7
Surface Cooking
Ceramic-Glass Cooktop
The ceramic-glass cooktop has electric heating coils located below the surface
of the glass. The design of the glass cooktop outlines the area of the surface
unit below. Most importantly, make sure the diameter of the pan matches the
diameter of the unit. Heat is transferred up through the surface of the cooktop
to the cooking utensil. Only flat-bottomed pans should be used. The type and
size of the cookware, number of surface units in use and the settings of the
units are factors that will affect the amount of heat that will spread to areas
surrounding the surface units. The areas surrounding the units may become
hot enough to cause burns.
The cooktop should not be used as a cutting board or work surface in the
kitchen. Dropping heavy or hard objects on the cooktop may crack it. Pans
with rough bottoms may scratch the cooktop surface. Placing foods directly
on the smoothtop surface (without cooking utensils) is not recommended as
uneven cooking and more difficult cleaning will result.
Radiant Surface Units (some models)
The Radiant Surface Unit is a group of heating coils enclosed in a ceramic
fixture below the glass cooktop. The unit temperature rises gradually and
evenly. As the temperature rises, the unit will glow red. To maintain the
selected setting, the unit will cycle on and off. The heating unit retains enough
heat to provide a uniform and consistent heat during the off cycle. The ceramic
fixture thermally insulates the heating unit, concentrating heat in the heating
zone. For efficient cooking, turn off the unit several minutes before cooking
is complete. This will allow residual heat to complete the cooking process. The
amount of residual heat depends on the type and quality of cooking utensil,
the quantity of food being cooked and the selected heat setting.
Halogen Surface Units (some models)
The Halogen Surface Unit is similar to the Radiant Surface Unit with the
addition of a halogen lamp surrounding the heating coil. The lamp immediately
heats up and glows bright red when the surface unit is turned on. Since the
unit begins to heat instantly, cooking time is improved. The Halogen Surface
Unit cycles on and off to maintain the selected heat setting.
Indicator Light(s)
There are 2 different surface control lights that will glow on your rangea
surface signal light
and a
hot cooktop signal light.
The
surface signal light,
located on the control panel, glows when any surface
unit is turned on. A quick glance at the light after cooking is an easy check to
be sure all surface controls are turned off.
The
hot cooktop signal light,
located under the glass cooktop or on the
control panel, will come on as the cooktop area heats up and will continue to
glow until the glass cooktop has cooled down to a moderate level.
