Do you already own a glass top stove? Maybe you still have questions. Or have you decided that you want to purchase one of these stoves? If you have, the question then becomes, “What is the best cookware for a glass top stove?” This article will help you answer that question and others, so… read on!
If you are considering buying a stove with a glass top, you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. In this article, we will start with the basics by talking about what a glass top stove is and what the advantages of this type of design are.
Once you are ‘sold’ on the idea of this kind of cooker, the next issue becomes why you then need to get a cookware set specifically for a glass top stove. Can you use your existing cookware? If not, why? If you have to replace all or some of your current cookware, you want to be sure the stove choice is worth it.
The next decision to tackle is what are the best cookware sets out there that work with glass top stoves. In this article, we will look at eight options and give you an idea of the pros and cons of each, and our verdict or recommendations. To further assist you with your search for the cookware that is right for you, we will also provide tips on what to look for when shopping for cookware for use on your glass top stove.
Contents
What are the Advantages of the Glass Top Stove?
“What is a glass top stove?” seems like an obvious question, but it is not quite that simple. The material used in a glass top stove is not, in fact, 100% glass. It is a glass-ceramic mix. The agent used to combine the two materials creates a substance that is much stronger and less likely to break than pure glass. This makes it more suitable for a surface that will need to work hard.
During production, this glass-ceramic compound is heat-treated several times, which further hardens it. This process also results in the material reacting more slowly to temperature changes and losing its translucence.
This gives these stovetops their smokey-dark color. In terms of the technology paired with this type of stovetop, these cookers are usually either electric or induction. In both cases, the heating coils or burners are located below the glass top.
The advantages of the glass stovetop include:
- Burners: Because the burners are below the thick, solid, glass top, no food spills can reach them. They, therefore, stay clean and usually last longer than burners that sit above the stovetop. A simple ring on the surface marks where each burner is located, so you know where to place the cookware and what size the burner is.
- Easy to clean: The smooth, continuous cooking top of this type of stove is much easier to clean than when the burners are set into the top. Spills and mess are an inevitable part of cooking but do not allow grime to build up and harden on a glass stovetop. If you wipe spills immediately, your stovetop will stay looking good.
- Fast: These cookers are quick, with the burners heating up and transferring heat to the cookware quickly. They cool rapidly too, which makes the stovetop safer.
- Responsiveness: Because the burners heat and cooling fast, cooking is more comfortable as you can control the temperature easily and very accurately. Some say that the control you have is similar to that of a gas cooker.
- Localized heat: This technology allows the burners to pass heat on to the cookware effectively. However, it does not conduct heat well, so the surrounding area and surface remain cool. This has two advantages. Firstly, if you spill food or a pot boils over, it will not burn onto the surface. Secondly, burns become far less of a risk for you and others near the stove.
- Flat, even surface: Because these stovetops are entirely flat and smooth, they can double up as preparation or counter space when they are cool and not in use. Just remember not to cut on them as knives may leave marks, or to drop anything heavy on them. Even glass-ceramic has its cracking and breaking point!
- Attractive: These dark, elegant, and shiny stovetops look clean and modern and fit in well with any kitchen.
There are several strong reasons why a glass top stove is a good option for you and your kitchen. However, the next issue is what cookware to use on your gleaming new stove.
Why Should You Get a Cookware Set Suitable for a Glass Top Stove?
The construction and design of glass top stoves mean that you must use suitable cookware on your stove. This will both protect your stove and make cooking much more manageable.
To meet both requirements, you need cookware that has a very flat base so that it makes good contact with the stovetop. Most traditional cookware has sides that are rounded or curved from the bottom, which is not suitable for these cookers.
Also, cookware must be heavy enough to be stable on the surface above the burner. If it does not, the heat will not be evenly distributed into the cookware.
Finally, although the glass top is hardened, it can still be scratched, dented, chipped, or cracked. For this reason, you want to avoid cookware made of very rough and/or heavy materials such as cast iron.
Even with these requirements and cautions, there is still a wide range of cookware sets that will work very well on your glass top stove. It is time to look at the best ones currently on the market.
