You finally got that brand new ceramic cooktop you always wanted, and now you need to know what types of pots and pans are safe to use while cooking on it. Generally speaking, you can use cast iron pans on ceramic cooktops. However, you need to be extra careful when doing so. Cast iron pans and pots can scratch or damage the cooktop if not appropriately handled.
But in reality, it’s true; your ceramic cooktop can handle the use of very heavy cookware like cast iron pans, both enameled and regular. You just have to be careful in the way you use them; once you get the hang of it, cooking with your cast iron pans on your ceramic cooktop will become second nature to you.
However, if your heart is not set on using those cast iron pots and pans, then read on to discover what you should use instead to keep your ceramic glass top stove in the best condition.
Tips For Using Cast Iron Pans On A Ceramic Cooktop
Don’t Drop or Slide Cast Iron Pots
Be sure not to slide your cast iron pot or pan on the ceramic surface of your stove, and above all the rest, don’t drop it on your cooktop either. Be gentle when using heavy cast iron pans and check to see if your pan has rough edges or is chipped – this can cause scratches on your ceramic top.
If you scratch or crack your ceramic glass top stove, you will need to evaluate the damage. Some scratches and definitely cracks will prevent you from any further use of your stovetop. You have to be extremely careful; the heating elements under the glass top do not suffer any kinds of damage from heavy cookware.
Be Sure to Wash Cast Iron First
You always want to wash cast iron pans before heating them on your ceramic stovetop. This is to prevent any oil or other residues from carbonizing on the bottom of your pan when on a hot surface. By washing cast iron pots before using them helps avoid getting black marks on your ceramic top.
Note: Be sure to remove the cast iron pan from the stovetop immediately after use and wash it both inside and out to prevent any future issues. You should also wipe off your ceramic cooktop once it has cooled in order to avoid any stains from remaining on the surface for too long.
Adjust Your Cooking Times
Heating a cast iron pan on your ceramic cooktop is going to take longer than if you were heating it up on a gas flame stove. So be mindful of the cooking times in recipes and try to preheat your pan on low before beginning to cook your food. This will help eliminate the guesswork out of whether or not your pan is hot enough.
You should also start with a low temperature and work your way up to the medium-high. This enables the cast iron to evenly distribute the heat throughout both the bottom and the sides of the pans. Also, take into consideration the size of your cast iron pot; the bigger it is, the longer you should allow it to preheat before using it for cooking your food.
What Type of Cookware is Best For a Ceramic Cooktop?
We suggest choosing pots or pans that have a flat bottom; this allows the bottom of the pan to fit closely over the heating elements of your ceramic stovetop. Here are the top choices for the best cookware to use on your ceramic cooktop:
- Stainless Steel
- Aluminum
- Titanium
- Pans with Copper Bottoms
- Glass Pots
If you want to use enamel or porcelain pots, make sure you don’t allow them to boil dry, or they will melt and stick to your ceramic cooktop. We also suggest that you always clean up any leftover residues after cooking on your ceramic stovetop to prevent staining.
What Pots Should Not Be Used On a Ceramic Cooktop?
Technically speaking, you should not use any pans on your ceramic stovetop that can scratch the surface and leave permanent marks. Cast iron pans, stoneware, and ceramic pans will do this if not handled correctly, so be sure to use extra care if cooking with a cast iron or stone pan.
Things you’ll want to notice about your cast iron and stone pots is the condition of the bottoms. This is where most people make the mistake of using a damaged base that results in damaging your ceramic cooktop.
Do an inspection of your cast iron and stoneware by merely running a thin cloth across the bottom of each pan, if it snags or tears – you don’t want to place that pan on your ceramic glass top stove. If you don’t feel anything with the rag, simply run your fingers gently along the pans’ sides and bottom to be confident they are in good condition.
Note: When checking your cast iron or stoneware pans’ condition, be very careful not to injure yourself. These types of pans can often have rough or sharp edges that can easily cut your skin. If in doubt or to take extra precautions, wear gloves when inspecting the bottoms of these types of pans.
Conclusion
If you have a ceramic glass top stove, we suggest only using the recommended pots and pans for ceramic stovetops to avoid any risk of damaging your glass top. However, if you have an old recipe that has been in the family for generations and grandma swears you have to use her old cast iron pan in order for the recipe to come out right, just make sure you inspect that pan before using it on your ceramic glass top stove.
Chances are your grandma or anybody else, for that matter, who says you have to use a cast iron pan for cooking probably doesn’t have a ceramic glass top stove in their house or has never used one to cook on. This makes all the difference in knowing when to swap out your cast iron to save your ceramic glass top stove.
So to answer your question, can you use a cast iron pan on a ceramic cooktop? The answer is yes, you can use a cast iron pan on your ceramic stovetop – but you need to very careful in doing so. You don’t want to scratch or ruin your ceramic glass top just for some cornbread, do you? We didn’t so!
