Glass top stoves are remarkably sturdy, not to mention they are gorgeous and add finesse to any kitchen set up.
Because glass top stoves are so nice, you may be wary of placing objects on top of it that are too heavy. After all, the last problem you want is a huge hairline crack in the middle of your glass top stove!
There is no hard and fast rule on how much weight a glass top stove can hold. As a general note, it is best not to place anything over 45 to 50 pounds of weight on top of anything in your kitchen. This includes delicate stove tops.
It’s a consolation to know that glass top stove manufacturers run a myriad of stress tests to determine the weight that stove tops can withstand. Gas ranges are also tested with this amount of weight.
Keep on reading to find out which items are okay for one to place on their glass top stoves, and which habits to steer clear from.
What Makes up a Glass Top Stove?
One may wonder what glass top stoves are actually made of.
If a stovetop is engineered from glass then it is fragile and will most likely break, right?
Keep reading to find out what keeps glass top stoves from shattering…
Are Glass Top Stoves Completely Constructed From Glass?
Despite going by different names, all glass top (and ceramic top) stoves are constructed of a blend of materials rather than just one element.
Most smooth cooktops are glass and then treated with a heat application allowing it to crystalize. Through the crystallization process, the glass is able to expand without becoming too porous. This process makes the glass top stove tough and strong.
Are Glass Top Stoves Sturdy?
Yes, glass top stoves are sturdy — but up to a point. One should never rest heavy appliances on top of them, and one should definitely avoid trying to stand up on one to reach something in the kitchen. This will make the glass top stove break.
General Electric (GE), a multinational company specializing in kitchen appliances, publishes on their website that GE’s stove tops are only manufactured to handle around 50 pounds.
In short, glass top stoves are sturdy and have undergone testing to ensure their durability, but there is a limit which should be observed.
Discover: Top 15 Best Cookware To Use On A Ceramic Glass Cooktop
What are the Best Pans for My Glass Top Stove?
If you’re looking for the best frying pans for your glass top stove, then look no further. Stainless steel, titanium, and aluminum are some of the best materials for cookware that won’t harm your kitchen furnishings.
Oftentimes the pans will have a wide enough bottom, covering a large amount of surface area, which provides stability.
Additionally, here are three other pans sets that work well (and look trendy!) with a glass top stove:
Most Cost Effective: T-fal Scratch Resistant Cookware Set - Amazon’s Choice
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T-fal is a great brand to have in your kitchen. Their pans embody special technology whereby when the pan is hot enough a little circle in the middle goes pure red. They also have nice smooth bottoms and are suitable for induction hobs.
Most Beautiful: Lagostina Stainless Steel, Cookware Set - Amazon’s Choice
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This Lagostina set is trendy and will accompany a dark glass top stove very well. The cookware set is multiclad and has a stainless steel bottom which is ideal for glass top stoves. This set also comes with lids which can help keep oils and boiling water inside the pan so it doesn't ruin your glass top stove.
Best Stainless Steel: Cuisinart Multiclad Stainless Steel Cookware Set Amazon’s Choice
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If you’re looking for all stainless steel, then Cuisinart has the cookware set for you. Also suitable for induction, this set is highly versatile. Not only does this set look fantastic, but the stainless steel is less harmful on glass top stoves than other materials.
See also: How To Clean Stainless Steel Pans After Cooking
How Do I Care for My Glass Top Stove?
Glass top stoves are highly appealing to homeowners for an array of reasons. Chief among them is the fact that glass top stoves are especially easy to clean if a spillage occurs.
Because glass top stoves are precious, you will want to ensure you are caring for them correctly.
When I spill something on my glass top stove, I simply just wipe it down with some water.
If the area is especially greasy then I spray some kitchen degreaser, let it sit for a moment, and then wipe it off.
Important note:
One important tip to keep in mind is to always check which type of cleaner you will be putting on your stovetop. You’ll want to ensure you avoid any corrosive or harmful materials.
Can I Use Clorox Wipes to Clean a Glass Top Stove?
Clorox wipes are great to use around the house and are quick to clean up any mess. However, Clorox wipes may contain harmful chemicals and so it is best to not use them on anything that could potentially reach your mouth.
What Items to Avoid on My Glass Top Stove?
You will want to steer clear from using anything cast iron, stonebased, and other glass/ceramic cookware. Using any of these elements can damage your glass top stove.
