Electrolux CEI30EF5GS Use and Care Manual - Page 14

14 Surface Cooking Cookware Using proper cookware The size and type of cookware used will influence the setting needed for best cooking results. Cookware should have flat bottoms that make good contact with the entire surface heating element. Check for flatness by rotating a ruler across the bottom of the cookware. Be sure to follow the recommendations for using proper cookware as illustrated. Cookware should always: • Have a flat bottom. • Have tight fitting lids. • Be well balanced. • Be made of a material that conducts heat well. • Be easy to clean. • Match to the size of the cooktop pattern diameter. Cookware should not: • Have a curved or warped bottom. • Overhang the element by more than one-half inch. • Be smaller than the element. • Have a heavy handle that tilts pan. For more information about the ceramic cooktop see "Cooktop Cleaning & Maintenance" in the Care & Cleaning section. Cookware material types The cookware material determines how evenly and quickly heat is transferred from the surface element to the pan bottom. The most popular materials available are: • Aluminum - Excellent heat conductor. Some types of food will cause it to darken (anodized aluminum cookware resists staining & pitting). If aluminum pans slide across the ceramic cooktop, they may leave metal marks which will resemble scratches. Remove these marks immediately. • Copper - Excellent heat conductor but discolors easily. May leave metal marks on ceramic glass (see Aluminum above). • Stainless steel - Slow heat conductor with uneven cooking results. Is durable, easy to clean and resists staining. • Cast iron - A poor heat conductor however will retain heat very well. Cooks evenly once cooking temperature is reached. Not recommended for use on ceramic cooktops. • Porcelain-enamel on metal - Heating characteristics will vary depending on base material. Porcelain-enamel coating must be smooth to avoid scratching ceramic cooktops. • Glass- Slow heat conductor. Not recommended for ceramic smoothtop because it may scratch the glass. Home Canning Be sure to read and observe all the following points when home canning with your appliance. Check with the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) website and be sure to read all the information they have available as well as follow their recommendations for home canning procedures. • Use only quality flat bottom canners when home canning. Use a straight-edge to check canner bottom. • Use only a completely flat bottom canner with no ridges that radiate from the bottom center when home canning using a ceramic cooktop. • Make sure the diameter of the canner does not exceed 1 inch beyond the surface element markings or burner. It is recommended to use smaller diameter canners on electric coil and ceramic glass cooktops. • Start with hot tap water to bring water to boil more quickly. • Use the highest heat seating when first bringing the water to a boil. Once boiling is achieved, reduce heat to lowest possible setting to maintain that boil. IMPORTANT NEVER place or straddle a cooking utensil over 2 different surface cooking areas at the same time. This may cause the ceramic cooktop to fracture.