The Problem Solver
Ceramic Cooktop
16
Questions?
Use this
problem
solver!
PROBLEM
POSSIBLE CAUSE
SURFACE UNITS
• You must use pans which are absolutely flat. If light can be seen
WILL NOT
between the pan bottom and a straight edge, the surface units
MAINTAIN A
will not transfer heat properly.
ROLLING BOIL
• Pan bottoms should closely match the diameter of the surface
OR FRYING RATE IS
unit selected.
NOT FAST ENOUGH
COOKTOP
• The glass cooktop surfaces may seem hotter than you are used to.
FEELS HOT
This is normal.
Make sure flat-bottomed pans are used.
FOODS COOK
• Improper cookware being used. Pan bottoms should be flat, fairly
SLOWLY
heavy weight and the same diameter as the surface unit selected.
SURFACE UNITS
• Difficulty may be in the main distribution panel of your house,
DO NOT WORK
caused by a blown cooktop-circuit fuse, a tripped cooktop-circuit
PROPERLY
breaker, the main fuse or the main circuit breaker, depending on
the nature of the power supply. If a circuit breaker is involved,
reset it. If the control box uses fuses, the cooktop fuse (a cartridge-
type) should be changed, BUT ONLY BY SOMEONE FAMILIAR
WITH ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS. If after performing one of these
procedures, the fuse blows or circuit breaker trips again, call
for service.
NOTE:
Apartment tenants or condominium owners should ask their
building management to perform this check before calling for service.
• Cooktop surface unit controls are not properly set, or the wrong
control knob is set for the surface unit you are using.
TINY SCRATCHES
• Incorrect cleaning methods have been used, cookware with rough
(may appear as cracks)
bottoms has been used, or coarse particles (salt or sand) were
OR ABRASIONS ON
between the cookware and the surface of the cooktop. Use
GLASS COOKTOP
recommended cleaning procedures, be sure cookware bottoms and
SURFACE
cookware are clean before use, and use cookware with smooth
bottoms. Tiny scratches are not removable but will become less
visible in time as a result of cleaning.
METAL MARKINGS
• Do not slide aluminum cookware across the surface. Use
(may appear as
recommended cleaning procedure to remove marks.
scratches)
• Incorrect cleaning materials have been used, encrusted boilovers
or grease spatters remain on the surface. Use a razor scraper and
recommended cleaning procedure.
DARK STREAKS
• Use a razor scraper and recommended cleaning procedure.
OR SPECKS
AREAS OF
• Marks from aluminum and copper pans as well as mineral deposits
DISCOLORATION
from water or food can be removed with the cleaning cream.
ON COOKTOP
HOT SUGAR
• See the Glass Cooktop Cleaning section.
MIXTURES/PLASTIC
MELTED TO
THE SURFACE
FREQUENT CYCLING
• Incorrect cookware used. Use only flat cookware to minimize cycling.
OFF AND ON
OF RADIANT
SURFACE UNITS
CONTROL KNOB
• When the knob is at the off position, it must be pushed in before
WILL NOT TURN
it can be turned. When the knob is at any other position, it can be
turned without being pushed in.
If you need more help…call, toll free:
GE Answer Center®
800.626.2000
consumer information service
