Specifications

Improper Cookware Home Canning
• Do not use oversized pans or pans that rest • AcceptahIe water-bath or pressure canners
across two elements. These may trap enough should not be oversized. (Recommendation:
heat to cause damage to the cooktop or No more than 1 inch larger than the cooking
elements, area on a ceramic glass surface and 2 inches
larger than a coil element.) They must also
• Do not use specialty items on ceramic glass have flat bottoms fur eeramic glass surIhees.
that are oversized, have an uneven bottom or When canners do not meet these standards,
do not meet proper pan specifications such as the use of the HI heat setting becomes
round bottom woks, griddles, rippled bottom excessive and may result in damage to the
canners, lobster pots, large pressure canners, cooktop. In addition, water may not come to a
etc. boil and a pressure canner may not reach 10
• Do not use a small pan on a large element to Ibs. of pressure on a ceramic glass surface.
reduce energy loss. • The acceptable canning procedure, fbr all
• Test cast ironware since all are not flat. Be cooktops, uses the HI setting just long enough
aware of possible "impact damage" should a to bring the water to a boil, then lowers the
heavy east iron pan be dropped on a ceranfic setting to maintain the water temperature.
glass surface. " For more information on canning procednres,
contact your local county extension office.
Cookware Material
The pan material determines how evenly and quickly heat is transferred from the heat source to the pan
bottom. Some widely used pan materials are:
Aluminum Excellent heat conductor. Some foods will eausc it to darken or pit. Anodizing
I , , ,
maproves stam resistance. Often used as a bottom eoating to improve the
heating of other pan materials.
NOTE: Mnminmn pans will canse metal marks on glass ceramic cooktops, if
yon slide them across the cooktop. Remove metal marks immediately. (See
page 1i.)
Copper Excellent heat eonduetor. Discolors easily, requires constant polishing. Often
used as a bottom coating to improve the heating of other pan materials.
Stainless Steel Slow heat conductor. Develops hot spots and produces uneven cooking results.
Durable, attractive, easy to clean and stain resistant, will distribute heat better
if other metals (aluminum or copper) are combined or sandwiched together as
a bottom coating.
Cast Iron Slow heat eonduetor. Cooks evenly once temperature is reached. Heavy-. Needs
seasoning to make cleaning easier and to prevent sticking and rusting.
Glass or Ceramic Slow heat eonduetors. Easy to clean. Not recommended for ceramic glass
surfaces beeanse they can scratch the eooktop. Some types may only be used in
the oven.
P0reelam-Eiaamel ...... Glass-like substance fused to metal. Heating characteristics depend on base
..... .... material (usually aluminmn, stainless steel, carhon steel or cast iron). Available
in color and easy to clean.
Note:Somebrandsofmetal smoothbottomcookwarethatgenerallyperformwellonall typesof rangesare Farberware,
Magnalite,Revere\Vare,Wearever,T-Faland smoothbottomClubAluminum°.
•Brandnamesare the trademarksof respectivemantfl:acturers.
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