Best Cookware Sets for Glass Top Stoves
Have you already had a look at cookware sets for use on a glass top stove? It can be confusing, right? How do you know what is an honest review, and what is just marketing hype? Can all the claims be believed? Are they worth the money?
Well, we have done a lot of work for you. The following eight sets are—in our opinion—the best currently out there.
1. Paula Deen 12512 Signature Nonstick Cookware Pots & Pans Set
This cookware set offers a good range of pieces: two saucepans, a stockpot, a sauté pan, and two skillets. All, apart from the skillets, come with tempered glass lids. They are constructed from durable, heavy-gauge aluminum, so they heat fast and evenly and respond quickly to changes in temperature setting.
Both factors make them easy to cook in, and the very flat bases make them ideal for glass top stoves. The nonstick coating makes these pots and pans very easy to clean. I strongly advise that you do not put them in the dishwasher, though, as it may damage the interior coating and cause the exterior color to fade.
What Customers are Saying:
The overall Amazon rating for this set is 4.4 out of 5. Buyers love the style and color of this cookware, and how effective and easy to clean the nonstick coating is. Several reviewers remind others to hand wash the pieces and not to use metal utensils to preserve the nonstick coating. Other pros are the lids, which fit well, and how stable the cookware is thanks to its weight and flat bases.
The negative comments focus on warping, the interior coating peeling, and the blackening of the outside. Warping is a danger with any cookware if pots are filled with cold or warm water when they are still very hot. Blackening can occur if cookware is placed on a burner that is much larger in diameter than the pot or pan. Nonstick surfaces can be damaged by dishwasher cycles, harsh soap, rough sponges, and hard cooking utensils.
Verdict:
These items in this set make it an excellent starter set. If you are looking for cookware that will work well on a glass top stove, has a fun retro look, and is a breeze to clean, this is a good option.
2. T-fal E765SC Ultimate Hard Anodized Titanium
This set includes three saucepans, a Dutch oven, and two fry pans. All, apart from the pans, come with tempered glass lids and manufactured from anodized or hardened aluminum. This cookware has good weight, heats up fast, retains heat well, will not react to acidic foods, responds quickly to changes in temperature, and should be durable.
I confess I do not find T-fal’s Thermo Spot particularly useful and use my judgment to gauge when a pan is hot enough. I found the nonstick surface compelling, and, as a result, cleaning was smooth.
As with all nonstick items, do not make your stove hotter than medium heat. Again, avoid using a dishwasher even though it says you can. I also like the riveted handles, which are durable, stay cool, and have good grips.
What Customers are Saying:
Reviewers on Amazon give this set a 4.3 out of 5 ratings. The aspects buyers like to include: the weight, strength and durability, even heating, heat retention, quick to react to temperature changes, stay-cool and riveted handles, glass lids, and the effective nonstick surface that makes cleaning easy.
It is noteworthy that there are reviewers who point out that one should avoid hard cooking utensils, harsh soaps, abrasive sponges, and to let pieces cool before cleaning them. The critical comments all seem to revolve around items that appear to be used or returned.
Verdict:
This set offers an impressive range of pots and pans at an affordable price. The pieces work well on glass top stoves and, if properly cared for, will give several years of excellent service.
3. Rachael Ray Hard-Anodized Aluminum Nonstick Cookware Set
This Rachel Ray set includes two saucepans with lids, a sauté pan with lid, a stockpot with lid, and two fry pans. This cookware is manufactured from anodized aluminum, which means that the pieces are durable, heat fast and evenly, respond quickly to temperature changes, and retain heat well.
Useful features include the effective nonstick surface, the rubberized handles which stay cool and are easy to grip, and tempered glass lids. I found this set easy to both cook with and to clean. Although it is described as dishwasher safe, I urge you to handwash instead to help preserve the nonstick coating.
What Customers are Saying:
The Amazon overall rating is 4.4 out of 5. On the pro side, reviewers mention the even cooking, effective nonstick coating and resultant ease of cleaning, the glass lids and handle design, the weight (neither too light nor too heavy), and the range and size of pieces.