One key item to avoid on your glass top stove is a cast iron skillet. Cast iron skillets, although highly efficient, are extremely heavy and laborious to handle. They can also potentially break your cooktop if you mishandle them.
Items Not to Place on a Glass Top Stove
Below is a list of items you should overall deter from using on your glass top stove.
Avoid if You can: Cast Iron Skillets
As mentioned previously, cast iron skillets are wonderful for steaks or even batch cooking an egg frittata to eat throughout the week. I do this periodically and I have a glass top stove. You’ll want to be extra vigilant when using it on top of a glass top stove.
Avoid if You can: Dutch Ovens
Dutch ovens aren’t going to break or harm a glass top stove instantaneously, but they are heavy.
I love cooking a gargantuan amount of food in a dutch oven, spread some cheese on top, and then finish it off in the oven. I also have a glass top stove. Needless to say, I am meticulously careful when I put my dutch oven on top of it.
Avoid: Canners
Canners often have concave bottoms which means that the bottom of the canner goes inwards.
This usually isn’t an issue until you try to take the canner off of the glass top stove. Sometimes suction can occur and if you try to pull the two parts away from each other, the stove top will crack. Avoid at all costs.
Related reading: Can You Use A Cast Iron on A Ceramic Glass Cooktop?
What Can Scratch a Glass Top Stove?
To avoid scratching or damaging your glass cooktop, ensure the following:
That no burned food remains for too long on the cooktop.
No sugary spills remain on the cooktop, this can cause something called “pitting” which you will want to avoid. Pitting also occurs when boiled water gets spilled onto the cooktop and hardens.
Pans exceeding the 45 to 50 pound limit.
As mentioned previously, beware of boiling over any kind of sugar. This includes tomatoes. If this happens, then quickly wipe the surface down to prevent pitting.
Have a look at the latest price for this induction cooktop mat on Amazon. This mat protects stove tops from scratches and unwanted heat.
What Habits to Avoid When Caring for a Glass Top Stove?
There’s a saying that we can apply to virtually any circumstance:
Prevention is the best medicine.
This is especially true when dealing with cooktops.
Some habits to steer clear from are:
1. Do Not Scrub With a Roughly Textured Sponge or Scour
It may be tempting to try and clean your glass top stove with a roughly textured sponge, but this is exactly what you should not do!
Kitchen tip:
Another “no no” is using steel wool on your glass top stove, as this will surely scratch it.
2. Cleaning Your Glass Top Stove While it is On
Not fully waiting for your glass top stove to cool off before cleaning it can cause damage. This is an important tip to keep in mind because we all know how much easier it is to clean dirty dishes while the tap is hot.
This rule does not apply when cleaning and caring for a glass top stove.
3. Leaving Hot Pan Lids on Surfaces
This point came as a surprise for me as I do this frequently! Leaving a hot pan lid on a cool surface can cause cracks to appear.
An important tip is that hot pans themselves are able to rest on a glass top stove, but experts advise against setting a hot lid on it.
Do you have a standard cooktop instead? Check out our article, Best Frying Pan for Standard Cooktop [Top Tips & Which Pans to Choose].
Closing Thoughts
Glass top stoves are built to withstand cooking conditions, this means even harsh ones! Although they are specially constructed to increase durability, glass top stoves shouldn’t hold more than 50 pounds on them at a time.
Some kitchen spaces can look unrefined and cluttered. Glass top stoves, however, are gorgeous and they add a sleek finish to kitchens. They aren’t constructed only from glass, but are a mixture of different elements to enhance its strength.
Damaging your glass top stove is something you want to avoid, so steer clear from leaving heavy dutch ovens, canners, and cast iron skillets on top of the cooktop. If you need to place one of those items on the glass top stove, do so with the utmost caution.
Frequently cleaning and ensuring there are no spillages left laying out too long on your glass top stove are part of the maintenence.
If you do daily checks and adhere to the above, then caring for your glass top stove will be a walk in the park!
Food has been a staple in my professional life for quite some time. I worked in a cupcake bakery in my hometown for 2 years, I worked in digital marketing for food brands such as Hellmann’s and Knorr within Unilever, and now I am writing food articles about the best cooking appliances for your home and how to cook some of my favorite recipes.
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Last update on 2024-04-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
