26
Selecting the Proper Cookware
Utensils will affect the overall safety and
performance of cooktop cooking. It is impor-
tant to select them carefully. An improperly
selected utensil will not cook efficiently or
evenly. For best results, follow these guide-
lines:
1.
Use medium to heavy gauge metal
cookware with flat and smooth bottoms
for greatest efficiency. Aluminum and
sandwich stainless steel utensils conduct
heat quickly. Cast iron and especially glass
or ceramic cookware are slower to heat.
Glass or ceramic cookware should only
be used as recommended by the
cookware manufacturer.
2.
Avoid using pots and pans with rounded
(concave or convex) or uneven bottoms,
or cookware that warps under heating.
The bottom of the utensil should touch all
grate support fingers evenly. Utensil
flatness can also be checked by placing a
straight edge (ruler) against the bottom of
the cooking vessel. There should be no
gap between the straight edge and the
utensil bottom. Utensils, whether full or
empty, should never rock on the grates. A
rounded utensil is more unstable and may
cause scorching or burning of food due to
uneven heating.
3.
Match the utensil to the cooking process.
Best cooking results are usually achieved
when utensils are nearly full. Choose the
utensil size accordingly. Specialty
cookware such as woks, pressure cook-
ers, canning madules, and deep fat fryers
must be carefully chosen to ensure that
they meet all safety guidelines contained in
this manual.
4.
Use utensils with tight fitting lids to retain
heat, odors, and steam. Lids also enable
food to be prepared with less water,
thereby retaining the vitamin content.
5.
Use cooking vessels that are clean and
dry.
Important
•
Do not use undersized utensils with unbal-
anced handles. These can tip easily. See
“Burner and Grill Operation” section for
information on small pot support ring
(trivet).
•
Use of utensils having rough bottoms can
result in permanent damage to the top
edges of the porcelainized grates.
•
Large utensils may cause burner
flames to spread and curve around
edge of utensil. Turn heat down to
reduce flames.
•
Large utensils may cause flames to be
smothered and result in reignition to
commence. Do not use these utensils
if flames flutter and escape burners.
We recommend pots no larger than 11”
