Are you a fan of modernized homes? If you are then you might have been researching for appliances that are not only stylish but also efficient. Because of the growing popularity of modern homes, there has also been a greater demand for aesthetically attractive equipment, especially in kitchens. Read about glass cooktops in this article to know if they are both aesthetically pleasing and a safe choice for your home.
Glass cooktop stoves seem to have become a modern kitchen requirement. This had been an excellent replacement for open electric burners seen in older stoves. Gas and electric glass cooktop stove varieties are widely available. The trendy style of the glass cooktop stove will absolutely enhance the appearance of your kitchen as well as add a stylish touch to it, whether it is a 2-burner, 3-burner, or 4-burner.
Nonetheless, all appliances come with their own benefits and drawbacks. Despite their visually-appealing look, glass cooktop stoves come with risks. In this article, you will have an understanding of the basic things you need to consider when using a glass cooktop stove for your modern home.
Read also: Know the Difference Between Induction Cookers Vs. Gas Stoves
What is a glass cooktop stove?
The glass cooktop stove, as the name implies, has glass on top of it. If you are attempting to compare this glass to a somewhat regular one, then you are misinformed. It is glass-ceramic, which is manufactured in the same way as glass. But, in this case, a nucleating agent is used to molten raw materials. This allows crystal nuclei, the building blocks of crystals, to form. After a few rounds of heat treatment, the glass-ceramic resembles glass but is considerably stronger, and does indeed have a low thermal expansion coefficient which means the predisposition to not react fast to changes in temperature, and it is not translucent anymore.
Stoves powered by electricity
Electric and induction glass cooktop stoves are present in the market. These stoves, unlike traditional gas stoves, are powered by electricity. The single most important distinction is that they each consume electricity in a different way.
Aesthetically pleasing kitchen equipment
The stunningly beautiful glass cooktop stove has a glass top that is fastened to a tailored art. Not only does this makes the style pop with brilliant hues, but it also contributes refinement to your attractive kitchen. Nevertheless, the style remains unchanged as long as the top glass is not shattered. The glass cooktop stove will surely add appeal to your kitchen with its modern appearance.
While a smooth glass cooktop seems modern and sophisticated when contrasted to elevated gas or electric burners, it requires specific maintenance. When compared to the enamel surface of certain cooktops, the top breaks up or fractures without appropriate maintenance. Although creating a home that is pleasing to the eye is one of our goals, the safety of the family and the food we eat still comes first. Read on to know more about glass cooktops.
Read also: Gas vs. Electric Stove – which is best for you?
Some risks of using glass cooktop stoves in your modern kitchen:
1. Scratches
Because a glass cooktop stove is mostly constructed of glass, it is extremely fragile and sensitive. It is easily scratched. Although it could be tempting to place a hot pan or pot above its smooth surface in a cooler spot, doing this might leave scratches on your glass cooktop stove surface.
Abrasive pans, like those that are made of cast iron, or kitchenware with a gritty bottom surface, can also produce scratches to form on the glass cooktop stove.
Moreover, cleaning with abrasive cleansers or metal scrubbing pads should also be avoided since they might create scratches. Long-term scratches on that same glass cooktop stove might cause it to break.
2. Breakage
A glass cooktop stove is susceptible to breaking similar to any other glass product. Each and every temperature change, such as sitting in a hot pot or skillet on a chilly burner, might cause it to fracture or break. It might also greatly aid if you were cautious when transferring such items. Striking a hefty thing can lead it to shatter instantaneously. A skillet or pot that has been steaming empty for an extended period of time without even any fluid can also trigger the glass to crack or get fused to the stove.
It is all about precaution when it comes to glass cooktop stoves. You will be maximizing your cooking appliance if you consider your glass cooktop stove as a fragile property that demands your undivided attention.
Avoid these things when using glass cooktop stoves:
1. Cooking utensils
Cooking utensils should not be placed on a hot burner. Anything on each of these utensils might leave marks or burns on the stove, resulting in a splatter that will necessitate considerable time and work to clean up.
2. Cast iron or stone cookware
Cast-iron skillets are weighty, and glass stovetops are fragile. If you want to use any form of stone or cast iron cookware on a glass top, your primary worry should be shattering or fracturing the glass. Moreover, if you are used to moving cookware over and across the burners when cooking, you will have to change your ways with your glass cooktop.
Often these cookware’s bases can be abrasive, and somewhat harsh. Each and every move on this stove has the potential to create lasting scratches. Alternatively, opt for a vigorous stirring motion to agitate the content of your cookware. Can you use glass pots on induction cooktops? The answer is that glass cookware does not work with induction stoves unless they are made with a layer of magnetic material on the bottom.
3. Cleaners with abrasives
Abrasive cleaners, heavy-duty sponges, steel wool, or any other form of metallic scrubber of any kind should not be used around the stove. Rather, a non-scratch sponge or scouring pad should be used.
4. Splatter and boil-overs
Spills should not be allowed to sit for a long period of time. Wipe up any splatters and boil-overs as soon as possible. When preparing sweet foods, take proper care to not want to splash them on a glass cooktop stove. A sugar compound can stain the cooktop, creating yellowish spots that are tough to eliminate from light-colored cooktops. Clear up any spills as soon as possible!
5. Cooling
Do not cool down soups and stews or baking trays directly from the oven on a glass stovetop. Instead, take these things to chill on a heat-proof surface or chilling shelf.
Read also: Tips to Make Your Appliances Last Longer
Final note
Each of these factors begs the debate: Are glass cooktop stoves safe? Despite its risks, most experts would still say, yes glass cooktops are indeed safe! A glass gas stove has far better heat dispersion than a stainless steel gas burner. Because glass cooktop stoves have an enclosed chamber, they heat and cool more quickly. In addition, a glass layer provides additional security.
Issues of glass cooktop gas stove cracking have been proven to be extremely unusual. Now if you examine the consumer reviews, you could only find at least around 1-2 incidents out of thousands that have proven its great use. Furthermore, even if it shatters, it will not shatter into fragments that will rush you to the hospital for urgent care. This shatter instead into millions of tiny crystal-like bits with blunt edges. Up to date, there have been no recorded injuries as a result of glass cooktop stoves breaking.
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Written by MC Sanchez