One buyer mentions that the lids do not seal and so allow some moisture to be lost. Another reviewer stated that the base of a sauté pan warped. This may be due to thermal shock; let cookware cool before adding colder water.
Several critical reviews focus on the nonstick coating coming off. This may be due to a range of factors. Nonstick coatings always have a limited life, and not taking the right care speeds this up.
Verdict:
This is a good option for a new cook or a young family. It offers excellent value for money and performance and should last several years if it is cared for and not abused.
4. Cuisinart MCP-12N Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel Cookware Set
This set from well-known brand Cuisinart includes two open skillets, a large stockpot with lid, two covered saucepans, a sauté pan with lid, and a steamer insert that also has a cover. It’s made from stainless steel with an aluminum core.
This cookware is highly durable and can take harsher treatment than items with nonstick surfaces. It also will not react with acidic foods. Thanks to the aluminum, the pieces heat evenly and retain heat well. However, these pieces do heat up a little more slowly than some others. Keep in mind this material is not nonstick; you will need to use a little oil or fat.
Although I like glass lids, these stainless-steel covers will crack or break. This cookware handles the dishwasher well, and I found it easy to clean. Bar Keeper’s Friend removes any watermarks on the high polish exteriors.
What Customers are Saying:
Reviewers praise the design (such as the handles and pouring rim), stable performance, weight, and high durability of these pots and pans. Some buyers caution against marks, stains, and potential warping. All these can be dealt with or avoided with the correct cooking, cleaning, and care practices.
On the con side, there are complaints about food sticking. This is an issue with stainless-steel cookware, and the manufacturer does not claim that the cookware is nonstick. Knowing how to cook with stainless-steel means you can avoid this. With the pros and cons given on Amazon, this set scores 4.4 out of 5.
Verdict:
This set contains a good range of types and sizes of items and will last a long time. If you are prepared to learn how to cook in stainless steel, this set is an excellent option.
5. Duxtop Whole-Clad Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Induction 10 Pieces Cookware Pots and Pans Set
The Duxtop Whole-Clad set includes two fry pans, two saucepans with lids, a saucepot with lid, and a sauté pan with both a cover and handle helper. The manufacture of this stainless-steel cookware uses an aluminum core with whole-clad rather than triple-ply construction. This translates to durability, stability, and quick and even heat distribution both on the bottom and sides of the pot or pan.
Given the cooking surface is stainless steel, it will not react with acidic foods. I also like the stay-cool, riveted handles. While I found cleaning the set easily so long as I preheated the pot or pan a little and used a little oil, this cookware is dishwasher safe.
What Customers are Saying:
The overall Amazon rating is 4.3 out of 5 for this cookware set. Positive comments include that this set cooks evenly and fast, can be placed in the dishwasher, cleans easily, has stay-cool handles, is strong, and the pieces are solid and durable.
There are useful reminders that one should not cook on very high heat and that stainless-steel is not nonstick, so adjustments must be made. Other buyers found some of the larger pieces a little too heavy when they were also full of food.
Also, the lids can get hot, so remove them with caution. Some users complain about spots and stains. This is a potential issue with stainless-steel. However, they are easy to remove with a vinegar solution or Bar Keeper’s Friend.
Verdict:
This is an excellent, well-constructed cookware set that will work very well on your glass stovetop. If you learn to cook in stainless-steel, you will also not have any problems with food sticking and cleaning these pieces.
6. Anolon 82676 Advanced Hard-Anodized Nonstick 11 Pieces Cookware Pots and Pans Set
Analon’s cookware set includes two fry pans, a grill pan, a sauté pan with lid, a large stockpot with lid, and two saucepans with lids. These pots and pans are hard anodized stainless-steel.
As a result, they will be highly durable, and their bases are anti-warp. They heat quickly and very evenly, which makes cooking easy. They also have a toughened nonstick coating, which means food does not stick, and cleaning is a breeze.
Although the manufacturer says the set is dishwasher safe, I recommend you handwash this cookware. The other aspects I like are the elegant look of this set with its bronze exteriors, the sturdy riveted handles, and the tempered glass lids.
