Using your ceramic glass cooktop

Ceramic glass cooktop

The cooktop is made from ceramic glass, a tough material that is not affected by changes in temperature. If cared for, it will continue to function well and look attractive for many years.

Before using your cooktop

Before using your cooktop, please:

Read this user guide, taking special note of the ‘Safety and warnings’ section.
Turn the cooker on at the wall.
Make sure all controls are turned off.

Elements

Your cooktop has four elements, two of which are dual-zone elements. The diameters of the cooking areas are clearly marked.
The elements become red when turned on full and the indicator light on the control panel glows.
Aluminium and copper cookware can leave a metallic residue on the cooktop. Clean this off with ceramic glass cleaner after every use. If it is left, it becomes difficult to remove.

Using the elements

Using the single elements

To turn on a single element, turn its knob clockwise to a setting between 1 (minimum) and 12 (maximum). Adjust the heat during cooking by turning the knob in either direction between 1 and 12.
To turn a single element off, turn its knob to the 0 (off ) position. You should also feel a click.

Using the dual elements (Figs. 72a and 72b)

To turn on the inner zone of a dual element, turn its knob clockwise to a setting between 1 (minimum) and 12 (maximum). Adjust the heat during cooking by turning the knob in either direction between 1 and 12. See Fig. 72a.
To turn on both zones of a dual element, turn its knob fully clockwise to the position (arrow 1 in Fig. 72b). To reduce the heat of the full dual element, turn its knob anticlockwise to setting 12 (arrow 2 in Fig. 72b) or lower. Adjust the heat during cooking as necessary. Note: if you leave the knob at the position, the full dual element will remain at the highest heat setting.
To return to using only the inner zone of a dual element, first turn the knob to the 0 (off) position -you should feel a click- and then clockwise to a setting from 1 to 12.
To turn a dual element off, turn its knob to the 0 (off ) position. You should also feel a click.
Important!

Be sure you turn the control knobs off when you finish cooking. You will feel a click at the 0 (off) position.

Fig. 72a Turning on the inner zone of a dual element

Fig. 72b Turning on both zones of a dual element

Tips for using the elements

Temperature control knob

The ‘Element on’ indicator light (Fig. 66, no.10) glows red whenever an element is on.
After an element has been turned off, its ‘Hot surface’ indicator light (Fig. 66, no. 11) will glow red until the element surface has cooled 4 down to a temperature that is safe to touch.
The elements will cycle on and off to maintain your selected heat setting. This is normal.
It is safe to place hot cookware from the oven, or another element, on the glass surface when 8 the surface is cool.
Even after the elements are turned off, the glass surface retains enough heat to continue cooking. To avoid overcooking, remove pans from hot elements when the food is cooked.
Avoid placing anything on a hot element until it has cooled completely (its ‘Hot surface’ indicator light has gone out).
You will need to experiment with the temperature settings to match your desired cooking result. For delicate cooking tasks requiring minimum heat, try turning the control knob below the lowest (1) marking.

Cooking tips

The higher settings are ideal for boiling, searing or frying.
For general cooking purposes, turn the control knob to a high setting to begin cooking and adjust as necessary. Once your pan is hot or your food has come to the boil, reduce the temperature to maintain a steady heat and cook your food through.
The following tables contain guidelines to show recommended heat settings for cooking different types of food.
Exact settings will depend on the type of cookware and quantity of food being cooked.

Elements usage table

Knob setting	Type of cooking
0	Switched OFF.
1 2	For melting butter or chocolate.
2 3 4	To keep foods warm or heat small quantities of water.
4 5 6	To heat greater quantities of water, and to reheat and simmer soups and stews.
6 7	Slow boiling, eg spaghetti, soups, stews.
7 8	For all kinds of fried foods, steaks, cutlets and cooking without a lid.
8 9 10	For browning meat, cooked potatoes, fried sh and for boiling large quantities of water.
11 12	Rapid frying, grilled steaks, etc.
	Switching on both zones of the dual elements; also the highest setting for the full dual elements

Fig.73 Suggested heat settings

Cookware tips

Cooking results are influenced by pot quality and size. It is essential for the base of the pot to be smooth and sit flat against the glass. Also, pot size should match the diameter of the element. Poor performance is often due to inadequate contact with the glass.
Cookware with a stainless steel sandwich base or enamelled cast iron will give you the best results.
Never use plastic or aluminium foil dishes on the cooktop.
Aluminium and copper-bottomed cookware can leave a metallic residue on the cooktop. If left, this becomes difficult to remove. Clean the cooktop after every use.
Do not use saucepans or frying pans with jagged edges, as these may scratch the cooktop. Round-based woks should NOT be used on the elements without a wok stand, as they are unstable and may also damage the cooktop.
Always lift pots and pans off ceramic cooktops – do not slide, as doing so can scratch the glass.
Never cook the food directly on the ceramic glass.

Fig. 74 Inefficient and efficient saucepan bottoms

Energy saving tips

Place cookware on the element before turning it on.
Always use a lid to retain the heat and reduce cooking times.
Minimise the amount of liquid or fat to reduce cooking times.
Use residual heat retained in the glass after the element is turned off to continue the cooking process or to keep foods warm.

Fig. 75 Inefficient and efficient use of the heat