Surface Cooking; Setting Surface Controls; General Cooktop Information - Kenmore Electric cooktop Use & Care Manual

Surface Cooking

Use Proper Cookware
Cookware should
have flat bottoms that
make good contact
with the entire surface
heating element.
Check for flatness by
rotating a ruler across
the bottom of the
cookware (See Figure
2). Be sure to follow
the recommendations
for using cookware as
shown in Figure 1.
Note: The size and type of cookware
used will influence the setting needed
for best cooking results.

Setting Surface Controls

General Cooktop Information

About the Ceramic Glass Cooktop
The ceramic cooktop has radiant surface elements located below the
surface of the glass. The design of the ceramic cooktop outlines the
area of the surface element underneath. Make sure the diameter of
the pan matches the diameter of the element outline on the cooktop.
Heat is transferred up through the surface of the cooktop to the
cookware. Only flat-bottom cookware should be used. The type and
size of cookware, the number of surface elements in use and their
settings, are all factors that will affect the amount of heat that will
spread to areas beyond the surface elements. The areas surrounding
the elements may become hot enough to cause burns.
About the Radiant Surface Elements
The element temperature rises gradually and evenly. As the
temperature rises, the element will glow red. To maintain the selected
setting, the element will cycle on and off. The heating element retains
enough heat to provide a uniform and consistent heat during the off
cycle. For energy efficient cooking, turn off the element several
minutes before cooking is complete. This will allow residual heat to
complete the cooking process.
Locations of the Radiant Surface Elements and
Controls
Your cooktop is equipped with radiant surface burners with different
wattage ratings. The ability to heat food quicker and in larger volumes
increases as the element wattage increases.
The radiant surface elements are located on the cooktop as follows
(See Figure 1):
• One small 6 inch radiant element located at the left rear position;
• One dual 9 or 12 inch radiant element located at the left front
position;
• One 7 inch radiant element located at the right rear position;
• One Turbo Boil 9 inch radiant element located at the right front
position.
CORRECT
• Flat bottom and straight
sides.
• Tight fitting lids.
• Weight of handle does not tilt
pan. Pan is well balanced.
• Pan sizes match the amount
Figure 2
of food to be prepared and
the size of the surface
element.
• Made of material that
conducts heat well.
• Easy to clean.
• Always match pot diameter to
element surface diameter.
Figure 1
Radiant Surface Elements and Controls
NOTE: Please read detailed instructions
for ceramic glass cooktop cleaning in the
General Care & Cleaning section and
Before You Call checklist section of this
Use and Care Guide.
NOTE: Radiant elements have a limiter
that allows the element to cycle on and
off, even at the HI setting. This helps to
prevent damage to the ceramic cooktop.
Cycling at the HI setting is normal and
will mostly occur if the cookware is too
small for the radiant element or if the
cookware bottom is not flat (For
information concerning cookware, refer
to use proper cookware).
5
INCORRECT
• Curved and warped pan bottoms.
• Pan overhangs unit by more than
one-half inch.
• Pan is smaller than the element.
• Heavy handle tilts the pan.
Location of the
Figure 1
8
7
Hi
6
Off Med
Right
4 Rear
Lo
3
2
8
7
Hi
6
Off Med
Left
4 Rear
Lo
3
2
6
8
4
Hi
2
Lo
Off
Lo Left
Front
2
Hi
4
8 6
8
7
Hi
6
Off Med
Right
4 Front
Lo
3
2
Hot Surface