Using the hotplate
When cooking with fat or oil, never
leave unattended.
Turn pan handles to a safe position,
so they are out of reach of children,
not overhanging the appliance, and
cannot be caught accidentally.
Choice of pans
Do not use double pans, rim based
pans, old misshapen pans or any pan
which is unstable when placed on a
flat surface.
Use pans with a flat base of minimum
100mm / 4ins diameter and maximum
280mm / 11ins diameter which are
stable in use. The correct size of pan
base will ensure maximum contact
with the hob and rapid cooking times.
Pan bases that are much smaller or much
larger than the hotplate - eg; by 50mm
- will result in slower cooking times.
Commercial simmering aids should
not be used as they create excessive
temperatures that can damage the
surface and may cause a hazard.
When buying new pans, always refer
to the pan manufacturer’s guidelines.
Always use pans which are large
enough to prevent spillage, especially
for deep frying, making jam or cooking
with sugar or syrup based substances.
Trivets, round based woks, heat
diffuser pads and over-sized pans are
not recommended.
Cast iron, stainless steel, or enamelled
steel pans are all suitable for use on
ceramic glass and solid plate hobs.
Aluminium pans will give good cooking
results but care must be taken in their use.
If they are slid across the surface of a
ceramic hob they tend to leave visible
marks which can be difficult to remove.
Certain types of copper based pans m a y
become slightly concave when heated,
which can result in slower cooking times.
Glass pans can be used, but if used on
halogen rings, the glow from the heating
areas transmitted through transparent
glass may cause some visual discomfort.
Pan bases should be thick, flat and
smooth, to ensure maximum heat
contact with the hob, maximum heat
conduction and rapid cooking times.
Pans with dull or dark coloured bases
will give the quickest cooking results.
Pans with thin, dented or ridge bases
can result in very slow cooking times
and should not be used.
Pans with highly polished bases reflect
heat back into the hob causing the
ceramic hob hotplate to cycle on and
off rapidly, which slows down cooking.
Certain makes / brands of pressure
cookers may not be suitable for use on
ceramic hobs - they do not come to
pressure. Stainless steel pressure
cookers will give optimum results.
When
you
have
finished
cooking check that all controls
are in the off position.
6
Using the Hob
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