Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of Lakewood Ranch Showroom This Thursday!

Preventing Induction Glass Cooktop Breakage or Cooktop Repairs

Learn how to maintain the glass on your induction stove or oven to prevent cooktop repairs.

Induction Oven Cooktop Benefits 101 

Before you may require a glass cooktop repair, you must first learn about the cooking element itself.  Induction oven cooking is quite different from traditional forms of cooking.  This uses electromagnetic energy that turns into the heat source.  Instead of heating the area under a pan like a traditional gas or electric burner, induction cooktops heat the pan directly.  Oscillating induction coils are set underneath the cooktop, and those coils are connected to an electronic power source that when activated generate a magnetic field.  When a pan with a magnetized base is placed on the burner, the oscillating magnetic field causes the electrons in the bottom of the pan to move back and forth rapidly.  This movement results in the pan getting hot enough to cook food.

The heat is generated directly in the pan, keeping the cooking surface cooler than a traditional element. Induction cooking does not lose as much heat as traditional forms because all the heat is created in the pan itself. The cooktop heats up or cools down quickly after the controls are set. It also stops heating when the pan is removed without turning off the power.

Benefit #1: The good news is food that is spilled on the cooktop surface will not burn because the glass is not heated. Induction cooking allows for immediate and easy cleaning after use because the heat is created in the pan.  A cooktop scraper tool is recommended for stubborn soils.

Benefit #2: The cooktop surface area stays cool, making it safe for children.

Benefit #3:  There are specialty cookware sets that allow for “stacking.”  You can prepare more foods at one time by stacking a small pan on top of a larger one.

Benefit #4: The Performance boost function allows the temperature to exceed the maximum setting to quickly achieve a rapid boil, allowing for fast heating.

How to Prevent Breaking or Damaging your Cooktop

A broken induction cooktop, either cracked or shattered, can not be repaired. It must be replaced. As we aim to keep our Home-Tech customers happy, we think you will enjoy some recommendations from our friends at KitchenAid.

• Avoid storing jars or cans above the cooktop. Dropping a heavy or hard object onto the cooktop could crack the glass.
• Do not leave a hot lid on the cooktop. As the cooktop cools, air can become trapped between the lid and the cooktop, and the ceramic glass could break when the lid is removed.
• For foods containing sugar in any form, clean up all spills and soils as soon as possible. Allow the cooktop to cool down slightly. Then, while wearing oven mitts, remove the spills while the surface is still warm. If sugary spills are allowed to cool down, they can adhere to the cooktop and can cause pitting and permanent marks.
• To avoid scratches, do not slide cookware or bakeware across the cooktop.
• Do not allow objects that could melt, such as plastic or aluminum foil, to touch any part of the entire cooktop.
• Do not use the cooktop as a cutting board.
• Use cookware about the same size as the surface cooking area. Cookware should not extend more than ½” (1.3 cm) outside the area.

Home-Tech is Here for You When the Worst Happens

You can always rely on Home-Tech to respond quickly, courteously and professionally. If you are a Home-Tech Service Agreement member, the cost of the service call would be covered.

If you have any questions or are considering purchasing a new induction cooktop, call one of our appliance specialists. You can also stop in our Sarasota/Bradenton Showroom or Fort Myers Showroom and shop online at our convenient Appliance Store.

Home-Tech is here when you need us. 1-800-800-8356