What Customers are Saying:
The overall rating on Amazon is 4.3 out of 5. The positive reviews center around the looks, durability, stability, weight, and performance of this cookware set. Buyers also like the design and feel of the handles and the speed at which the pieces heat up. The ease of cleaning is also praised but with warnings to handwash and not to use the dishwasher.
The negative reviews mention that, despite the product description saying that you can, you cannot use a dishwasher, hard utensils, harsh soaps, or abrasive cleaning sponges, or the nonstick coating is damaged and stops working.
Verdict:
This set is not inexpensive, but it offers a good range of durable pieces that perform very well in terms of both cooking and cleaning. But… do not use a dishwasher or metal utensils.
7. Circulon 80580 Infinite Hard Anodized Nonstick 10 Pieces Cookware Set
This cookware set is also hard anodized but aluminum, not stainless steel, which makes it very strong and durable. The pieces also heat fast and very evenly. The bases are stainless-steel, which reduces the chances of warping. This is important when it comes to glass stove top compatible cookware.
The pieces are two saucepans with lids, a large stockpot with lid, a sauté pan with lid, and two fry pans. The interiors have a nonstick coating that effectively stops food from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
The manufacturer claims this coating is scratch-resistant, but I did not put this to the test. They also state that the pieces are dishwasher safe. I know from research and personal experience that using a dishwasher will reduce the life of the nonstick coating.
I did like the fact that the handles are riveted on and, therefore, far less likely to come loose or off. However, the pot handles do become a little warm, and some pieces are quite heavy. This cookware can be put into the oven at temperatures up to 500 F.
What Customers are Saying:
The overall Amazon rating for this set is 4.5 out of 5. Reviewers praise the even heating and cooking of this cookware and how effective the nonstick coating is both in terms of food not sticking and how easy it is to clean these items.
There are comments that the pieces heat more slowly than others because of the thick stainless-steel bases but that this can be an advantage too. Buyers also suggest that you handwash this cookware and avoid metal utensils even though the manufacturer says both are safe. This is to extend the life of the nonstick coating.
Some buyers found some pieces too heavy when they were full of food. Others say that glass lids would be preferable and that the lids get hot after a while. Critical comments focus on the nonstick coating not working after a while or beginning to peel.
Verdict:
This cookware set works very well on a glass top stove and is great to use and easy to clean. Given the way the cookware performs and the range and quality of pots and pans, this set is outstanding value for money.
8. Calphalon 2029633 Premier Stainless Steel 8 Pieces Cookware Set
This set from Calphalon is modest in size: two fry pans, a saucepan with lid, and a stockpot with cover. This cookware is constructed from three layers: an inner and outer layer of stainless steel with an aluminum core in between.
This creates pots and pans that are durable and heat quickly and evenly and respond very well to changes to temperature changes. The stockpot is very heavy when it was full. Stainless-steel also does not react with foods, including acidic foods.
I found searing and sautéing foods easy in this cookware, but you do need to know or learn how to cook in stainless steel, or you may have problems with food sticking. Just use low or medium heat and a little oil. I found cleaning this cookware easy, and it also handles the dishwasher very well. It is also ovenproof up to 450 F.
What Customers are Saying:
The Amazon overall rating for this set from Calphalon is 4.4 out of 5. Happy customers speak of the pleasing look, right balance, and weight, the design of the handles and lids, that the pieces are oven safe, and how well and fast the pieces conduct and retain heat.
Reviewers who are used to cooking in stainless-steel like the fact that this cookware does not need to be treated delicately: you can use metal utensils and put them in the dishwasher. On the other hand, unhappy buyers say that food burns and sticks easily and that getting them clean is hard work.
Verdict:
Even though this cookware performs well, it is expensive at over $350, especially as it is a relatively small set. If you have a larger budget and want to add to your existing cookware, this could be the way to go.
There are, of course, other possibilities in terms of cookware sets. However, keep in mind that not all of them are good value and—more importantly—not all will perform well on a glass top stove.
What to Look for When Cooking on Glass Top Stove?
