If you have a glass top stove, it might just be the centerpiece of your kitchen. These sleek, stylish fixtures are a modern addition to any kitchen. They’re easy to clean, safe, resistant, and some are even touch-sensitive and come with voice-activated features.
But, if you have cast iron cookware, you may be worried about damaging your sleek stove. Here’s how to protect glass top stove from cast iron.
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Learning How To Protect Glass Top Stove From Cast Iron Cookware
As we all know, glass can crack with heat. If you’ve just invested in a glass top stove, you may be apprehensive about starting to whip up your favorite meals in a cast iron pan out of fear of damaging the surface.
Before you begin throwing out your pots and pans and turning your kitchen upside down, let us explain how you can protect your glass top stove against damage from cast iron equipment safely and easily. You won’t have to break the bank to reinvent your utensil collection just yet!
Can You Use Cast Iron On A Glass Top?
In short, yes.
However, cast iron is a weighty material. When you add food to your cast iron pots the weight increases, which can risk scratching or damaging your surface.
Although it’s safe to use cast iron on a glass top, it’s riskier than using other types of pots and pans on your cooktop.
Glass top stoves are designed to handle a lot of weight. However, the smallest drop or jolting movement can cause your stovetop to crack. Replacing a damaged glass top is no small investment, either.
Choosing The Best Cast Iron For Glass Tops
If you want to avoid damaging your glass top stove, there are several things you can do. The first is to only buy the most suitable cast iron accessories for your stove.
Here are the most important things you should be looking for in cast iron pots and pans.
Flat Bottom
The best pots and pans are the ones that have a flat bottom. Flat bottoms allow the heat to spread evenly across the bottom of the pan, which reduces the risk of damage to your pans and stove and decreases cooking time.
Unfortunately, many cast iron pans have burrs and rough indents on their base. These can easily scratch your stovetop and cause discoloration if you’re not careful.
If you’re on the hunt for new cast iron cookware, choose pots and pans with the flattest surface possible to avoid damaging your glass stovetop.
Finish
Cast iron cookware often has a rough surface finish. This can make the bottom of the pan uneven, risking damage to your stovetop. Where possible, only use pots and pans with a smoother surface finish.
Porcelain enamel is considered one of the smoothest surface finishes for cast iron cookware.
Size
Most cast iron pots and pans are much larger than the size of the burners on your stove. Using pots and pans that are too large can increase your cooking time and damage the heating element of your stove.
If you want to cook with cast iron, it’s best to select pots and pans that are no more than an inch larger than the burner.
What Can I Put On My Glass Stove To Protect It?
Now you’ve selected the most glass-top-friendly cookware, there are also several things you can place directly on your glass stove to protect it from damage.
Heat Diffuser
Heat diffusers can be placed directly on your glass stove to diffuse any excess heat and move it away through the bottom of the pan’s surface. A heat diffuser helps distribute heat evenly across the bottom. This will help you transfer heat from the stove to the pan and protect your glass against cast iron cookware damage.
Glass Cooktop Protectors
Cooktop protectors provide a safety layer for glass top stoves. These rubber or silicone slimline laters prevent your pans from scratching the glass, and they also protect against spillages or build-ups of dirt and grime. These low-maintenance protectors come in many shapes and sizes and are easy to clean.
Buffer
Buffers are an easy, inexpensive way to protect your glass stove from damage. Buffers form a protective layer between the cast iron and the stovetop, but they do not prevent heat from traveling through.
Buffers are made from a light and durable material and can be bought from the most reputable home or kitchenware retailers.
How To Clean Your Glass Top Stove
Using the right equipment is the most reliable way to protect your glass cooktop. However, regular maintenance can also help preserve the integrity of the glass and reduce the risk of scratching and staining.
Keep Dirt Away
It’s not always possible to cook without making a mess. However, using a protector can keep the majority of grease and dirt away from your stove. This will reduce cleaning time and the risk of staining.
Regular Cleaning
You’ll also need to clean your stovetop regularly to prevent food and grime from sticking to the glass. Clean your stovetop after each use with warm, soapy water and a sponge (but not a scourer) to wipe away any spillages or grime.
You should then use specialized cleaning products at least once a week to perform a deep clean. There are plenty of cleaning products designed specifically for glass top stoves and surfaces. Use these products with a damp cloth to gently clean each burner.
After cleaning, wipe your cooktop with a dry cloth to prevent streaks.
Clean Your Cast Iron
Although you’ll be cleaning your cast iron pots and pans after each use, it’s essential to focus on cleaning the base of the pans.
Use warm water and soap to clean off any grime or debris build-up on the bottom of the pan. This will prevent dirt from burning onto your glass top stove and reduce the risk of scratching.
Final Thoughts
Glass top stoves are a popular choice for a modern kitchen. These stovetops provide better heat distribution, boil quicker, are safer and more straightforward to use, and have a sleek, attractive appearance.
Although there are some significant advantages to using glass cooktops, you’ll need to put in the time and effort to maintain the integrity of the glass and prevent damage.
