Yes, cooking new dishes on your new fancy glass top stove is fun. You’re likely looking for ways to keep your delicate glass cooktop in the best condition for as long as you can, which is why you may hesitate to use cast iron cookware on these stoves.
But we’re here to tell you one thing: it isn’t a disaster to use cast iron utensils on a glass cooktop. Today, we will guide you through the impacts of using cast iron on glass top stove.
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Is it a good idea to use cast iron on glass Top stove?
You may think using gray cast iron cookware on your sleek glass-ceramic stove is a nightmare waiting to happen. Even experts advise to avoid using heavy and uneven bottomed pans and pots over glass top stove.
But the good news is, if you take enough precautions, you can confidently use a cast iron skillet on your glass stovetop.
These helping hands in the kitchen are made reliable and trustworthy. Plus, cast iron skillets have been on the market for so long that most households depend on them. The possibility of a glass-ceramic stove being scratched are minimal, as long as you make sure that your pots and pans are not sliding around.
How can you protect a glass cooktop from cast iron cookware?
Want to prevent your elegant glass stovetop from cracking or scratches by rough cast iron cookware? Here’s a list of some precautions that can make your cast iron tools safer to use.
Don’t slide your cast iron cookware
Often people are worried about using gray or white cast iron pots, as they will end up damaging their delicate glass top stoves. But this isn’t true. Many manufacturers have conducted several tests regarding the use of cast iron cookware on glass cooktops, and the results reveal that it is safe to use iron cookware on glass stoves.
However, you should avoid sliding or dropping it over your shiny new glass top stove, as this will cause damage to it. You can use engraved cast iron pans or ones with designs on them, but do not go for the one that is chipped or has rough edges.
Cast iron heats more slowly on a glass stovetop
You need to keep this in mind: cast iron cookware heats more quickly on gas flame rather than on the glass top stove. So, we recommend you heat your cast iron pots first on low flame and then bring it to the medium high heat. With this approach, heat will be distributed evenly.
Keep your cast iron pots and pans clean
Ever wonder why is it necessary to clean the bottom of your cast iron pans and skillets?
Well, you’ll often see residues – such as oil – stick to the bottom of cast iron utensils. When these residues are heated at high temperatures, they leave a nasty black mark on your glass stovetop that is difficult to clean.
To keep away from this kind of situation, try to thoroughly rinse your cast iron utensils after every use and make sure there is no residue left.
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How do you use a cast iron skillet on an electric stove?
We know that you want to try out new recipes, and using a cast iron skillet on an electric stove will help you do it. These pots and pans are ideal for frying, baking, or cooking anything. If you get this long-lasting cookware, then you won’t be needing any others for several years.
Cast iron cookware has exceptional heat retention and also cooks food quickly too. But you need to be very careful while using them on glass top stoves.
How can you prevent scratches on your glass top stove?
While working with cast iron cookware, you need to be extra careful. These utensils are heavy and can cause scratches or even break your glass top stove.
So, here’s a list of safety measures that you should take, especially if you are cooking with cast iron pots on the glass top stove for the first time.
Be cautious
When cooking with cast iron pots or skillets, you need to be cautious, as these can cause some serious damage to your glass top stove. But if it is used with necessary precautions, then you can avoid scratches and cracks.
Moving the pan
Want to keep your glass top stove new for a long time? Then you need to be more vigilant while moving the cookware. We recommend care when lifting and placing any kind of pan that you are using.
Use proper utensils
Are you in the habit of placing hot spoons or whisks on the stove while cooking? If you do the same thing with your glass top stove, then it can burn or scratch the surface.
It is best to use a tray to hold any utensils that you’re using when cooking meals for your loved ones.
Surface top
If you want your glass top stove to last longer, then do not place anything on it except cookware. It can withstand high heat, but it can’t handle heavy weight. These are fragile stoves, so you need to take extra care of them.
Furthermore, do not kneel or stand on them in order to reach a higher cupboard or shelf.
Use flat bottom cookware
Avoid using the round bottom cookware on the glass top stove, as moving any of these will cause scratches. Instead, use cookware with flat bottoms. These are more stable on the stove top.
Not for kids
Cast iron is heavy and becomes quite hot during the cooking process, so we’d recommend you not to allow kids to play around with cast iron cookware or your glass top stove.
Drawbacks of using cast iron cookware on glass stovetops
No doubt, cast iron has been around for generations and is also popular in the marketplace. It has been used on the gas stove for a long time and people rarely use it on their expensive glass cooktop.
However, there are some problems with using cast iron on a glass stovetop, but they can be minimized if you take necessary precautions and handle it with care.
Size
It is recommended that the accurate cookware size is the one which is at least one inch larger than the stove burner. We all are well aware of the sizes of cast iron utensils – some of them are even bigger than the stove burner itself.
So, you need to take care that your pot is not larger than the stove burner in order to distribute heat evenly to the food you’re cooking.
Cast iron cookware with rough finish
The materials used in finishing the bottoms of cast iron cookware is another important thing to consider while buying one for your kitchen. Most cast iron products don’t have a neat finish which can scrape the delicate surface of your expensive glass top stove.
So, which material should you go for?
Stainless steel cookware can be the best option for a glass top stove. Although, you can also go for cast iron cookware coated with porcelain enamel, but if it is exposed for longer at the high temperature, then this can destroy your stove burner.
However, don’t buy the aluminum one, as this will leave gray marks on your shiny glass cooktop.
Uneven bottoms
Most of the iron cookware has an uneven bottom surface which is not suitable for your delicate glass top stoves, as it will leave scratches on it.
However, you can still use flat bottom pots and pans to avoid scratches and distribute heat evenly.
The weight of your cast iron pots and pans
As you all know, that gray or white cast iron cookware is heavier than any other cookware. However, if you are thinking of making some hot soup or filling your cast iron pot with water, then this might not be a good idea.
If you place a heavy cast iron cookware on your elegant glass top stove, then this will increase the pressure on it. Besides, it may not be able to bear this much load and can end up cracking.
Induction cooktops
The glass cooktops allow you to cook the delicious meals by providing the heat through induction. These stovetops come with modern technology in which a heating component is present beneath the glass cooktop which is used to heat the pots and pans.
Moreover, a magnetic field is used to produce heat directly to the pan. This is a slow heating process and if you are using cast iron skillets it will take a long time to cook the food.
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Final Thoughts
There’s no need to consider it a blunder to use cast iron cookware on your glass stovetop. Until you get some more suitable cookware for your delicate stove, you can continue using conventional cast iron utensils.
Now you probably know why you do not need to throw out your cast iron cookware if you own a glass cooktop. Just follow the instructions above and do not overburden your sleek glass top stove!
