an open element taking a while, but this is ridiculous!