ABOUT COOKING
23
SELECTING HEAT SETTINGS
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If a higher setting is used to begin a surface cooking
operation or to bring water to a boil, always
reduce
to a
lower setting once cooking begins or water comes to a
boil.
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For smoothtop cooking, it is better to select a lower
setting and increase to a higher one later, if needed.
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Food will not cook faster at a setting that is higher than
needed to maintain a gentle boil. The temperature of
the water is the same whether boiling vigorously or
gently.
Factors affecting the heat setting include:
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Type, flatness and size of the cookware.
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Quantity and type of food being cooked.
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Use of a lid (covering pans speeds cooking and saves
energy).
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Element voltage or voltage supply to your home.
SUGGESTED HEAT SETTING GUIDE
When turning knob to HIGH, there is an indent to identify
the HIGH setting.
HIGH OR 9:
Use to bring liquid to a
boil, blanch, preheat skillet, or reach
pressure in a pressure cooker.
Always
reduce to a lower heat
setting when liquid just begins to boil
or food begins to cook.
MEDIUM-HIGH (7, 8):
Use to brown
or sear meat; heat oil for deep fat
frying; scald; to saute or fry. Maintain fast boil for large
amounts of liquid.
MEDIUM (4, 5, 6):
Use to maintain moderate to slow boil
for large amounts of liquid. To continue cooking
uncovered food and for most frying operations.
MEDIUM-LOW (2,3):
Use to continue cooking covered
food and to maintain pressure in most pressure cookers.
Stew, braise or steam operations. To maintain boil for
small amounts of liquid, poach, steam or simmer.
LOW OR 1:
Use to keep food warm before serving. Melt
chocolate or butter.
CANNING INFORMATION
Acceptable water bath or pressure canners should not be
oversized and should have flat bottoms.
When canners do not meet
these standards, cooking times
may be longer and the cooktop
may be damaged.
On a smoothtop cooktop, the
canner bottom should not
extend more than one-inch
beyond the cooking area and
must have a flat bottom.
When canning, use the HIGH setting just until the water
comes to a boil or pressure is reached in the canner,
then reduce to the lowest heat setting that maintains the
boil or pressure. If the heat setting is not turned down,
damage to the cooktop may occur.
A special canning element
(model CE1) is available from
your dealer for coil element
cooktops. It elevates the canner
above the cooktop to reduce
trapped heat. This prevents
damage to the porcelain surface
and drip bowls.
Check with your local Extension Service or a
manufacturer of glass canning jars for the latest canning
information.
CANNER ELEMENT
(MODEL CE1)
