Can a cast iron skillet be used on a glass top stove?
Is it possible to use cast iron on a glass-top stove?
Let's take a quick look at some of the risks involved and then come up with some solutions on how to use cast iron on a glass-top stove.
The glass-top stove has a smooth surface that is easy to clean and helps distribute heat evenly and quickly.
They have a disadvantage to other types of burners.They run the risk of cracking because they are made of glass.
It is because of this vulnerability that we have to be careful about how we use cookware and cast iron in particular.
Yes, in short.If you are careful, you can use your cast iron pans and skillets on your glass-top stove.
You should understand why they pose a danger and what you can do to minimize the risk of damaging your stovetop.
If you use cast iron on a glass-top stove it will be heavier than other cookware.Adding food makes these pans heavier.
While most glass stoves are built to handle the heavy load of cooking, at the end of the day it is still glass and it can scratch, crack, or shatter if pushed too far.
If you accidentally drop your cast iron pan while taking it off the stove, there is a good chance you will need to replace it.
They can have small pieces of metal sticking out around the pan.The close-up shot is below.
The little burrs can scratch up your glass and have the weight of the pan behind them.
Imagine if you balanced the pan on a needle.There is a lot of force behind the tip of that needle.
The same concept applies to the burrs.It's possible that you have a lot of weight behind one of them.
The average pan is not as prominent as cast iron skillets and pans.The base of the pan is usually much wider than other types of cookware because they have less of a slope on the edge.
It's not ideal to use a cast iron skillet bigger than the burner.If you use a stove that is too small, cast iron will not heat evenly because it is a poor heat conductor.
If the middle of the skillet heats significantly faster than other parts, you run the risk of your cast iron skillet warping, which can dramatically increase the time it takes to cook your food.
The flat bottoms of the glass-top stove allow them to heat evenly and quickly.
The bottom of a cast iron skillet can warp over time.It can ruin the cooking experience when used on glass-top stovetops.
You also risk cracking your glass if the skillet wobbles.
The cast iron's seasoning is last up.The non-stick surface of cast iron is thanks to a beautiful layer of oil.
A burnt black stain on your glass can be caused by the oil on the bottom of the skillet carbonizing.
Let's look at some ways to reduce those risks and protect your glass from cast iron.
The majority of issues that we face when using cast iron on glass-top stoves comes from the two surfaces touching.
The purpose of a heat diffuser is to spread the heat evenly between two surfaces.
If you want to use your cast iron without scratching or cracking your glass, heat diffusers are a great solution.
All of the risks have been eliminated if you throw it between your stove top and cast iron.That's except for the weight issue.
Even the slightest sideways movement on your glass-top stove can have dire consequences, as cast iron is a very rough piece of cooking equipment.
If you decide to use your cast iron on your glass, you should always lift it off the stove and be careful not to jiggle it while cooking.
Make sure you have a good grip so that you don't accidentally drop it.Dropping it from an inch up can cause some glass-tops to break.
If you wash the outside of your cast iron before using it on your glass-top stove, you can remove the built-up oils that could carbonize and leave burnt black marks.
You don't want to completely remove the oil coating that protects the outside of your pan from rusting if you wash it too much.
Old and beat up cast iron is not ideal for your glass as they are more likely rough and warped.
If you don't want to upgrade, you should at least pick up a diffuser.
Many of the rougher features of this type of cast iron cookware have been taken away by the glazed cookware.
The same caution should be applied when using glass-top cookware.
The cast iron can't scratch the glass-top, but it can scratch.
There is no reason why you can't use cast iron on a glass-top stove.It is possible to use your favorite cookware with a little innovation and a bit more effort.
If you are a little more cautious, pick up a heat diffuser to reduce most of the risk, just remember to never slide your cast iron around on the stove.
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