We have established that it is not a good idea to use any type of cookware on your gleaming glass top stove. Having the right kind of pots and pans ensures that (a) your stovetop does not get damaged, and (b) cooking is easy and enjoyable. But let us recap some of the features that you should look out for when you shop for cookware for your glass top stove.
Wide, Flat Bottom:
You need pots and pans that have wide and—but even more importantly—completely flat bases and that have enough weight to be stable. The base of the piece must be in full contact with the stovetop at all times so that heat is effectively transferred.
Cookware Material:
You have options when it comes to the material the cookware is made of. The number one choice is stainless-steel thanks in part to its weight. These pots and pans are heavy enough to be stable and make good contact without the risk of damaging the glass stovetop. Although aluminum also works well for the same reasons, there have been a few reports of this material, leaving a residue on the cooking surface.
The materials to avoid are rough materials such as cast iron (which is also too heavy), ceramic, and stoneware. Glass cookware is not an effective conductor of heat.
Cookware Weight:
As indicated, the factors with regards to weight are linked to performance and protection. You want cookware heavy that is enough to be stable and keep good contact but not so heavy that it may damage the cooktop.
Size & Number of the Pans & Pots:
It is easy to be dazzled by gleaming, attractive cookware sets. However, before you buy one of them, you need to ask yourself a few questions. The answers should determine the size set you purchase.
How many pots and pans do you need? How much cooking do you do? Is it just you, you and a partner, or do you have a big family? Maybe you do a lot of entertaining. Also, pots and pans take up a lot of storage space. How much space do you really have for cookware in your kitchen?
Oven Safe & Induction Ready:
Not all of us are oven cooks. My mother used to put dishes in the oven to slow cook them or for the final stage. I am not that kind of cook; the stovetop is all I need. Which are you?
If you like to use the oven, or would simply like to have the option, make sure the set you opt for is oven safe. Of course, you will need to ensure that you do not exceed the maximum temperatures set out by the manufacturer.
Whether or not cookware is induction ready or induction safe is only relevant if your glass top stove works on induction technology. If it is, make sure that the set you buy is made of carbon steel or magnetic stainless-steel.
Check the product description carefully to see if it is induction compatible. The words “induction compatible” or “induction read” should appear or the relevant symbol. If you are still unsure, contact the manufacturer or their agent directly to enquire.
Easy to Clean:
Nobody—well, nobody I know—wants to spend time soaking and scrubbing for ages to get cookware clean.
Cookware with a nonstick coating is usually the easiest to clean. However, even if the manufacturer says the cookware is dishwasher safe, I recommend that you hand wash it. Nonstick coating can be damaged by too much heat and harsh detergents. Stainless-steel can be more of a challenge, but if you follow the basic ‘rules’ of cooking with this alloy, and use cooking oil, it should also not be an issue to clean.
There may, of course, be other factors that are priorities for you either in terms of practicalities, such as budget or personal taste, such as appearance. You may want cookware that has a particular look or feel that will fit into your kitchen or home. Just do not lose sight of cooking performance on a glass stovetop.
Conclusion: Which Glass Top Stove Cookware Set is Right for You?
So, now that you know what a glass top stove is and what the advantages it offers are, are you closer to a decision? Now that you appreciate why you need cookware set specifically for a glass top stove, are you keen to get out there are find the right set for you? Will you keep in mind what you need to look for when you go shopping online or instore for cookware for use on your glass top stove?
All the sets we reviewed in this article offer the necessary flat bases and are made of materials that are better on glass tops than many others. We looked at eight of what we believe are the best cookware sets out there that perform well with glass top stoves and are great to cook with.
The 12512 Signature Set from Paula Deen is the right choice for a starter set if you are happy with a colorful, retro look.
The Cuisinart Multiclad Pro set offers a good range in terms of type and size of items and will last a long time.
However, our number one choice is the Circulon Infinite Hard-Anodized Nonstick Set. It gets our vote for the best value for money and exceptional performance.
Perhaps one of the sets we reviewed or recommended appeals to you. Regardless of what cookware set you select for your glass stovetop, we wish you happy shopping and hours of enjoyable cooking on your glass-topped stove! And let us know your views and about your experiences with your cookware set.